Today I gave riding on an intermediate/advanced trail a shot. It probably wasn't the best idea for a beginner MTB rider, but I figured what the heck. For the most part, it went well. Thankfully there were not many people around when I was out riding; I am sure that they would have been laughing at my terrible mountain biking skills--hey, I got to learn somehow right!

On the trails themselves, my biggest issues were roots and rocks. It was wet because of the rain earlier, so that also gave me a few issues. Climbing was a non-issue unless it was rutted. I also tried out a couple of man-made obstacles. I did fine over the log piles, but that was about it. I tried going up an over a fairly steep triangle shaped decking obstacle, but only made it about half way due to a lack of momentum and traction on the slippery treated lumber. Then there was a steep descent that was constructed with bricks (I assume to prevent erosion...roughly a 30-40ft elevation change). I was only on my bike for about 1/4 of the descent, the other 3/4s was me falling and getting twisted up with my bike. I'm a little banged up and bruised, but I'll live. My bike survived save for the handle bars being misaligned with the wheel. Thankfully I carry tools with me, so I was able to correct that before I continued on.

That said, it was a great ride, save for my encounter with that hill. I don't think I'll be doing any more MTB riding before next weekend, though. My fiancee already wants to kill me because I keep finding ways to get hurt while riding. This is my second accident this year (sprained my ankle in late June) and my fourth in the past 3 years. I have ridden several thousand miles in that time period, but my fiancee is definitely not impressed. At the very least, I need to be sure that I'm able to walk down the isle next weekend without a limp and without a bruised and battered body.

Anyway, that's enough talk. Here are a couple of pictures that I took while I was out there. The first was one of the obstacles that I could actually get over. The second was something that I didn't even bother trying. I can barely get through the normal part of the trails, so I'm going to leave most of the stuff in the "skills section" to the pros. Coincidentally, the hill I wiped out on was in the skills section--go figure.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=267755

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=267756

I never thought I'd say it, but these bars are too tall for my Komodo. The Krapper however, they are perfect. The lack of suspension fork lowers the front end to an uncomfortable level. The super hi rise bars cancel that out. The width makes this bike feel like a beast now. (in a good way)
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2...130-picsay.jpg

Picked up a new frame ...... 2008 Turner RFX XXL size....... :)
soooo much fun!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7...58f93313_c.jpg

That tire... :eek: Can I have information on that please!

2001 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo

I just started getting back into biking, and up until a few days ago I had a Target special Schwinn S60, which weighed a ton and was... just... ugh. Anyway, I found this one on Craigslist and paid $250 for it. It's in great shape for a bike that's basically 12 years old, and I'm really enjoying it.

http://i50.tinypic.com/2z9i8ud.jpg

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That's probably the most unique bike in this thread. Awesome!

lovely, shame its been left outside in the rain

What I have now
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/1108/img1675hh.jpg


Uploaded with ImageShack.us
I will stop abusing this thing by the end of the year and get a new mountain bike in spring. This will be for the nice paved roads.

http://dswitzer.smugmug.com/Other/bi...t8302527-M.jpg

First a Roadie, then a Tri bike, now this. Going to get it muddy in a little bit.

my main bike atm. (Specialized Hardrock) I took this picture near a path that goes around big bear lake, CA.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/8778/img0326f.jpg

Far out...I lust this. My suspension forks are rooted now, and I'm toying with the idea of going rigid. Your bike is influencing me.

Just built up an On-One Inbred. Fun ride. To lazy to post pics.........

Inbred's are schwizz. I know I've mentioned that I was oogling the 456c, but now I'm even looking at the Lurcher as a carbon SS rigid 29'er. Yup. I said it.

Below is my 1999 GT Outpost hardtail. I am the original owner, rode it while I was in college and it has pretty much sat the last 7 years in the shed. As I'm starting to ride again, I'm using my 1995 Giant Innova for riding around town and will be using this bike for gravel and dirt path activities. Above all, it just feels good to get on a bike again!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-49-09_810.jpg

Poseur shot in the hood during a shake down ride.

This is a sick bike. Clean and simple with a nice color scheme. What kind of frame is this?

It's a Litespeed...titanium frame. That Loaded stem is hot.

^Cool, thanks man.

I hate you.

1997 RockHopper, originally with rigid front fork. Looking to upgrade front brake to disk:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=273521

Traded one of my German handguns for a German bike :D

http://i.imgur.com/S4iA2.jpg