dukeofdudes

Hey whats up dudes!

I am asking for advice. How should I start riding? I am by all means ready for anything moderate or medium much less for experienced riders. I am a purely a beginner. Should I just hop on and just ride to where ever? Should I take a particular route? Routes to avoid? I feel like I just wanna hop on and just...go, but I also wanna be safe about it and not put myself in a position I'll regret like going to far or going on a route that is not safe.

Thanks dudes in advance!

Daspydyr 

Welcome to a great bunch of fun. First things first, though, how old are you, what kind of bike did you get, helmet, gloves, height and weight. Have you ridden BMX or other bikes. There is a sticky thread called Techniques for beginners. That would be a good riding primer for you.

I think getting the feel for the bike is a good starting point. Do you have some railroad beds that you can ride parallel to, some dirt roads with some hills, twisty descents, basic stuff. Get the feel for the bike and changing situations and then find some harder stuff. Post some pictures as well.

JChick

Just make sure you have the basics before you head out. Helmet, tube, pump, tire levers, and a cell phone if possible. If you can find someone to go with even better, if your going alone make sure you let somebody know where your headed. Throw your leg over the bike and enjoy the hell out of it.

amandadun

JUST DO IT

Literally, get on a bike, and just start riding

lowtech

Don't get discouraged.

I recently bought a mountain bike and i have never ridden on trails. I thought it was going to be a piece of cake. I try to ride my road bike 3 times a week and i may be slow but i have never fallen off or had any difficulties.

My mountain biking experience has been very hard so far. I have fallen off more times than I want to admit (The clipless pedals may be to blame). I have had to walk more than I road my bike both times i have been out.

The tips and tricks section is good place to start. Just keep looking for info and get out and ride like they said.

RobertFrapples

How much money are you willing to invest up front? $500? $1000? $2500?

How strong are your legs? Are you a daily commuter? Roadie? Have you ridden more than a few miles this month?

Height and weight?

IthaDan 

Brain drivel in no particular order, it's been a while since I was a MTB camp counsellor:

Carry your weight on the balls of your feet (NOT your ass) and bend your elbows. lean back when going downhill or over rough terrain.

Practice leaning back and getting the front tire off the ground then practice unweighing the back wheel (lean forward over the bars and hop a little to lift it off the ground). Once you have that down, repeat that motion and practice getting up a curb. Front wheel up, then lift the back up before the tire slams the curb.

Pretty much if you can do those two things, the rest will come to you with time and miles. One form of a bunny hop is exactly the front up and then back up motion I just laid the foundation for, but quicker and more explosive.

Find something like an old railroad bed or a fire road to get your feet wet- these are much less technical than most single track trails.

Learn how to fix a flat and how to diagnose you have to little air in your tires (snakebite/pinch flats)

And don't look straight at your front wheel while riding! Look up and scan ahead of you. You'd be amazed what you can get through cleanly just by choosing the right line through a technical section.

dukeofdudes

I am 37 y.o. I have a cheap Wal-Mart mountain bike style type of bike. I am 6'1" around 280(but dieting and exercising to loose weight. Lost 10 lbs since December). No helmet, yet. I have ridden BMX style bikes as a kid but no racing or anything. Just want to get on the bike for fun exercise and to be outside.

Daspydyr 

Duke, you are heading in the right direction. You might check in the "CLYDE" section as well. I hang with that crew. Its for bikers 200+ pounds. for right now I would work on getting more stamina and building body strength. Personally, no jumping on that entry level bike. But ride it until you are 190 pounds or the rims refuse to be straitened. Missouri should have tons of dirt roads and trails to get you strong. Helmet though, do YOU have and wear a helmet?

roccobike

Buy a helmet. A cycling helmet with good ventilation from Walmart or Target will do. If you have the $$$ look into upgrading to a Bike Shop brand bike like Trek, Giant, Haro, Specialized etc. Even a late model used bike searching on Craigslist in good shape would be an improvement. If upgrading is not a financial option, then just buy the helmet and go. Check back with this forum as your riding improves.

scrublover

1. ride your bike. just. go. ride. whatever trails you can find. walk something if sketched out. try things a bit, and keep working on them.

2. ride with better and faster riders. riders you meet mid-ride, at trail-heads, local shop rides, whatever.

SlimRider

After you've ridden the daylights out of the Walmart MTB. get this nice one from bikesdirect.com:

The Motobecane 500 HT ~ $370
www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/5ht_new_xii.htm


Good Luck!