Originally Posted by
gsa103
Find a beginner friendly group ride.
Since you're already biking regularly, you'll have no trouble keeping up from a fitness perspective. You need to work on technique, which improves rapidly. But since you'll be able to keep up on the uphills, you won't slow anyone down.
As for trees, probably just a combination of minor mistakes.
Weight a hair too far forward. A tiny bit too much brake. Over-correcting in response.
And lastly, LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO! If you stare a tree down, you're going to hit it. Don't see the trees, see the gaps.
I was really practicing looking through turns, especially on the switch backs, but in emergencies its like everything goes to hell haha... : ) Guess I have to always remind myself. I forgot how much brake I used in response, the discs are strong. I'll dial it back to 1 or 2 fingers.
Thanks for the advice, I'm searching on FB for beginner MTB group rides but... I dont think many beginners want to ride in 30 degree F weather with snow and slush right now haha!