How do you get started?

[liberty]

Very wierd to be posting to the Mountain Biking section. First time!

Okay, ladies, here's the deal. I've just been doing road riding. Over the weekend, my club leader gave me his old mountain bike. Just out of the blue! It is a huge blessing since I've always wanted to go. And now I can!

I have no idea if it fits correctly. It is so entirely different from the road bike (!) that I feel like a baby rider again. On a little ride down the road I was coming to a stop, tried to unclip from the pedal, and realized I had forgotten how to stop and dismount without my clipless pedals! Threw me for a loop! On the other hand, I had tons of fun riding over speed bumps. Tried to catch some air...

Anyway, back to subject. There is a ladies only mountain biking clinic this weekend. I am tossing around the idea of going, however I am uncertain about the bike. Since it is a hand-me-down, I am hesitant about showing up if the bike really doesn't fit me at all. ( )I need some general guidance about how to think about and go about doing all of this. Where do I take it from here???

[ima_bleeder]

A lot of the things you already know about bike fit from your road riding will apply to your mountain bike as well. Are you in the correct position over your pedals? Are you over/under-extending your legs as you pedal?

Beyond that ...
I think most people prefer to be more upright on their MTB than on their road bike, but it's entirely a matter of your own personal comfort.

I don't do this, and neither do most of the local MTBers I know, but based on prior posts I think most MTBers on this forum prefer to lower their seats for descents, or prefer to sit lower all the time. I can't pedal up hills with my seat very low, because it aggravates my knees. But the idea is that the technical stuff is easier if you're more IN the bike than OVER the bike. I accomplish generally the same thing by shifting my weight around the bike while I'm descending to change the center of gravity. Again, all personal preference, which you'll discover as you ride more.

Find out if the clinic covers fit. Mine did. If not, see if you can go to your LBS for a little help in that area. Ours has a bike-fit specialist, most have at a minimum experienced riders who can give you some guidance. Just remember, there's a lot of opinion involved, and if you're not comfortable with the position they put you in, change it! You're the one who has to be comfortable. Again, miles under your belt will help you fine tune your position.

Also, if you're comfortable riding clipless, put them on your MTB. I've been riding with clipless since near the beginning of my MTB experience. And I didn't have any experience with clipless on a road bike, so I was a total 'clipless virgin' when I put them on my MTB. As long as you can clip out quickly, and you're comfortable doing it, I say go for it. I find it's much easier to climb, and even easier to do some technical riding, when I'm connected to the bike.

Have fun!
Stephanie

[7rider]

I'd say the women's clinic this weekend sounds like a great opportunity for you to ask other women mountain bikers the very questions you are posting here - with the added benefit of them being able to see you on your bike and how it fits or doesn't fit you and to show you how to do things first hand.
Have fun and tell us how it goes!

[Irulan]

Definitely go to the clinic. Even if the bike fit is way off, you should still be able to pick up a lot of good general riding tips, skills and confidence.

I need to comment on the saddle position - as a rule of thumb, leg extended but not locked, heel flat. If your toes are pointing down the saddle is too high. Lowering the saddle is for extended descents, descending on technical sections, and dedicated downhill riding. You will have your most efficient climbing with your leg extended, and it's easier on the knees, too. As a rank newbie, don't worry about lowering your saddle unless instructed to do so in your clinic. And no one except crazy downhillers pedal with the saddle lowered all the time.

Irregardless of bike fit, the most important first thing to learn is body position. Probably the biggest difference from road riding is the level of "dynamic" vs "static" in using your body. The #1 thing to learn is that you are most stable with feet level ( 3 & 9) butt out of the saddle, eyes forward, and a relaxed grip. Beginners tend to really glue their bottom to the saddle, and have a death grip on the handle bars. You are more stable in the above described attack, neutral, or ready position because your whole body can act as a shock absorber. You move your weight back off the saddle for descending-this is what a lowered saddle forces you to do.

anyway go have fun and rock those trails

[liberty]

So, in mountain biking, you spend the majority of the time out of the saddle?

I talked my cousin into taking the class with me. We went for a little bitty ride tonight on the local MUT trail. She hasn't been on a bike in years, so she thought it prudent to practice. I did manage to find some off trails that were mainly gravel. Was wierd to sense the bike shifting over the gravel. I went down a grassy slope and shifted my weight behind the saddle without even thinking about it. We shall see.

Hope you gals don't mind if I pester you with questions. It is all very new and interesting. Not looking forward to falling, especially since I am not insured. But I have a good helmet!

[BikerJen]

Go to the clinic. It will be a nice, non-testosterone place to learn about mtb. I was fortunate enough to have understanding male friends when I first got into mtb. Then I took a "repair" class at my bike shop. BUT the best times I've had riding were with my Chicky friends. See if your local bike club(s) have any female only ride nights. I like my road bike, but I'm definitely a mtb rider at heart. Love it!

[bike4ever]

liberty - I say go to the clinic. I know you will have a fun time.

[Irulan]

So, in mountain biking, you spend the majority of the time out of the saddle?

depends on the trail.
flat, mellow, rolling terrain, no.
climbing, no unless it gets technical and or steep and or power bursts then yes
rock gardens, technical terrain, more yes.
descending, yes

[IntenseRide]

Go...Go...Go

You will learn things from more experienced riders that are important for newbies. Besides, I bet someone there will be able to help you with changing out some parts so the bike will fit you better.

[han-grrl]

Ok, so it seems we are all in agreement...

I teach at a beginner mtb clinic here, and its great to see the beginners progress. Our program offers rentals for those who don't have a proper bike...

Definitely get it fitted properly and looked at to make sure everything is functioning properly...

we cover bike fit at our clinics, but not everyone covers that...its worth asking...

have fun! (i hope you enjoy it!)

hannah

[emily_in_nc]

Liberty,

I agree with the others - go! I would LOVE to go to a women's MTB clinic. I started riding MTB last summer but am still very much an newbie, tho' I have a great bike - XS Titus Racer-X I bought off eBay that fits great! Wish I could find a clinic around these parts!

Let us know all about it!

Emily

[bike4ever]

Emily - Take a road trip and visit St. Louis - you can stay with my family. The clinic is actually run over two days with day two being riding all day.

[emily_in_nc]

Emily - Take a road trip and visit St. Louis - you can stay with my family. The clinic is actually run over two days with day two being riding all day.

Aww, you're sweet! With gas prices being what they are, though, I think I'll keep looking for a clinic closer to home...

Emily

[bike4ever]

We had a terrific first day at the clinic. We went over many of the topics we will be covering on the bike tomorrow. I left the schedule at work, so I'll have to post the actual skills later.

I am excited to see who can ride the slowest!

[bike4ever]

Day 2 was a blast!! We had about 20 women out at a local state park from 9am until 3pm practicing various skills. We had a small lunch break with some raffles then back on the bike.

We practiced nose lifts, bunny hopping, high speed stops, various drills around poles and tennis balls, one legged drills, and some body language. We also got to try some endos - such a wierd feeling. We did have a couple go completely over (very slowly in a field so no one got hurt).

It was such a positive experience with every participant really trying. We did have a wide range of abilities. Once we got out on a trail, the women were so supportive of each other in completing a challenging hill up and a fun, steep one down. Everyone was cheering for each other. It's great to have a women specific event since it is not as competive but more supportive.

Many, many thanks to everyone who participated. Now to practice the bunny hops.