Hi all, purchased a used bike from a neighbor and have hit 6MR 2x, not sure if 43 is too old to start, but giving it all I got (addicting). My question is, what is the fastest/best way to learn technique so I can get the most out of my rides. Things like shifting, managing roots, etc. If any one hits 6MR and is new or doesnt mind my fats ass trailing behind them please let me know as im local. Thanx
Newbie advice
- Thread starter bossfrank
- Start date
best advice I can give is to get involved with a few group rides most of the time you will be riding with people that will impart some of their knowledge on you.
there was a book around that Mr. Chainsaw had and that had a lot of good hints in it.
if you are not busy the rides at allaire are a blast and you will be able to get some good hints as the good dr. said 6:00 pm the hospitle road lot bring a hemet,water and your bike.
there was a book around that Mr. Chainsaw had and that had a lot of good hints in it.
if you are not busy the rides at allaire are a blast and you will be able to get some good hints as the good dr. said 6:00 pm the hospitle road lot bring a hemet,water and your bike.
Last edited:
Dusty the Whale
Mr.Chainsaw
blackburn1973
Well-Known Member
Definitely by riding, but if you're looking for more technical stuff, Dirt Rag magazine runs a good series that focuses on specific skill sets that does a good job conveying technique w/o overwhelming. There's great skills videos on Youtube too if you look around ...
Mildly Wild
Active Member
43 too old? You're a youngster! I'm 59, started mtb at 51, still hitting my stride, and lovin' it. Just keep riding and watch what others do. Welcome!
Arwen's Mom
Mother of Dragons, Breaker of Chains
Riding with others is a great way to learn.
The Allaire group is fun if you can make it. Plus you can meet other people and find riding partners.
My husband and I ride almost everyday. Dont know what your work schedule is like but you are welcome to join us on a ride, we ride either 6M or Allaire, most days. We usually ride in the morning (930 or so). shoot me a PM if interested
The Allaire group is fun if you can make it. Plus you can meet other people and find riding partners.
My husband and I ride almost everyday. Dont know what your work schedule is like but you are welcome to join us on a ride, we ride either 6M or Allaire, most days. We usually ride in the morning (930 or so). shoot me a PM if interested
MannyL358
Well-Known Member
Hey Frank,
Welcome aboard! It's going to take a little bit of everything, studying books and videos, going to the clinics, group rides, backyard practice, and asking the questions. Most of all it's going to take time. Focus on having fun and before you know it you'll be ripping it like a pro.
Welcome aboard! It's going to take a little bit of everything, studying books and videos, going to the clinics, group rides, backyard practice, and asking the questions. Most of all it's going to take time. Focus on having fun and before you know it you'll be ripping it like a pro.
giff06
Well-Known Member
Welcome aboard! +1 on the Allaire beginners ride. Good bunch of folks. Try this site for the Aussie POV.
http://www.mtbtips.com/
Ed and Pat Gifford
the Snot Rocket tandem
http://www.mtbtips.com/
Ed and Pat Gifford
the Snot Rocket tandem
Robin
Well-Known Member
I learned alot by riding with people who would stop and go over things with me...we knew ahead of time that it wasn't a "mileage" ride but a learning ride. Find people who will take you under their wing - having the support and friendly advice makes learning (and falling) more fun.
I haven't been to the Allaire rides on Tuesdays, but from what I've heard, it's a great time had by all.
There will also be a ride at 6-mile on May 27th - it's a JORBA group ride.
Marty's will be starting a beginner/intermediate ride on Thursday evening's at Lewis Morris...there is a thread somewhere for that...I'll have to see if I can find it. I know the guy who leads this, and he's super patient/will spend time going over things.
I haven't been to the Allaire rides on Tuesdays, but from what I've heard, it's a great time had by all.
There will also be a ride at 6-mile on May 27th - it's a JORBA group ride.
Marty's will be starting a beginner/intermediate ride on Thursday evening's at Lewis Morris...there is a thread somewhere for that...I'll have to see if I can find it. I know the guy who leads this, and he's super patient/will spend time going over things.
Frank
Wookie
Welcome Frank!
I will echo everyone's recommendations so far:
Age: I don't matter, I'm almost 51 and having a blast.
Skills: Keep riding, they will come.
Groups: While I'm partial to the Allaire Ride, I will just add that you need to ride with like minded folk. Try to ride with someone who is better than you, but won't leave you in the dust to ride alone.....just have fun.
I will echo everyone's recommendations so far:
Age: I don't matter, I'm almost 51 and having a blast.
Skills: Keep riding, they will come.
Groups: While I'm partial to the Allaire Ride, I will just add that you need to ride with like minded folk. Try to ride with someone who is better than you, but won't leave you in the dust to ride alone.....just have fun.
I started 18 months ago at 42.
some of my suggestions would echo those of the above.
For me mountain biking has been 65% about getting my fitness up and 35% about learning the technique of riding.
Fitness has simply been for me riding as much as I can, a minimum of twice a week. This, from a practical standpoint has meant road riding once, mountain biking once.
I've lost 14lbs as a result (healthier diet too) but the lower weight makes a huge difference on climbing and biking in general.
Technique is a lot about riding different parks, different routes with different people. I've rode with a some friends regularly but now i'm having to ride more independently as they have had more family commitments. An unexpected bonus to this is i'm meeting up with riders (through mtbnj) who are showing me new parks/routes but also seeing what is possible on a mountain bike. Sometimes the biggest hurdle for me is "it can't be done" or "i've did not clear this bit last time so I'll give it half a go this time but be ready to clip out...". Having seen other riders do stuff gives a very different mental attitude.
The fitness component (at least for me) can't be understated - doing tougher technical riding is very physical (although as you get very proficient you can see it would get easier...)
Think about doing some training: I did a 3 day course last spring - is mentioned in other threads - Betterride (betterride.net) and have been building on what was taught since (still by no means mastered what was taught a year later). Learned stuff that I would not have learned just by watching others.
Be careful about messing with suspension settings (from stock/standard settings) until you have a feel for it. I asked lots of different people to "have a look" at my suspension settings. In the end my bike was downright dangerous - with the front fork softness frequently sending me over the bars. After one particularly hard landing I took the whole bike back to the manufacturers recommended pressures/compression setting etc. Was fantastic. Have made minor tweaks since then but I always reference it vs the manufacturers settings.
My final comment relates to injuries. I've fallen off quite a few times, probably the worst are going over the bars ( a few times). I always ride any even remotely difficult trail with someone else. thankfully so far i've always managed to ride out but once or twice it's taken a few moments of cursing and nursing to get going again...
Have to apologize now - am now so passionate about mountain biking it's difficult to stop sharing... recognize that many others may disagree with what i'm saying with a completely different view on what worked for them.
Colin
some of my suggestions would echo those of the above.
For me mountain biking has been 65% about getting my fitness up and 35% about learning the technique of riding.
Fitness has simply been for me riding as much as I can, a minimum of twice a week. This, from a practical standpoint has meant road riding once, mountain biking once.
I've lost 14lbs as a result (healthier diet too) but the lower weight makes a huge difference on climbing and biking in general.
Technique is a lot about riding different parks, different routes with different people. I've rode with a some friends regularly but now i'm having to ride more independently as they have had more family commitments. An unexpected bonus to this is i'm meeting up with riders (through mtbnj) who are showing me new parks/routes but also seeing what is possible on a mountain bike. Sometimes the biggest hurdle for me is "it can't be done" or "i've did not clear this bit last time so I'll give it half a go this time but be ready to clip out...". Having seen other riders do stuff gives a very different mental attitude.
The fitness component (at least for me) can't be understated - doing tougher technical riding is very physical (although as you get very proficient you can see it would get easier...)
Think about doing some training: I did a 3 day course last spring - is mentioned in other threads - Betterride (betterride.net) and have been building on what was taught since (still by no means mastered what was taught a year later). Learned stuff that I would not have learned just by watching others.
Be careful about messing with suspension settings (from stock/standard settings) until you have a feel for it. I asked lots of different people to "have a look" at my suspension settings. In the end my bike was downright dangerous - with the front fork softness frequently sending me over the bars. After one particularly hard landing I took the whole bike back to the manufacturers recommended pressures/compression setting etc. Was fantastic. Have made minor tweaks since then but I always reference it vs the manufacturers settings.
My final comment relates to injuries. I've fallen off quite a few times, probably the worst are going over the bars ( a few times). I always ride any even remotely difficult trail with someone else. thankfully so far i've always managed to ride out but once or twice it's taken a few moments of cursing and nursing to get going again...
Have to apologize now - am now so passionate about mountain biking it's difficult to stop sharing... recognize that many others may disagree with what i'm saying with a completely different view on what worked for them.
Colin