Why's everyone so down on XC?
11-26-04, 08:13 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 1,169
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Why's everyone so down on XC?
So I went for a ride today on a XC trail today, I did about 15 miles and sure, there weren't any jumps, and the biggest drops were about a foot, but it was fun. The downhills are fast, the uphills are a challenge, the scenery is nice. Everyone on this forum seems to real big into freeriding and the whole "can this bike that I can't afford handle 8.6 foot drops?" urban poseur stuff (Ok some people do urban that aren't poseurs, I just had to make fun of some people 
), but XC is still fun and challenging. Sure, jumps and drops are exciting, but most of the trails around here are mostly XC anyway, and they can be a lot of fun too.
Anyway, I had a good ride, did about 15 miles alongside a lake. Stopped at the end of the loop and watched a boat go by towing a wakeboarder. I thought "It's almost December and he's wakeboarding? Isn't that cold?" Then I realized I was wearing shorts...
I love California.
), but XC is still fun and challenging. Sure, jumps and drops are exciting, but most of the trails around here are mostly XC anyway, and they can be a lot of fun too.Anyway, I had a good ride, did about 15 miles alongside a lake. Stopped at the end of the loop and watched a boat go by towing a wakeboarder. I thought "It's almost December and he's wakeboarding? Isn't that cold?" Then I realized I was wearing shorts...
I love California.
11-26-04, 08:27 PM
#3
Union of the Cow
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 266
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Because many fat fuchs on pig bikes couldn't climb 1,000 vertical,, let alone 4,000 vertical, if their life depended upon it.
It's a good thing though, since there is a ton of technical riding that is unreachable by "freeriders" and "downhillers" because they can't get a shuttle ride to the trails.
p.s. All you need in Norcal is a wetsuit and you can ride (the other kind) all year around.
It's a good thing though, since there is a ton of technical riding that is unreachable by "freeriders" and "downhillers" because they can't get a shuttle ride to the trails.
p.s. All you need in Norcal is a wetsuit and you can ride (the other kind) all year around.
11-26-04, 08:31 PM
#4
SNIKT!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Home for wayward mutants
Posts: 1,560
Bikes: '06 Kona Dawg Deluxe/'06 Cannondale F400(frame)/'98 Cannondale SuperV1000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
XC is all I ride--I never noticed that everyone's down on it. If there's a jump on the trail, I take it; if there's a climb, I ride it-I try not to worry about what everyone else is doin'.
It does bother me that I didn't ride when I was in Cali(Monterey to be exact)--wasn't even into biking then. Did a lot of nocturnal bodysurfing, tho--esp. @ Carmel. That was sweet!
It does bother me that I didn't ride when I was in Cali(Monterey to be exact)--wasn't even into biking then. Did a lot of nocturnal bodysurfing, tho--esp. @ Carmel. That was sweet!
__________________
I like pie!
"The bright flicker of our television screens is the stolen incandescence of a thousand young minds." - Theodore W. Gray
"you taught us to fish while so many others were handing out tuna sandwiches" - Ziggurat
I like pie!
"The bright flicker of our television screens is the stolen incandescence of a thousand young minds." - Theodore W. Gray
"you taught us to fish while so many others were handing out tuna sandwiches" - Ziggurat
11-26-04, 08:34 PM
#5
DEADBEEF
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234
Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Originally Posted by notfred
but XC is still fun and challenging. Sure, jumps and drops are exciting, but most of the trails around here are mostly XC anyway, and they can be a lot of fun too.
__________________
1999 K2 OzM
2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM
2001 Aegis Aro Svelte"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
11-26-04, 08:48 PM
#6
Wood Licker
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Whistler,BC
Posts: 16,966
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX 8 27.5 +, 2002 Transition Dirtbag, Kona Roast 2002
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I ride whatever. I just don't have a dedicated xc bike, and usually I ride xc to get to a section I wanna ride. But there is definately xc
But even for xc, I still had really strong parts, reason, I am a fat ass hack. I also can't stop myself trying stuff, so strong parts helps if I am riding xc and see a temping jump/drop etc...
But even for xc, I still had really strong parts, reason, I am a fat ass hack. I also can't stop myself trying stuff, so strong parts helps if I am riding xc and see a temping jump/drop etc...
11-26-04, 09:12 PM
#7
The Rabbi
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,123
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I haven't heard anyone be down on XC on this forum. I'm an XC rider. I like getting out and doing long rides and seeing new scenery, and a lot of the XC trails I ride have some good drops and technical challenges if you're up for it.
11-26-04, 09:14 PM
#8
Wood Licker
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Whistler,BC
Posts: 16,966
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX 8 27.5 +, 2002 Transition Dirtbag, Kona Roast 2002
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I know most of us are UP on dh and freeriding..just the nature of the beast I suppose
11-26-04, 09:22 PM
#9
The Rabbi
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,123
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by Maelstrom
I know most of us are UP on dh and freeriding..just the nature of the beast I suppose
11-26-04, 09:25 PM
#10
Wood Licker
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Whistler,BC
Posts: 16,966
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX 8 27.5 +, 2002 Transition Dirtbag, Kona Roast 2002
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Hahaha...generally yeah...I spend some time on a few other forums. Ironically where the kids play...nsmb.com gives tonnes of respect to xc guys, most still don't do it, but they understand the shore wouldn't exist with xc (seeing as an hour up the mountain is required for 30min down haha) Its a balance. I enjoy being on my bike, although, xc (anything pure endurance) gives me issues.
11-26-04, 09:26 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,124
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
XC ROX YOU FREE RIDING NOOBS!!!!
kekekekekekeke
I do basically strictly free ride. Small drops, small air here and there, but xc is where it's at brotha. My city has like 80 miles or something total of XC Track (which is basically just gravel track) but some sections of it probably like 10 miles in total are twisty and mtb grade trails!
kekekekekekeke
I do basically strictly free ride. Small drops, small air here and there, but xc is where it's at brotha. My city has like 80 miles or something total of XC Track (which is basically just gravel track) but some sections of it probably like 10 miles in total are twisty and mtb grade trails!
11-26-04, 10:45 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Worcester, Mass
Posts: 306
Bikes: Giant Anthem, Giant TCR 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Like others have said, I don't think that people are down on xc, just prefer other types of riding over it. I love riding xc. I have a freeride bike and an xc bike. The freeride is fun but I definately like xc a lot more. Freeriding is growing so rapidly right now though that it may seem that nobody cares about xc out there anymore but don't worry, the xc geeks are still out there in full force.
11-26-04, 11:16 PM
#13
Perpetual n00b
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Farmington, NM
Posts: 3,918
Bikes: '18 Kona Explosif, '18 Sunday Primer BMX, Giant Roam (ss converted), Old Peugeot (SS converted, broken)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
I like XC, but I don't have a great opportunity to ride XC, and I must ride, so I gravitate towards FR/trials practice, which can be done nearby.
11-26-04, 11:30 PM
#14
Work hard, Play hard
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,596
Bikes: Cannondale super V 500, Bianchi Piaggio(hopefully getting a new road bike when I get some money)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I do a little of both, light freeride and XC. My poor XC bike with 4x4 suspension gets beat to death when I try and do any jumps/drops
11-27-04, 01:49 AM
#15
Ride bike or bike ride?
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 1,447
Bikes: MongoosePro DH, Dart custom road bike, .243 Racing FR street bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I race DH and do freeride, but I have to do XC to get to the trail heads most of the time, mind you on a DH rig it kind of sucks. Sometimes it's just fun to go for a nice long ride and not care about drops and jumps and speed though.
11-27-04, 06:29 AM
#16
Old School Rad
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The old Mountains
Posts: 8,206
Bikes: Blur LT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
O.K everyone together "It's all good".Heck, I rode full steel no susp.on thursday and today 5&5for a long trail ride with some 3 and 4 footers.I saw a fella riding down the road on a Bighit the other day,now there's an over the top road bike.I'll have to agree,no xc,fr,dh bashin here.
__________________
Like a circus monkey on a stolen Harley......
Like a circus monkey on a stolen Harley......
11-27-04, 11:58 AM
#19
Work hard, Play hard
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,596
Bikes: Cannondale super V 500, Bianchi Piaggio(hopefully getting a new road bike when I get some money)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Freeriding is like a mix of everything. XC, downhill, urban, BMX. Kind of hard to explain.
11-27-04, 12:10 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,124
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by forum*rider
Freeriding is like a mix of everything. XC, downhill, urban, BMX. Kind of hard to explain.
but but but...all mighty maelstrom said it wasn't really that hard!
YOUR SARCASM BACKAMAFIRES!
11-27-04, 12:11 PM
#21
Wood Licker
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Whistler,BC
Posts: 16,966
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX 8 27.5 +, 2002 Transition Dirtbag, Kona Roast 2002
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
ITs not hard to explain. You have shore riding - self explanatory, street/slopestyle - self explanatory, and balls to the wall go big - self explanatory. All 3 in any combination work.
The only reason xc might be included is because shore riders do a lot of pedalling. There is no lift on the north shore so they pedal up the mountain to the trails. XC is a required evil of the beauty of freeriding
The only reason xc might be included is because shore riders do a lot of pedalling. There is no lift on the north shore so they pedal up the mountain to the trails. XC is a required evil of the beauty of freeriding
11-27-04, 12:17 PM
#22
I couldn't car less.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,397
Bikes: Ritchey P-series prototype, Diamondback, Nishiki Triathelon Pro.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
XC = lycra under camo-shorts.
Freeride = everything you can do on a mtb except XC.
I mostly ride XC, fake it 'till I make it downhill.
Freeride = everything you can do on a mtb except XC.
I mostly ride XC, fake it 'till I make it downhill.
11-27-04, 12:49 PM
#23
Work hard, Play hard
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,596
Bikes: Cannondale super V 500, Bianchi Piaggio(hopefully getting a new road bike when I get some money)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
ok, ok, not XC then. But everything else is good?
11-27-04, 12:52 PM
#24
Wood Licker
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Whistler,BC
Posts: 16,966
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX 8 27.5 +, 2002 Transition Dirtbag, Kona Roast 2002
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Dh is kind of specific too. Uses a different bike, I suppose similar types of terrain but the purpose isn't to be stylish or produce tricks. It is a pure speed thing. Where a freerider takes a spot and makes it more difficult by adding tricks or stunts, a downhiller looks for the best way to make a fast line through the rough stuff. Completely different mentality.
11-27-04, 01:00 PM
#25
Work hard, Play hard
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,596
Bikes: Cannondale super V 500, Bianchi Piaggio(hopefully getting a new road bike when I get some money)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
dang it. So I guess freeride is a whole different kind of animal. I guess my style of riding isn't really light freeride/aggro XC so much as it's ultra-light downhill/aggro XC. No fancy stunts or jumps it's all about how fast I can go.