Old mans valley for beginner?

[Strings001]

I'm an experienced rider, but I've never been on a MTB track before and quite apprehensive about it. Mostly other riders speeding away and my lack of experience through these tracks. To anyone that has been on the old mans valley track, are there any tips/advice before I try it out? How is it on the fitness side of things?

[zero]

I'm an experienced rider, but I've never been on a MTB track before and quite apprehensive about it. Mostly other riders speeding away and my lack of experience through these tracks. To anyone that has been on the old mans valley track, are there any tips/advice before I try it out? How is it on the fitness side of things?

If you want to be slow, just pull to the side and let people through when you can (its a general rule for MTB single track riding, and one that is often formalized in event rules). That way you can ride at your own pace and you can deal with technical obstacles in your own time.

[trailgumby]

Unfortunately some bits of the trail do demand a minimum speed or you can get into trouble ... thinking mainly the elevated woodwork. You don't want to lose your balance if you can help it, the couple of feet drop is awkward!

For fitness, it is very different. It doesn't thrash you like a nasty steep climb, it's only a short lap maybe 3km.

Where infrequent riders get into trouble is your bike control starts to go south when you get tired and after 4-5 laps of the blue circuit I start noticing little mistakes creeping in and I usually pull the pin right then lest I do something silly and hurt myself.

Great track tho' - lots of fun for the intermediate rider.

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[trailgumby]

If you want an intro to some of the other tracks around the north of Sydney I'm happy to play tour Barbie. There's some nice singletrack around if you know where to look, that will be a bit.less intimidating. Shoot me a PM if you are interested.

Might be a couple of weeks away... I'm trying to let what might be a minor tear in my knee settle down.

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[lardass71]

I'm an experienced rider, but I've never been on a MTB track before and quite apprehensive about it. Mostly other riders speeding away and my lack of experience through these tracks. To anyone that has been on the old mans valley track, are there any tips/advice before I try it out? How is it on the fitness side of things?

If you want to be slow, just pull to the side and let people through when you can (its a general rule for MTB single track riding, and one that is often formalized in event rules). That way you can ride at your own pace and you can deal with technical obstacles in your own time.

no that's just common courtesy , it's not a general rule and certainly not at an MTB event unless they have done a 180, if your riding with no one in front of you, take your time and enjoy your trail, if someone wants to get passed you, they will do so when it's safe to do so and call what side there passing you on, you don't need to get out of there way at all, that's a general MTB event rule

[andycross]

If you want an intro to some of the other tracks around the north of Sydney I'm happy to play tour Barbie. There's some nice singletrack around if you know where to look, that will be a bit.less intimidating. Shoot me a PM if you are interested.

I'd PM but somehow I can't create new messages.....
But yes, I'd be interested.

[trailgumby]

I've sent you a message. Let me know here if you've been able to pick it up or not.

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