Mountain Biking - How to attack rocky downhills

I've been riding all my life and for the last few years I've encountered an obstacle I can't seem to get over. About four years ago I crashed hard on a downhill with a bunch of loose rocks and cracked a few ribs. It took about six months to recover and I still have trouble with this type of terrain.
I realize it's probably 99% mental, but how can I get back to riding and (I'm not kidding) not walking down some sections that intimidate me.
The typical section is about 30-40 degrees with baseball sized rocks, has no real traction and unless I just let off the brakes and go out of control there is really no conservative/safe way to get through it.
Has anyone else been through this? Is it a matter of starting from the beginning and review tire pressure, weight placement, etc.? My bike (K2 Razorback 4.0, FS, Hayes discs, etc.) and components are in good shape so I'm thinking it's in my head.
Either way, I need to get over it.
Thanks for any help.

get a pair and pin it

get a pair and pin it

I agree. Especially if there is a good run off area after the rock garden.
The faster you hit this, the smoother the ride.
Get your weight back and let the bike move around. If you use the brakes to much after entering the rocks it can upset the bike.
You could also invest in some body armor.
Sometimes you just fall. Even when doing it properly. Its part of the sport.

get all the top dollar body armor. get a back protector

and then pin it (as said above)

you can't do it slow. slow is how you wreck. look 20 feet ahead
of you and forget what you are actually rolling over. your brain
knows what is under the wheel, your eyes need to scan ahead.

you can't do it slow. slow is how you wreck.


+1

I can't even count how many times this has gotten me...


also +11ty to growing a pair...the bike will usually do whatever your brain lets it do...

I will agree with the "pin it" statement as well, weight back and float the front tire.

The other option that will depend on the "garden", on your skills and the size of your cojones. Go into it fast and try and clear as much of it in the air. There are a few other parts to the technique but that is the gist of it.

Oh yeah, as the others have said, some armor is a good thing when in the rocks even if you are not Mr DH. :D

DBD

http://www.paradigmhosting.net/images/hkg.jpg
Pete, how did you take this pic? Or is it an edit of two images?

stay loose, lose the death grip on the bar, put your butt behind the seat and go faster.... IF you break dont use the front break, it could lock in between rocks and send you over the bars.

Not another "never use the rear brake" debate... this is not good advice if controlling your bike is important.

The technique I would use would probably include carrying some momentum over it.

But, personally, I like Pete's approach. As an added thought, I'd say place a second six pack at the bottom so that there is a goal to be met when reaching the end of the slope.

The technique I would use would probably include carrying some momentum over it.

But, personally, I like Pete's approach. As an added thought, I'd say place a second six pack at the bottom so that there is a goal to be met when reaching the end of the slope.

Don't forget the short term goal as well....say somewere around half way down.

http://paradigmhosting.net/images/mgoose.jpg

dude what do you do for a living and how the frick do you have the time to go all the places I see on the site?

The technique I would use would probably include carrying some momentum over it.

But, personally, I like Pete's approach. As an added thought, I'd say place a second six pack at the bottom so that there is a goal to be met when reaching the end of the slope.

Man -- a six pack at the top, a six pack at the bottom -- the guy's not going to make it out of the trail! A couple of tall boys though...

Look 20 feet ahead,forget about what's under you, is great advise. Also have someone video tape you. If you don't make it, it looks cool on U-Tube.

get all the top dollar body armor. get a back protector

and then pin it (as said above)

you can't do it slow. slow is how you wreck. look 20 feet ahead
of you and forget what you are actually rolling over. your brain
knows what is under the wheel, your eyes need to scan ahead.

I'll agree on floating the front wheel over the loose stuff than will try to turn you. Will a camelbak with a spine protector work well enough for back protection?

Not another "never use the rear brake" debate... this is not good advice if controlling your bike is important.

No, but neither is advising someone to avoid using the front brake, as snakehunter suggested.

get a pair and pin it

Bravo.......well said my good man!

Pete,stoopid mad skillz on the pic.

get all the top dollar body armor. get a back protector

and then pin it (as said above)

you can't do it slow. slow is how you wreck. look 20 feet ahead
of you and forget what you are actually rolling over. your brain
knows what is under the wheel, your eyes need to scan ahead.

LOL

Growing Balls is cheaper and easier if u have medical insurance.

Or if ur afraid of the rocks, learn to bunnyhop over them. it is more fun.

Or if ur afraid of the rocks, learn to bunnyhop over them. it is more fun.

No, not a rock, a rockgarden.

No, not a rock, a rockgarden.

The whole state of Missouri is a rock garden.
If you don't believe me, come visit, I'll let you dig a hole in my yard........if you can.......better bring a carbon tiped shovel..........dynamite may help.

http://paradigmhosting.net/images/mgoose.jpg

that's pretty much the best mtb picture evar taken. I seen them all, in zines and whatnot.

U r lucky

just hit it and see what happens. You may be supprised what you can do

Fast and out of control baby.

Balls to the Wall.

Balls to the Wall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph8kGPXOoUw

Udo Rock the hizzle.......

Bravo.......well said my good man!

Pete,stoopid mad skillz on the pic.



I try n' spread the truths on the webs for the benefit of all mankind

find your line and look only where you want to go, maintain some speed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph8kGPXOoUw

Udo Rock the hizzle.......

Gee thanks, that song was stuck in my head the whole day today.;)

I thought I was reading something I wrote, when I read your post.
A year ago last May, coming down a trail I went head over the handle bars, landed hard, out of breath, and in pain when I finally could breath. 7:00 am, no one around, and still a mile to go to the trail head.
Rode down to my truck, and realized I badly bruised my ribs.
I rode bike mainly, but have done enough off road mountain biking that I do like it.
Well, I could not get over the fear every time I came to something even simple with rocks going down hill.
I sold my Trek, after buying disc brakes and having them installed. I blamed my crash on poor brakes, when actually it was poor technique.
I did a lot of road riding this summer but as winter approaches knew I knew I either would just work out in the gym, or not ride at all.
I bought another mountain bike and I am working my way through my fear. It is still there, but yesterday I actually went down a boulder strewn, lots of loose rocks trail. I did a lot of reading on technique and tried to remember what I should be doing.
So, if this encourages you, I hope you keep on trying. I am not there yet, any will never probably be there. I am 66, so I don't heal easily any more. A couple of years ago, my daughter who was 14 at the time, fell on our last run down the mountain at Beaver Creek, CO. She didn't break any bone, but was badly road rashed, cracked helmet. Her cyclocomputer showed 44 mph when she fell!
She never has been on a bike again.
I shouldn't allowed her fears to take over.

Good Luck. Mind over matter.
Jim