This past weekend, I spent five days in Copper Harbor, MI, three of which were immersed in the Copper Harbor Women’s Weekend Mountain bike clinic. Ten hours in the car gave me plenty of time to reflect on what I took away from the experience. While I definitely picked up a few new skills, the biggest thing I walked away with was more confidence, and a deep appreciation for the incredible community of women who love this sport as much as I do.
Before the clinic officially kicked off, we went on a “pre-ride” of the Point Trail and were immediately reminded of the technical, chunky terrain Copper Harbor is known for, but also its utter beauty. It’s a shift from what we ride in Southwest Michigan, where the trails are rooty with short, punchy climbs. The Upper Peninsula throws in long, rocky, technical grinders. And for the record: I LOVE climbing. (Everyone who knows me knows that’s a total lie.)
This was my second year attending the Copper Harbor Women’s Weekend clinic, and coming back felt like a full-circle moment. Last year was completely eye-opening, it exposed so many foundational skills I didn’t even realize I was missing, and it forced me to confront a confidence wall I had built around myself. That first experience pushed me in ways I didn’t expect, and it planted a seed of growth that’s been slowly unfolding ever since. Coming back for year two felt different in all the best ways. I wasn’t just trying to keep up or prove myself, I was able to show up fully, be myself, and allow the experience to meet me where I was. There was space to be vulnerable, to admit where I still needed work, and to truly let the clinic in. I approached the weekend with an open mind and heart, and because of that, I walked away with so much more than just technical improvements.
This time around, I was reminded of the power of slowing down and riding with intention. In the race world, “slow” often feels like a dirty word, but in this setting, it became a path to progress. We broke down the fundamentals, bunny hops, wheel lifts, ratcheting, trackstands, manuals, ready position, and bike-body separation, and looked at them with fresh eyes. I came in thinking I had a good handle on the basics… and quickly learned there was still a lot of room to grow. And that was okay. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about presence, patience, and the willingness to refine what I thought I already knew.
What made this weekend so meaningful wasn’t just the riding, it was the experience as a whole. Every group was filled with laughter, camaraderie, challenge, and growth. You could be riding one trail and hear another group erupting in cheers from across the woods, celebrating each other so loudly it echoed through the trees. I was pushed out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. My coach, Lynn Wolf (who was amazing), dubbed me the “CYFB” girl. For the uninitiated, that means: Cover Your (insert whichever “F” word you deem necessary) Brakes, a phrase I repeated to myself all weekend long. It stuck.
One of the most memorable parts of the weekend was tackling technical rock rolls, those intimidating, sloping sections of jagged rock that require full trust in your body, your bike, and your brakes (or sometimes, letting go of them, sorry Lynn). I love a good technical rock roll but it was incredibly rewarding to watch other women tackle these obstacles who wouldn’t normally tackle them on a solo ride and with coaching, encouragement, and practice, everyone started to approach them with a calmer mindset and better body positioning. There’s something incredibly empowering about facing an obstacle that used to intimidate you and realizing that you can do it. It was a reminder that sometimes, the biggest growth comes from leaning into the things that scare you just enough to make you stronger.
In four days, I covered 40 miles of Copper Harbor’s trails, and there’s still so much more to explore. But more importantly, I came home with new tools, stronger skills, and a deeper love for this sport. If you’ve never taken a clinic and think you don’t need one, I promise, you do. Give yourself the gift of slowing down, dialing it in, and falling in love with the process all over again.
Thank you to Haleigh Curtis @curtis_haleigh for being our 2025 Iceman Cometh Trailblazer!