MTB - Technique Advice
Discussion
Just looking for some advice regarding MTB technique please.
I'm a keen road cyclist and yesterday was invited on an 'away day' to Thetford forest, where we had the option of go-ape or mountain biking. After quickly establishing that my colleagues weren't at all interested in any sort of cycling, I left them to monkey about in the trees and set off on my hired bike. £9 for the day. Not bad.
I know nothing about MTB. I learnt some key things quite quickly:
1) Beware of tree stumps cut off low to the ground
2) Gloves and long sleeves are sensible attire
3) I didn't have the spare set of clothes I needed for the journey home
I'm hooked. Loved the technical nature of the riding and the variety of terrain - banked track, gravel, jumps, massive drop off into pits and climbing out the other side. I gave most of the black diamond pit features a good go, but on more than one occasion fell off on the ascent out the other side and needed to push the bike.
I couldn't help but think that I was only a few cm or seconds from a big crash on quite a few occasions and only got out injury free by chance, other than a shin gash where I missed the pedal.
What sort of basic billy beginner things should I be thinking about when I go back for more (I loved it)?
Down hill, do you put your weight forward or back? In turns, lock and slide the back wheel to help or simply lean and go? What about on rutted paths or paths with lots of roots - loose or firm grip on the bars? Out the saddle or on it - I spent the majority standing up.
I was simply aware I got through on pure chance alone and could have easily ended up in a crumpled heap with a broken shoulder 10km from home on my own....
Any advice would be well received!
Ps - I was on a Forme. As a benchmark, is this a decent bike that I was given/good example of what to expect for a first MTB bike?
I'm a keen road cyclist and yesterday was invited on an 'away day' to Thetford forest, where we had the option of go-ape or mountain biking. After quickly establishing that my colleagues weren't at all interested in any sort of cycling, I left them to monkey about in the trees and set off on my hired bike. £9 for the day. Not bad.
I know nothing about MTB. I learnt some key things quite quickly:
1) Beware of tree stumps cut off low to the ground
2) Gloves and long sleeves are sensible attire
3) I didn't have the spare set of clothes I needed for the journey home
I'm hooked. Loved the technical nature of the riding and the variety of terrain - banked track, gravel, jumps, massive drop off into pits and climbing out the other side. I gave most of the black diamond pit features a good go, but on more than one occasion fell off on the ascent out the other side and needed to push the bike.
I couldn't help but think that I was only a few cm or seconds from a big crash on quite a few occasions and only got out injury free by chance, other than a shin gash where I missed the pedal.
What sort of basic billy beginner things should I be thinking about when I go back for more (I loved it)?
Down hill, do you put your weight forward or back? In turns, lock and slide the back wheel to help or simply lean and go? What about on rutted paths or paths with lots of roots - loose or firm grip on the bars? Out the saddle or on it - I spent the majority standing up.
I was simply aware I got through on pure chance alone and could have easily ended up in a crumpled heap with a broken shoulder 10km from home on my own....
Any advice would be well received!
Ps - I was on a Forme. As a benchmark, is this a decent bike that I was given/good example of what to expect for a first MTB bike?
Thanks for the advice regarding coaching - much like track day tuition, I've learnt that you go so much quicker with a few lessons than by spending loads on fancy upgrades!
I'll give Tony a look.
Agree that overall thetford was a little flat, but still good fun for a first go. Regarding the pedals, I did take back the first hire bike (a cube) they gave me and swapped it as my shoes were rubbing on the chain stays. Second had much better pedals.
I'll give Tony a look.
Agree that overall thetford was a little flat, but still good fun for a first go. Regarding the pedals, I did take back the first hire bike (a cube) they gave me and swapped it as my shoes were rubbing on the chain stays. Second had much better pedals.
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