JGR Camping and Coaching Adventure

Gardiner Takes Girls Out Of Their Comfort Zone

Jess knows that teaching bike skills is one thing but overcoming the mental challenge of riding out of your comfort zone is another thing altogether. Basics mastered and techniques learned give confidence to push out of that comfort zone. The JGR Women Only Coach and Camp weekend covers both the mental and physical aspects of riding and also provides a judgement-free zone that helps students become more confident riders. 

There’s no pressure to tackle the gnarlier elements at Jess’s 270-acre Putty, NSW property. Jess puts riders at ease from when the first handlebars touch the ground: “Don’t worry about crashing, we’ve all done it. Just remember that every top pro rider was once at your level. Keep thinking about your positioning and practising these riding drills and you will feel more connected with your bike,” she explains. 

The group of girls and women on the 10-11 August event cover a wide range of age and abilities, from 12 years old to 52 years old, from MX to enduro and from racers to noobs. The MX girls aim to circulate around the track faster while the enduro riders want to learn the best way to tackle obstacles – both are catered for. The weekend also doubled as a fundraiser for Jess’s friend Taylor Peet who suffered a life-changing accident while jumping a dirt bike - with half the profits going to Taylor’s GoFundMe page . 

The first activity of the day is a free-ride around the training course which is a natural terrain MX track with no jumps but some tricky off-camber turns and rocky sections. This allows Jess and her partner and fellow coach Jeremy Carpentier to assess the level of each student. The girls from an MX background look confident but some of the 
enduro ladies appear nervous as they tackle the track under Jess and Jeremy’s watchful gaze. “This is a great starting point to see where everyone’s at and what needs to improve, but the first ride is always a nervous time – I get it, I’ve been here before. Girls tend to think a lot about who’s watching and it can affect them,” explains Jess, one of Australia’s most decorated enduro riders who knows plenty about performing under pressure. 

Jess and Jeremy make mental notes of everyone’s style and technique and begin the drills which start off with body positioning and braking and run through cone weaving and cornering before a healthy feed is served for lunch. After lunch the students head over to a second track with a tight uphill turn that Jess uses to highlight body positioning, where to look and line selection.

The girls then break into two groups for a trail ride within the property. Some of the tracks get steep and rocky and are what your average trail rider would class as technical. But everyone makes it back to base with minimal carnage – including the younger girls on junior MX bikes, despite the challenge of kick-starting the little two-strokes on hills.

Dinner is prepared by Jeremy with gallic flair on the BBQ – the French native wears many hats and chef is just one of them. The bench racing that started over dinner continues around the camp-fire until it’s time to hit the swag, tent or camper.

The next morning’s free ride around the training track reveals more confidence across the board. And there’s even more to come. There’s a focus on ruts – especially how to transition from the standing to seated position. Riders receive individually tailored advice to improve – because there’s often a difference between how you think you’re riding and how you actually are riding – the camera never lies…

A short trail ride on the lower part of the property throws up some slick conditions and a freshly downed tree. Students have the option to pop the clutch and loft the front end over the log or bypass via a wombat hole. Jeremy then explains the front wheel lift technique for clearing logs which is a reasonably advanced skill. 

Over another healthy lunch Jess and Jeremy explain about essential bike prep such as how to adjust your chain, change the oil and the wisdom of washing and checking over the bolts on your bike. Each participant receives a Kincrome goodie bag and there are some bigger

prizes from Ballards that are drawn out of a hat, the golden ticket scoring a fully-stocked tool bag.

The final trail ride of the day takes in some of the steeper and rockier sections of the property and by now minds and bodies are tiring and mistakes are being made. But that’s all part of the learning process –pushing beyond that comfort zone. Jess demonstrates the hard enduro section of the property and AORC rider Shay Kuhnke joins her while the other students are happy to spectate.

The trail ride ends on the final rocky descent where Kat is faced with a stick or twist decision. Standing up with her weight over the back, knees gripping the tank, scanning ahead and using all three brakes - engine braking included on a four-stroke thankfully - she is well equipped to succeed. All she needs now is the confidence to know that the techniques she’s just learnt will see her safely navigate the rock-strewn chute. Letting out the clutch and easing down the trail Kat finds out the hill is a lot easier than it looks…

Like the other girls and women at Jess Gardiner’s Coach and Camp, Kat now finds obstacles like sketchy downhills less of a white knuckle ride - thanks to the techniques learnt and confidence gained in a supportive and fun environment.