DreamRider85

For mountain bikes, it's been really, really discouraging. Of course taking some air out of the bike has helped. But all it takes is to hit an non smooth surface and you could seriously go down. Other than falling in the bush, I've been lucky so far, but I'm taking it real slow. I've had a couple of dicey moments, where I felt scared for my life, and we're talking relatively small parts of a hill. I just don't understand how you do it.

With the road bike, you just go down the hill. With a mountain bike, on a trail, it's really not that simple. You have rocks, branches, very uneven surfaces, holes, and all kinds of things that make it difficult to control the bike. It feels slippery and I use knobby tires. I've been practicing, but it's very frustrating and menacing. Is it the bike? or just me?

Like I said, today I couldn't even peddle up the hill and I wasn't able to even get or stay on my bike.

bikemig 

You could try walking. It's safe and easy.

Or you could wonder if you're bike is OK after hitting a little girl,

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...bike-okay.html

Or whether it's safe to ride in the rain,

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...ride-rain.html

Or what to do if a car turns left towards you

https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-s...oward-you.html

In fact you have 2 pages of threads you've started on topics like this.

Are you having fun trolling the posters on BF yet?

Here's another, https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-s...ne-ending.html

The list just goes on and on and on.

DreamRider85

I'm not trolling. Just because I ask a lot of questions, similar topics, means I'm trolling?

chasm54

Yes.

Siu Blue Wind

I'm guessing you are really new to riding, am I right?

Siu Blue Wind

I cleaned up this thread.. I don't expect to see any more bullying.

jimc101

Practice, Practice, Practice. The more you ride, the easier it will get, and confidence will grow. If you can ride with others, this will can be a big confidence booster, when you see what they have done, and it shows that obstacles are overcomeable.

It maybe worth looking to see if anyone offers skills course local to you to help with this.

Siu Blue Wind

Good advice here.

Leebo

So, lots of skills to learn ehh? Lets start with your bike. What is it? Tire size and air pressure used? Your weight? Keep your weight back, sometimes off the back of the seat for steep hills. Look where you are going, not at those rocks and trees. Where abouts do you live? U tube has all sorts of videos to learn about this stuff. Skills, tips and such. Everyone starts as a beginner.

DMC707

There should be 1 or 2 shops in the area that the pro's go to (if you are Bay area- there are likely more than 1 or 2) -

By "pro's" - i dont necessarilly mean just categoried racers, but experienced cyclists, and guys' with decades of experience at this, - along with fast guys' and gals' too ----- In my area there are a bunch of shops, - but people who fit those descriptions frequent just 3 or 4 of them - in a metro area of around a million and a half (Oklahoma City)

Its in these shops that you can find employees and customers who no longer have any ego because they have surpassed that --- thus, when it comes time to mentor a newer rider for just a little bit, someone may be able to offer you some in person-on the bike advice

Some advice is free and i would even ask if there are any coaches who could meet you for a couple of 30 minute lessons as well (a coach will charge for this - but the Core shop will know the number to a coach or two )

Why will the old wise ones be nice to someone just starting? - Well, because if you get started right, it wont take long and you will be wanting to buy that titanium 29'er hardtail soon, or build a randonneuring bike, or something else , - and it helps people continue in the sport - and within a few years, you too will be standing atop the mountain (figuratively speaking )

Gallo

Weight back steer the bike do not turn it

give yourself enough speed to clear and roll over

keep a steady and good line

keep your knees wide

look to your next turn or obstacle do not fixate on the one you are clearing

ride it several time until you start to get it

good luck

you should start with one decent that is bugging you and other riders are clearing watch what they do

dropper post helps allot

TheLibrarian

Had a good downhill yesterday. Was up up up the whole way (only 3 miles) I was already on top of a mountain, and it was a carriage road but lots of slippery gravel. The way back only took 5-10 minutes. Make sure the brakes are working good. Biggest thing i use downhill is to lean back and drop my heels so you are braced for braking and to stop you flipping over frontwards. Have to see it, hard to explain.

verdugist

You need to read mtb skills books. A couple very good examples (I'm reading these myself recently) are the Brian Lopes book and the Ned Overend book.

Try to focus on mastering cornering and braking, it's very important. Also, avoid jumps/ramps until you can wheelie and bunny hop.

osco53

Ride out and find a good spot In the shade to park your bike and sit where you can watch others ride your trouble spot....

Take your seat and seat post off the bike, Go for a ride... This will teach you to move, get loose and stay loose on the bike...

The bikes with Modern Geometry are nothing short of amazing, Most every crash I see I notice a few constants, same mistakes in most crashes and on most trail types:
The rider failed to ride heavy on his/her feet and light on the handle bars,
The rider did not stay low,
The rider did not stay loose,
The Rider got In the way of the bike

dminor 

You NEED to ride more bike. Reread post #7 and pretty much tune out everything else.

70sSanO

I do understand what you are asking. I "started" mountain biking a little more than 2 years ago when I was 61. And I am riding 20+ year old technology. Beyond the valuable practice, practice, practice; or ride, ride, ride there are techniques that you can do that may help. Stuff like getting your weight back, etc. Mountain biking does require some degree of intestinal fortitude and the bike handling skills dwarf road skills. But a modern 29er helps a whole bunch in smoothing things out.

But on a different note. If you are afraid of falling, your will. If you want to miss an obstacle and you look at it, you'll hit it. The more you think, the less likely you'll do. The slower you go, the harder it is.

I struggle, but the best riding I do is when I go out with my son because I am pushing myself just enough to keep up and I go for sections a lot faster than I might if I were riding alone. Once you start to understand what you need to do, you really just need to go for it, obviously with some common sense. If you can ride with someone who is better, you will improve a whole bunch. Being able to follow a line in a tough section helps.

John