Newbie needs help with singletrack!!!

[Crankin]

Thanks, Emily, for saying what i feel when i try more advanced trails. My problem is that i don't mtb enough to get good at it! I'm a cautious road rider to begin with, but road riding feels pretty effortless to me at this point. I think one of the problems is that besides being scared to death half the time I am on a trail (:eek) ,it just takes so much concentration (look this way, get back on the saddle, hold your line, etc) that I end up sticking to the same easier trails where I enjoy being out in the woods and i don't feel so stressed. But secretly, i want to conquer this. It's mostly fear, but I am not really great with balance or technical skills in anything, so it takes me a long time to "get it." I would love to go to a camp next summer. There is one in Vermont; all the rest seem to be out west. I don't mind falling or getting dirty, but I have a lot of trouble with steep climbs, with curves, that are sandy. I am a good climber on the road, so strength isn't a problem. Well, I guess I will keep trying. I tend to mtb more in the fall, so I am looking forward to that.

[fatbottomedgurl]

Who doesn't have problems with steep climbs, with curves, that are sandy?

[Quillfred]

I took Trekhawk's advice and got the DVD from Ned Overend "Performance Mtn Biking". It reinforces many of the techniques and advice I learned from my Boot Camp. It would be a good adjunct to practice and having a good rider give advice.

Quill

[Trekhawk]

I took Trekhawk's advice and got the DVD from Ned Overend "Performance Mtn Biking". It reinforces many of the techniques and advice I learned from my Boot Camp. It would be a good adjunct to practice and having a good rider give advice.

Quill

Hey Quill - glad you like it. LOL - SadieKate was the one that put me onto Ned's DVD - got to pass the good advice on.

[bouncybouncy]

After the first few (of many,many, many) falls my sweet hubby commented "Well, at least you know HOW to fall!!!"

I seemed to have spent the first 6 months of riding with bruises on one or both my upper/outer thighs...and most of it was because of a root! Nasty little buggers!!! Soon with experience/confidence you will be rolling over them with little thought (OK...you need a little thought...especially if they are wet) With added experience/confidence you will pick up speed which helps that fancy little bike of yours do its job...ROLL!!!

I spent all of my learning right behind another experienced rider...following the line. Soon I dropped back a little bit at a time paying more attention to the line...why that route was chosen...then picking my own line...learning what works best for me. Turns out I tend to pick a smoother line now than my mentor (sweet hubby) ever did, but it is said "that is because I am a girl" ...and girls tend to pick smoother lines

Anyway, these girls have said what I would have said...so I will leave you with:

WAY TO GO!!!! Bruises are cute!!!! and NO shame in walking!!!!

[littlegrasshopp]

just wanted to say I've been there. I bet we all have. I'm totally a beginner but am already riding stuff that I thought I'd NEVER attempt. To say I'm a conservative rider would be an understatement. I only go slightly outside my comfort zone. But with constant riding, I'm watching that zone expand and I'm trying all kinds of stuff and learning to let the bike roll. It's HARD sometimes to just relax and be....but in those times when I can do it....wow!! That's why my fiance is so bike crazy........I get it now (then I usually hit a tree...like I said - total beginner!

[littlegrasshopp]

BTW - you're not far from me - what trail were you riding? if you don't mind the drive, Craptree and Harris Lake, both around Raleigh, would be great trails to ride for a weekend 1/2 day trip. It would be about 45 minutes for you and both trails are wonderful for beginners and getting you use to all kinds of trail conditions. There are drops, log crossings and steep hills but most things have trails around them too (not the steep hills...we have to do those).