Frustrated...

[Paradox]

So this is my first real post, and I was hoping to get some input from other female mountain bikers out there.

A little background: I started mountain biking over two years ago shortly after meeting my mountain-bike-addict boyfriend. He was really cool about introducing me to it, and has never pushed me to ride. We started out on fire roads, and after he built me a new bike (Giant XTC hardtail), started doing easier mountain biking trails. The roads, with no obstacles, wide areas, and no rocks were fine. It was after that when we both realized I am a complete mountain biking wimp.

We ride about once a week when the weather is good. I do enjoy getting outside, going up to the mountains in the cooler air, and spending time with my boyfriend. For the last year or so we've been sticking to the same 2-3 (relatively easy) trails because he is reluctant to take me to anything else. Early on, he attempted to take me to some of his favorite trails and things didn't go well. I think he thought I would get the hang of mountain biking relatively quickly. He has been very patient and instructive and tries to explain to me how to get over obstacles (rocks, logs, waterbars), crank uphill, and go down steep sections. But still, I end up walking quite a bit. I get to a section of rocks, even little ones, and if I can't go around them on the trail, I get off the bike and walk it over. If the trail is steep, I panic and get off and walk down, even when it is smooth. Forget about going down a steep section and over rocks at the same time - makes me anxious just thinking about it.

The few trails we ride repeatedly now have a few of these elements - one more than the other. After numerous times on the same trails, I have not been able to make any progress on riding the difficult parts. I always end up getting off the bike. My boyfriend does not harrass me about this at all, but I am really frustrated that I am not able to actually ride the trail after two years of riding, and feel like my slow pace is annoying to him.

I really do want to be able to do these things, but I think I just genuinely suck at mountain biking. I am out of shape so have difficulty even going uphill without A LOT of breaks. I can't go over rocks or other obstacles on the way up or down. I can't turn switchbacks at all. I can't go down steep sections at all. This really limits what we can ride here. We also don't do group rides because I know my BF knows everyone else would just be annoyed with me going so slow. I have crashed a few times, mostly from not paying attention (and then there was the clipless pedal experiment). I flipped over my bars on a not-so-steep smooth downhill section because I reached up with my right hand to scratch my face and pulled the front brake too hard with my left hand - endo. Pretty stupid. We tried clipless pedals once - I would stop and fall over on my side every time. I could not get out of the dang things, even though they were well worn cleats and pedals from my BF.

I just wanted to get some input on what to do or try. I have completely plateued and am not getting any better. I really want to ride some of the other trails here, and not have my boyfriend worry that I will be a major obstacle to other riders on crowded trails. Is it possible that some people are just not cut out for this sport, no matter how long you try? It seems from reading these posts and others that most people get the hang of these things relatively quickly.

Thanks in advance for anything you all could help me with!

[Irulan]

How is your basic mountain biking skill set - do you even have one?

Do you have an understanding of basic body position, neutral/attack, body bike separation? Do you understand how to get out of the saddle and be a dynamic rider? Are you fearful, tentative, tense, death grip on the bars? Also, how is your fitness level?

what you are describing sounds like to me like a fearful, tense rider without a basic skill set, trying to keep up with helpful but clueless bf. All the "you need to pull up on the bars and bunny hop this log" in the world won't help if you don't have dynamic riding skills, or understand that it's not about pulling up on the bars at all.

Group rides.. there's not a slow or newbie or girls group? There should be. Sometimes getting away from the relationship dynamic can be a really good thing.

I sucked for years until I went to a women's mountain bike skills camp that essentially changed my life. Where are you located, that might be an option for you too!

[Paradox]

Thanks Irulan...Yes, I understand the basic mountain biking skills, like moving around on the bike, leaning forward, getting off the back of the seat, etc. I do have trouble getting off the back of the seat as I feel like I am hanging on by just the brake levers since I can't ride clipless.

I am fearful.. of falling.

My fitness level is not so good. After two years of riding it seems to have actually worsened instead of improved. I get out of breath quickly going uphill and have very little upper body strength. I am told that if I just keep riding it will get better.

I don't know about newbies or girls groups - I have only ridden with my boyfriend. As it is, I haven't even been taught how to put my bike on my roof rack. I am in the Denver, CO area.

My boyfriend, being the expert that he is (he also works in a shop) really thinks he is a good teacher. Everything he tells me is in agreement with what I read.

[Irulan]

Thanks Irulan...Yes, I understand the basic mountain biking skills, like moving around on the bike, leaning forward, getting off the back of the seat, etc.



I am fearful.. of falling.

My fitness level is not so good. After two years of riding it seems to have actually worsened instead of improved. I get out of breath quickly going uphill and have very little upper body strength. I am told that if I just keep riding it will get better.

I don't know about newbies or girls groups - I have only ridden with my boyfriend. As it is, I haven't even been taught how to put my bike on my roof rack. I am in the Denver, CO area.

My boyfriend, being the expert that he is (he also works in a shop) really thinks he is a good teacher. Everything he tells me is in agreement with what I read.

fear of falling
1. get some elbow and knee pads
2. lose the clipless for now
3. find a group/club/womens ride. it's good to get away from the bf every now and then.

Lunachix of Boulder are supposed to be great, I am sure with shop connections you can find some other rides. It just takes the relationship dymanic out of the equation. if hes' the "expert" ( dimestore analysis, I know) there's always that pressure to do good to please them.

You might also try going solo, just to enjoy the ride on an easy trail. And grrl, learn how to rack your own bike!!

I do have trouble getting off the back of the seat as I feel like I am hanging on by just the brake levers since I can't ride clipless.

I don't really understand that. You shouldn't be back behind the seat unless it's really steep. Many riders go too far back when they should be extended themselves up, standing up more. You should be able to feel comfortable when just standing on the pedals and holding the handlebars - how your feet are attached to the pedals in this position are irrelevant. Also, if you are too far back you lose control of the front of the bike.

Anyway it's all food for thought. I've been assistant coaching women's skills clinics around here lately and it's a lot of fun.

[mountainchick]

I do have trouble getting off the back of the seat as I feel like I am hanging on by just the brake levers since I can't ride clipless.

Maybe the bike doesn't fit you? Irulan would know more than me but maybe the reach is too far? I dunno, just throwing out suggestions.

[han-grrl]

I would suggest

1) take a short mtb course.

2) DO NOT let your partner teach you it can/does lead to arguing

3) being scared is natural. see 1)

4) what pedals are you using? i know time people using Time, tend to get stuck a lot. my Sister in law dislocated her shoulder her first year riding, because she couldn't get out of the time pedals..

[singletrackmind]

Do you ever go urban with your mountain bike? Nice long rides where you can get comfortable on the bike without worrying about roots or rocks and you can ride for as long a time as you can stand and build up from there? Urban riding isn't quite the same as mountain biking and I'd personally rather crash in the woods but it is nice for building a fitness base and spending the time necessary for getting used to the way your bike handles, maybe even popping over things that are very familiar to you such as very low (at first) curbs or riding off a low (at first) step or two. Riding with a group of other people below, at and just above your skill level also helps too. It is easier to relax and just ride if you don't feel you're the one holding things up, no matter how nice your riding companion is about it.
Two years, schmoo years. It takes what it takes.

Ride. Lots. Sing a few jaunty tunes while you're at it.

Really.

[MtnBikerChk]

I am fearful.. of falling.

You said it yourself - fear can be very difficult to overcome.

And I agree with Irulan - PADS PADS PADS! You fall, nothing hurts and the fear will go away! Ain't nothing wrong with riding with them!

Now go get on yer bike and KICK SOME A$$!

[wavedancer]

I just want to echo what everyone has said, especially about doing a women's clinic. I found this one with Mia Stockdale, coming soon to a park near you!

Skills Clinic with Mia Stockdale

OOPS! That's an outdated page. sorry! But maybe that shop would be a place to start?

[Paradox]

So we rode yesterday on a "beginner's" trail. It was a little over 11 miles with over 2,000 feet elevation gain, but not all at once. About 1,200 all in the beginning, then down for a bit, then up again, then down more.

http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=901

Not very many obstacles to freak out over, just a lot of gravelly loose, sandy sections. Steep in parts. I walked my bike up a few of the steeper hills, walked down a couple of the steeper little hills and over two rocky sections that were smooth rocks, but just too steep for my comfort level. I did better on some of the downhills than I have recently. Uphill was still a struggle: had to stop and catch my breath after nearly every steep section. Love how the reviews say the steep section is "not enough to catch your breath". Yeah, right.

It took us 2.5 hours of riding time (not including over an hour total spent stopped) at my speed. That's about 45 minutes longer than the average. All the stopping going up, and my very, very slow pace going down (good thing the brakes work!) We were passed by everyone out there yesterday I think. One guy passed us twice.

I didn't think this was an easy or a quick ride, as some say in the reviews. By the time we got back to the car, I didn't feel so good- headache, a little nauseous. Not sure if I drank too much water (almost the whole camelbak), not enough water, not enough food, or just too much sun and heat (we were in the sun at near 90 degrees all day). Does this ever happen to any of you?