BIKE LIGHTS ARE REQUIRED!!!
We highly recommend having BOTH a helmet light AND a handlebar light.
Group rides are open to DSS Members only.
Orientation closes two days before the ride.
Join us for our Wednesday evening ride at Horseshoe Trail! This is our number one favorite beginner friendly trail, where we have specific loops planned for our new riders. The rest of the trail consists of tight and twisty trees, steep climbs, and a few rocky features...perfect challenges for our Intermediate and Advanced riders!
NEW to all of our skills based and flowy groups is our pre-ride warmup course in the field! This warmup course is a great opportunity before heading out to the trail to start getting loosy goosy and work on your body position on the bike.
As a reminder, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced FLOWY Groups will NOT stop to session and teach. The only stops will be to regroup. If you want to learn skills on specific parts of the trail then you must be signed up for a skills based group.
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 arrive early, have your A,B,C's done, and be ready to ride at 6:00 pm!
NEW to all of our skills based and flowy groups is our pre-ride warmup course in the field! This warmup course is a great opportunity before heading out to the trail to start getting loosy goosy and work on your body position on the bike.
(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.
