Hope for the uncoordinated

Went out today with the local mountain bike club beginners ride. It wasn't a skills clinic, but they had an experienced rider for every 4 newbies to lead and give tips on handling the trail. The trail was single track and only 3 miles, but we made the loop 3 times. It was a beginner trail, but there was enough to be a challenge for a newbie like me, sand, gravel, tree roots and little hills.

I did decide though that a sadist devised sand on trails. On all 3 loops I just about dumped the bike in the same spot. Came down a little hill straight into a curve of sand. You'd think by the 3rd time around I'd remember the spot was coming up and adjust, but no, just about fell every time. Had to put down my leg and walk through it.

All in all had a fantastic time and next weekend they are having a combined ride for both beginners and intermediate so we plan on attending that too. The club leader assured me they would break the newbies out into their own group and help us along.

Hurrah! Glad you had fun- sand is a challenge for everyone! Another interesting thing about Mt biking- experienced or not, everyone has certain elements they enjoy more, or are better/worse at! Some folks love screaming downhill but hate climbs with roots and etc.....It is all so much fun(: Glad you found a group to learn from.

Today we went to a trail that is a little more technical and I learned the joys of eating dirt. I also learned that my skills are directly linked to my stamina. When I ran out of steam the last couple of miles I also ran out of skills. Towards the end it was more like cyclocross, I was carrying my bike around a lot.

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Originally Posted by thekarens

Today we went to a trail that is a little more technical and I learned the joys of eating dirt. I also learned that my skills are directly linked to my stamina. When I ran out of steam the last couple of miles I also ran out of skills. Towards the end it was more like cyclocross, I was carrying my bike around a lot.

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It does seem to work that way, but it sounds like you are having fun and progressing!

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Originally Posted by thekarens

Today we went to a trail that is a little more technical and I learned the joys of eating dirt. I also learned that my skills are directly linked to my stamina. When I ran out of steam the last couple of miles I also ran out of skills. Towards the end it was more like cyclocross, I was carrying my bike around a lot.

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That still happens to me! I have a window between warm up and fatigue that I can ride aggressively, learn new skills and have a small degree of technical competence. Once I am tired I can keep pedaling but my focus shuts off..... that is when I usually head back to the double track (: or walk the gnarly... or wreck because I ignored the fatigue! hahaha

Definitely! Great fun and a great workout, win/win!

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Originally Posted by tealtreak

That still happens to me! I have a window between warm up and fatigue that I can ride aggressively, learn new skills and have a small degree of technical competence. Once I am tired I can keep pedaling but my focus shuts off..... that is when I usually head back to the double track (: or walk the gnarly... or wreck because I ignored the fatigue! hahaha

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Yeah, I walked the bad parts and then proceeded to run into 3 trees on the tight turns. It was strictly fatigue because I did fine there earlier. This track was single track only, out and back, 10 miles total.