Golf is a very technical sport, requiring proper positioning, timing, hand-eye coordination, etiquette and rules.  People don’t think twice about engaging a Golf Pro for some lessons.  In fact, it’s rare that you find a golfer that hasn’t.  Interestingly, cycling has similar requirements for proper engagement but the big difference is that the assumption is that riding a bike is like, well, riding a bike.  It should just come back to you naturally.  This is partly true, but not entirely.

I have been offering cycling clinics for women since 2014.  These clinics were born from a desire to see more women on their bicycles.   Experience shows that many women have a bicycle in the garage or basement collecting dust – possibly for years or decades.  The reasons that the wheels and pedals are left unturned include the usual suspects. Not having enough time to ride, inability to change a flat tire, not feeling confident riding in traffic, unsure what to do with a mechanical breakdown, not having anyone to ride with, feel they’re too slow to ride with others and so on.

With COVID-19 and the many restrictions with it – there has emerged a silver lining.  More people are on bikes!  Bike sales spiked and bike stores ran out of stock.  An incredible boon to the cycling industry to be sure.  The not-so silver lining is that there are now more women who own bikes who don’t know how to fix a flat, or have confidence riding in traffic, or others to ride with.

Building confidence, bicycle skills and a network are the key reasons that Princess Pedal exists.  Clinics are 6 hours over 2 days where we help develop all of these things. Women will have a greater feeling of confidence to go for a ride.  They will feel that they know exactly what to do, and when.  We go through the rules of the road, how to navigate pathways and bike lanes – and do it all together in small groups.

The Princess part is very much tongue-in-cheek because what I have found is that with a little encouragement in a supportive non-intimidating environment, these gals leave the clinic knowing that they have all it takes to climb hills, ride in a group, fix a breakdown and take their lane.  There is power in Princess.

If you know of someone new to riding or wanting to get back on their ‘ride’.  Someone who wants to enjoy the freedom and mastery that riding a bicycle provides.  Let them know about Princess Pedal.  Clinics, private sessions and tours are available in the spring of 2021.  Enquire at www.colleenparsons.com .

LiveSplendidly!