thejoe

So I got my first mountain bike 2 weeks ago (Trek 4500). I've mostly been doing street work. Down some large hills to a flat stretch of riverwalk, about 5-8 miles, then back up the hills (about 1 mile of hills). Some of the parts I’ve already swapped (lizard skin grips, and WTB saddle, the stock ones were crap). So today I get a bug and decide to finally get out on the trail.

Thanks to a forum member named Infidelity, I took a drive over to the Wissahickon Valley trails in Fairmount Park (Pennsylvania). After about 5 minutes I was sweating buckets and trying to catch my breath, it was awesome. That was some hard riding. Rock, roots, downed trees, uphill, downhill, just about anything you can ask for.

So I follow a trail sign that will take me back to my car. It’s all downhill, every 50 or so yards are what look like a man made jumps (about 1 1/2 feet high). I go over the first few slow and spot one about 30 yards away that looks doable. I say “What the hell?” I speed up, hit it like I should (remembering my bmx days), lift my front wheel and pedal through the jump, land on both wheels and realize I have 2 fingers of each hand resting on my breaks. I felt like I had absolutely no control over my handlebars and my front wheel turns and I go down. Luckily a picker bush broke my fall.

That was great fun. Tomorrow I’m going to a park called Pennypack for more abuse.

mtnbiker66

It's kinda sick and twisted but its awsome!!!

DMN

Well reading that made me smile, so you must have had fun.

thejoe

I have some technique questions. Please indulge me if you have the time.

Do you sit to get more grip on the back wheel or do you stand to get more power? There were times I had to get up and pump, but my back wheel spun out some (maybe it's the stock bondrager tires?). I felt like a tool sitting on the uphill stuff in the lower gears. It just seemed much easier to get out of the saddle to climb.

How should I attack an uphill ride from a stopped postition? What gear? Without skidding the back tire.

How do you place your hands on the jumps? Do you at least leave one finger on a brake?

Thanks.

bruiser2

Having the right tires will help you but also you have to lean back while standing until you reach the point where you feel as though your front wheel will lift up. Finding the right point in between skidding and wheelie-ing is key.

thejoe

Are you suggesting that I mostly stand through the uphill sections? I can find that balance but I'm not sure whether to stand or sit. I think it may have to do with the trail too. If its a long and relativly low degree uphill, sitting might be fine, but if it's steep at parts standing seems to be the way to go.

bruiser2

That sounds right, everyone will sit and stand at different points, just go by which type of riding will make you feel like you are using less energy.

zx108

for long and mybe techy downhill definately stand and back. for short downhills were you need to pedal quik i just lift off the saddle a bit.

bruiser2

zx, hes talking about UPhill not downhill