My first MTB ride
- snedden9485
- Posts: 1446
- Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:25 am
- Location: Newcastle, NSW, AU
My first MTB ride
Postby snedden9485 » Sat Apr 25, 2009 11:33 am
I got onto the trails and cruised down some fire trail and then into some slightly technical fire roads. Then came my first hill. Now i consider myself to be a pretty decent climber on the road, but this first little hill offroad was intense. It wasnt that steep, but it was a totally different feeling climbing. I seemed to have to drop to a really low gear and spin up the thing. Was really differnt going up hills and negotiating obstacles, which was interesting considering i was clipped in for the first time offroad. I ended up finding my feet a little and realised sitting down was generally the best bet for climing. I ended up doing a few down hill trails and nice little sections that were great fun. I found a little bit of single trail which was really nice and fun. Cant wait to get out and get onto some dedicated MTB locations with some mates. I think the MTBing will definately help the road biking as its a totally differnt type of fitness, just intense and sharp. Was nice to get dirty and muddy again too
2011 Giant TCR Advanced SL
2011 Malvern Star Oppy TT9 Time Trial
2011 Giant Omnium Track
2012 Giant XTC Composite 29
- Kalgrm
- Super Mod
- Posts: 9653
- Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 5:21 pm
- Location: Success, WA
- Contact:
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby Kalgrm » Sat Apr 25, 2009 11:40 am
There will come a time when you have to make the choice between doing a road ride and a MTB ride - and you'll choose the dirt. That's when you know the addiction has fully taken you. At that point, your road bike will become the cross-training bike for your MTB riding.
Don't fight it - it's fun.
Cheers,
Graeme
---------------------
Music was better when ugly people were allowed to make it ....
- trailgumby
- Posts: 15469
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:30 pm
- Location: Northern Beaches, Sydney
- Contact:
- trailgumby
- Posts: 15469
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:30 pm
- Location: Northern Beaches, Sydney
- Contact:
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby trailgumby » Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:48 pm
Glad you enjoyed it. Graeme's right, it is incredibly addictive. First few times on trails with clip-ins is always scary, especially if you aren't confident with your bike skills. But after awhile you adapt and find that they help hugely with things like climbing and keeping your feet on the pedals through the rough bits and while you're airborne over drops. Sounds like you've done really well.
Tips:
I'm probably teaching you to suck eggs with your MX experience, but in case it's useful...
* Bum back behind seat and low over the rear wheel during technical descents. Try lowering your seat a little for these parts of the trail - you can put it back up later.
* Fist the right bar to make you sure stay off the front brake when riding rough surfaces, especially descents. As your skills develop you'll come back to using the front brake, but leave off it at first.
* If you can't see a makeable line, or you balk a second time, there's no shame in walking a section you're not ready for. Better to walk than be flown out.
* Push (throw!) the bike out in front of you jsut as the front wheel leaves the lip of the drop. It will help keep the bike horizontal and help you land both wheels at the same time, avoiding dropping the front wheel and going OTB.
* Chin down and bum forward on the seat for tech climbs - stops the front wheel going skywards and dumping you on your backside.
* Take your phone (fully charged) and let someone know where you're going, and ride with a mate whenever you can. You can cover enormous stretches of territory on a bike and !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !! can happen.
re: Ourimbah: it's about halfway between us, and is full of super fun flowy bermed singletrack. It's not overly technical, although some parts can bite if you don't offer due respect. The climbs will definitely give your heart rate monitor a workout. Did a race there November last year and it's the best fun I've had on two wheels despite being desperately underprepared fitness-wise.
-
- Posts: 392
- Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:22 pm
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby USM TOM » Sat Apr 25, 2009 6:15 pm
hell yeahtrailgumby wrote:One word: Ourimbah.
ourimbah is sweet as and its pretty tough going aswell especially on a 17kg freeride bike with 2.35kenda nevegals
the downhill track is a bit much for me though and the ride to get to the start is tough as hell
- snedden9485
- Posts: 1446
- Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:25 am
- Location: Newcastle, NSW, AU
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby snedden9485 » Sat Apr 25, 2009 6:58 pm
Sounds good mate. Wel hook up for a ride out there soon. A few guys from work ride there all the time. I will gee a few newy boys up and wel come down for a hit out. How far is it from the train station (AT) ourimbah? Is it near the freeway?trailgumby wrote:One word: Ourimbah.
2011 Giant TCR Advanced SL
2011 Malvern Star Oppy TT9 Time Trial
2011 Giant Omnium Track
2012 Giant XTC Composite 29
- trailgumby
- Posts: 15469
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:30 pm
- Location: Northern Beaches, Sydney
- Contact:
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby trailgumby » Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:15 pm
Ourimbah is a couple of km west of the freeway. Directions are on the wannaride.com.au site - hunt down directions to the Fat Tyre Festival. Take a look at Krystle Wright's photos, too. Will give you a taste of the atmosphere at the place.snedden9485 wrote:Sounds good mate. Wel hook up for a ride out there soon. A few guys from work ride there all the time. I will gee a few newy boys up and wel come down for a hit out. How far is it from the train station (AT) ourimbah? Is it near the freeway?trailgumby wrote:One word: Ourimbah.
I'd love to go for a ride. I've promised my son a couple of sessions up there. Unfortunately for me, it will be awhile before I'm fit to ride offroad - probably months. I'm expecting to hear in about a week or so that I'm up for an arthroscopy on my shoulder after a pretty nasty (and stupid) OTB five weeks ago.
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby Mulger bill » Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:14 am
One more tip to add to Gumbys list:
NEVER ride with a multitool or anything hard in a jersey pocket. Especially on those tech climbs.
Go on, ask me how I know...
Shaun
London Boy 29/12/2011
- familyguy
- Posts: 8365
- Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:30 pm
- Location: Willoughby, NSW
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby familyguy » Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:02 am
Ever get the feeling someone or something is about to stab you in the back?Mulger bill wrote:NEVER ride with a multitool or anything hard in a jersey pocket. Especially on those tech climbs.
Go on, ask me how I know...
Shaun
Jim
- trailgumby
- Posts: 15469
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:30 pm
- Location: Northern Beaches, Sydney
- Contact:
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby trailgumby » Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:12 pm
I'll bite...Mulger bill wrote:Go on, ask me how I know...
How do you know?
- thm
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:05 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby thm » Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:42 pm
+1 Best trails I have ridden in NSW thus far. Shame they aren't closer to Sydney. Then again if they were really close they could be overcrowded.trailgumby wrote:One word: Ourimbah.
- snedden9485
- Posts: 1446
- Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:25 am
- Location: Newcastle, NSW, AU
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby snedden9485 » Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:45 pm
2011 Giant TCR Advanced SL
2011 Malvern Star Oppy TT9 Time Trial
2011 Giant Omnium Track
2012 Giant XTC Composite 29
-
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:40 pm
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby Mitton » Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:49 pm
-
- Posts: 392
- Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:22 pm
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby USM TOM » Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:50 pm
for sure
the rollercoaster is the best bit by far
if your feeling game climb up the hill to TOWERS and have a crack (its a easy trail i promise )
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby Mulger bill » Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:41 pm
familyguy wrote:Ever get the feeling someone or something is about to stab you in the back?Mulger bill wrote:NEVER ride with a multitool or anything hard in a jersey pocket. Especially on those tech climbs.
Go on, ask me how I know...
Shaun
Jim
trailgumby wrote:I'll bite...Mulger bill wrote:Go on, ask me how I know...
How do you know?
I think you blokes have already worked it out.
I've only had one bruise bigger than that one. Makes walking/standing/sitting a trial too.
Shaun
London Boy 29/12/2011
-
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 8:06 pm
- Location: Newcastle NSW
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby rog on a bike » Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:01 am
A little closer to home is Awaba! There are some really nice rides in the area, from there to the Gap (southern end of Sugar Loaf Range) Enjoy?
Cheers Rog
- familyguy
- Posts: 8365
- Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:30 pm
- Location: Willoughby, NSW
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby familyguy » Sat May 02, 2009 8:57 pm
Having done the Dam twice now I can see where they'd help. Having used SPD for commuting and knowing I can get in and out pretty quickly, I might try them next time I go out rather than the platforms. The platforms took a bit of a beating on a few rocks too.trailgumby wrote:First few times on trails with clip-ins is always scary, especially if you aren't confident with your bike skills. But after awhile you adapt and find that they help hugely with things like climbing and keeping your feet on the pedals through the rough bits and while you're airborne over drops.
Great tips...always helpful. I discovered an alternate meaning for OTB when I went my first decent hill. Seat high, not leaning forward (i.e typical roadie climbing stance) = Over The Back. Lucky I wasnt clipped in. I dropped the seat after that and put the head over the bows when the floor pitched skyward.trailgumby wrote: Tips:
* Bum back behind seat and low over the rear wheel during technical descents. Try lowering your seat a little for these parts of the trail - you can put it back up later.
* Fist the right bar to make you sure stay off the front brake when riding rough surfaces, especially descents. As your skills develop you'll come back to using the front brake, but leave off it at first.
* If you can't see a makeable line, or you balk a second time, there's no shame in walking a section you're not ready for. Better to walk than be flown out.
* Push (throw!) the bike out in front of you jsut as the front wheel leaves the lip of the drop. It will help keep the bike horizontal and help you land both wheels at the same time, avoiding dropping the front wheel and going OTB.
* Chin down and bum forward on the seat for tech climbs - stops the front wheel going skywards and dumping you on your backside.
* Take your phone (fully charged) and let someone know where you're going, and ride with a mate whenever you can. You can cover enormous stretches of territory on a bike and !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !! can happen.
I found myself lifting the front, rather than relying on the speed and the throw forward to get the wheels landing in the correct order. Once the speed comes then I could see how there'd be less lifting and more throwing.
Jim
- herzog
- Posts: 2174
- Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:50 pm
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby herzog » Sun May 03, 2009 1:12 pm
Appears to have been filmed at Glenrock.
Not bad for $10.
- trailgumby
- Posts: 15469
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:30 pm
- Location: Northern Beaches, Sydney
- Contact:
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby trailgumby » Sun May 03, 2009 1:15 pm
I don't move my seat around much now - I just leave it set in a position that's about 1cm lower than where I'd have it on a roadie. It's enough to clear my knicks when I need to get back and low, but high enough to be comfortable for longer rides and climbs without stressing my knees.
-
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 8:06 pm
- Location: Newcastle NSW
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby rog on a bike » Tue May 05, 2009 9:03 pm
You've mentioned that word "GLENROCK"herzog wrote:One of the mags has a special edition in the newsagents this month with a bonus DVD covering bike skills.
Appears to have been filmed at Glenrock.
Not bad for $10.
GOD! I luv it when you lot talk dirty.
Cheers Rog
- snedden9485
- Posts: 1446
- Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:25 am
- Location: Newcastle, NSW, AU
Re: My first MTB ride
Postby snedden9485 » Wed May 06, 2009 6:55 am
Im going out Glenrock today. SHould be good fun by the sounds.rog on a bike wrote:You've mentioned that word "GLENROCK"herzog wrote:One of the mags has a special edition in the newsagents this month with a bonus DVD covering bike skills.
Appears to have been filmed at Glenrock.
Not bad for $10.
GOD! I luv it when you lot talk dirty.
Cheers Rog
2011 Giant TCR Advanced SL
2011 Malvern Star Oppy TT9 Time Trial
2011 Giant Omnium Track
2012 Giant XTC Composite 29
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Cycling Brands
- Cannondale
- Garmin
- Giant
- Shimano
- Trek
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+11:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.