Group rides are open to DSS Members only.
New Member Orientation will NOT be available at this ride. If you are new to DSS please complete your Orientation on Saturday, September 2nd.
Calling all Intermediate level riders! Change in location!!!! Due to the recent rain Gateway is currently closed. With this unique opportunity to have a group ride with only Intermediate level riders, we have decided to take on a new (to us) trail. The new location will be Knob Hills. This trail is located in Roanoke, directly off of US Hwy 377. Knob Hills is a unique trail that has mixed features with tough climbs, long flat sections, twisty trees, and tricky uphill switchbacks. There will be plenty of learning and sessioning opportunities!
Check in table opens up at 8:45am.
Please arrive early, have your A,B,C's done, and be ready to ride at 9:00 am!
As a reminder, 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 our skills based group.
New Member Orientation
If this is your first time participating in a DSS ride, we generally require you to complete Orientation BEFORE signing up to ride in a group. Please note: we will NOT be holding Orientation at this ride. If you are new to DSS, the last Orientation course was held on Saturday, September 2nd at Horseshoe.
Please email us at info@dirtsidesisters.org if you would like to attend this ride and have not completed new member orientation.
Inclement Weather or Closed Trails
No matter how much planning we do, at the end of the day we are still at the mercy of Mother Nature. Our promise to you is that we will COMMUNICATE any potential change of time/date/trail location as soon as we possibly can. This may be via text message to the phone number you've entered in your membership info or email...sometimes both. So please be patient with us if weather rolls in. Due to the limited availability of our volunteers in the month of September, we will NOT be able to reschedule this ride in the event of a cancelation.
Skills Based Ride Groups:
- Intermediate Skills Based
Flowy Ride Groups:
- 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 - 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. Neutral and ready position does not fully come natural to me just yet. 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.
