this fourm is awesome!!! [Archive] - North Shore Mountain Biking Forums

Marvel

07-23-2006, 09:28 PM

Hello ladies!
So I'm pretty new to Vancouver and new to MTB. I'm an avid skier but tried MTB a couple times and was hooked. I love the mix of being active and challenged, and having fun. I bought my 1st hardtail a couple month ago but work, visitors and travels has just gotten in the way. I've been bummed that I haven't had much of a chance to ride, so I was super happy when I stumbled across this website :)

This forum has helped me out tremendously with great ideas on how to really get my feet wet and start. I sign-up to muddbunnies and will be doing a course through the www.womensonly.com (http://www.womensonly.com). Yay! So if I ask any jong questions, you'll know why. So here's one to get me started:

1) Where would I want to enter the UBC Endowment Lands to start on some beginner terrain?

Thanks!
Marvel

Lady Gravity

07-23-2006, 10:11 PM

hey welcome to the board :) can't help you out with the ubc question but maybe someone else can.

having taken the womens only course 4 years ago to get me started, i can safely say you made the right choice.

have fun!

newgirl

07-24-2006, 08:45 AM

Hi there - I am a bunny too - go to Mels, Nicoles and lower snake - PM me - I will ride with you!

heckler

07-24-2006, 01:11 PM

Last I checked, Mels and Nicoles are on SFU - more downhill oriented.

UBS Endowment lands are pure XC - enter along 16th ave. It's been 5 years since I've ridden there so I have no idea what the trails are like now.

http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/parks/maps/Pacificspiritmap.pdf

Lady Gravity

07-24-2006, 01:17 PM

mels on sfu is definitely xc, it actually crosses the upper trails (including nicoles) and dumps you out on the transcanada.

for a beginner rider i'd recommend the lower sfu trails - north road, dead moped

Ashley

07-24-2006, 02:59 PM

The trails in the endowment lands are very easy...like riding on a gravel road. All of the good xc trails were removed a few years ago so it really caters to walkers and joggers. It's really nice there but beware of dogs off leash (who aren't used to bikes) and horses.

Marvel

07-24-2006, 10:28 PM

thanks for the recommendations....

shirk

07-24-2006, 10:53 PM

hey...hmm the word "jong" comes from TetonGravityResearch forums...

watch out you can meet some odd people on the interweb :)

have fun with the learn to ride course

Marvel

09-06-2006, 06:33 PM

So I have finished the beginners course at WomensOnly.com. It was awesome and I learned lots! Met an amazing group of women with a passion to ride.

Now the question is - should move to Intermediate 1 for the fall and build on my skills or should I just get tons of rides in and move to Intermediate 1 next Spring?

Anyone have any experience moving through the courses?

Fluid

09-07-2006, 08:31 AM

I actually skipped Beginner and went straight to Intermediate 1 because I had already been riding all the lower trails of SFU for a while when I initially signed up. I would definitely recommend moving through Intermediate 1 and then branching out to just exploring on your own. Intermediate 2 helped me a lot at the time, but I think that just getting out and riding lots might have done the same. That's why I never bothered with Intermediate 3.

If you do decide to just ride lots this Fall, then you may not even need Intermediate 1 in the Spring. But since you really are just starting out, I would recommend doing the course first. There's so much that can be gained through instruction. :)

DaveM

09-07-2006, 08:39 AM

Hello ladies!
I sign-up to muddbunnies and will be doing a course through the www.womenonly.com.

You might want to correct that link to www.womensonly.com

While I enjoyed the link you provided, it's probably not what you intended :lol:

Marvel

09-07-2006, 10:41 AM

You might want to correct that link to www.womensonly.com

While I enjoyed the link you provided, it's probably not what you intended :lol:

just wanted to spice things up a bit...

Fluid good call....I think I'll do Intermediate 1....also it was a GREAT way to meet friends to ride with since the friends I have made since my move out don't ride.

Fluid

09-07-2006, 10:56 AM

Another way to find more women to ride with is by signing up to the MuddBunnies group:
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/muddbunnies/

There are a lot of women on there who are also just starting out that you can hook up with for beginner type rides with.

Marvel

09-07-2006, 04:41 PM

BCBOARDERGAL

09-07-2006, 07:07 PM

Having taking both the Beginner and Intermediate I through Women's Only I would highly recommend taking the Intermediate 1 as well. It will give you the next set of necessary skills to build upon. I took both those courses 3 years ago and I am now kicking it down most of the North Shore trails and WBP (well except the double blacks like Ladies Only). Albeit I am still learning and still falling! lol :) Every ride I face a new challenge, a new obstacle or fear to overcome. I would also highly recommend the Progressive Series through Endless Biking and next summer if you are ready for the next challenge of Whistler, Spokeswomen offers a fantastic course! – and there is always a new course to take! I love taking courses, it’s a great way to meet other riders and practice/learn new skills. Through this challenge I am now doing air ! who wudda thunk it :) lol not me !

Happy Riding! cheers

cooleen

09-07-2006, 10:45 PM

I also highly recommend looking into www.endlessbiking.com the instructors are incredible!!

I took the Intermediate Progression sessions and the Dirt Jump clinic, both courses were awesome and made huge impact on my riding this year! I'll be signing up with them again next season for sure!

DrDynamo

09-08-2006, 12:01 PM

Hi there,
I'm new to MTBing too and have found this forum awesome as well. I've ridden up at SFU about 4-5 times (Mel's, Dead Moped, etc.) and was hooked the first time up. Thanks for the tip about endless and womens only courses.

Since I've ridden SFU, would anyone out there recommend starting at the beginner courses or go to the intermediate 1?

I'm also looking for people to ride with. If anyone is interested (either SFU or easier North Shore) let me know.

Thanks.

Fluid

09-08-2006, 01:12 PM

If you've already been riding Mel's, Dead Moped, etc. at SFU I would say that you can safely skip the Beginner's course and go straight to Intermediate 1. That's what I did and the first class of the Intermediate 1 course is an overview of what was taught in Beginners anyway. Have fun! :)

As for looking for people to ride SFU or easier North Shore trails with, definitely sign up to the MuddBunnies group on Yahoo:
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/muddbunnies/

You'll find a ton of people to ride with from that group!

DrDynamo

09-08-2006, 02:10 PM

Thanks for the info. I'll take you advise & do the intermediate course. I also signed up for the mudbunnies.

Dantes Inferno

09-09-2006, 09:10 PM

Marvel

01-04-2007, 09:30 PM

So this forum kind of follows my progression and love of mountain biking because if it wasn't for the info in this ladies forum, who knows when I would have gotten my ass on my beautiful bike.

Right now I cannot wipe the smile off my face and I am beaming. Why?
Because I had my first night ride. I was a little nervous at first...didn't know what to expect but it was sooo cool and I survived! Especially since the trails were a bit frosty.

A big thank you to Sean for lending me his lights...now I got to cough up the money and get my own.

And thanks to an awesome and fun riding crew, flatman and heckler's better 1/2, I had a blast...

Flatman I promise us girls will do some more serenading next time...

Lady Gravity

01-04-2007, 11:17 PM

And thanks to an awesome and fun riding crew, flatman and heckler's better 1/2, I had a blast...

Flatman I promise us girls will do some more serenading next time...

nice! flatman is such an awesome guy to ride with, sounds like you had fun.

i did a night ride myself on sfu. sounds to me like you've got the bug....

Marvel

06-17-2007, 06:46 PM

So a little update from me.

After finding this forum last July and started to ride last August, I really am in disbelief of what trails I am riding. I wondered how quickly or slowly I would progress…..but I have to say, I’ve really surprised myself. Since starting to ride I have not drawn any tears due to falls or frustration. Instead I’ve only got big smiles to give, looks of concentration, and cheers of excitement and enthusiasm. I love working through challenges and am at peace with myself when I decide to pass a section cause I know it’ll be there to brave another day.

After less then a year of riding, I’m already looking for a dually :). Recently, so many people have been nice enough to let me ride theirs and I am so grateful.

Through this community and the NSMBA I have met some amazing, hilarious and awe inspiring people, and now some have become my closest friends. I have never felt such support and encouragement before.

Now I’m looking forward to moving to the Shore, getting my new ride and hitting some gnarlier trails :clap:.

SkunkworkS

06-17-2007, 07:47 PM

Yay!

06-19-2007, 09:36 AM

Hi there - I am a bunny too - go to Mels, Nicoles and lower snake - PM me - I will ride with you!

Are you ladies xc'ing? Can I join in on the fun. I've only taken out my downhill rig out in Van so far. My hardtail is lonely. PM me too please if you don't mind another body to tag along.

06-19-2007, 09:37 AM

ok I need another coffee - I didn't notice this is an old thread. sheesh. Got me all excited.

Marvel

08-26-2007, 10:38 PM

So a year ago I started to ride and today I had the chance to christen my new dually at the Whistler bike park with some friends from Salt Lake City. My first run was all of Crank it Up to Heart of Darkness.

The reason for finally pulling the trigger was because I had my crappiest ride last Wednesday since starting. I was really frustrated and realized how shitty a ride can be on a bike not set-up for me. It was the 13th dually I rode (yes, I'm a bike slut ;)) and it just confirmed to me that it was time to suck it up and invest in a rig of my own. The reason for demoing so many and I probably over did it, is that I wanted to love the ride...and now I do! Out of the 13 bikes, I kept coming back to the SX Trail.

So I had a perma-smile all day. Thanks to Duncan at John Henry's for the awesome service again and setting me up with this beauty. Oh, and big props to biggles604 for coming and giving me his advice too!

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o291/vkacinik/Summer2007292.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o291/vkacinik/Summer2007286.jpg

Lady Gravity

08-26-2007, 11:19 PM

nice bike veronica! i bet biggles is crushed you didn't go with the norco ;)

biggles604

08-27-2007, 09:54 AM

nice bike veronica! i bet biggles is crushed you didn't go with the norco ;)

Not at all, why would I be?
The SX was the right bike for what she needed.

the Master Plan Dan

08-27-2007, 10:16 AM

Marvel... congrats on the bike...

Now we lay shred...

Cheers

Dan

newgirl

08-27-2007, 11:19 AM

YAY Marvel!!!

you did not suck on that ride last week. Having a different bike each time must have been very frustrating indeed. you did well on D's bike and I am soo stoked you have a new ride! - I'm riding pipeline or CBC after work this wed and then Whis this Saturday if you wanna join?!

DARTHYOGA

08-27-2007, 12:50 PM

Marvel... congrats on the bike...

Now we lay shred...

Cheers

Dan

We shall Shred.
Sounds like we are all going to be in Whislter next weekend. Last one to the top is a pinch flat!

Lady Gravity

08-27-2007, 01:35 PM

Not at all, why would I be?
The SX was the right bike for what she needed.

you're so in love with your bike i was just trying to tease you a little :o

forest

08-27-2007, 02:38 PM

congrads on the new bike, welcome to club SX.

heckler

08-27-2007, 03:08 PM

I want in on this SX. ;)

Marvel

08-27-2007, 03:25 PM

I want in on this SX. ;)

There will be a SX ride...it's gonna be a threesome and your wife is involved.

biggles604

08-27-2007, 03:25 PM

There will be a SX ride...it's gonna be a threesome and your wife is involved.

Who's the third? Dieter? Think he can handle it?

the Master Plan Dan

08-27-2007, 03:30 PM

I think Dieter is going to be riding for a bit... Silver Star has his number and he did something to his hand on Shazam...

Heal up buddy....

SX Trail what a cult! Can I join if I don't ride one?

Dan