Trail ride :)

[Aggie_Ama]

Here are two photos bench cut (first one) and off camber (Georgia Gould rocking Bonelli). Bench cut can be off camber but if built to IMBA standards it will have a certain percent grade, if Irulan pops in I bet she can tell you the percent. In some cases I find bench cut harder because I will lose focus and wonder if I will clip a pedal. But off camber just feels funky, you really got to have balance and confidence in your positioning.

[Catrin]

hmmm, the section in question is bench cut, Indy had it right as I figured she did I think it was only a problem, really, because I could SEE the drop off.

I've found a local trail that is VERY short, right at one mile, that is classed as an "Gateway" trail and said to be a little easier than the trail I was on yesterday. I just need someplace local where I can play on dirt and practice the skills I learned yesterday - on dirt and not concrete. I need to get used to how my Jamis feels/acts on dirt. Once I get more comfortable I will head back to yesterday's trail

[indysteel]

I've found a local trail that is VERY short, right at one mile, that is classed as an "Gateway" trail and said to be a little easier than the trail I was on yesterday.

What trail is that?

[Catrin]

What trail is that?

It is called "River Road Park" and is in Hamilton county at 126th and River Road. It isn't close to you, but it might be worth the drive. Here is the description from the HMBA website:

"Thanks to Hamilton County Parks Dept. we have access to a new trail within River Rd Park at 126th & River Rd. This trail has been built along the White River with access near the south canoe launch or one of the two overlooks off of the paved multi-use trail. It has been designed and built according to IMBA standards for a "Gateway" trail. A Gateway trail is usually near an urban area and designed to introduce people to the sport of Mt. Biking. This trail is nearly a 1 mile loop with an upper and lower trail built above the seasonal flooding of the White River."

I asked Jonathan about it yesterday and while he said he has never seen it, a friend of his built the trail. It is not long at all but that provides more control over how far/long to ride. I am going to go look at it sometime this week, it is supposed to rain so I can take an umbrella and not waste riding time hiking it

I posted a question here asking how it compares to Pine Loop. The person who answered my question mentions Town Run as well but I've been told by everyone I know/trust to avoid Town Run at this time. They said isn't like other mountain bike trails and it would be better to drive to BCSP instead.

There is a new trail opening at Fort Ben, but I've not heard how it will be classified.

[indysteel]

It is called "River Road Park" and is in Hamilton county at 126th and River Road. It isn't close to you, but it might be worth the drive. Here is the description from the HMBA website:

"Thanks to Hamilton County Parks Dept. we have access to a new trail within River Rd Park at 126th & River Rd. This trail has been built along the White River with access near the south canoe launch or one of the two overlooks off of the paved multi-use trail. It has been designed and built according to IMBA standards for a "Gateway" trail. A Gateway trail is usually near an urban area and designed to introduce people to the sport of Mt. Biking. This trail is nearly a 1 mile loop with an upper and lower trail built above the seasonal flooding of the White River."

I asked Jonathan about it yesterday and while he said he has never seen it, a friend of his built the trail. It is not long at all but that provides more control over how far/long to ride. I am going to go look at it sometime this week, it is supposed to rain so I can take an umbrella and not waste riding time hiking it

I posted a question here asking how it compares to Pine Loop. The person who answered my question mentions Town Run as well but I've been told by everyone I know/trust to avoid Town Run at this time. They said isn't like other mountain bike trails and it would be better to drive to BCSP instead.

There is a new trail opening at Fort Ben, but I've not heard how it will be classified.

That sounds like a great place for you to practice. It's way out of the way for me, so I doubt I'll get up there, but if I'm ever going to be in the area, I'll try it. I'll likely just keep doing Pine Loop for the time being. I'm willing to try the other beginner trails, but my guess is that I'll end up having to walk some sections. Good thing DH and I bought an annual state park pass!

[Artista]

Catrin & Indy, which skills did you learn in the clinic? Which skill(s) are you finding to be the toughest?

[indysteel]

Catrin & Indy, which skills did you learn in the clinic? Which skill(s) are you finding to be the toughest?

We practiced neutral and what they called "ready" position, modulated and controlled braking, what they called "window washing," i.e,. getting up out of the saddle and moving our body back and forth over the bike, moving fore and aft over the saddle, ratcheting and tight turns, and getting our front wheel up. At least those are the ones I remember.

I had a bit of trouble with getting my wheel up, although I got better with it as the day progressed, and I still have room for improvement on tight turns. Honestly, I thought I did pretty well during the skills and drills portion; it's simply a matter of integrating it once on the trail. I felt pretty good on the trail itself, too, so long as I wasn't descending. Descending scares me a bit. I think part of it is that I'm having trouble braking with one finger. As I mentioned upthread, DH is going to adjust my levers to a bit easier for me. I'll see if that helps. Part of it is "just" mental. I need practice and exposure to lessen my nerves.

[Catrin]

That sounds like a great place for you to practice. It's way out of the way for me, so I doubt I'll get up there, but if I'm ever going to be in the area, I'll try it. I'll likely just keep doing Pine Loop for the time being. I'm willing to try the other beginner trails, but my guess is that I'll end up having to walk some sections. Good thing DH and I bought an annual state park pass!

I need to get one of those state park passes. I can't go down every weekend as I am further than you are, but will head down as often as I can. The River Road trail is less than a mile, so knowing me, once I get more comfortable I will be pining for Pine Do let me know if the two of you find other beginner trails in the area, though I think most of them are at BCSP.

[indysteel]

I need to get one of those state park passes. I can't go down every weekend as I am further than you are, but will head down as often as I can. The River Road trail is less than a mile, so knowing me, once I get more comfortable I will be pining for Pine Do let me know if the two of you find other beginner trails in the area, though I think most of them are at BCSP.

It's $36 for a calendar year. It's otherwise $5.00 to enter any state park, so if you think you're going to be at a park at least 8 more times between now and the end of the year, then it'll be worth your while. Otherwise, just wait until next year.