My cousin let me borrow his older full suspension mtb and in a couple of weeks I wanted to go for a ride somewhere. So if it happens would anyone be up for riding as well?

I'm looking for an easy trail and not a tough single track. More or less something to just get me used to riding a mtb since I'm a roadie. :) I think my cousin was gonna take me to a trail up in the Marin area since he lives that way.

Anyone else ride mtb? Maybe we can go for a BF mtb ride? Siu? Jon? Bueller?

Gary

EDIT: RIDE DETAILS, Sunday 11/25, 9:30am

If anyone is interested my cousin is leading a (supposedly) easy mtb ride this Sunday at 9:30am. Here is his description and info:

Let's do the "lakes tour" as I described to you before. The ride is about 12 miles, climbs half way up Mt Tam and has a little bit of everything (terrain) but nothing hardcore nor single track. If that sounds good to you, we'll meet at the Post Office in Ross (remember that bike shop we stopped at?). The PO is on Popular Ave, at Lagunitas Road off of Sir Frances Drake Blvd. Take the "San Anselmo" exit off of 101 (that will immediately put you onto SFD Blvd), go about 2.5 miles then left onto Lagunitas (stop light) and an immediate left onto Poplar. You will see a ballfield on the right and the PO will be on the left. Park on either side of the street. There will be 3 spots to get water along the ride. Afterwards, lunch at In-N-out or a 8 dollar burger at Marin Brewery? 9:30 start.

So if you are interested be there at 9:30 sharp.

Gary - aka Fred Poser

I like to ride around at Morgan Territory Regional Park. All fire roads, not too tough and pretty scenic. A great place for easy mtb riding - my 11 year old and wife can handle it well enough.... :)

I'm picking up a new mountain bike tomorrow. If my schedule is free, I'd be up for a ride.

I used to ride my mtb every weekend over at Black Diamond Mines before I got addicted to road riding. There are some great fire trails there and some really fast descents. I once hit 36 mph :eek: going down one fire trail, lost my water bottle and caught air on a small ramp. Thats some of the most fun I've had before becoming a roadie.

I'm in if you guys ever decide to do a mtb ride.:D

I am up for a mtr bike ride. There are some easy non techncial fire road trails through the Marin headlands. I'll dig up my maps and see if I remember the trails. I remember taking the Saualito bike trail and hang a left through the marsh area and head into the hills. I'll go scout out the trails since I am off next week. Maybe a early morning turkey day ride???:D:)

All this talk about mtb'ing is now giving me conflicting feelings. I was going to go road riding this Saturday but now I feel like busting out the old mtb and go for a nature ride instead. Decisions, decisions.

All this talk about mtb'ing is now giving me conflicting feelings. I was going to go road riding this Saturday but now I feel like busting out the old mtb and go for a nature ride instead. Decisions, decisions.

Tony, there no reason you can't do both.:D

Yeah there is. Its called "lazy".;)

There is a big mtb ride on turkey day in los gatos for those that are interested! :)

A bunch of us will be meeting in front of summit bicycles and then riding Kennedy road to to the top of Kennedy trail. There'll be a huge turkey feast at the top! If you have a mtb, you definitely have to come out!

When I first started getting into bikes a few years ago, I bought a mountain bike. I quickly realized it was ill-suited to the riding I ended up doing, so it slowly became more of a road bike.

I've never taken it offroad, and have never gone mountain biking in general, but I've been getting interested in trying it out. The bike is nothing special, but it should get the job done for the time being.

I used to... Had 2 mountain bikes. Then, last December, I went endo, landed on my head, and fractured my neck. Got helicoptered out, 2 nights in neuro-surgical ER ...

Now, I don't mtb anymore :( ...

Toolatenow.

Now that I have a road bike. :mad:

*quickly goes to clean up Mtb*


:D

I'm getting ready guys!! Wait for meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Count me in. I've only done Purissima Creek and Skeggs on this thing but I used to frequent the Marin fire roads back 10 years or so. I'd love to check out Arastradero or any other good trails.

I've received a new crank sand should be receiving 185mm disc brakes to upgrade this Performance special.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1386/855085860_c30a8bee46.jpg



Alan,
I know what you mean about the injuries but stuff can happen whether you're on the road or on a trail. That's why I want to do some MTB riding this winter. We can stick with Cross Country type trails with smooth(ish) descents :)

Count me in. I've only done Purissima Creek and Skeggs on this thing but I used to frequent the Marin fire roads back 10 years or so. I'd love to check out Arastradero or any other good trails.


Glad you are feeling better!

Black Diamond is our playground.

Veronica

I am a full time mountain biker. I just 'train' a lot on the road. :D

Black Diamond is our playground.

Veronica

Hey, I play there too! :D

Well, months ago, but I still play there.;)

There is a big mtb ride on turkey day in los gatos for those that are interested! :)

A bunch of us will be meeting in front of summit bicycles and then riding Kennedy road to to the top of Kennedy trail. There'll be a huge turkey feast at the top! If you have a mtb, you definitely have to come out!

Thien, please share the details for everyone like time to meet and so on. Although I still can't make it. :(

Sui! Yay!!! :)

My cousin had mentioned some fire trails up in the Marin area... I'll let you guys know what's up in a couple of weeks about a mtb ride! Although if someone else has time beforehand feel free to set it up as with Thanksgiving coming up I am not sure of my weekends yet for this month.

Thanks everyone!
Gary

Count me in. I've only done Purissima Creek and Skeggs on this thing but I used to frequent the Marin fire roads back 10 years or so. I'd love to check out Arastradero or any other good trails.


Arastradero in Palo Alto is good for beginners. There are also lots of beginner-intermediate trails in Russian Ridge and Long Ridge (near the intersection of Skyline and Page Mill).

Looks like there is a bunch of roadies itching to do some dirt riding. :) I am definitely in as long as is not on 12/15, 12/16 or 12/22 (I will be in Tahoe). *Crossing fingers and toes"

Glad you are feeling better!

Yeah, I'm itching to do some riding or at least spinning but I can't do anything till my follow-up on Dec 6th.

There is a big mtb ride on turkey day in los gatos for those that are interested! :)

A bunch of us will be meeting in front of summit bicycles and then riding Kennedy road to to the top of Kennedy trail. There'll be a huge turkey feast at the top! If you have a mtb, you definitely have to come out!


Where is this precisely located?

Is this near Fairfax in San Rafael?

Where is this precisely located?

Is this near Fairfax in San Rafael?

Los Gatos is in the South Bay. Kennedy Road is nice long fire road which isn't very technical except for a short steep section near the top. Overgrown is my favorite trail by Los Gatos. Riding the whole way up Overgrown without dabbing is a challenge.

NeCrO, AzurDrpTp and I may go with my cousin on some easy trails (read: no single track) in the Marin area on sunday morning. Once I get the word from my cousin I'll let everyone know and maybe we can get a small gropup to ride with us. :)

BTW, what is recommended to bring with you on a mtb ride? I have the usual water bottle, extra tube, pump, food... what else do I need? full finger gloves?

I don't have mtb shorts so I was thinking of using my cycling shorts and a pair of reg shorts over them so I still have some padding. Will that work okay?

The bike currently has straps on the pedals since I don't have mtb shoes and clipless pedals. Hopefully that'll work as well.

Any other advice to give?

Thanks!
Gary

NeCrO, AzurDrpTp and I may go with my cousin on some easy trails (read: no single track) in the Marin area on sunday morning. Once I get the word from my cousin I'll let everyone know and maybe we can get a small gropup to ride with us. :)

BTW, what is recommended to bring with you on a mtb ride? I have the usual water bottle, extra tube, pump, food... what else do I need? full finger gloves?

I don't have mtb shorts so I was thinking of using my cycling shorts and a pair of reg shorts over them so I still have some padding. Will that work okay?

The bike currently has straps on the pedals since I don't have mtb shoes and clipless pedals. Hopefully that'll work as well.

Any other advice to give?

Thanks!
Gary

It all depends on if you want to be a fred or poser. :)

Just wear your road stuff. That's what I wear. Light hiking shoes will work with the toeclips. The stiffer sole helps. Bring extra water, food and a windbreaker. I usually bring my camelbak on mtb rides. Other than that, you're ready to go.

If anyone is interested my cousin is leading a (supposedly) easy mtb ride this Sunday at 9:30am. Here is his description and info:

Let's do the "lakes tour" as I described to you before. The ride is about 12 miles, climbs half way up Mt Tam and has a little bit of everything (terrain) but nothing hardcore nor single track. If that sounds good to you, we'll meet at the Post Office in Ross (remember that bike shop we stopped at?). The PO is on Popular Ave, at Lagunitas Road off of Sir Frances Drake Blvd. Take the "San Anselmo" exit off of 101 (that will immediately put you onto SFD Blvd), go about 2.5 miles then left onto Lagunitas (stop light) and an immediate left onto Poplar. You will see a ballfield on the right and the PO will be on the left. Park on either side of the street. There will be 3 spots to get water along the ride. Afterwards, lunch at In-N-out or a 8 dollar burger at Marin Brewery? 9:30 start.

So if you are interested be there at 9:30 sharp. :)

Gary - aka Fred Poser

I'll be there. Time to put my bike back together.

I can't ride on Sundays, but next time you do it, specially if it's at Skeggs I'm in.

G - Cool, I'll see you there!

Jon, I'll offer the same sentiment I do with Siu... One day we'll ride together. Although I only live a few minutes from you so I really don't have an excuse not to. haha! One day!

G - Cool, I'll see you there!

Jon, I'll offer the same sentiment I do with Siu... One day we'll ride together. Although I only live a few minutes from you so I really don't have an excuse not to. haha! One day!

You and I should do a Skeggs ride together next week. ;)

Cool! I'll have to see if the wife already has plans next weekend. Just send me a reminder mid week and I'll have a clearer pic of my weekend. :)

I might be up for Skeggs Point also (but I am a mountain bike newbie).

I might be up for Skeggs Point also (but I am a mountain bike newbie).

I'm not a newbie but I still suck. I know skeggs, we have to do 2 trail sections. Some of the uphill I have to walk my bike, that's how newb I am. It's ok though. All my rides we wait for people who are walking, sometimes me being that person. I really need to get back out on the mtb.

The Black Diamond Mines preserve is my playground too!

...I hit it several times a week, entering from the Fredrickson gate, I like to take the short side of Homestead, to the Ridge trail via North Portal... the River View Loop is a favorite, and up to the "high gate" by the microwave dishes is fun, when there's time (and energy) to do it.

The Fredickson gate is exactly 4 miles from my door.

Y'all give a shout, anytime; I know every inch of trail in the park (exceptin' the part west of the tarmaced main entrance).

I keep thinking I'll load up the truck and check out some other places, like Bryones... but BD is right here!

Gary,

Thanks for setting up the ride and thank Russ for leading it. It was fun getting back on the trail again even though I took a spill. On top of the scrape on my arm and knee, I also got a big strawberry patch on my hip. :(

The wounded Gary

Gary,

Thanks for setting up the ride and thank Russ for leading it. It was fun getting back on the trail again even though I took a spill. On top of the scrape on my arm and knee, I also got a big strawberry patch on my hip. :(

The wounded Gary

This post is useless without pics. :D

Sorry to hear about your spill, Gary. I am serious about the pics though. No, not your bruises. The ride that you guys did. Ride pics will give insentive for the next time around for others.

This post is useless without pics. :D

Sorry to hear about your spill, Gary. I am serious about the pics though. No, not your bruises. The ride that you guys did. Ride pics will give insentive for the next time around for others.

Unfortunately I lost my battery charger for my Canon SD camera and no one brought a camera. :( So we didn't get to take any pics. Sorry... definitely next time!

Wounded Gary - As big as those rocks were that you scrubbed on I'm glad that you only had a few scrapes and strawberries! Glad you are okay though! Thanks for coming out and suffering with me! haha!

Quick ride report from a virgin mtb'er...

Gary (Steelblue), Andy (NeCrO632), my cousin Russ and cousin Chris and I rode today. Thien (AzureDrpTp) was supposed to come too but he had to cancel last minute.

It's a lot harder than I expected! And the rocky climbs and loose rocks and gravel areas were making me nervous. Especially after wounded G's scrub! You definitely need to adjust your center of gravity going up and down. And they say to ease on the tension on your arms and hands but when your bike slides a lot like mine did on the loose stuff it's hard not to hang on for dear life. haha!

Overall, the ride was probably a good beginner type ride. So I learned a lot. But the climbing was tough. Early on I was too far back in the saddle and my front wheel would hop while trying to climb. I had to jump off when it did that otherwise I'd have scrubbed! Doh! But I got back on and adjusted my position on the bike after my cousin told me what I was doing wrong. So that helped a lot. Another guy told me I need to hang my @ss over the rear tire while going down. I tried to do that but only on the longer straights. I didn't want to scrape my butt on the tire! haha! So I'll have to try that next time so I can get used to it.

MTB'ing is very different from road biking and even though we covered just under 13 miles it really kicked my butt! It seems like you are working a lot harder, pedaling a lot to maintain momentum and you really need to pay attention to what's ahead of you and choose good lines. On my road bike I usually like to check out the scenery but on the mtb I found myself concentrating more on the road and what was coming up. There wasn't a lot of time to check out a whole lot.

But it was definitely a lot of fun and I'd like to do it again!

BTW, a full suspension bike is really nice on these crazy rocky roads! I borrowed my cousin's K2 Proflex 5000. It looks odd but it feels plush!

Hope to be able to go with Jon next week. My cousin Chris had a blast and coldn't stop talking about it. He's visiting from Florida so he's never climbed anything more than a speed bump!

Thanks again to everyone for coming out.
the non-wounded Gary :)

Anyone ever come up to Santa Rosa and ride Annadel State Park? Lot's of good trails. I would be willing to organize a ride up this way some time.
http://www.sonic.net/~mfreeman/bike/annadel_state_park.htm

another good site for info;
http://www.sonic.net/kflood/bike/annadel/annadel.html

Oh man Gary, you're really tickling my itch. I can't wait to get out.

BTW, did you try lowering the tire pressure to help with the sliding out?
Did you do Skeggs? I wouldn't consider it a beginner's MTB venue.

Oh man Gary, you're really tickling my itch. I can't wait to get out.

BTW, did you try lowering the tire pressure to help with the sliding out?
Did you do Skeggs? I wouldn't consider it a beginner's MTB venue.

Hey Henry,

Hopefully the docs give you the go-ahead to ride soon. :)

I definitely need to lower the tire pressure! I also need to adjust my seat nose down and up some. Doh!

Didn't do Skeggs but I need get with Jon and get mor einfo about it. But... not for beginners eh? Maybe I'll have to re-think it since I'm very much a beginner! hehe!

But I have Saturday morning open so hopefully I can get a mtb ride in!

outofshape - thanks for the links!!

Gary

There are some trails at Skeggs that are beginner friendly but if you don't know your way around, you could end up heading down a really steep trail with several sections of rock gardens or going up a section of trail that is steep and technical.

There are some trails at Skeggs that are beginner friendly but if you don't know your way around, you could end up heading down a really steep trail with several sections of rock gardens or going up a section of trail that is steep and technical.

Skeggs isn't really rocky, but the trails are often narrow and steep and winding and have lots of confusing intersections. I think beginners will be better off at Montebello or Russian Ridge or Skyline Ridge or Long Ridge where the trails are wider and rolling and more open and easier to follow. Those are all on Skyline near Page Mill Road, a few miles south of Skeggs.

There is a big mtb ride on turkey day in los gatos for those that are interested! :)

A bunch of us will be meeting in front of summit bicycles and then riding Kennedy road to to the top of Kennedy trail. There'll be a huge turkey feast at the top! If you have a mtb, you definitely have to come out!

T, did you go?
I got suckered into riding an mtb and joined the turkey ride. My very first mtb ride and I kinda liked it. Now I have to give up one of my road bikes and get me a nice full suspension with disk brakes :o
Check the write up of the ride here (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=359615).
The crowd went after the pig and ignored the turkeys :)

T, did you go?
I got suckered into riding an mtb and joined the turkey ride. My very first mtb ride and I kinda liked it. Now I have to give up one of my road bikes and get me a nice full suspension with disk brakes :o
Check the write up of the ride here (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=359615).
The crowd went after the pig and ignored the turkeys :)

I was in attendance, I borrowed a LOOK 986, I didn't do it justice though... I think I have to get out on the dirt more... ;)

guess not.