This week’s Princess Pedal Clinic was threatened with some pretty crazy weather.  Each afternoon there were ominous clouds followed by either showers, full on rain or hail.  By 6pm, we had sunshine, no real wind to speak of and clear sailing for some Princess riding.  Awesome.

As always in the first session, we did some bike skills on the grass which is always a bit of fun – and sometimes surprisingly challenging.  The grab and stab drill always presents a bit of a challenge for even the most accomplished rider – and this time was no different.  Only one crash so not too bad.  The tire-changing exercise over a little Prosecco, cheese and fruit – always a good time.

It’s always fun to watch what unfolds at a Princess Clinic.  Princesses arrive apprehensive about the whole thing and leave more confident in their tire changing skills, bike handling skills and ability to ride with greater ease.  They leave with new friends to ride with and a new love of riding.  Everything’s always easier when you know how.  Ain’t that the truth?

This week, we had Princess Squeaky-bike who might also be called Princess big surprise.  She arrived at the clinic with a bike she’d never ridden and decades of not having been on a two-wheeler –  and left talking about buying herself a new ride and asking, with intent – “so, just how far is a Gran Fondo?”  Day 2 she moved from regular pedals to clipping in and was so excited after this accomplishment that she left her bike behind in the parking lot!  No harm done though as it was leaning on my car – so I had her back. By Day 3, Princess Squeaky was off the front, often.

Speaking of new bikes and clip-in pedals there was Princess Resist-a-clip.  This Princess had been a Princess a couple of years ago on her 900 pound hybrid and recently upgraded to a nice, light road bike so returned to Princess Clinic to get comfortable.  Still getting accustomed to her new ride, Princess Resist-a-clip has ‘traps’ on her pedals.  One spill after being unable to get in or get out of those traps had her convinced that clip-in’s might be a little easier to work with.  Time to go shopping!

Princess Rather-run already does just fine.  Having accomplished some international riding on various and sundry biking holiday’s – there wasn’t a lot to work on.  In the end, her pace-line skills and confidence were improved and she left a happy camper.

Princess Big-Ring is relatively new to riding but decided to take on the Banff Gran Fondo 150km last year as her first event.  While last year’s group of Princesses did the same, and complained about how cold and  how hilly (including me) – Princess Big-Ring hadn’t noticed.  Yep, this Princess will be a force to be reckoned with.  Her big learnings this week were about saving herself (and her legs) by learning to spin and to ride confidently in a pace line.

Princess Needs-a-compass spent a good deal of the clinic ‘out in front’ – which comes with it’s own hazards.  Was that right, or correct?  Was that east or …?

Another Princess Clinic finished and new friendships forged.  Thank you Princesses.  It was a terrific week.  See you on the road!

LiveSplendidly!