Trail ride :)

[Catrin]

I had no problems with the neutral/ready/fore/aft positions. The sideways, "window washing" technique was challenging and I am unsure that I actually have that down. Hopping over a little stick with my front wheel was also challenging. I did improve a bit on this, but I do not think that I could actually hop over a real obstacle, that is going to take some time and that is ok. More upper body strength can only help

Shifting was something of a challenge on the trail, but that improved when I just put it in the granny gear and worked with the little gears.

The braking techniques were fun, and I found my balance to be better than I expected, so that was all good. We did some sharp turn practices and I did have a little trouble with this. I think the trouble was more from having others so close to me - most of my road riding is solo so I am just not accustomed to having other cyclists in such close proximity. Ever. Of course, one doesn't normally do such tight turns on the road so I need to practice them anyway.

One cool thing that came out of all of the drills. I got so used to the neutral position that I came out of one drill still standing on my pedals and actually caught myself pedaling! Resistance wasn't high enough for that, not really, but I've NEVER been able to do that on my other bikes

The "ready" position is a little difficult for me to separate from the ready position for some reason...but one of the instructors pulled me aside and helped me to figure it out. This still needs practice, but it was a great start!

[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.

[kimikaw]

Quick comment - know I need to post in the clinic thread, too. Hopefully will have sometime at hotel tonight (at Indy airport now, Chicago later).

Realize that Town Run trail is ver close to the hotel I always stay at when in town for biz. Heck I was within a block or two of it in last 24 hours.......but the boys (DH and kiddo) had taken my bike home. Woulda been fun to try it.

Now I'm scheming how I can have a bike on my biz trips

[Catrin]

Quick comment - know I need to post in the clinic thread, too. Hopefully will have sometime at hotel tonight (at Indy airport now, Chicago later).

Realize that Town Run trail is ver close to the hotel I always stay at when in town for biz. Heck I was within a block or two of it in last 24 hours.......but the boys (DH and kiddo) had taken my bike home. Woulda been fun to try it.

Now I'm scheming how I can have a bike on my biz trips

I guess they don't have folding mountain bikes Ya know, BGI North does mountain bike rentals, that might be an option? I won't ride Town Run until I've more experience under my belt, but it sounds like a great option for you for sure. How often are you in town for biz?

[jessmarimba]

kimikaw, I don't guess you have the option of flying Frontier too often but I believe they've recently changed their policy to charge only normal baggage fees ($25) for bikes.

[kimikaw]

kimikaw, I don't guess you have the option of flying Frontier too often but I believe they've recently changed their policy to charge only normal baggage fees ($25) for bikes.

I'm actually "elite" status with Frontier- being based in Milwaukee where they swallowed up local Midwest Airlines, I fly them or AirTran most trips. I love that they changed their baggage policy re: bikes. Even sent them a note and couple of nice tweets. Just unsure what dragging a bike along will really entail. But something to think about.

Then again rentals may provide opportunities forest out some bikes in my summer long hunt towhat MTB am I gonna buy.

[jessmarimba]

true true. It irks me sometimes how drastically different rental/demo prices can be. I've paid as little as $35 for a mountain bike I adored (in Montana), or as much as $150 (here in town), for 24-48 hours.

(I actually loathe Frontier - I'm US Airways girl - but have conceded that I will give them business simply b/c of that fee change. And I told them that. )

[Artista]

(I actually loathe Frontier - I'm US Airways girl - but have conceded that I will give them business simply b/c of that fee change. And I told them that. )

I actually loathe US Airways - I'm a Southwest girl or Frontier in a pinch

And now back to your regularly scheduled conversation...

[laura*]

And the regularly scheduled conversation...

I guess they don't have folding mountain bikes

Actually, they do! For example, the full suspension Dahon Jetstream:

http://us.dahon.com/bikes/1637/jetstream-p8