Mtb Instruction & Skills

[Artista]

I've also found that I have more latitude in my mtb fit than I do with the road bike. Yes, stopping more must have something to do with it, but I think our bodies just plain move differently while mtb'ing compared to road riding.

On another note, I changed from Frogs to SPD's on my road bike when I put SPD's on my mtb. It seemed safer & more efficient to teach my feet to unclip the same way on both bikes.

Today was my first road bike ride with the new pedals. The road bike pedals were way easier to unclip than the ones on my mtb. I was sure that there was a difference in the pedal tension between the two bikes. I did back-to-back test rides for comparison. It turns out that there is no difference at all. After riding the road bike, I was able to unclip easily on the mtb. Once I reproduced the "trapped" effect on both bikes, it messed with my ability to unclip from the road bike too.

At this point, I'm thinking that my unclipping drills on the mtb are doing more harm than good. I have a plan...this weekend, I'm going to take the road bike out for a quick ride to get that unclipping muscle memory back & then go straight to the trail with the mtb where I'll have less opportunity to over-think the unclipping process. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Artista]

I did it! Rode my favorite trail clipped in. I did tip over once but I think I might have fallen even on platforms under the circumstances. Hubby was riding a little ahead of me & saw a small snake curled up in the side of trial. He knew that it was a harmless bull snake & decided not to warn me for fear that I might freak-out & fall ON the snake. (Bull snakes aren't venomous but they would still probably bite anything that landed ON them.) By the time I got to the snake it was stretched out in the middle of the trail. I had no choice but to run over it. I still got a little freaked-out, (first afraid that it might bite me, then felt bad that I might have killed it), looked up to see hubby stopped right in front of me, slammed on the brakes & fell lightly to the side. All in all, pretty harmless for for us, but maybe not such a great day for the snake.

The cornering & braking drills were very helpful. I was in much better control around the tight curves than in the past. I think I've passed the learning plateau that I was on. I feel good!

ETA: While I was still a nervous about being clipped in, the nervousness was countered by the security I felt in not having my feet bounce around on the pedals in the rock gardens.

[indysteel]

That's great, Artista....minus the snake!

I need to do some drills tomorrow. DH was working on my bike today to see if you can't get the front shifting to be a bit easier. From what we've read, the cheap SRAM shifters have their weaknesses. Shifting in the back is fine, but not so in the front. We might switch out some of the components from the my Trek FX that I never ride or spring for an X-7 shifter. I don't want to put much money into this bike because it really was intended to just allow me to see if this is something I might really like such that I can justify a nicer bike.

[Artista]

Indy, if DH can't get the front shifting thing resolved without spending $$$ on your shifters, would it be possible for you to ride primarily in one chain ring? 80% of my favorite trail can be done in my small chain ring. I end up spinning out sometimes but I always know that another uphill is right around the corner so I just coast in my small chain ring for a little while.

[solobiker]

Artista...where do you ride your mtn bike? I live in Denver too and am fairly new to mtn biking. DH and I have been spending time up at Buff Creek.

[Catrin]

I've found on the fire road from a few weeks back and on Pine Loop last week, that it works for me just to stay in the small ring. The easiest gear on my middle chain is just a touch too hard for some of the climbing, and I dropped my chain when I tried to shift. This was not the bike but the user as I waited much too long to shift

I've a 10-speed cassette (11-36). Indy is a stronger climber than I am right now, I've hopes of narrowing that gap a little

[indysteel]

Indy, if DH can't get the front shifting thing resolved without spending $$$ on your shifters, would it be possible for you to ride primarily in one chain ring? 80% of my favorite trail can be done in my small chain ring. I end up spinning out sometimes but I always know that another uphill is right around the corner so I just coast in my small chain ring for a little while.

So far, I've mostly been in my middle ring. To the extent I have to shift to my small chain ring, the shifter works just fine in that direction. It's moving up from small to medium to large that's difficult. I doubt I'll need the large ring much, but it would be nice to go from small to medium without breaking my thumb.

[Catrin]

So far, I've mostly been in my middle ring. To the extent I have to shift to my small chain ring, the shifter works just fine in that direction. It's moving up from small to medium to large that's difficult. I doubt I'll need the large ring much, but it would be nice to go from small to medium without breaking my thumb.

I understand now, I thought you were having problems shifting down. If I had the money I would change my front shifter from trigger to an XO grip shifter to save my thumb, but not just yet. Next year

[Artista]

Artista...where do you ride your mtn bike? I live in Denver too and am fairly new to mtn biking. DH and I have been spending time up at Buff Creek.

Solobiker, our favorite place to ride so far is Ridgeline in Castle Rock. It's a series of interconnected trails, some of which are more fun to ride than others. The best route we've found so far seems to be about a moderate-beginner level. It starts with a short, steep climb, around a curve. Then it flattens out into about 1.5 miles of flow-y single track. Then there's about a mile of climbing with a few tight curves - but still very do-able. The top of the mesa offers beautiful vistas - a great place to stop & catch your breath & get some water. After a short rest, we follow about .5 miles of flow-y single track to the easy, rock gardens with mostly buried, head-size, rocks. Then starts the downhill with a couple of nerve racking switch backs. From there, we usually do a section that's about .5 miles long with some extended, steep climbing, followed by steep downhill. (I've been walking most of this part. I think I'm now strong enough to ride parts of it after I get used to my SPD's. I have the most problems unclipping when my legs are very tired, which they would be on this uphill section.) Then it's a super easy, .5 mile ride back to the parking lot. The whole ride is about 8 miles & takes me about an hour, although my strong, skilled, hubby says he can do it in about 40 minutes when he's alone. These trails are fairly populated but the users are mostly middle aged men on bikes, & women hikers with their dogs. Everyone is friendly uses good trail etiquette.

We also do Greenland, between Castle Rock & Colorado Springs. I consider these trails to be easy-beginner with nothing technical, but they offer beautiful views. The east-side trail is very wide with several miles of moderate climbing. The downhill portion is long with some sand just to keep things interesting.

The west side, Greenland trails, are mostly double track with some rolling hills. Again, nothing that I would consider very technical.

I did a women's group ride in Colorado Springs on the Ute Valley trails. The technical sections ranged from advanced beginner to intermediate level. These trails presented my first exposure to riding large, smooth, granite rock, sections. There was one section of very steep downhill with big, smooth, rocks that all of the intermediate riders did. I was astounded!

The Ute Valley trails would have been better if not for the young, male riders, with no consideration for others. Not sure if that's the norm there or an isolated experience.

We want to try the Bear Creek trails someday. I hear that they offer enough technicality to keep things interesting without striking fear into an advanced-beginner rider.

We should bring our husbands & do some rides together this summer.

ETA: I included a description of the first trail for clarification on what I consider moderate-beginner obstacles. I'm never sure about what others consider beginner, intermediate & advanced.

[solobiker]

Sounds great Artista. I think you may like Buffalo Creek. It is a beginner/intermediate with no real technical areas. Some climbing but very do able. There are some sandy areas which I am getting better at. There are all sorts of trails and in some areas you can hook on to the Colorado Trail which is very fun. I would like to find the one down by Castle Rock you wrote about. Sounds nice. Have you tried Centenial Cone? It is a very nice trail area. Quite a bit of climbing but very smooth. If you try on a weekend it alternates between hikers and bikers. Hikers on odd days, Bikers on Even days. Throughout the week is fair game.

[Artista]

So what kind of condition is Buffalo Creek in after the fire? Hubby is thinking that it's still pretty barren Maybe not the area you're riding in, though.

We just finished riding Greenland on the west side of the railroad tracks. I'm disappointed that the trail has deteriorated into mostly sand now. I hit deep sand a few times at high speed after coming off of what little hard-pack there is. In keeping with the original subject of this thread, I learned that my SPD's release on their own when I'm having trouble maneuvering the bike I was able to save a couple of falls because my feet released automatically. I tipped over once, but again, both feet were out before I hit the ground. I'm beginning to trust my reactions & my SPD's. Maybe they won't be the death of me afterall

Also, I was again thankful for my cornering & braking drills. Just call me the drill queen. I can't wait for my next lesson!

Solobiker, the Ridgeline trails in Castle Rock can be a little tough to find if you don't know where you're going. How about if we set up a ride date? I'll PM you. Any other Denverites want to join us? Send me a PM!

[solobiker]

Artista, Yes...some areas are barren once you climb up on the ridge. But for the most part it is not too bad. We like it because it does not get too crowded because there are so many different trails to take and you can easily hook on to the Colorado trail which is very nice to ride on.

We rode at Bear Creek once, it is not too bad for an after work kind of ride. However I would not go on a weekend because it is only "okay".

I will try to attach a pic of the Buff Creek/Colorado trail. If It works the one I have uploaded is on the Colorado Trail. Hope it works.

[Artista]

Wow! It does look pretty there. Glad to know that the fire didn't get everything. Is there anything technical on the Buffalo Creek or Colorado trails? I'm partial to bumpy stuff...rock gardens, small ledges, etc.

Your picture reminded me of some trails that we used to hike on Rampart Range. There is enough technicality to those trails that I never wanted to ride them. I think we'll give it a try on the mtb's now that I'm a stronger rider & have better technical skills.

[solobiker]

The areas we go are not too technical..some roots and rock ledges depending upon where you ride. I think Charlies Cutoff has a few small ledges. There are 2 new trails that have been opened up that I have heard are pretty technical. I can't think of the names of them right now. I am not too much into the technical stuff. Our plan is to focus on distance. I need to build up my toleracnce as I have a bad back and it starts hurting after awhile. Our first few rides my back lasted only about 14-16 miles. A few weeks ago we rode close to 30 which was nice. I am not the fastest but I can go for long periods of time without resting.

Speaking of Technical..have you ridden White Ranch? That is pretty techy. You may also like Walker Ranch. We have ridden that last year. It is a nice loop with quite a bit of climbing.

Enjoy!!

[solobiker]

Artista, I have tried to send you a PM but there is an error. I will try again most likely on Monday.