ABOUT

Hailee and Kari founded BluBird MTB Instruction because they believe that with solid technique and foundational skills, mountain biking can be fun for everyone.  They understand that mountain biking can be a tricky, technical sport that requires practice of specific skills to improve your riding abilities. They hope that by building your skills on the bike, it will enhance your confidence, making trails more accessible and bringing more joy to your ride....and hopefully your life!
 

Between the two of them, they offer 31 shared years of bike experience, adventures & racing and over 35 years of coaching a variety of sports.  

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"As someone who makes a living educating and helping coaches excel professionally, it is always a privilege to watch true Masters at work. When I decided to participate in an all-women's Blubird MTB clinic in Colorado, this Texas Roadie was nervous and had no idea what to expect. However, instantly those nerves were put to rest watching Hailee and Kari do what they do best. No egos, no attitude, and they took a group of 10 women at all levels, from beginner to intermediate plus and individually challenged and stretched each of us.  Technically they broke things down into manageable pieces that were easy to process, and actually doable. They gave clear cues, and positive technical feedback in terms of what was working, changes that still needed to be made, and then actually how to make those changes to improve. Flat out, they set you up to improve and succeed, and they do it in an ego free environment...what more could you ask for?!  After our clinic was over I went for a ride with my husband and he asked how much the clinic had cost. He then responded: "well that was definitely worth every penny." I couldn't agree with him more.  Moments like these leave a lasting impression, so thanks BluBird MTB for such a positive experience!" 

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Tracy Carrington, PhD     Mind Game Performance, LLC

MEET HAILEE

A self-proclaimed lover of everything, Hailee approaches all things in life with endless enthusiasm.  

 

Hailee was the Eagle head coach of The Cycle Effect for two years, helping to empower a team of 20+ young females during year long training/riding/racing schedules.   Along with The Cycle Effect, she assisted in coaching the Vail Valley High School Bike Teams.  She's also a member of the Vail Mountain Rescue Group, serving our communities backcountry emergencies.

 

Hailee has a variety of coaching and bike experiences under her belt.  She has ridden a bike, self-contained, across the country 3 times.  She brings a decade of mountain biking and racing experience to the table  Hailee also has 20 years of experience coaching a variety of sports.   She understands how to move her bike and read a trail, resulting in her smooth and playful riding.  A seasoned athlete and coach, she can be found on the podium of local Enduro races, or cheering athletes up the trail with gusto.  

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In the rare moment when Hailee is not on her mountain bike, Hailee can be found tapping into her Iowa farm girl roots in her garden, fixing up her collection of vintage cruiser bikes, woodworking, or bringing friends to her table for delicious eats. 

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  • 2 Years as head coach of 20+ @ The Cycle Effect

  • Completion of 2018 DirtSmart MTB Instruction class

  • Certified as a Wilderness First Responder

  • Certified in CPR

  • 1st Place - 2019 Eagle Outside FUNduro Women's Pro

  • Mountain bike coach for 2018 Vail Kids Adventure Games

  • 1st Place - 2018 Vail Outlier Enduro Women's Amateur

  • 1st Place - 2018 Vail Derail Fat Bike Race Women's Sport

  • 3rd Place - 2017 BME/Go Pro Mountain Games Enduro Women's Amateur  

  • 1st Place - 2017 Battle @ BellyAche Women's Sport XC

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MEET KARI

Kari has a lot of titles.  Wife, mom, teacher, community leader, joyful lover of life, outdoor advocate, adventure coordinator, bike club founder, coach.....the list could go on and on.  Because of the long list, most people probably would say joyful, fun-loving, Bad-Ass!   She loves to ski hard, ride bikes endlessly, and enjoy her family to the fullest.  Heck sometimes, you'll see her doing all three things at once - if anyone can do it, it's Kari!

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Growing up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Kari began mountain biking and skiing at a very young age.  Her experiences on trails from her childhood have turned her into a well-versed mountain adventurer.   

 

She desires to race her bike as fast as humanly possible up hills, she loves to teach and share her joys with others.  This makes her, undoubtably, one of the most charismatically-fun & intelligent coaches you'll ever cross paths with.  

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Kari is a well loved teacher at the Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy.  She has a true knack for teaching athletes of all levels - she understands explaining why you're doing something.  She's also well versed at drawing on other experiences to help anyone's dynamic comprehension.

 

Kari has been racing her mountain bike since high school.  She loves a long, challenging XC race.  She has been on the podium countless times at the local Vail Rec races.

 

  • MTB coach at the 2013 Copper Harbor Women's Weekend 

  • MTB Coach for Vail Mountain Bike Camps 2008 - 2009

  • Certified in CPR, First Aid

  • Teacher - 12 years

  • Mentor teacher - 5 years

  • Coached variety of youth sports for 18 years

  • Racing mountain bikes for 17 years

  • 1st Place - 2019 Eagle Outside FUNduro Women's Amateur 

  • 2nd Place - 2018 Vail Derail Fat Bike Race Women's Pro

  • 2nd Place - 2017 Battle @ BellyAche Women's Expert XC

  • 1st Place - 2016 Davos Dash Women's Expert XC

  • 1st Place - 2016 Eagle Ranch Classic Women's Expert XC

  • 1st Place 2016 Camp Hale Hup Women's Expert XC

  • 4th Place - 2016 Go Pro Mountain Games Women's Expert​​

  • 1st Place 2015 Vail Grind Women's Expert XC

  • 1st Place 2015 Son of Middle Creek Women's Expert XC

  • 1st place 2015 Maloit Park Short Track 

  • 3rd Place 2012 18 hours of Fruita Co-Ed

  • 1st Place 2011-Go Pro Mountain Games women's Sport

  • 3rd Place 2010 18 hours of Fruita Co-Ed​

  • 2nd Place 2010-Go Pro Mountain Games women's Sport

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