Mountain Biking - NEW goodies! Painful Suprises! And the TRUTH!

Hey, I finally got myself some new goodies. I spent couple of bucks on a full face helmet and some pads from 661. Very nice, very cheap. I couldnt pass them up because it was such a deal.

http://web.syr.edu/~ayoung02/helmet.jpg

http://web.syr.edu/~ayoung02/pads.JPG

Then i decide to hit the trails the next day b/c of the good weather, and not wearing any of the new stuff i bought. It was my mistake of the week.

http://web.syr.edu/~ayoung02/helmet_hair.jpg
badd helmet hair.

I have come the realization that i SUCK on two wheels. using clipess on my new bike, i am unable to hold my balance on anything. i dont know why. I could be going 2 mph and ill loose my balance on a small turn and fall, just because i suck on 2 wheels.

My first fall i had was going up a hill. i dont think it was that steep but when i got to the top of it, i started to loose speed and i lost my balance. in turn, i rolled over on my side and rolled down the hill. i banged up my shoulder pretty good and bashed my thigh. BIG BRUISES.

Then going downhill, i hit something and i endo'd. i flew over my handle bars and landed HARD on my thigh. I knocked off the visor off my Giro Exodous in the fall. I banged my head pretty HARD that my glasses were about 3 ft from where i fell. Enough was enough and went home. I was hurtin too much to contine on biking.

http://web.syr.edu/~ayoung02/bike2.jpg

My First Injury!
http://web.syr.edu/~ayoung02/injury1.jpg

ive been riding the streets of NYC for the last 5 years and NOT once, did i get into an accident or fall of my bike. Im not sure if i need more time to adjust to the trails or just simply get away from clipless because its really killing me everytime i fall down.

I have found that riding on the streets with clipless is nothing like reteaching yourself to ride a trail with clipless. It takes me 3 to 4 good long rides with clipless before I settle into them again. And all it takes is 2-3 rides on the street to lose my trail balance

If you don't crash you did not ride hard enough. Welcome to mountain biking!

Yeah, crashes are part of your Tuition!

Nice Gear btw!

L8R

hehehe. Ride Hard. Fall Hard. Too Hard for my taste.

Im going to try switching to platforms for a while and see if that helps. Its that not i dont ride hard, i cant freaking balance myslef. On the littlest turn, ill loose my balance and fall. It freaking sucks.

same thing happens to me too. now i tell myself not to lose balance, and the confidence really helps! well... i dont ride clipless but toe clips can be a ***** too. ;)

lemme know what you think about the pads and helmet, was looking into getting both from Jenson

There's quite a steep learning curve in mountain biking. You'll get accustomed to everything, although it took me a few months to really get comfortable with clipless. Now, it's second nature, and all is gravy (especially on climbs.) It took me much longer to pay my dues to the dirt gods. I think there's about a year learning curve when riding more than fireroads. The good news is that the accidents become less intense and farther apart. You'll get there. Pedal on.
Great gear. Next time, try wearing it.

lemme know what you think about the pads and helmet, was looking into getting both from Jenson

I like the helmet. although, the pads inside are not removeable.

The arm pads a great.

The Legs pads are okay. Movement is a bit restricted when i have them on. They irratate the back of my knew then i move in them

But overall, good stuff. You can get the race pads for about the same price, but i dont want to seem like a poser with race stuff on.

Great gear. Next time, try wearing it.

yeah, good idea. I dont wear them when i go biking b/c the trails are so far, wearing them would be so irritating. its like 3-5 mile climb to get to them.

killerasp,

holy cow!!! Not only do you live in NY, just like my brother in law, but you look almost exactly like him in the picture!!! Nice looking gear you got there! I think with the weather starting to get colder you'll like having the full face helmet and pads for the little extra heat they provide.

I know there's a big battle raging over using platforms or clipless or toeclips, but if you're finding it difficult to dismount with your clipless, maybe you should ride around in a field for a while practicing unclipping at low speed. I personally used to use clipless all the time, but since getting my Full Suspension bike haven't felt the need to go back to clipless. I guess you could call me a convert to platforms.

Oh, another thing... When you're wearing you'r new gear, try not to get too overconfident because of the extra protection... Good luck!

killerasp,

holy cow!!! Not only do you live in NY, just like my brother in law, but you look almost exactly like him in the picture!!! Good luck!

Thats a scary thought :D

I have found that riding on the streets with clipless is nothing like reteaching yourself to ride a trail with clipless. It takes me 3 to 4 good long rides with clipless before I settle into them again. And all it takes is 2-3 rides on the street to lose my trail balance

That seems kinda weird.

I can go from the flats on my Scream to Clipless on any bike and be fine. I have all of my trail balance (if not moreso) after Urban riding. Maybe you arent riding both clipless and flats enough.

i have not been riding clipless enough on trails is what i think.

where is this TRUTH you speak of???

where is this TRUTH you speak of???

The truth is that i suck on 2 wheels. :(

hahahahahahahahah!!!!!! that's awesome!! We'll start a club for people who suck on two wheels.