|   How to get started with downhill | Lighty
Dec 11, 2003 2:53 AM | | ...besides getting a downhill bike.
Do I need all that body armor and moto style helmet right away? even for beginner trails? Can I get away with riding a trail bike on the beginner trails? I have a Kona Dawg. It's no freeride bike but it's reasonably beefy. Also, where should I go if I am in Northern California. I heard North Star Tahoe is good when they are open during the summer. |
| If I was... | fred³
Dec 11, 2003 3:55 AM | | going to ride dh I'd get all of the proper equipment. In the long run it's much cheaper than a wheel chair(the smartass part of my post:-).
You could always check out the forum that specializes in what you ask by going to the drop down menu near the top of the page and click on downhill-freeride. They're probably more in tune to your needs. |
| put on shoulder pads; throw yourself down the stairs 3 x & | JimC.
Dec 11, 2003 9:42 AM | | OK... a Dawg is a trail bike, not a DH one. That said, I'd grab Ned Overend's "how to ride" video. Yes, start on beginner trails, learn how to track stand and balance that bike at slow speed, because at high speed you better know how it's going to react.
Secondly, take a lesson or 2. Or learn the hard way, your choice. Tahoe has runs and so does Downieville. And instructors. You don't have to drop a wad, just learn the main things and the safety things.
3rd, get armour. At the least, a good set of say Roach leg armour and arm armour. A FF helmet if you are in rock gardens; your teeth don't grow back. Later on as you progress and get faster, you'll need shoulder/chest protection.
As a guideline, if it feels safe and is fun, you're doing it right. If you're tense and anxious a bit that's normal too. If you're really tense and apprehensive, you're gonna crash big, back off a bit.
The key word is fun. Make sure you're having it.
Jim |
| Joe Lawwill / Suit Up | jonnie
Dec 13, 2003 3:04 PM | | As far as the moto helmet and all, I remember reading what Brian Lopes said: "Dress for the crash, not the ride..." That made it a lot easier for me to decide what to wear, no matter what type of ride I was (am) going on...
Also, we're pretty lucky in this sport in that there's instruction available for very reasonable prices. I saw that thing in MBA Magazine about Joe Lawwill's clinics in Nor Cal at www.bikeskills.com Where else can you get instruction from people with his skills for so little? Last time I looked, ski lessons (and certainly not from world champions) run $90 an hour.
The way I see it, mountain biking in general, especially things like DH, Jumping, etc, is expensive, potentially dangerous, and all about skills. So I'd say save yourselve time, money, and getting hurt, find some quality instruction and remember to suit up. |
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