The Power of Dirt Skills
We are Controlled Chaos
By Jenn Kwai
About a year ago a gravel/mountain bike coach, world champion mountain biker, and cycling community organizer were introduced with a common goal of empowering gravel women cyclists through gravel skills clinics. The clinics have since been expanded to include all genders and as a 6-part gravel series of clinics and trail rides for 2023. Also new for the year, is the non-profit organization being formed, called Controlled Chaos Cycling, to put on these clinics.
The clinic and rides are a progressive series that build upon each other and benefit riders of all experiences. It's not just for beginners! For experienced riders, critical skills can be impactful in the form of injury prevention and/or for cutting time during a race. From the coaches' perspective, the clinic portion allows riders to focus on the skills in a controlled environment and receive immediate feedback. Then on trail ride days, the coaches can show the direct application--where, when, and how to apply those skills.
ABOUT THE 6-PART GRAVEL SERIES
SESSION SCHEDULE
The clinics are offered as a package at $250 (sessions 2-6) or $100 per clinic or $50 per coaching ride.
The series started in January as a monthly session, however, weather impacts have delayed the schedule, so the Session 2 skills clinic (climbing, body position, cornering, and turning) happens on March 26.
Session Schedule
March 26 - Session 2 - Clinic: Climbing, Body Position, Turning, Cornering
April 23 - Session 3 - Ride: Climbing, Body Position, Turning, Cornering Coaching Ride
May 7 - Session 5 - Ride: Endurance Ride/Race Skills Coaching Ride
June 4 - Session 6 - Clinic: Advanced Skills & Terrain
In addition to the session, Controlled Chaos' partners will be on site. Specialized San Diego will be offering free demos of their gravel bikes to be ridden during the clinic, SRAM will be providing free swag and there to answer questions, and The Lost Cyclery will be doing free bike safety checks.
Sign up at: https://www.outdoorfitnesscoach.com/coachingservices
CONTROLLED CHAOS TEAM
We would like to introduce ourselves…
Coach Chi Planken (USA Cycling Coach-Level 2, BICP Skills Coach-Level 1, Cat 1 racer),
Tammy Tabeek (5-time World Champion, MTB & gravel racer),
Jenn Kwai (road & dirt rider, community cycling organizer).
The name "Controlled Chaos" comes from Tammy's days as a competitive downhill racer. Given the high intensity and nature of downhill mountain biking, she adopted the mindset that riding on dirt can be chaotic, but with no reason to worry if you are in control.
Taking from that philosophy, Controlled Chaos is what the team hopes to pass on to others so that you can be in control in any given situation.