College for Mountain Biking?

Sounds like something out of a movie from the likes of Animal House or Old School, but seriously folks, the Manchester Community College is actually running a course in Mountain Biking Skills. I found a post on one of the Connecticut Mountain Biking forums from someone looking for a skills course! Can you believe there is actually a college course for mountain biking, granted it's a non-credit class, so if you were trying to get that undergrad degree in Underwater Basket Weaving this won't count towards it. It's kind of fitting, though, that there would be something like this offered because Manchester is next to Case Mountain (haven't been there yet) but from everything that I have read about it seems to be the mecca for riding in Central Connecticut.

Essential Mountain Bike Skills (page 34): This informative and instructive course is for both beginning and advanced mountain bike riders. Learn new riding techniques and unlearn bad habits that are holding you back. For beginners, learn correctly the first time, and for advanced riders, continue with your development. This course will cover bicycle and mechanical basics, but the focus will be on bike skills needed to expertly negotiate rocks, logs, corners, and uphills and descents of trails. Students need to bring their own bike and helmet. Please note the rain dates listed below.

CRN #11799 2 Saturdays, 5/3-5/10 (two Sundays, 5/4 & 5/11, will serve as rain dates, if necessary), 9 a.m.-noon MCC Bldg. LRC A108 Fee: $40 Instructor: Salem Mazzawy is a professional cross-country and downhill racer with 10 New England championship titles and an equal number of years of instructional experience, including coaching the USA Cycling Junior Olympic Camp. His awards include three Nutmeg Games State Championships and two Connecticut Point Series Championships.

Ironically, I almost bought an Iron Horse from the guy teaching this course but decided to go with a larger, newer bike. He's selling his frame on Bikerag.com for $450. It's a pretty nice looking bike:

Speaking of skills, Paula Burton of CT NEMBA will be running her Girlz Rides at Trumbull again this summer. Check the CT NEMBA website in the next month when the RAW (Ride After Work) ride series is posted. During the prime riding season the Board of Directors, as well as the general membership, lead rides in their favorite areas, after work.