Thanks everyone Im going to write all those tips down so I can go over them again in my mind before I ride next. So much to remember lets hope some of its sticks.

As for location, today a friend and I rode the Lower Pioneer Trail. We are both beginners so we have been going out once a week and trying different places to get a feel for what we can ride and whats still a little out of our league (although Im not too proud to walk if things are tough). Most of the Trail today was pretty easy but those few steep parts with rocks and roots etc I found pretty hard as you obviously guessed from the crashing part. The guide for this ride said "4 physical 3 Technical" so from that I gather its pretty tame stuff for most MTB riders but hey you have to start somewhere and we are having a great time and riding in some truly gorgeous locations.