no skills

[Crankin]

I haven't been on my mountain bike in 2 years because of this stuff. I love being on the trails and I actually don't mind falling. But, I do mind the thought of serious injury. At one point, I got pretty good going downhill, but unless you practice all of the time, it doesn't stick. And I actually don't see how I could ever get my bike over a log.
The most humiliating cycling experience of my life was when I went on a group mountain bike ride. And this was when I was doing it regularly. I just remember a bunch of people yelling at me to "hold my line," and I didn't know what the hell they meant.

[SheFly]

And I actually don't see how I could ever get my bike over a log.

I could teach you this in one outing.

NEMBA hosts skills clinics, as does the Luna Chix group, locally. You should check these out - they are REALLY good, and will ensure that you learn these types of skills.

SheFly

[Crankin]

I may take you up on that, SheFly...

[Cato]

What jerks! When I started mountain biking I read everything I could about skills and rode as much as I could. Rode over my head often, crashed ALOT, and learned something new every time. One great book that really helped me is Ned Overend's "Mountain Bike Like a Champion", and he has a video as well. I'd read one chapter a week and work on that one skill on the weekend.

It would be great if you can find a more skilled rider who's willing to take you out and show you how it's done. With patience, of course!

[nerdgirl]

OMG! I can't believe that group treated you that way! So not cool! What jerks!

First and foremost, stop riding with that group. When I started riding, I had one good riding partner, who was more advanced than me and very patient, to show me the ropes and set me on my way. He was so great that within 4 months I was riding intermediate trails at Mammoth! There is no way I could have progressed that quickly had I gone with a group.

What also helped was Brian Lopes' book, Mastering Mountain Bike Skills http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Moun.../dp/0736083715 . I learn well from books, so it worked great for me. It's readable, humorous, and has lots of diagrams. (In case you don't know who Brian Lopes is, he's a pro downhill racer who has been competing for over 20 years, and still kicks the arses of guys half his age!).

I've also learned quite a bit from this site:
http://www.bikeskills.com/blog/?page_id=422
I used it for help with learning how to jump, the advantages of pumping, and improving my switchback skills (which I still struggle with).

Don't give up! You just need better riding partners