Lovin' it!!

[Wahine]

I used to mtn bike in the late 90s. Then I got into triathlon and stopped riding my mountain bike. In the last year I've been getting back into it. It all started with a trip to Moab with my very capable mtn biking boyfriend. I had fun and thought that mtn biking would be a good way to get some anaerobic training in without having to do boring intervals on my road bike.

So... I bought an amazing frame and fork and the BF built it up for me. It is one h3ll of a bike.

But alas, it's be a love hate relationship. I love the new bike but often I'm seriously limited by my skills. I was getting frustrated frequently and my performance seemed to be very inconsistent.

Suddenly things are coming together. I'm doing bridges I've never done, making switchies I've always thought were too tight and riding swooping curvy trails so fast that the BF doesn't have to brake when he's behind me anymore.

I think a lot of my recent improvement has come from playing on a pump track. It seems to have really helped improve my cornering confidence, use of momentum and has taught me better front wheel placement.

I am having soooooooo much fun with it.

Just wanted to share my joy.

Hope everyone is out having as much fun as me.

[fatbottomedgurl]

Yay Wahine- I actually started on the mtb, got injured (car) and started swimming, didn't have the fitness to get on the mtb again, got a road bike, and now my first tri next weekend.

I have stayed away from the mtb the last month so I wouldn't get hurt before my race. Friday morning I went out on a fire road for a little spin. Almost ate it coming down when I hit some deep stuff from the fire dept grooming the road. But I managed to flick the bars just right and recovered.

Its bad enough I can't run right now with the dog bite, I don't need to crash on top of that!

Have fun! Don't get hurt!

[MillieNZ]

I've just atarted mountain biking in our local mountian bike park in Auckland.. completely loving it and attempted a intermidate track yesterday, which certainly showed up my novice bike handling skills and deep sand is quite tiring ..........However it was a blast !!!

going back in a couple of weeks to attempt it again............

downside is that I can't make my mind up on what new bike to get !(I'm riding a old hardtail brick of a bike at the moment )

I'm enjoying being able to swapping between Road & off road, and certainly the off road is improving my fitness for on road !

[Wahine]

I got some more great riding in last week. My skills are improving immensely. I have to say that frequent outings on the bike are key, even if they are just little 30 min rippers. My BF has been a huge help too with instruction and demonstration. It's really helpful to ride behind someone who knows what they are doing so you can try to mimic them.

[ridebikeme]

I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying coming back to mtn biking!!

Like you, the last time that I rode was a couple of years ago... I seem to spend all of my time on a road bike. About 5-6 weeks ago, I got back on the mtn bike and like you, am thoroughly enjoying it!! We have thousands of miles of trails/dirt roads in my area, so I'm having a wonderful time exploring. I'm still working on my skills, and will conitnue to do so throughout the winter.

I'm soo excited, that I began to look for another bike. Although as my friends would say, you already own a fully and a hardtail At any rate, I just purchased a new hardtail (KHS Alite 2000) and a fully will be in my future as well.

Have fun and keep us posted.

[beccaB]

I have never mountain biked, but I would like to. I can't seem to get the Husband interested. As tough as he is, he says he doesn't want to get wrapped around a tree, and for the most part we'd have to haul our bikes elsewhere. The cost figures in too, and also that we don't have enough hours in the day to get done what needs to be done and have time for any more fun stuff than we're already doing. I would like to find a way to nudge him in the direction of getting a little more interested in it. There wouldn't be a lot of technical trails, but nice woods and some hills.

[ridebikeme]

I agree with you that there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything done. Is there any chance that you could ride on the weekends? Do you have any other friends that might be interested in starting to get out on a mtn bike? Any shops in your area that lead rides?

I haven't done any this year(yet) you can also ride with lights... and that is loads of fun.

Hopefully you'll be able to find a way to get out!!

[solobiker]

That is great!! I just got back into mtn biking this summer after close to a 15 year hiatus. I was making some good progress then had a little crash which took me off the bike for a bit. Once again Congrats and have fun!!