Group rides are open to DSS Members only.
Registration for Orientation closes two days before the ride. (Monday, June 12th)
We know the trails are closed from the rain over the past few days, but we're not going to let that ruin our fun! Recently we've had several requests for some cornering practice. So with Horseshoe being closed we're going to turn some lemons into lemonade! In place of our trail ride we will be doing a mini clinic where we will break down the mechanics of cornering. Our new member orientation course will be going on at the same time as this mini clinic.
Make sure to hydrate through the day and bring plenty of water and electrolytes! It's getting very hot and humid!! Thank goodness Horseshoe has plenty of shade.
Check in table opens up at 5:45pm.
If you don't see the DSS van then you're not in the right place!
Please arrive early, have your A,B,C's done, and be ready to ride at 6:00 pm.
New Member Orientation
If this is your first time participating in a DSS ride, we do require you to complete Orientation BEFORE signing up to ride in a group. DSS Orientation is offered at all of our upcoming 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.
Skills Based Ride Groups:
- Beginner Skills Based
- Beginner/Intermediate Skills Based (NEW!)
- Intermediate Skills Based
Flowy Ride Groups:
- Beginner/Intermediate Flowy
- Intermediate Flowy
- Advanced Flowy
Skill Level Definitions
DSS Orientation - We require anyone who has never ridden with us to start here for your first ride. NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION IS FOR 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.
- What type of riding gear to wear for safety and comfort.
- How to maintain a strong and stable body position while riding.
- How to use your brakes properly.
- How to get the most out of your gears for smooth and efficient riding.
Beginner Rider - Neutral and ready position does not fully come natural to me just yet. I am still learning how to navigate my way through the trail and do not feel comfortable riding through rooty or rocky sections without putting my foot down. Quick changes in elevation or terrain give me a hard time. I walk my bike up most climbs and on obstacles like bridges and steep downhills. I am still learning to use my gears consistently. Riding down a curb is easy, but riding UP a curb scares me.
Beginner/Intermediate Rider - More times than not, I am riding with a strong neutral or ready position. I can ride over roots and small rocky sections, but am not always the best at gauging my speed, trail scanning, or picking my lines. I know HOW to use my gears but still find myself stuck in the wrong gear sometimes. Using my dropper seatpost does not come natural to me just yet. I would like more coaching to ride down 1-2 foot drops and learn how to perform a basic compression wheel lift. I can ride UP a curb but have room for improvement on my technique. Very slow speed riding can still be tricky for me. Short punchy climbs can give me a hard time. Overall I feel like I'm learning how to ride more obstacles but having trouble with consistency.
Intermediate Rider - 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 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. You are able to perform a basic compression front wheel lift and would like more coaching on pedal assist wheelies, manuals, and rear wheel lifts.
Advanced Rider - 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. You are able to perform both front and rear wheel lifts ( pedal assist wheelies, compression wheel lift, manual, rear wheel lift, bunny hop).
NOTE - We appreciate all your feedback from our recent poll about our pre-warmup course. The results clearly showed that the majority of you enjoy the warmup but would like the time frame to be limited so you can have more time on the trail. We are on board with that and will be condensing the warmup to 15 minutes! You can help us by reading the skill level descriptions carefully and choosing the closest group to your current riding level. If we see that you would have a better experience in a different skill group than what you signed up for, we will let you know during the warmup. The goal is to help you help you progress safely in your riding.
This warmup course is a great opportunity to get one on one coaching before heading out to the trail. We generally aim to work on the same skills that match up to the obstacles we will be riding that day on the trail. This practice session helps to get 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
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!
Group rides are open to DSS Members only.
