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More training lessons on my bike
By Christine Martell | August 28, 2007
In May, I attended Rita Bailey’s program through ASTD-Cascadia. I applied the learning about the four A process, and got myself a new bike. It’s been teaching me things all summer. On the Providence Bridge Pedal, I learned about spontaneous storytelling and stereotyping . I recently rode the Banks-Vernonia bike trail, and I learned about blogging and a bunch more training lessons came to mind.
“Knowing” versus experiencing
The bike trail is 20 miles or so. In one direction. So really I rode over 40 miles, plus the extra side trips into town and around the lake my husband thought would be interesting. What did I learn?
- 40 miles on asphalt is not the same as 40 miles on asphalt, gravel, and mud
- 4 days of riding 10 miles a day is not the same as riding 40 miles in 1 day
What can we apply in training?
- Telling isn’t the same as doing.
- Experiencing in context is different than theory/reading/knowing.
- There is nothing like experience in the field.
Knowing what to expect
We tried to find information online before we left, but what we found was dated and because we had recently visited the new Stubb Stewart State Park along one section of the trail, we could tell it was inaccurate. But we couldn’t tell how much was still true.
Sneaker hills
The first long paved section of the trail is what I affectionately call a sneaker hill. Named for it’s ability to sneak up on you. Looks so gentle and easy, but after several miles, gets much harder.
Gravel, Mud, and Deep Holes with Rocks
These areas were in the center section of the trail and were much more challenging to ride through. On the ride from Banks to Vernonia, we didn’t know what to expect or how long the section would last. On the way back, we knew the challenges were coming and could prepare by chunking it into a series of smaller sections.
What can we apply in training?
- Long steady challenges accumulate and get much harder in sequence than in smaller groupings
- Giving people an overview of where you are going and what the pieces look like helps them pace themselves and prepare
Use the right tools
In the center of the trail we came up on a three people who were walking down the steep hill with loose coarse gravel. They were wearing the bike shoes that clip into the pedals and riding very thin tire street bikes. They had walked through the muddy sections, and their clip shoes had mud in them. Let’s just say they weren’t very happy. At first they wondered how we were still riding, until they noticed we were on a mountain and a hybrid bike.
I have an adjustable fork on the front tire of my bike. On the first half of the trip, I just left it the way it was. On the way back, I decided to take a few moments to adjust it to be looser on the gravel and tighter on the pavement. It made a big difference in the comfort of the ride.
What can we apply in training?
- Take the time to find the right tools for the task
- When you have the tools, make sure you are using them
At some point it all comes together
The long sneaker hill on the way up becomes a beautiful long downhill coast on the way back. When you no longer have to work so hard, you can notice how beautiful the woods around you are, and notice how the sun streams through the trees.
In training, we all hope the learning integrates and we make tasks easier for those who we guide in learning.
What have you been learning?
Other posts on similar topics- Destination Profit with Rita Bailey
- At some point, it all came together–and I did not even do that much!
- Free online tools for learning professionals
- Are trainers keeping up with important technology?
- Adapting our environment for accomodation
Topics: Are you new to training? |
August 28th, 2007 at 6:11 am
[...] So I’ve been off riding again, this time on a 21 mile trail created on an old railroad bed. I learned a bit about training, and a realized a few things about blogging too. This bike ride was very much like the 31 day [...]
August 30th, 2007 at 7:47 am
[...] all past ASTD-Cascadia members!More training lessons on my bikeNot everyone who develops and manages e-learning is a “Techie”31 days blogging challenge [...]