What's the MTB learning curve like?

[VW Beetle]

Glad to have found your site! A nice change from all the little boys that populate those other bike forums!

I have been riding a road bike for 3-4 years now and just bought my first mountain bike (a Rockhopper '05) a few weeks ago. I wanted to add a little variety, and I also thought it might allow me to extend my riding season a bit if I could use it for commuting on warmer winter days and in early spring. I managed to get in one ride the first weekend and then the snow hit, so I haven't been out much yet.

My question is what sort of timeframe can I expect in acquiring intermediate-level mountain biking skills? Being the impatient sort, I hate to feel hemmed in in terms of my abilities to negotiate a reasonable range of trails in the typical state forest mountain biking areas. I know that New England means ROCKS and lots of 'em, and that I'll need to gain practice navigating them, learn how to bunny hop, etc. But, if it's possible to answer this sort of question in the abstract, if I were hitting the trails consistently once or twice each weekend, are we talking weeks....? months...? or years...until one gains reasonable profiency? I am a "young" forty-ish rider, not a super athlete but reasonably fit and up for almost anything.

Thanks!

[texas_emily]

From a rather recent mtb-newbie to another, welcome! I got into mtb this year, but have considerably more experience on the road. I would categorize my learning curve as:

...a couple of months (1-2) to get comfortable and gain confidence, followed by 6 months - years (still in this stage) to gain better technique and lots of confidence.

I'm not getting out as much as I did earlier in the year, due to colder temps and lack of daylight, but I found that if I got out at least once a week or more, I made consistent improvement. One piece of advice that a friend gave me...and something I try to do each time I ride is to set a goal for myself -- clearing a climb or a technical section, getting the courage up to cross a narrow bridge, keeping my feet clipped in as much as possible, etc.

It took me a while to get out of the habit of wanting to handle my mtb like it was my road bike (I even named the mtb "Buck"!), but with practice and reading as much as possible about mtb skills, I got a lot more comfortable with being on the trails.

My big test happened a couple of weeks ago. I ended up on a trail (sort of off kilter and rooty) that scared me to death the first time I rode it. In the course of my "usual" ride, I decided to do some exploring and ended up on that old scary trail. It was only after I'd ridden down it and half way back that I realized it was the same one that had frustrated me so much two months earlier!

Good luck.

[Irulan]

one factor is what kind of learner you and what kind of skills information you have access too. If you have access to any kind of a skills clinic, to show you how to do stuff, you will improve a whole lot faster that if you are learning by trial and error, or just getting thrashed on the trail.

[Dogmama]

As a devoted roadie who ventures off road on an MTB, I can say that the hardest part is riding with the bike and not on the bike. In other words, it is hard to not freak out when you start to slide because sliding on a road bike is usually NOT a good thing It is about confidence, obviously.

I'm exactly one week away from neck surgery, so I'll probably be on my MTB more in the next few months. Everytime I come back from riding my MTB I ask myself why I'm not doing this more often. It's so darn fun!!!

[bcipam]

As someone who has been riding road bikes forever and starting riding mountain bikes (complete rigid) in the 80's I have to say the learning curve is very individual. If you are out riding on a regular basis, and are in good health generally, skills should come quickly but it really depends on your "pucker" quota and ability to risk injury. Are you willing to take risks? I am a good intermediate rider but due to some serious injuries, I no longer push the envelop and may never graduate to the advance level, but then again, I'm happy doing what I do. I was the same way snow skiing. I had good skills but didn't want to be stressed out all the time doing things over my head.

A suggestion, ride with someone who has good skills and watch how they attack obstacles and terrain. Consider taking skills classes. Alot of areas offer them. You can check with your local MTB club. Practice, practice practice difficult terrain. Try going the log over and over. Do the same downhill over and over until you feel comfortable. Bottom line, you have to ride - it's the only way to get better.

[VW Beetle]

Lots of great and detailed information here. Thanks so much. I think I will definitely will check out some skills classes once I get a little experience under my belt.

[caligurl]

another roadie to part-time mountain biker convert.... i'm still WAY new... so can't answer your question! but i wanted to say welcome to the dirty side!

[Irulan]

Lots of great and detailed information here. Thanks so much. I think I will definitely will check out some skills classes once I get a little experience under my belt.

you could read my bike skills tip page right away, I'm sure you'd get something out of it right away...

[VW Beetle]

Already have! I had noticed the link when I was still lurking last week. Thanks.

[Dirt Girl]

In my experience the learning curve will become shorter the more you ride with other people. Ride with as many different people as you can; watch, listen, and ask questions. And like the other gals said, take a class if you can. Ride a lot.

It really is an individual thing as bcipam said. I know a couple of people who have been riding for years and can't get past a certain level. Fear holds one of them back. Fitness level hampers me aerobically (or I like to think it's genetics). I've made great strides on a personal level, but I'll never physically be able to ride as fast as many, many people. I hold my own when it comes to slower, technical riding.

The most important thing is to have fun. Enjoy what you're doing and you'll ride lots and improve no matter what.

Play in the dirt!

[yellow]

I'm one of those that learns well from reading, then applying...

That being said, I highly recommend Ned Overend's book Mountain Bike Like a Champion. It's a great compilation of basic stuff and is easy to read and understand.

There is a video too that I haven't seen/used, but SadieKate tells me it's good too.

[Trekhawk]

I'm one of those that learns well from reading, then applying...

That being said, I highly recommend Ned Overend's book Mountain Bike Like a Champion. It's a great compilation of basic stuff and is easy to read and understand.

There is a video too that I haven't seen/used, but SadieKate tells me it's good too.

I got the DVD after a recommendation from SadieKate its called Performance Mountain Biking by Ned Overend. Its full of great info for beginners.

[VenusdeVelo]

VW...welcome to dirt!

I started as a roadie, still road ride but also started mtb about 6 yrs ago. I took a bit of hiatus due to places I moved to and just got back into it again (with a new bike like you ;-) and can't believe I took a hiatus!

I agree with Irulan it depends on you, what kind of rider you are, where you are willing to take risks, test your metal etc. One thing I cannot do is read about skills and technique. I tried, but I learn by listening to someone on the trail, watching them and trying it. And now that I am, *ahem*, older, I don't need to prove anything, if I am uncomfortable, I don't do it. Try again another day.

One thing I did notice though that you'll enjoy is mountain bike really helped my road riding skills. Road riding allows more planning time for gear changes, etc. Mountain biking requires more split second decisions, like you have a more complex dashboard in front of you waiting to see what the trail brings. So this was an extra bonus to doing both.

Best of luck in your newfound fun
<==Smile on your face after a great mountain bike ride

[SalsaMTB]

Just based on personal experience, I think I gained the most improvement when I rode with women who were right near the limit of my skill level. I think this is best when you get past the initial introduction to the trails and have some confidence (still a beginner, but capable of doing some of the climbs and most of the descents). Everyone recommends you ride with people who are better than you, which is good, but they can get a bit ahead and you really won't gain that much. When I rode with a group of women who were right at my max (maybe a tiny bit better than me) it really pushed me. I pushed myself harder riding with them because I knew I could keep up and seeing other women doing climbs or descents I had trouble with pushed me into thinking I could do it, and I did. I rode better with the women than I normally do with my husband because I know how matter how hard I push, I can't keep up!

[bcipam]

VW...welcome to dirt!

One thing I did notice though that you'll enjoy is mountain bike really helped my road riding skills. Road riding allows more planning time for gear changes, etc. Mountain biking requires more split second decisions, like you have a more complex dashboard in front of you waiting to see what the trail brings. So this was an extra bonus to doing both.


<==Smile on your face after a great mountain bike ride

This is definitely true. I feel road riding gives me ability aerobically and MTB gives me handling skills. There is a ying-yang to both disciplines. Slow, steady tough climbing on the mountain bike helps me climb on the road bike. And my handling skills on a road bike are awesome. I can usually handle obstacles, changes in pavement etc without problem.

One thing a good friend (and very strong MTB rider) told me... if you really want to get good on doing MTB, you really need to concentrate on that. Time on the bike is necessary. Once your MTB skills are developed, then go back to the road bike.

Bottom line, have fun. I always feel like a little kid while doing a fun, twisty, single track - whoop-ee!!!