Mountain Biking - What a rush! Now THATS why i like to bike

Im just back from a cycle in my local area, on the road, around 10miles or so, nothing too long, just to break me in.

Well i cycled all the way up to the top of my road (all uphill except for a few small drops), i drank a bit at the top, but could'nt wait for the return trip, an all downhill ride, on a heavy bike, with a ****** cyclist (me).

It started with a few small declines, which i pretty much bombed down, but up came what all the pain was for, a HUGE downhill section, smooth tarmac, i had my tyres nice and hard, and had adjusted my rear shock to be nice and stiff. Down i went, pedaling like a madman, legs pumping like pistons, hardest gear and i was still spinning like i was in first, putting all my weight down low, keeping a nice low aero profile.
The wind battering in my face (along with the damn flies), and the sound of the fat treaded tyres ripping along the tarmac. I must have been hitting around 35-40 :eek: , maybe more, sure felt like it, corners approached, but i held off the brakes, leaned far, and took a good wide angle, making mince meat of each corner. Felt AMAZING, it was soon over, but not for long, a few uphill climbs brought another set of long, downhill straights, head down, ass back, i was flying. Maybe such a heavy bike isnt that bad :p

I was soon home, in a fifth of the time it took to get to the top, i spent the next five minutes, picking the splattered flies off my face, and getting my breath.

Sorry to bore you all, just thought i would share this. Its great to have such a nice quiet stretch of road at my doorstep.
Hopefully this will condition my legs a bit for when i get my new ride.

Well i shall see you all later, after another go tomorrow! :beer:

Asphalt? The thrill of DH Mountain Biking on asphalt? Serious?

Oh yea...maybe your a roadie at heart. TRy it on a road bike. if you were doing 40 on a MTB, you could do 50 on a road bike. so far my record on a road bike is 47...it is so loud from all the wind whipping across you...definite rush.

Sounds like a great description and the love of speed. But it sounded very roadieish :)

Originally posted by bikeCOLORADO
Asphalt? The thrill of DH Mountain Biking on asphalt? Serious?

Sure, why not? Sounded to me like he was thrilled!

I think its great that number one, he is out there loving it, and number two that he took the time to share it with the rest of us.

Way to go Dazza!

My max is 35mph on my mountain.

Hey Dazza, have you been drinking a few too many pints with the Fairies? DH on pavment:confused: :D

If you really like the DH you should check out these guys just down the road from you ;

Athalone DH (http://athlonedh.tripod.com/team.htm)


At least ya had fun. Thats what counts.


Slainte:beer:

I've hit 43 and 44 on my mountain bike...

my top is 37 on my trek

Originally posted by Dazza
....i drank a bit at the top, but could'nt wait for the return trip.... :beer:

Guinness?? :)

speed is a thrill....no matter how it's done

I hit 40 on my MTB. It was a good hill.

I was just sitting here thinking "what the heck is the big deal, I hit 45 all the time, no sweat!" Then I realized, Oh my god, they are talking Miles not kilometers!! haha

My heart rate increased while reading your story. Good stuff! :D

Guinness??
lol hell no

WOW that link you gave me dirtbikedude, there are photos from my HOME town! how sweet is that, i recognise the place too, its my local country park, only 7 miles or so from my front door!

For everyone who is interested, heres the photos

Limavady downhill comp (http://athlonedh.tripod.com/nps2photos.htm)


My heart rate increased while reading your story. Good stuff!
lol thanks!

Cheers everyone for having the time to read this, was a real rush to do it.

Is road biking really that good? :D

i recognise the place too, its my local country park, only 7 miles or so from my front door!

Some of theat looks like a blast to ride.

Within a year or so my wife and I will be heading out there for holiday. I am planning on doing some racing then we will be going off on some day trips on horseback.

Slainte:beer:

Within a year or so my wife and I will be heading out there for holiday. I am planning on doing some racing then we will be going off on some day trips on horseback.

Nice man!
If you want me to, i can give you an idea of some of the landmarks to visit, plus direct you to that trail, or give a few ideas of nice rides.

Where abouts are you wanting to stay in N.I? Just out of interest.
If your the outdoor type, NI will kick ass, plenty of nice walks, hikes, rides etc, just be prepared for plenty of rain! :beer:

Originally posted by Dazza
Is road biking really that good? :D

If all out speed is your beast then yeah :)

Nice man!
If you want me to, i can give you an idea of some of the landmarks to visit, plus direct you to that trail, or give a few ideas of nice rides.

Where abouts are you wanting to stay in N.I? Just out of interest.

Not sure where we will be staing but my wife lived in Ireland for about 1 year. She lived in Loughrea in S.I. It is about 25mi or so out side of Galway. We will probably be in the same area since she has many friends down that way.

Slainte
:beer:

Tried out my friends roadie today, really nice ride, builds up huge speed even on flat ground. We were doing 27mph average on a nice flat piece of road.

It was a tiny little Peugeot bike, quite light, really quite uncomfortable to me, it was just to small.

I tried the same set of hills, found it a lot harder on the way up, the roadie had no really low gears. i had to get off and run at some points.

BUT, on the way down, my friend was taking it easy (he aint hardcore like me lol :D) , and was doing 37mph.

I was absolutely flying, doing 45mph, and i was not pushing it as hard as i could, as the roads were wet, and tractors had left mud all over the road. Plus the brakes werent up to much.

Kind of changed my opinion about road bikes, a lot faster with half the effort, but they really do rip the ass off you :o :irritated

A good days riding, got around 20miles into one day, which im proud of :)

Cheers all:beer:

Road bikes are fun in a compleatly differant way then mtb's. I had recently sold mine but I am now looking for a new one (not until I finish my dj'er though).

They also help alot in the fitness department. Pushing those bigger gears realy works the legs.

:beer:

Road bikes are fun in a compleatly differant way then mtb's

Your right there, it didnt seem as fast on the road bike, but i was actually going faster, was definately good fun though.

Weird thing is, im swaying toward getting the road bike. Means i can keep my current MTB for around town, and use road bike other times.

I think a lot of the enjoyment one gets from road riding has to do with their location and accessability. I never really enjoyed riding roads until I both took the time to discover the great routes and moved to a cycling-friendly place with great scenic routes.