Women’s Weekend at Angel Fire Bike Park
July 12 and 13, 2024
$575
HG is stoked to present…
The sixth annual Women’s Weekend at Angel Fire Bike Park! HG and it’s talented coaches will host two days of lift-access riding at one of the best bike parks in the country in Angel Fire, New Mexico. Riders will enjoy guided runs down some the most fun trails anywhere, with professional instruction and coaching along the way.
Enjoy the mountain’s many skills features and multiple lift-accessed runs throughout the day to maximize trail time. Topics covered will include:
*Keeping speed and traction through corners and berms
*Learning to “get air” with drops and jumps, and the fundamental mechanics necessary to land safely
*Bike park culture and etiquette
*Line selection and technical, steep descending
*Finding the flow required to ride fast downhill
Prerequisites: All riders should be “strong-beginner/intermediate” with some exposure to technical, downhill trails. A full-suspension bike with a dropper seat post is required. Full-face helmets and protective gear are also recommended. WANT TO RENT A BIKE? Angel Fire Resort has a full bike shop, with downhill and trail bikes available for rent at 20% off for clinic attendees.
So grab your lady crew and sign up today!
WHERE: Angel Fire Bike Park, New Mexico (about 9-10 hours from Tucson or Phoenix)
WHEN: July 12/13 (9a-4p)
COST: $575 (includes professional coaching, two day lift ticket, a Friday “happy hour” and lunch both Sat and Sun)
Not Included: Transportation and Lodging**
**ANGEL FIRE RESORT OFFERING 20% DISCOUNTED LODGING FOR THIS EVENT**
(discount codes will be sent after registration and payment confirmed)
MEET THE COACHES:
Tara Alcantara
With over 25 years in the sport, Tara has dedicated her life to MTB, and feels most at home on gravity-fed trails. As a Level 2 “Air” PMBIA Certified Coach, Tara has an exceptional knack for pushing riders who want to progress. Tara helps her students develop the skills required to make solid decisions on the trail. As one of the very first of only a couple female riders on her home mountain, Mt Lemmon, she often chased some of Tucson’s fastest riders down technical, fast trails. Tara started a Tucson based mountain bike outfitter & guide company called Home Grown MTB in 2016. She has become a resource for locals and tourists alike, looking to experience the big mountain riding and exhilarating backcountry trails of the Sonoran Desert. She is also a founding member and past President of TORCA (Tucson Off-Road Cyclists & Activists), with thousands of hours of volunteer work slinging dirt and rock to make the trails better for everyone. Tara has coached MTB professionally since 2016, traveling the country working for some of the biggest names in the industry.
Art Alcantara
Art is co-owner of HG MTB, founder of TORCA (Tucson Off-Road Cyclists & Activists), PMBIA Level 2 “Air” Certified MTB Coach, and a big supporter of the ladies! Art is a talented rider who prefers long, backcountry epics and hot laps at the bike park. Art got into the sport after meeting his wife, Tara, and together they’ve spent the past two decades making dreams come true on the bike. Favorite places to ride are Retallack – BC, Whistler, Angel Fire Bike Park, and Mt Lemmon. His first coaching student was his wife, Tara, who he helped to develop into the rider she is today. Locally, Art has developed opportunities and advocated on behalf of riders for the past decade. A Tucson native and UofA alum, he embodies the term “home grown” and his commitment to building community is unmatched.
Stefanie McDaniel
Growing up riding dirt bikes on technical desert single track, Stefanie is no stranger to two wheels. After picking up mountain biking in 2015 and entering her first race in the fall of 2017, she’s quickly made a name for herself in Professional Enduro Racing. Stefanie is the current 2-time Arizona and Nevada state Enduro champion, and most recently 3rd overall Pro Woman in the 2019 Big Mountain Enduro Series. Riding for the US Factory Pivot Cycles Enduro Team, Stefanie is looking forward to continuing to rise up the ranks in the coming years. She owes much of her success on the bike to continued quality professional instruction. Her passion for learning and practice has grown into teaching others how to progress safely and become more confident and skilled riders. Stefanie started Slaydies Coaching in the Phoenix area, and as a PMBIA Certified Instructor, Stefanie is excited to pass her stoke for bikes onto her future students!
Juan Del Castillo
Growing up riding dirt bikes in Tucson, Juan is most comfortable on two wheels. After living and riding in Angel Fire, New Mexico for many years, he turned his focus to mountain biking. Juan made a name for himself at the Angel Fire Bike Park, winning several “whip off” contests, and competing at a professional level in downhill and enduro races. Juan worked as lead guide for several seasons at Home Grown MTB and he is a PMBIA trained mountain bike coach. His smooth and creative style of riding has inspired many other riders, and Juan is genuinely happy to share his techniques with those around him.
Lea Julson-Gibbs
Lea has been mountain biking since before she moved to Bend, in the late ’90s, when she started racing and riding with some of the most talented riders at the time, including professional XC and DH racers. She was one of the first women racers in the popular Super D series in Central Oregon (the pre-curser to Enduro), and went on to race the pro class in the first BME’s (Big Mountain Enduros). Lea is a strong backcountry rider, skilled at everything from long Colorado climbs at elevation to ripping downhill trails and everything in between. She is a PMBIA certified instructor, having coached for HG for many years. While living and riding in the Denver front range, she dedicated her time to COMBA, leading women’s rides and advocating for riders. Lea currently resides in Telluride where she continues to help grow the sport as a Teacher, where the curriculum includes coaching youth in mountain biking and skiing. Fun Fact! Lea and Tara are childhood friends, having ridden bikes together for the past 30 years. Bikes continue to bring them together and have been a driving force in their long time friendship.
Kimber Burger
Kimber got her start riding dirt bikes as a teenager, and found mountain biking while travel nursing around the country. She landed in Tucson and attended an HG women’s clinic on Mt Lemmon, where she excelled quickly and became a poster girl for nailing the fundamentals! During Covid, Kimber worked tirelessly in the ER and ICU. She used mountain biking as a way to clear her head and get outside. During a hiatus from nursing, Kimber dove head first into MTB and became a full-time Mountain Bike Guide for HG. She often rode 5-6 days per week, leading riders on all Tucson’s trails. With a background in bodybuilding and CrossFit, Kimber’s fitness is unmatched. She became a PMBIA certified coach, and has traveled the country seeking big mountain riding. A thrill seeker at heart, Kimber is no stranger to pushing her limits and facing fear head on. She is a talented member of the HG team, and we’re stoked to have her!
Sarah Shymske
Sarah came to HG by way of her job in the military. A former dirt-bike rider, Sarah has a background and degree in exercise science and was a strength coach for the best SuperCross racers in the country at Club MX. It was there she met her now husband, a professional Supercross racer, and their lifestyle is one of working and training hard while pursuing their passions on two-wheels. During her time in Tucson, Sarah quickly adopted mountain biking as her number one sport, and spent all her spare time riding, working as a guide and coach for HG, and progressing on the bike. Currently Sarah resides on the east coast, and continues to explore her limits on the bike. She’s also studying to become a pilot! Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her coaching style, and is an absolute pleasure to ride with.
Eric Lopez
Eric is a lead guide for HG during the winter season, and has quickly become an MVP! A self-proclaimed rock climber (and now pickle-ball enthusiast), Eric found mountain biking in Tucson and fit right in. As a brand new father, his style as a guide and coach has evolved to become nurturing and supportive, while also bringing the stoke and a zest for riding bikes. Eric obtained his PMBIA coaching certification and has helped many riders to improve their skills. His style is playful, and he is always pushing himself and those around him to be just a little better. Eric is an integral part of the Angel Fire clinics, and we can’t wait for you to meet and ride with him!
