BikeMomma's first mountain bike ride!

[Tri Girl]

Yay- another "dirty biker." I, too, just started riding a couple months ago and I'm hooked! It's so different than road riding- so much more adventerous and dangerous- I like that part.
Congrats on your first VERY hilly and challenging ride! Sounds like an amazing ride and you handled it like a champ. And don't worry about walking some parts. We all do it sometimes. I walked down a 20 ft drop yesterday that was all washed out and had major ruts. Sometimes it's better to walk than to risk really hurting yourself!
When you get a new bike, we better be seeing it!!!!

[DirtDiva]

Glad you had such a great time.

[Brandi]

Right on!

[bambu101]

I have been re-thinking my goals for this year, and have been doing a lot of research on buying a mountain bike (instead of a road bike). I have Terry hybrid now.
We live in the midst of 12,000 acres of watershed property with tons of logging trails, reservoirs, hills, and mud. I'm thinking that it would be a shame not to take advantage of the fact that this is all right outside our door (no driving necessary).
It is posts like this that are definitely pushing me towards the "dark" side. Keep twisting my arm!

[bcipam]

I'm proof positive you can go both ways on bikes - road and MTB but as the years roll on and I get more technical, I'm beginning to look much more forward to mountain biking than getting on the road. There's is just something in rollng through trees, smashing leaves, finding a sweet little singletrack and finally conquering obstructacles that previously caused fear.

Have fun - either way - road or MTB - great sports!

[emily_in_nc]

I was a roadie for years who just got a mountain bike this year and love it! I am terrible at it (still learning very basic skills), fall frequently (no serious injuries, thankfully), shamelessly get off and walk (or put a foot down) whenever I feel uncomfortable, but it's loads of fun, and I highly recommend it. I'm one who doesn't really care if I ever get highly technical. If I never learn to bunny hop or do anything fancy, I'll be perfectly content -- I just want to be able to handle a little "easy" singletrack, because riding in the woods is such fun and a totally "zen" experience. You simply have to be in the moment, because a moment of distraction can lead to disaster. And for me, the line between fun and terror is a fine one indeed, but that just gets the adrenaline flowing and results in that wonderful post-ride euphoria! No cars or dogs to worry about either. I haven't been riding this winter since I've been busy with projects, and it's often been wet (no good for trails), and it's too dark to ride after work. Excuses excuses, eh... But once daylight savings time starts, I'll be out there again, grinning all the way. Can't wait!

Emily

[fatbottomedgurl]

Hook, line, and sinker!!!
One of the things I love about mtbing is getting away from the noise, the traffic, the business, the whole rat race part of life and listening to my own breathing, and the birds, and the breeze through the grass. And laughing with my friends and sharing stories and challenging each other on technical spots, recovering from an almost-crash with a hoot and a holler, and having a grand old time.
You got to ride in Yosemite?!!! What a dream!