I'm a rock weenie!

[sundial]

Large boobs act as great airbags.

[sshep4pr]

I am having the same rock issue. I will hit logs etc. dead on but the rocks freak me out. I think it is the scraping on the peddles and the hard impact.

My boyfriend says that I need to keep my weight off the handlebars a little bit more.

I think once my tech turning is a little bit better that will help. I see the rocks and cant figure out how to maneuver between them then freak and stop.

[bluebug32]

I'm the worst what-iffer and I tend to think about the worst thing that can happen, which finds me walking the bike at times. I certainly feel that the reason I'm gaining confidence is because I originally learned how to fall and how to bail with a good set of knee/shin pads. Last season I slowly weaned myself off of them (except for riding the rockiest places).

Also, as was mentioned, it's all about momentum. Often going too slowly will get you in trouble more often than going fast. The best thing that my boyfriend/mechanic told me was that "you've got 26" wheels and a fork and a frame that were designed specifically to hit all of this gnarly stuff. Take advantage of it and trust your bike to pull through when you need it to." And it usually does!

[sundial]

I'm bad about getting off the bike and lifting it over the fallen trees. I have taken your all's advice and psyched myself into the "momentum is my friend" mantra.

Are there any DVD's about mtbing that are helpful?

[Alex]

SD,

I don't know about DVDs, but the book, Mastering Mountain Biking Skills, received very favorable reviews on Amazon.

http://urlite.com/4827/ (This is not an Amazon link, though.)

I recently ordered it because I thought it would be helpful for figuring out what to do with dual suspension. Seems it's a whole different world from my 12-year-old hardtail with an elastomer fork with a wee bit of travel. I'd be happy to post a quick review after it arrives.

Of course, you could always go to camp! www.dirtseries.com There are some pics on the DirtSeries site of women biking down stairs, going over seesaws, etc.

Alex

[sundial]

Wow, that looks like FUN! I'll check and see if there's a camp like dirt series nearby.

[sarahkonamojo]

Don't worry about it so much. Just ride. If you want to walk a section, walk it. The more you ride, the better and more confident you will become. You should be riding trails because you are having fun.

sarah