Why mountain bikes have suspension

[Kalidurga]

Oh...and don't look this way if you're looking for a good ride leader in Schaeffer. You know I can't find my way out of a paper bag! The only reason I didn't get lost on the C&O is that it only goes in one direction! And I had to make sure I didn't back-track when we got off trail, at that!

Aw, c'mon, you've led us so well around Rosey! There seem to be nothing but "advanced beginner/intermediate" to "intermediate/advanced" rides being led anywhere in the area. I'm still at the "nowhere-near-advanced-beginner/probably-shouldn't-even-think-about-intermediate" point, and I'm happier being able to see how someone in front of me reacts to the trail.

Somebody up here in MD needs to do some beginner-level women's mtb classes like the one Janice took down in VA last year. Maybe then I'd be more comfortable hitting places like Schaeffer alone.

[7rider]

Aw, c'mon, you've led us so well around Rosey! There seem to be nothing but "advanced beginner/intermediate" to "intermediate/advanced" rides being led anywhere in the area. I'm still at the "nowhere-near-advanced-beginner/probably-shouldn't-even-think-about-intermediate" point, and I'm happier being able to see how someone in front of me reacts to the trail.

Bah! The "avanced beginner/intermediate" rides at a place like Schaeffer (or even Rosaryville) ride the exact same trails as the beginner rides. The only difference there is the pace and how often, perhaps, they stop. Most obstacles have work-arounds or...you get off the bike and hike it over.
Look for "no drop" and "re-group at intersections" - as they always have someone riding sweep. Idiot-proof. That's why I like them!

[Kalidurga]

Idiot-proof. That's why I like them!

"I'm not an idiot, I just play one on tv!"

I've yet to learn even the simplest mtb skills, like lifting my front wheel, so my problem's really a lack of confidence. Oh, and that darned lack of suspension. But if I could survive having my fillings rattled out at Herrington Falls, I could probably survive Schaeffer. One day, when the weather's good and I'm feeling impervious to pain...

[Cataboo]

"I'm not an idiot, I just play one on tv!"

I've yet to learn even the simplest mtb skills, like lifting my front wheel, so my problem's really a lack of confidence. Oh, and that darned lack of suspension. But if I could survive having my fillings rattled out at Herrington Falls, I could probably survive Schaeffer. One day, when the weather's good and I'm feeling impervious to pain...

We seem to be at about the same skill level, so let me know if you ever want someone to go and be clueless with. If you're short, I have a spare hardtail mountain bike. Although, your cycocross bike is probably way nicer.

However, we may just reinforce bad habits in each other.

Braking seems to be a recipe for disaster, yet I can't stop myself from doing it.


I was at the bicycle escape the other day and talked to some guy for a while - I didn't pay attention to his name, but he was discouraging me from buying a full carbon bike and thought I just should adjust the fit on my current bike and put wider tires on it.

[Kalidurga]

Yeah, braking's an issue for me, too. My bike screams like a stuck pig going downhill in the woods

You'll definitely have to join the DC-TE gang for some rides. As a group, we do rides all the way from Rosaryville over in PG county, in downtown DC, and out to the C&O Canal and Civil War Century near you (plus lots in between).

Like Bike Dr, Escape has added some new staff over the last 1-2 years and I haven't talked to any of the new guys. Haven't even talked to Tom for a while, since I've been too broke to be able to buy anything bike-related. I had just begun talking to him about building up a new bike when I suddenly had to put one of my veterinarian's children through college instead

[Cataboo]

Yeah, braking's an issue for me, too. My bike screams like a stuck pig going downhill in the woods

You'll definitely have to join the DC-TE gang for some rides. As a group, we do rides all the way from Rosaryville over in PG county, in downtown DC, and out to the C&O Canal and Civil War Century near you (plus lots in between).

Like Bike Dr, Escape has added some new staff over the last 1-2 years and I haven't talked to any of the new guys. Haven't even talked to Tom for a while, since I've been too broke to be able to buy anything bike-related. I had just begun talking to him about building up a new bike when I suddenly had to put one of my veterinarian's children through college instead

I hope that means you at least have a happy pet.

I went on a bike buying spree (that or I left them in the shed altogether and they proliferated on their own) at the beginning of the summer, so I still need to sell 2 bikes and am recovering from those expenditures. I've been watching craigslist to pick up pieces to build a beater commuter bike because I can't see riding my nice bikes a mile to chain them up outside all day to ride 1 to 5 miles home. Unfortunately, the price of beat up frames and bikes seems kind of high on craigslist lately, and driving more than 5 miles out of my way to pay too much for a crappy bike isn't appealing. But unfortunately while watching craigslist, I invariably pick up some other bike related thing that I want.

I tend to do most of my bike shopping online, it'd just be nice to have a knowledgeable store that I can pop into to buy tools when needed ASAP or just go try out 20 saddles at a time and buy the one I like best even if it means I have to pay full price.

The rides sound great, I'll keep an eye on here to see if any are posted.

[Kalidurga]

What're you selling?