What's the best way to learn?

[dc_saxman]

Hi,

I'm new to mountain biking and a new MORE member as well. What's the best way for me to get started? I've done some road riding, but no real off-road stuff yet. I just purchased a cannondale f2000 mtb and I'm ready to get started.

Thanks,
Julian

[mtbmore]

Julian, Over the summer we held beginner rides on Tuesdays after work at Wakefield. But with the days getting shorter it is tough to do that. As the ride coordinator I try to schedule a beginner casual ride at least one a week but I am at the mercy of ride Leader volunteers. Keep an eye out on the Ride calendar for the next beginner ride.

Scott Scudamore

[BigSlim]

Wakefield Rides on Thursday at 18:45. I'm new, too - definitely am a little more agile on my road bike. The rides are casual/intermediate I understand, and the terrain isn't impossible. I think you'll fit in, but bring a light if you have one. Everyone's been really cool. No one's been stuck up like it can be with the roadie crowd. That's important to someone like me on a budget that can't really afford the Litespeed bike mac'd out with Dura Ace everything...

[Dirt]

Oy folks.

I've been training pretty hard for a trip to Colorado and Utah in early October which has taken up all of my riding time. However I'm planning on leading some beginners rides starting when I return from that trip. That should be mid October.

That said, I've been working with some friends who are beginners for a while now... doing my own informal beginners rides. I've been asked by two of these friends to do another ride with them on Saturday (September 7). I'll start the ride at 10:30am. I need to be done by 1pm so I can get a little lunch and go for another training ride with my riding partner for our trip in October.

We'll probably cover somewhere between 9 and 11 miles. The skills we'll be working on are:

1) Riding over Logs and Roots
2) Climbing and Descending
3) Trail etiquite
4) Trail Bicycle Repairs (if needed)

I'll probably do a quick safety check of people's bikes and talk a little about how to make sure your bike is prepared for a ride.

If you're interested in a beginners ride on Saturday at Schaeffer Farms, please drop me an e-mail at PedroGringo@yahoo.com. I'll be out of the office today, but I'll check my e-mail tonight and I'll be in the office all day tomorrow and will set the final time at that point.

My pace is pretty slow. I will take frequent breaks to talk about technique and let my lungs recover.

PS. Scott, My dues are finally paid up so I'm legal as a ride leader, right????

NEW INFO: I'll start this ride at 10:30. If you've got any questions, please drop me an e-mail.

[silverbird]

Like you, I'm new to MORE also. I own an old lemon of Mountain Bike, but I love it. I've been riding for about a year and I found a nice group of "beginners", if you will, who get together at Wakefield Park, VA. every wednesday @5;30 p.m. Funny, I posted the same thing you did here, but under TRAIL HEADS

Silverbird968

[dc_saxman]

I'll be there with you guys on Wednesday. I assumme you are speaking of the DCAMB Wednesday ride. I look forward to meeting you Silverbird968.