What kind of mountain biker are you?

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Originally posted by Terry

Thanks for the tip on body gear, Irulan. I'm ready to take on the downhills. Any tips on riding in deep sand down hill? I've only had one experience with a long down hill grade that was all sand...and deep, too. The 50 Year Trail in the Catalina Mts. north of Tucson...anyone tired it? (we actually had to walk up the sand because no one could ride it).
Terry

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I use the armor more for trying out rock moves and other technical stuff. There's a particulary nasty switchback I've been trying to get for two years now and I"ll put my guards on an just have at it.

Tips for sand... I run into sand and deep gravel at the bottom of gullies. When I encouter sand pits, it's MOMENTUM than will keep you going. For steering it's kind of like powerslide and countersteering...counter steeing is sort of like pulling a car out of a skid, you actuall turn against the way your front wheel wants to go. You have to keep movong, for the gullies sometimes I stand up for an extra push

Irulan

Hello,
I am so happy to find this place. I lurk around mtbr.com but it is so much guy talk and it is awesome to find so many female mountain bikers. Wish you all lived in the southeast because I spend every weekend riding with "the guys". Though it is fun, I think women have a different mtb philosophy and much more style & finesse. Look forward to learning from you,
Caroline
Oh--I love long climbs and long rides (25 miles or so) and lots and lots of technical. If I am not on my bike at least 10 hours over the weekend I don't feel like I have done anything....We bike in Pisgah forest in NC and there are so many trails around there that you never get board.

Irulan-thanks for the sand tips! There's no sand on my regular rides around here but I went out of town a couple of weeks ago and encountered some and was completely stopped in my tracks. I felt like I was trying to run on the beach!

Tablerock- I know what you mean about the guys and Mtbr but I post over there fairly frequently they seem to be pretty accepting of me and my "foibles" :). I think they enjoy the occasional woman's version of things, too.

Mt. Pisgah sounds like a lot of fun. There aren't any really long climbs in the Northern Virginia area. Just lots of short, steep things but I would love to give a long climb a shot some day.

Yay! My non-biking friends are so tired of hearing me talk about this. I love, love, love twisty fast singletrack and technical singletrack (lots of that in VA).

I'm learning to love climbing because nothing makes me feel more accomplished than making it up to the top of a huge hill. I've also been doing some beginner women races for the challenge and comaraderie, as I mostly ride with men.

Adrien, have you been to Poor Farm? I was just there a couple of weeks ago. What a treat that place is! Lots of fun, fast, twisty singletrack. That was nice for a change! The majority of stuff around here is rock & root ladden.

Racing sounds like fun! What class do you race?

Good Luck!

I'm actually riding at Poor Farm tomorrow after work! It's my favorite place to ride and I actually feel safe being there by myself.

I've raced there a few times too, which is loads of fun because that fast flat section is usually at the end, so I know I can use my big chain ring and just crank. I've been racing as a beginner and I'm going to do a couple more beginner races this spring, then (hopefully) move up to Sport class in the fall.

Lucky you!

It takes almost an hour and a half for me to get there but its well worth the drive. I would feel safe going by myself, too. I'll probably head down there on one Saturday morning to do some exploring, depending on my son's soccer schedule. You're welcome to join me if you'd like.

I don't have my big ring anymore since there's so much technical stuff around here, I never used it and found more use for a bashguard (not for my head, missliz ;) ) so, you'd probably blow me away on the flats.

Sounds like you'll be moving up in the ranks in no time! Good Luck! and post your results, too! :)

Cheers,
Kristina

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I'll probably head down there on one Saturday morning to do some exploring, depending on my son's soccer schedule. You're welcome to join me if you'd like.

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I'd love to! My email address is in my profile, so let me know when you're free and I'll meet you there!

Yeah! I'll send you an email as soon as I figure out my schedule.

Speaking of races, have you heard of the Cranky Monkey series? It might be too far out of your way but if your husband is an avid rider, too this might spark some interest.

http://thebikelane.com/site/intro.cfm

Thanks for the link- I'll check it out!