The SO is new to the trails, how can I help?
After a lot of research, my SO got a bike of her own. She got curious about my own newfound obsession with MTBing, and got a nice bike of her own.
We went to a couple of rides around the local park with very simple trails just so she can get a basic idea of what it's like, but she's never ridden a bike with gears before and I can tell it's a bit overwhelming for her. The only thing I insisted on right away was that she get a proper helmet asap. I want to help her progress, but I'm afraid that I will push her too far outside her comfort zone and kill her interest in trail riding.
What should/could I do to help her out? How can I tell when I'll be able to take her to actual xc trails? Any tips would be more than welcome.
More than anything I'm apprehensive about her v-brakes, I really wish she got hydraulic disc brakes right away because if I don't trust her v-brakes, how can I expect her to? However, disc brake upgrade also requires a new wheelset.
Re: The SO is new to the trails, how can I help?
Ha, I'd be the first to sign up if there was a skill building course of some kind here! :(
Thank you all for the important tips! We're going to practise shifting today, I just need to find an empty playground or something. Flat pavement only :)
There was some solid progress so far - the first day she was even struggling to get on the bike and was getting off by jumping to the side. However, she started reading up on the proper technique and the next day she got the hang of it. She even positioned her seat properly and it was a vast improvement.
We did since go to a park with very mild, short ascents and descents (only a couple meters of climbing/descending) and she did enjoy it and asked to go again. I tried to explain the correct position and tried to point out how staying off the saddle improves stability when it gets bumpy, but her shifting issues really need work first. She has grip shifters that I thought would be easier, but she keeps using the front derailleur to shift instead of the rear. When she does, she doesn't switch cogs all the way and the chain grates against the derailleur a lot :(
Basically, we'll just have to work on that a lot before hitting the park again :/
Re: The SO is new to the trails, how can I help?
The shifters are SRAM X7, so she's off to a good start I think. I read somewhere thst the only difference between X7 grip shifters and the more expensive models is in the casing+rubber design, the mechanism is the same.
Also, this park I mentioned has a flat section with wide pavements too, before you go deeper into the park where there's very mild singletrack. I think it will be a good platform for getting the hang of everything if we just avoid the weekends - it's crowded then, and the little kids are everywhere on the paths. I'd rather not place anyone in danger!
Re: The SO is new to the trails, how can I help?
Thank you all for the tips, they are super valuable in these noobie times :)
The other day she survived her first crash. Looked bad from my spot, but she's fine, just a few scratches and a bent pedal cage. The helmet did its job and I was so relieved that I insisted she gets it right away.
Thing is, this only happened because she is stubborn - she went down a slope that was new to her and lost control of the bike when she hit the rocky bumps at the bottom. She insists on riding ahead of me because "she can't see the obstacles if I'm in front of her", instead of following my lead and learning that way. I mean, I'm still a noob to proper trail riding myself, but I spent all my life riding bikes, occasionally hitting the trails with my dad who has been racing locally for over a decade so he gave me some useful tips very early on. I think it would benefit her more than she thinks at this stage to try and emulate some of that.
Re: The SO is new to the trails, how can I help?
I love being able to follow the line of a better rider, but there's very few people I trust enough to do that with.
Re: The SO is new to the trails, how can I help?
I like these points of view, thanks for sharing! I see what you are saying about following in my lines. Since I'm still learning myself, I'm not too comfortable in the position of the tutor, either. I do like what Indysteel suggested regarding specific bits of trail to tackle. I think I can do that, at least with some smaller downhill sections. Perhaps we should start with the slope she lost control on, so that she overcomes any leftover tension quickly? It's really not too bad even for a beginner, so perhaps I could go down it a couple times and then let her try it herself?
In fact, perhaps I could get my dad on board as the resident tutor when he comes to visit. When I was younger, we'd pass the entire xc race trail and I'd follow in his lines. I haven't fallen once so I guess he was doing something right. If not, I guess we can always join some mtb club and ask for a beginner friendly group ride :)
The SO is new to the trails, how can I help?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
brigada
If not, I guess we can always join some mtb club and ask for a beginner friendly group ride :)
If you are a beginner yourself, this sounds like a really good plan. The last thing. You want to be doing is passing on any potentially bad habits. I always recommend a skills clinic if you have access to any.