April 25, 2007 – Thanks to coach Shaums March of Mad March Racing, Paul Kindree of Team Squamish was able to host a Technical Riding Camp for a group of riders on Sunday April 22. Coach Kindree invited the Sunshine Coast Cycling team to take part and was delighted with the response.

Twenty-four youth and ten adults availed themselves of Shaums’ expertise. Most members of the two teams are X-country riders and rarely have an opportunity to receive specific technical downhill training — thus explaining the excellent turn out.

It was apparent, within minutes of arriving at the Alice Lake SORCA shack, that Shaums was going to be able to bring some new and valuable lessons to the occasion. Team parent and director Cam Cairns stated “Despite the very large number of participants, I can assure you that MMR (in the person of Shaums) certainly delivered the goods. All twenty-four kids showed a marked improvement in their riding skills.” With so many to take through the trails, Shaums relied on fellow MMR coach, Wayne Goss, for quick tows to the trail head behind his trusty dirt bike.

“It was a pretty wild day” said March “it is hard with a big group to share all the new information you want to give them. I think everyone went away with a gain in confidence and a chance to take a different approach to the downhill sections of their races.” Local DH riders interspersed the X-country and offered advice and riding by example.

Neal Kindree told organizers that it was great to be reminded of and have his technical skills reinforced. “Shaums really knows how to get the ideas through.”

Philip Cairns appreciated the session on braking “I especially liked learning the section on applying extra pressure – learning that by unloading and then doubling the pressure with my heels dropped it would drive the tread into the ground. Oh yeah, and the explanation of elbow shock absorbers by using his favourite demo boy — Harrison Gould — that was excellent!”

The Team Squamish directors are glad to have formed an association with Mad March Racing this season and were particularly grateful to Shaums and MMR for their sponsorship of this worthwhile day which could not have been open to so many young riders without that generous input.