Special Ops Adventures 2010
For those of you interested in off-road adventures, a few like-minded individuals have banded together to play among the trees and in the dirt. The Team Sheeper Special Operations (TSSO) unit was created to provide unconventional triathlon experiences to compliment our conventional activities. We emphasize skill development, training, and racing in off-road, trail, and open water venues. Our primary goal is to have fun and build camaraderie while developing strength, confidence, and diversity.
The planned maneuvers include mountain bike clinics and bimonthly, local rides with oversight by Coach Hani Juha. All Team Sheeper athletes are welcome and encouraged to participate in Special Ops activities with no additional fees required. Racing missions conducted by specially organized, trained, and equipped athletes will include mountain bike sprint races and Xterras.
After extensive reconnaissance, surveillance, and operational planning, we have developed the following training maneuvers and racing missions:
- Training Rides: Check the Workout Schedule for the next ride and come on out!
- March: To the coast and back without touching the pavement, run and mountain bike
- June: 8-hour mountain bike trail extravaganza
- July: Big Blue Adventure Race, Half Moon Bay
- August: Leadville 100, mountain bike race
- September: Tahoe 100, mountain bike race
Off-road maneuvers will meet at local coordinates including:
Arastradero Preserve: Starting point for multiple loops within Arastradero Preserve. Directions: Hwy 280, exit Alpine Rd West, left on Arastradero. Parking lot is about 1.5 mile on the left.
Alpine Inn: Great starting place for multiple mountain biking routes with ample parking in Portola Valley. Directions: Hwy 280, exit Alpine Rd West, left on Arastradero, immediate right into Alpine Inn parking lot.
El Corte de Madera (Skegg's Point): Starting point for multiple loops within El Corte De Madera Open Space Reserve that has easy to advanced routes. Directions: Hwy 280, exit Woodside Rd West, right on Skyline, about 5 miles turn right at Skegg's Point Vista parking lot.
Introduction to mountain biking clinic
Here are the things that we covered in January's bike clinic. Thank you to Hani for the instruction and for publishing the data.
1. Pre-Ride checklist
Check front and rear wheel skewer.
Check saddle.
Check headset.
Tire pressure: 30 PSI for beginners, 35 PSI for experienced riders, 40 PSI for advanced riders.
2. Skill 1 – Uphill start from a complete stop
Keep the bike balanced.
Clip into one pedal.
Lift pedal to power position.
Start pedaling and don't worry about clipping in the other foot.
3. Skill 2 – Stopping
Stopping is 80% front brake and 20% rear.
No skidding with the rear break.
Shift weight back.
Shift body down.
Heels below the pedals.
Arms extended.
4. Skill 3 – Downhill
Push the bike down the hill.
Similar to stopping position in Skill 2.
No skidding.
5. Skill 4 – Steep uphill riding
Shift your weight forward.
Push the front wheel down.
Drive your legs forward.
6. Turning
Push the bike into the turn.
