Noob tips, where to start?

[mads]

I'll get right to it. I don't know jack sh!t about mountain biking, but I want to start riding(riding, is that "hip?"). I'm 21 so I can handle some broken bones and bruises.

I did a search and couldn't find anything beginner related. Anyone got any links or threads I should read up on? General beginner gear information? Beginner trails?

Sorry if this is the wrong board for this, help out a fellow vancouverite!

[Shore Rydah]

Well, do you have a bike? Get out there and get dirty, like anything it takes practice to get good. I'm not too sure about trails on the mainland, but stick to fairly level ground till you get your bearings. Get used to riding over logs/rocks e.t.c.

Sooner or later you'll get more comfortable and can start doing some steeper/technical trails.

Just pulled these off google.

http://mountainbike.about.com/gi/dyn...com/riding.asp

http://mountainbike.about.com/od/tip...Techniques.htm

[MackM]

Just ride out your door and go have fun....nothing else to it.

[sAFETY]

HOW DARE YOU POST ON THIS FORUM NEWB!!!!!

Just kidding, welcome to the board (enough with the-self effacing comments already).

In a nutshell, the natural order of terrain in teh GVRD is:

1. UBC Endowement Lands
2. Burnaby Mountain (SFU)
3. Mount Seymour
4. Mount Fromme (Grouse)
5. Cypress

The last three could be argued, but I think that the average difficulty of the trails on a given mountain proceed in that order.

Your best bet is to start out at UBC and just ride everything. When you get bored, head to SFU and so on.

As for gear, you're going to want to set a budget first, then double it and head to your local bike shop (LBS). A good LBS will be able to answer all of your questions and hook you up with an appropriate ride for your size, style, and budget.

Another good way to go is through the used market, but I wouldn't attempt to navigate these trecherous waters without either exhaustive research or a buddy who knows about bikes and is willing to help you find a good ride in even better shape.

There's also this BB if you have any other questions.

Hope that helps.

[kalisto]

I think the best bet is finding a friend that bikes. It's a little better then learning from the net and they might know some good places to take a beginner. If you live near SFU, there's some good beginner trails on the East side of the mountain by North Road...

[playahata]

Best noob tips I can offer;

If you cant ride something, get off the bike and walk it, dont try to "ride around". Theres no shame on the north shore... better to walk a section and try it again the next day.

Rather than try to go as fast as you can, try to ride as smooth as you can. The speed will come later, and riding smooth looks/feels waaaaaay cooler than just bashing down something.

Halfway down a trail, stop, take off your helmet, smell the air and look around you. Pretty nice, eh?

Shuttling is like candy. Its OK once in a while, but dont make a steady diet of it.

Have fun...

M

[stillgoing]

Or, you could just grab your old fully rigid MTB bike, and take a fling down TimeKiller on Sumas and go over the bars upwards of half a dozen times.

Yeah - I know - bad advice - but I ran into a guy that did just that on sunday. but still... and here's the point..

He was smiling up a storm.

So, just go. Experience is the best teacher.

[kalisto]

Originally Posted by playahata

Best noob tips I can offer;

If you cant ride something, get off the bike and walk it, dont try to "ride around". Theres no shame on the north shore... better to walk a section and try it again the next day.

Rather than try to go as fast as you can, try to ride as smooth as you can. The speed will come later, and riding smooth looks/feels waaaaaay cooler than just bashing down something.

Halfway down a trail, stop, take off your helmet, smell the air and look around you. Pretty nice, eh?

Shuttling is like candy. Its OK once in a while, but dont make a steady diet of it.

Have fun...

M

Just don't stop ON the trail and take off your helmet...

[Marvel]

I find that there are some important basic skills to have when it comes to riding so that you feel more confident and ride right.

What helped me out tremendously was to take a beginner mountain biking course. You learn the basics and can then progress from there.

A bonus is that you also get to meet people at your level and you can start to plan rides together. I'm good friends and still ride with the ladies I met in my first course.

One company to check out with a range of courses and lessons is Endless Biking.

[Knnn]

Have you thought of joining a class?

Endless biking do very excellent courses for every skill level and its a great way to meet other riders and hook up for rides to practice your skills afterward.

http://www.endlessbiking.com/

Then combine the training with some of the organized riding groups such as the John Henry pedal and pints:

http://www.johnhenrybikes.com/group-rides.asp
http://www.johnhenrybikes.com/riding-training.asp

Any others anyone?

Burnaby has some great beginner trails (can someone post up that map for Mads?)

http://www.trailpeak.com/index.jsp?c...n=trail&val=48

If you want to try some shore technical a good training ground is Circuit 8 in the Seymour demonstration forest. It's all low level and fairly flat buut with lots of roots and rocks. Nothing scary but a good place to learn balance and riding over rough stuff:
Find it here:
http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/water/pdfs/LowerTrailNetwork.pdf

If you prefer a more gentle introduction fisherman's trail in the Seymour demonstration forest is very pleasant.

Or if you want something more challenging try the lower slopes on Fromme, specifically roadside attraction (easiest), Griffin, King of the Shore, Floppy Bunny, now getting more difficult, Bobsled and Natural High. Further up the mountain (past the 5th switchback so it's quite the climb, about 1 hour depending on fitness) try Lower Oilcan as the easiest option, then Pipeline and 7th Secret. Please note; if you have no mountain biking experience then most of the these trails will be too much for you.

Go here for some maps of trails:

http://www.nsmba.bc.ca/index.php?opt...d=21&Itemid=34
http://www.gutsploder.com/

Please strongly consider joining the North Shore Mountain Biking Association (NSMBA), it's free (although a donation is always very welcome) and helps preserve the trails we ride. Then come out to a trail day, it's a great way to find trails and meet people. http://www.nsmba.bc.ca/

With your nickname being Mads and your avatar, I suspect you may be female (sorry if not) in which case maybe sign up with a group such as the Mud Bunnies. They are a great bunch of all female riders, of all skill levels and they organize rides all over the place. Go here: http://muddbunnies.com/

Hope some of this helps.

Hey mods, ever think of putting this type of information into a FAQ ?

[mads]

Thanks for the tips doods. I'm definitely going to check out all these links.

I'm a guy by the way, sorry to disappoint.

[Knnn]

Originally Posted by mads

Thanks for the tips doods. I'm definitely going to check out all these links.

I'm a guy by the way, sorry to disappoint.

Well you could still try and slip on a skirt and join the MB's, they are a fun bunch.