Noob Guide to Mountain Biking?

Would it be possible to have a thread dedicated to helping people new to mountain biking? A few of us are new to this malarky and searching the internet comes up with lots of interesting things!

I thought that if I could pass on some good links that I have found and if others could do the same - we would at least (in theory ) improve our biking skills quicker! (well thats the theory!).

So far I have found the following helpful

Forums/articles on www.bikeradar.com

videos - shamlessly stolen from Singletrack:
Better rider 1
Better rider 2
Better rider 3
Better rider 4


I am sure there are a lot of things out there that I have missed........

Many thanks Marko - feeling rather like a hippy and in the sharing spirit!!!


Peace!!

i think the club also needs better rides for us newbie`s...could this be worked out? and rides not just in the woods like we had bank holiday monday that was fun.

Personally. I've found there's no substitute for turning up on a Sunday, riding with the group and watching someone else ride a tricky bit and copying them. There's no substitute for experience.

If you want to fast track your skills, a training course is well recommended and Helen at http://www.getmountainbiking.co.uk/ runs courses up at our woods with Jim, one of our club members being one of the trainers. I think you can eve use your Tesco vouchers to pay!!

Kurt.... as sensible as ever! I will follow you now so please dont fall down!! I only posted the links as I tend to be rather anal about researching (its also my job IRL so quite handy!) but granted it is rather nerdy .

Madhatter - so far I have found the rides very good (I have learnt some new routes also) but you have to remember that the ride leaders are trying to accommodate every level - so we just have to get better quicker!

Hopefully see you on sunday!

Completely agree with the theory on watch others and learn. When I first started with the group, I just kept up best I could and have steadily improved skills by watching and asking for advice.

Only advice I can give is avoid fence posts !!! lol

Keep on coming to sunday rides and all you newbies will soon be more relaxed about it all.

As a noob myself, my advice is - if you're following Caroline and she goes off-track into the woods - don't follow her!

She's not found a more interesting route - its quite embarrassing! I rushed so much to get-outa-there I crashed into a low hanging branch and still have the scars!

Sorry Caroline

These are great little videos, many thanks. I'll try to remember.

A little problem I'm having is my rear wheel often whips out to the left when attempt jumps. Anyone have any idea why?

And, yes, I'm booked into a GetMountainBiking intermediate course in July. Am really looking forward to it.

Alan

i`ll take a look in to this also looks good.

Alan - i would speak to one of the more experienced members on one of the sunday rides and maybe they can watch you and give some advice..... According to the internet (its in colour so it must be true!) your arms are not level during the jump.

How to jump

See i did warn you I was a nerd!

Click the link below...

Issue 1 is a great place to start! have a look at the technique section for trail riding stuff and the "mike the bike" section for tricks like bunny hops/wheelies etc. when you get good at them come and teach me please! :LOL

http://www.imbikemag.com/technique.php

Hi Alan s,

what date are you booked into in July,17,23 or 30

if it's one of the above dates,then i'll be teaching you

hope your up for a little bit of hard work lol

who ever you get you should have a good day and learn quite alot

jim

Hey Jim, Im booked in on the 17th July. Are you cycling tomorrow 5th?

And many thanks to all for the video links, they are really useful.

For me I need to remember that skills are CHEAPer than a few Grand on a better bike:

- C hin up
- H eals down
- E lbows out and even
- A rms slightly bent
- P ush thru the jump/drop

Now watch me crash and burn to,orrow

Alan

i think i shouldve changed this to Noobs guide to driving..... drove to the woods this morning for a quick ride (at 11). Saw that the car park was full and that Claire was unpacking her bike from the road. Did a U turn so i could park by the curb - but hit the curb and a nice 'bang' resulted (first puncture in 2.5 years of cycling in Woburn!!)..... so sorry I didnt make it today!

Ouch!

Though I saw you and wondered where you had got to. Its not been a good day for mechanicals (just ask Woody)!

Not another rear mech and hanger?

LOL

However did you guess Daz

Alan S wrote:As a noob myself, my advice is - if you're following Caroline and she goes off-track into the woods - don't follow her!

She's not found a more interesting route - its quite embarrassing! I rushed so much to get-outa-there I crashed into a low hanging branch and still have the scars!

Sorry Caroline

Ha Ha That would be the little girls room then! But general advice....don't follow me anywhere!

ha ha ha