This post was originally published for Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Adventures. To learn more visit the Sacred Rides Blog.

One of the (many) perks of working with a kick-ass company like Sacred Rides, is attending our trips to check in with our guides, meet our clients, listen and learn in efforts to make suggestions for improvement based on feedback from both parties.

The weekend of August 2nd and 3rd, 2014 I had the pleasure of attending our Skills, Thrills and Gatineau Hills – Beginner Skills Camp for women, located in Quebec, Canada. Led by coach Dominique Larocque, former Women’s National XC Team member (and what I would soon learn – an absolute firecracker who sparked with energy the entire weekend).

Although this camp was opened to all levels, all participants happened to be fit, active and adventurous, although new to the sport of mountain biking.

Day #1 led us on a 35 km adventure through the north section of the Gatineau Park, renowned for its beautiful lakes, sandy beaches and pristine pine forest. A picture perfect backdrop for our mid-ride picnic lunch.

By days end, our group was well acquainted with their new found 2-wheeled-nobby-tire-friend. Beers on the deck followed by a candle lit dinner in great company on the shore of The Gatineau River in Wakefield, completed our day.

In one of many pedal induced conversations, Dom had mentioned an obstacle at her mountain bike camp (LaRoccaXC Mountain Bike School), a set of stairs that you could not only ride down, but up. I immediately thought, “hmm…I will for sure ride down, and doubt I will ride up, and there is no way our group of new mountain bikers will be doing either!”.

Day #2 we arrived at LaRoccaXC Mountain Bike School ready to rip. I immediately locked eyes with the staircase Dom had mentioned the day before. “Oh sh@t!”, I thought. Dom then proceeded to tell the group with absolute confidence, we will all be riding that obstacle within the next 45 minutes. Again, I thought “Oh sh@t!”.

After a tour of the pump track and some of the easier singletrack, we returned to the obstacle course. Gulp. Dom demo’d the stairs with grace, with ease, with – what she referred to as “poetry in motion”.

As the stronger rider in the group, I was nominated as first up. My broad shoulders caving a touch, I approached the stairs with aggression, and then… chicken turned out. Yep, out of my comfort zone. Round two, I approached with a little less aggression, and rolled up 2 stairs. “Ok, that felt good, I can do this”. Round three, I charged the stairs, ass out of the saddle, bars to chest up the stairs, followed by pushing the bars up and over the platform and down the ramp.

“Poetry in motion” – I felt it!

Much to my surprise, our participants followed my lead. No questions asked. They just did it. No “Oh sh@t’s”. Just 100% poetry in motion.

Man was I impressed by these women! These new-to-the-sport-of-mountain-biking women.

Although already a strong believer in the value of taking the time for skill development and learning from those with experience, that day solidified my thoughts.

Day #1 these women were just learning about the importance of level pedals. Day #2, ripping up and down stairs?! Hard to put into words, so check out the video below.

Regardless of your skill level, there is always something to learn, new places to explore and interesting (ok, Dom may actually be one of the most interesting) people to meet.

What mountain bike skills are you lacking or working on improving?

Leave your thoughts below!