What kind of mountain biker are you?

**Irulan** · 04-08-2003, 04:41 PM

There are more mountain bikers here than I thought! lots to choose from, what do YOU Like? Answer as many as you like.

**Kpicha** · 04-08-2003, 06:15 PM

We have lots of technical singletrack here in VA, which is nice. But, I do wish there was more fast, flowing type singletrack so I could go on all day long epics. That technical stuff can give you quite a beating sometimes!

**waterlilli** · 04-08-2003, 08:06 PM

What a great question! I do not know? I love climbing, I love fast decents, It is a blast to race, but I am not a racer. Ladders scare me, but I give them a try. What am I?

**gapgoil** · 04-08-2003, 08:36 PM

climbing..eek!! I prefer to ride the lifts...or shuttle.
Lovin' the downhill though, or a nice quick singletrack ride on a nice summer's day...

**Irulan** · 04-08-2003, 09:40 PM

I love climbing. Does that make me wierd?

I really in particular like kicking guy's butts on long steady climbs. This is one area where fitness pays off, and spinning in particlur gives me a 6 week head start over where i'd be if I had to rely on climbing for climbing conditioning. I live in the mountains too and not too much has access for shuttle. So you HAVE to go up to go down.

Actually what I really like is the satisfaction of getting to the top by my own power. If I can make it all on the bike that's the bonus as is the view from the top.

There's a teetertotter in our bike "play" area that I'm trying locate now THAT sounds like fun. The builder like to hide that stuff.

If you like ladders go to this site
PeteFagerlin.com and download the "Northshore" video. Those guys are amazing. It will really inspire you.

Irulan

**waterlilli** · 04-09-2003, 06:59 AM

I agree climbing rocks! I just love kicking the boys butts up the hill.

**pedalfaster** · 04-09-2003, 07:03 AM

Epic rides, climbing, technical singletrack and xc racing. But not necessarily in that order

**sempre** · 04-10-2003, 12:04 AM

Seems like a lot of us are into climbing - twisted bunch aren't we! I have to admit that I love it too, as well as singletrack (easy or technical) and those epic cross country rides. I'd love to enjoy downhill more, but at the moment it just scares me far too much for it to be safe!

**Irulan** · 04-11-2003, 09:07 AM

I like the DH portions of some of the XC trails I ride. But I sure can't see myself doing a lot of it!! As my skills build tho... I"m thinking that it'd be fun to try out on the right kind of bike that's built to take it, just to try it for a easy run or two.

I"ve got armor that I wear when attempting difficult technical stuff anyway. I find that it's helped my confidence immensely. If we're going to an area that I know may have tricky bits I'll just wear the armor for that portion of the trail, especially if we take the time out to work on that section.

Irulan

**Kpicha** · 04-11-2003, 06:49 PM

Gosh, all this talk of climbing is making me want to go out and tackle some killer technical climbs!

Nahh, too muddy right now.

I thought about getting some armor too but don't you get awfully hot? SOme of the trails here are literally handlebar width and I got a good smack on my forearm the other day from bumping off a tree.

I recently switched pedals from 959s to Time Zs and what a difference its made in my confidence. Plus, having a new bike helps too. I haven't crashed once yet!

(Of course, I probably just jinxed myself now)

Cheers,
Kristina

**Irulan** · 04-11-2003, 08:44 PM

Originally posted by Kpicha

I thought about getting some armor too but don't you get awfully hot? SOme of the trails here are literally handlebar width and I got a good smack on my forearm the other day from bumping off a tree.
Cheers,
Kristina

I just wear elbow pads from Fox and 661 4x4 leg pads. Not full body armor!!! They bundle up real nice and strap onto my camelbak and I don't even know they are there when I"m not wearing them.

I got this stuff last year when I was wrecking a lot. It's nive to have them for when I want to try something... just for a bit of confidence. An example might be this one nasty switchback that's full of gravel and off camber. I have a lot more confidence to try it over and over again with armor. Then take it off later!!

661 4x4 fox elbow guards

Irulan

**TwoTiredGal** · 04-12-2003, 02:35 PM

I'm the exception here I guess... I really don't like climbing. I do love the feeling of completing a climb that I just cussed and grunted my way up. I LOVE the downhills and fast up and down xc! Seems like I ride mostly with good climbers and scared downhillers so they take off and I catch up on the downswing. It all works out in the end but it sucks to be at the back of the pack on a climb wondering if I can ever catch up to those disappearing butts. For the most part, as long as I'm riding... I'm a happy camper.

**Irulan** · 04-12-2003, 06:19 PM

Originally posted by TwoTiredGal
I'm the exception here I guess... I really don't like climbing. I do love the feeling of completing a climb that I just cussed and grunted my way up. I LOVE the downhills and fast up and down xc! Seems like I ride mostly with good climbers and scared downhillers so they take off and I catch up on the downswing. It all works out in the end but it sucks to be at the back of the pack on a climb wondering if I can ever catch up to those disappearing butts. For the most part, as long as I'm riding... I'm a happy camper.

now this may not apply to you at all... but for me the better I became at mountain biking, and the better my fitness... both of those contributed directly to liking to climb as compared to tolerating it...

Irulan

**TwoTiredGal** · 04-12-2003, 06:52 PM

Originally posted by Irulan

now this may not apply to you at all... but for me the better I became at mountain biking, and the better my fitness... both of those contributed directly to liking to climb as compared to tolerating it...

Irulan

I would say that early in the season that is a main contributor. But even when I was in the best shape ever with 10% body fat and strong legs, I just never could get in to the climbing until I got to the top and realized how happy I was to have made it. I then gained a bit too much weight and climbing got even more difficult. But I've slimmed down again and maybe that will help me both psychologically as well as physically this season.

**Terry** · 04-16-2003, 10:41 PM

I'm really thrilled to see so many women kicking butt after working inside on spinning this winter. I'm having the same experience (even though my riding season is winter).

I've become a better climber because my endurance is so much better since I started spinning. Also, I've learned to "glide" over rocks by using a large gear so that my feet do not scrape rocks.
The guys...well, I'm finding that they are climbing much slower than I'd like to go these days. I can't pass them on an up-hill single track, but, I'd love to yell out "on your left" and just do it if the terrain would permit.

I'm having a hell of a good time since my endurance and skill level has risen...just practice and spin so far.

Thanks for the tip on body gear, Irulan. I'm ready to take on the downhills. Any tips on riding in deep sand down hill? I've only had one experience with a long down hill grade that was all sand...and deep, too. The 50 Year Trail in the Catalina Mts. north of Tucson...anyone tired it? (we actually had to walk up the sand because no one could ride it).
Terry

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