Stinking at singletrack...will it get better?

[emily_in_nc]

Hmmm...quick release seatpost. I don't have that. Maybe something to look into for next season. Right now things are winding down because daylight savings time is nearly over, which means no more weekday rides after work starting the week after next. And I won't be riding that much on weekends b/c the trails I ride with my friend from work are a long way from where I live, and my DH doesn't like MTB (imagine!) So, we'll probably mostly be hiking this winter as we're hoping to get into backpacking/camping next year. And I'll be riding a road bike on the trainer very soon now, and running on the treadmill at the gym at work and on trails on our property, so lots of cross training until daylight savings time starts again next spring!

I do run my tire pressure low (thanks to some earlier tips when I had such problems on my first ride on these same trails) and I think my saddle is a smidge lower than on my road bikes, but probably not as low as I should descend with) -- just don't want to hurt my knees by keeping it too low for a whole ride, so the QR sounds helpful. There are only two really steep descents (to me anyway, might not faze the more experienced dirt girls here!) that I could maybe lower it for without having to be up and down the entire trail.

Emily

[caligurl]

FBG..... that would be fun!!!! the more i ride my mtb..... the more i like it.... but i'm still kind of a scaredy-cat!

emily.... i have a quick release seat too! when i ride in the desert here.... my seat is up and down... up and down like a roller coaster or window! lol! cuz, for me, going down the rocky hills is less scary when i'm lower!

p.s... FBG.... YOUR design is still my dream mountain bike! i talk about wanting that pink mtb ALL the time!

[telegirl]

Hey Emily -

Take heart - it sounds like you have a similar attitude as I have had (and had to adjust)....."Sheesh, I have been riding a mountain bike for X months and I should be more of an expert by now." I think that I would get frustrated because I was riding with people who made it look so easy and I felt like I was barely making it! Especially if they started riding around the same time or a little earlier. I just had to realize that there was a lot to learn and some people have things in their background that help them to pick it up quicker.....Don't get discouraged, as it will get better. Doing things like checking your seat, air pressure, learning little tricks like getting back....everyone is different! The other thing that I have started doing (this is the end of my second year on a mtn bike) is that I have set up a little obstacle track in my yard....things to practice on. It helps me figure out where I need to be on my bike when confronted with a rock, a root, a downhill, a tight corner, instead of looking at someone else. And just as I have come to love hills on my road bike, I have come to love roots on my mountain bike.....if it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger!