First MTB Experience (sort of) by a roadie

[cherinyc]

Figured I’d give you all chuckle at my own expense (personally it hurts to laugh, since my run in with the ground on Saturday).

I told BF that I wanted to try and ride a local trail before we moved out of the area. Of course my bike option was this old nasty red bike that hates me (BF's old - old MTB), but I figured – what the hell. We tried and tried to get the pedals off of my road bike (I ride w/ MTB shoes and clipless pedals), but they wouldn’t budge. So I wore my bike shoes but had to use the flat pedals. I've gone clipless since the very beginning w/ my road bike (my first ride) so it was hard to not be able to clip in.

Anyway – we set off on the trail – and it was fun….but my feet kept sliding on/off the pedals, and every time I hit a root or rock with my back tire, the whole back end (the bike’s not mine) popped up in the air and tried to buck me off. BF and I got off course/off trail a couple times and both ended up with a lot of thorn scratches on our arms and legs (of course I fell over into a thorn bush, so that was my fault). I was doing great until one downhill where, again, the back of the bike bounced up off of a root, and I couldn’t grip the pedals, so I did a front flip over the handle bars. All I know is I ended sitting up facing downhill, and the bike was behind me facing uphill. I had leaves stuck in my ponytail, but still had my sunglasses on . It scared the crap out of me at the time, but it was pretty funny (in hindsight).

I swear that bike hates me (the feeling is mutual). I must’ve landed on my right shoulder blade with feet over head and then kept rolling – think I bruised a rib or something b/c it hurts to take a deep breath (though it's getting better).

BF said I have good falling instinct – I tucked my head under and rolled like a ball. I have lots of new bruises (both knees, left ankle, right arm, right hip, left shoulder, right shoulder blade), but I guess that’s what my LBS guy was warning me about when I was trying to decide b/t a road or MTB.
"there is a better than good chance you WILL fall". yeah yeah yeah.

Just thought I’d share. You’re all more apt to appreciate the story than say…my mom, or my doctor.

cheri
(who desperately needs a NEW, pretty MTB - that fits me - and has clipless pedals, before I try going downhill over tree stumps again)

[Trekhawk]

Sorry to hear about the fall - glad you are ok. Yes I think a new mountain bike is in order........we love new bikes.

Its funny as I was reading your post I thought hey I never fall off going downhill its the uphill that always gets me. So as you can probably guess I love downhills but uphill hmmm well the jury is still out on that one.

[cherinyc]

Sorry to hear about the fall - glad you are ok. Yes I think a new mountain bike is in order........we love new bikes.

Its funny as I was reading your post I thought hey I never fall off going downhill its the uphill that always gets me. So as you can probably guess I love downhills but uphill hmmm well the jury is still out on that one.

ummmm uphill - fell into thorn bush ; downhill - went over handlebars. Just call me Evil Kinevil.

[Trekhawk]

ummmm uphill - fell into thorn bush ; downhill - went over handlebars. Just call me Evil Kinevil.

LOL - careful you might end up with that as your forum user name.

[telegirl]

*sob* Brings a tear to my eye, reading about your endo and remembering the time I experienced my first....and second.....and third.....and the many inbetween the last one this weekend.....and the fall over the rocks, and the berry bushes that bite and the trees that grab your camelbak and throw you to the ground, and..........

MAN, I LOVE MOUNTAIN BIKING!

So when are you going out again??

[CycleChic06]

Hi Cheri,
You're brave to try MTBing with your BF. The first time I went was with a now ex-BF and I hated it! Going with him didn't help any.

But I recently went again a few weeks ago with a bunch of friends and LOVED it, I can't wait to get back out there.

I'm glad you had such a good time and you're not hurt too badly...keep at it!

Emily

[Artisan]

Sounds like you are on a hardtail... I didn't see you mention if you were or not. I didn't care for mountain biking too much till I got my full suspension, it makes a big difference.

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, you didn't wait long to give endoing a try, did you?! Glad you're okay and hope none of your injuries linger.

I started mountain biking this summer, and I am terrified of endoing. Every time the trail turns slightly downhill, I scoot off the back of my saddle so my weight won't be too far forward. Hasn't happened yet, but it's my biggest fear. The more experienced mountain bikers I talk to say they have endo'd many times. Yikes!! It never sounds like they get hurt all that bad, but I just know I'd hit my head or break my shoulder or something, with my luck. So, I am very, very careful, and when the downhill gets steep, narrow, or too rooty, I am not above walking it.

You sound a little braver than me!

Emily

[chickwhorips]

so evil kinevil i hope your feeling better. glad you got some "battle scars" to go along with your first experience. i think a mtb is in your future! (one that's fit for you, with evil kinevil written on the side ).

hope your feeling better soon. don't worry the next time won't be as bad.

[cherinyc]

Sounds like you are on a hardtail... I didn't see you mention if you were or not. I didn't care for mountain biking too much till I got my full suspension, it makes a big difference.

why yes....it was a hardtail. BF's old bike (about 12 yrs old). The front suspension is shot too. BF rides a dual suspension now b/c, well, he had problems with the mean red bike (devil bike).

chick - damn right I have some good battle scars. I think it's pretty funny though, that, as tough as I want to be (and pretty much am) as soon as I hit the ground, opened my eyes, looked around, registered that I was alive, etc....the tears forced their way to the surface. (does estrogen cause this?)
BF was ahead of me, and I heard him go, "Uh oh I heard that. Did you just go over the handlebars?"
I didn't say anything - still in shock I think, and then as soon as I saw him walk towards me, laughing, out came the water works. He said (through chuckling) "you're ok". I stood up and said, "I know" (sniffle sniffle).

Then we both started picking the leaves out of my ponytail and wiping the mud off of me. Of course I started laughing through my tears after that, but I think it just scared the be-jesus out of me. First bad fall on the snowboard happened the same way, only we wiped away snow.

Why do I feel the need to do these things to myself?

[Bikingmomof3]

I can totally see you riding a mtb in Colorado, just be certain to buy a new mtb.

I am very glad you were not hurt worse. May all your injuries heal quickly.

[Steph]

(((Cherinyc))) I am a fairly new MTB'er and totally understand! I have went over my bars 3 times so far. Only once when my ribs landed on the handlebar did it really hurt and I cried too once I got my breath back. I joke with my husband when he falls that he can cry if he feels like it. I was so proud of myself Saturday because I overcame my fear of really shap turns and stayed clipped in the whole time without walking them because all of my falls have been on those turns. Then I almost stepped on a snake, so now that is my new focus of therapy! BTW, I get bruises easily and if I take a hard fall I can count on a really ugly one. I usually have several on my legs now.

[cherinyc]

I swear the adrenaline kept it from hurting - but I still cried. Oh well. When I think about it though? It's like I am fine - then I think "whatever you do, don't cry" then I think, "am I going to cry?" It's at that point that I get that hot feeling in my face, and I think I cry because I am mad at myself for crying.

HELLOOOOOO!!!! BASKET CASE!!!!!!!
hee hee - I said it so you all wouldn't have to.

[Tuckervill]

What the heck is wrong with crying?

It's an appropriate physical response to pain. What's wrong with that?

Karen