Just happened onto this discussion, VW. I also live in MA and started mtb about a year ago, after beginning road cycling about 5 years ago. Right now i feel like I should have never spent the $ for a nice mtb! I envisioned nice flat trails in the woods (one reason for buying a mtb was that i love being outdoors and the slower speed of mtb extends the season for me), but around here, there's none of that. I ride with my husband, who is very skillful in teaching me, and patient. But I wouldn't be patient with me! I am just scared to death of every major decision you have to make and feel like an absolutely unfit spazz when i can't even climb a little hill without skidding out. I climb 14% grades on the road, so why is mtb so hard? I can go over rocks on a flat or slightly rolling trail with no problem, but once I get on skinny or steep single track, I can't do it, because I'm afraid I'll fall down the side of the hill. Descending is another story. I am a slow descender on the road, never been over 33 mph, but adding in the rocks and roots... the one group mtb ride i went on (lead by a woman who called it a gentle meander) shamed me so much that I never went back!