Group rides are open to DSS Members only.
Registration closes two days before the ride. (Thursday, March 3rd)
Join us for our 4th Annual Winter Shakedown Ride!! With 3.5 miles of NEW trail added to the Parks of Aledo, we have decided to keep this event at one trail. We will NOT be going to Quanah Hill this year! Parks of Aledo is a great trail for beginners and first time riders, with a small skills area and six miles of fun and flowy singletrack. The additional ~3.5 miles of singletrack provides challenging terrain at the northern end of the trail system. It has several techy, but rideable, off-camber climbs for our Intermediate and Advanced Riders.
Important Parking Information
ALL vehicles must park at:
First Aledo Bank
900 Bailey Ranch Rd., Aledo, TX 76008
If you don't see the DSS van then you're not in the right place!
RESTROOMS: Huge thank you to First Aledo Bank and the Weatherford Mountain Bike Club for providing us with our very own port-a-potty!!!
Check in table opens up at 11:45am.
Please arrive early, have your A,B,C's done, and be ready to ride at 12:00 pm!
We are excited to announce that Hustle Bike Labs will be at our Winter Shakedown ride to introduce their magnetic REMtech pedal system! Pedals will be available to demo AND purchase. JW and Craig will be hosting a "how-to" explaining how the REMtech system works at 11:30am (before our ride). Come out early and take the fear out of clipping in!
If this is your first time participating in a DSS ride, we do require you to complete Orientation BEFORE signing up for any of our Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced groups. DSS Orientation is offered at all of our group rides. Please note: if it is your first time participating in a DSS group ride and you sign up for any group other than DSS Orientation, we reserve the right to move you to our orientation group at any time.
"In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings.
In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated."
(click the picture below to watch a YouTube video on A,B,C's)
- Helmets and closed toe shoes are required
- Bring your own water and nutrition
To stay aligned with the COVID-19 protocols from the Texas Department of State Health Services, we will NOT have our community water jug available.
Ride at your own risk and please read the entire liability waiver.
Not sure what to bring? Check out our FAQ Page for more tips!
DSS Orientation - for your first time participating in a Dirt Side Sisters group ride. Please note: if it is your first time participating in a DSS group ride and you sign up for any group other than DSS Orientation, we reserve the right to move you to our orientation group at any time.
Beginner Riders - Neutral and ready position does not come natural just yet. You are still learning how to navigate your way through the trail and do not feel comfortable riding through rooty or rocky sections without putting your foot down. Quick changes in elevation or terrain give you a hard time. You walk your bike up most climbs.
Intermediate Riders - You can ride for an hour at 7-8 mph with limited stops. You have a strong/stable body position and your balance has improved in slow speed situations. You can easily ride up a curb. You are confident riding over bridges, through rooty sections and over some rocks. You can ride down drops at least two feet tall. You can ride through tree gates, dips, and up most short, punchy climbs.
Advanced Riders - You are able to ride for an hour at a 9+mph pace without stopping. You can ride all the way up steep, technical climbs and safely down steep, technical descents. You are confident cornering at fast speeds and can navigate quick changes in elevation and terrain. You can ride through most rock gardens and off drops up to three feet tall.
Group 1.) DSS Orientation - We require anyone who has never ridden with us to start here for your first ride. OPEN TO ALL SKILL LEVELS. What is DSS Orientation? This session will help you make the most out of your next group ride experience! Our ride leaders use several different words (that you may have never heard of or used before) to coach you through the trail. This helps keep everyone safe and the ride flowing smooth. During orientation we will teach, demonstrate, and practice:
- DSS Mountain Bike Terminology
- Trail Etiquette
- How to check your A,B,C’s before each ride.
- How to maintain a strong and stable body position while riding.
- How to navigate and pick lines through the trail.
- How to use your brakes properly.
- How to get the most out of your gears for smooth and efficient riding.
Group 2.) Beginner Skills Based - (includes stops to session obstacles and trail features) This group is focused on learning. Our Ride Leaders will break down proper technique and coach you through a few miles of the trail. Together you will stop at all trail features and obstacles where your leader will teach you, step by step, how to approach and ride these features. This is what we call sessioning. If you aren’t comfortable riding the obstacles, we encourage you to walk it, watch others, and soak up the lesson for the future!
Group 3.) Beginner Flowy - (Only stops to regroup, NO SESSIONING) This group is for beginners who are familiar with the trail and would like to ride with limited stops. The only stops will be to regroup, but not to teach.
Group 4.) Intermediate Skills Based - (includes stops to session obstacles and trail features) This group is focused on learning. Our Ride Leaders will break down proper technique and coach you through a few miles of the trail. Together you will stop at all trail features and obstacles where your leader will teach you, step by step, how to approach and ride these features. This is what we call sessioning. If you aren’t comfortable riding the obstacles, we encourage you to walk it, watch others, and soak up the lesson for the future!
Group 5.) Intermediate Flowy - (Only stops to regroup, NO SESSIONING) This group is for intermediate riders who are familiar with the trail and would like to ride with limited stops. The only stops will be to regroup, but not to teach.
Group 6.) Advanced Flowy - (Only stops to regroup, NO SESSIONING) This group is for advanced riders who would like to ride with limited stops. The only stops will be to regroup, but not to teach.
Group rides are open to DSS Members only.
