Did they just let you have at it, or did you get any tips, sounds like you had kind of a wild ride...

They just lined us up on the bikes and said, I guess everyone knows how to operate the gears? Noone said a word! I know all those people didn't know how to use those gears! When I first got my road bike I was amazed it had 27 gears! My last bike had been a 10 speed. My daughter said she just kept hers the way it was set the entire time! LOL Anyway, I would have told her a little more if I knew what they were taking us down! I stayed back with her for a while, but then the guide at the rear kind of took her into his care.

The lead guide said there was one big hill, then a stretch that was flatter -- he didn't tell us the mountain was the "big hill" and when we got to the bottom to the road, that was the flat part.

MTBers *do* fall a lot, but when riding "downhill" or trying new tricks and stunts, many riders opt for protection in the form of full-fingered gloves, elbow and shin guards, and full-faced helmets. I'm just curious about what kind of protection this tour company offered you guys. What kind of bikes did they provide? Did guides accompany the group down the mountain? Offer instruction and tips?

We just had helmets -- in fact, it was the helmet I use for my road bike. A waiter told us later that he did that ride with his wife (we were still talking about it at dinner ) but that they wear all that protection you listed.

We did have guides -- one at the front of the line who took the faster paced riders down, and then the guy at the back was just bringing up the rear. The only instructions we were given was the first hairpin turn and this man just went sprawling and the guide yelled for everyone to stop. LOL

I do have to say though -- for me -- after the first 15 minutes or so, it was just a rush. My husband, me and my son were all wanting mountain bikes and my daughter was thoroughly traumatized. I felt badly for her, because I really didn't think this trail was good for beginners and also for some of the adults that were on the trip. They didn't exactly look physically fit and I don't think they were expecting to be falling off bikes down a mountain.

Anyway, on a positive note, I can see how you guys have so much fun with mountain biking!