New to Biking

[Maverick]

I am new to mountain biking, if you don't consider the years before I got my drivers license. Is there any advice that would be useful to me so I don't injure myself or damage my bike? I just bought a Trek 4300 which is 90 times better then my Giant Boulder 500 (no suspension) from when I was 13 or so. So far I love this bike, and yes, I know its just bottom line bike.

Is there any classes or anything held for new bikers? I know the basics pretty well. Its interesting that old skills come back easily and that new skills are easy to obtain. Of course it hasn't been too many years but its still surprising. I can't wait to get out at Lebanon with the new bike, I tried it once with the old Giant and vowed never to do it again with that bike.

Thanks everyone!

[SickBoy]

Best class you can attend would be to show up at your local shop this spring and see when the group rides are. Riding with more experienced guys will show you what to do and teach you confidence on the bike. Make sure you stick right on their wheels and watch what they do.

Even if they don't have posted days/times for rides, just ask. A lot of the time, the shop employees go riding together and if you get in good with them they'll probably let you come along if you just ask. The shop where you bought your bike is a good place to start.

Races are always a nice learning experience too. ;)

[KleinCrazy]

Learning to Ride.

I have found that riding with others is the best way to get better. Be that group rides, rides with friends, races, whatever.

It is planned that MORc Memebes are going to begin having more organized/planned rides this summer. maybe associated with a shop, maybe not.

There are planned rides out of the Sibley Bike depot planned for this summer for newer riders, Both young and old at Battle Creek.

What I would suggest it just keep an eye on the boards here. I post my rides whenever I go and anyone is welcome to join in. One note is that shop rides can be very intense and SOMETIMES more race oriented and not real accepting to New riders.

Kenwood on monday Nights always has 2 groups, fast and slow.

Anyways. I hope that John puts a forum just for rides announcements up when the season starts.

The best place to learn to ride in a race environment would be the Thursday night races at Buck. Very Laid Back and low entry fees with lots of swag!!!


Let me know if you have any other Questions.

James

[manual63]

I used to teach mountain biking at Buck Hill a few years back. I stopped teaching do to lack of people signing up. So if you really want lessons, I would be willing to help out at the rate I did back then of $25.00 an hour.

I would teach beginners how to hill climb, take tight turns, take fast turns, how to use gears, and many other important things. I would even discuss bike setup and maintainance which are just as important as riding skill.

The basic rule of learning is to start off slow and don't try things you are not comfortable with. Most people get hurt when they haven't developed the skill to push the limit, but still try to push the limit.

I actually had a lot of women sign up then becuase their boyfriends/husbands didn't have the patience to teach them. They would say "teach me how to beat my boyfriend"........LOL.

[gopherhockey]

Since you brought it up, it is strange - I actually find that my wife prefers to learn from another female... It is probably like you said, I'm actually not being as patient as I think I am... or, she just doesn't want to take pointers from me. (I guess I can understand that... hehe)

She finally found some friends that ride and went out on the trails with them - suddenly she was riding log piles like a pro. Part of it was just learning by riding with a group and watching the person in front I think.