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After deciding a while back to spend more time outdoors this year, and much discussion about hobbies that would allow this to happen, I decided I would give mountain biking a shot this year. I always enjoyed riding bicycles as a kid, and I love hiking as an adult; why not combine the two and see how it went? I did research online, talked to local bike shops. Then settled on a super cheap ($50 on craigslist cheap) huffy still in the box. The owner was selling it due to an upcoming divorce resulting in a lack of storage space. After a 6-pack of guinness and I put my bike together, it occured to me just how difficult this thing was going to be to fit into my Chevy Cobalt. Off to the internet! The end result was an Inno roof rack with a Rage bike rack. The whole setup was significantly more than my Huffy, but looks great and functions even better. Sunday morning I woke up bright eyed and slightly hungover. After a quick oatmeal and water breakfast I set off for Freedom Park in Williamsburg. I stopped by the Williamsburg Bike Beats store and was met with friendly and knowledgable staff with plenty of helpful tips for my upcoming ride. Arriving at Freedom Park, I unloaded my shiny new huffy and set off for Trail A. I stopped a few times in the parking lot to converse with some people that looked much more knowledgable than myself and was met with plenty of friendly people eager to wish me luck on my day of riding. One of the things that can kill someone’s interest in a new hobby quicker than anything is knowledgable people who aren’t willing to talk to someone who knows less than them, and I was happy to find that this doesn’t seem to be the case at all in mountain biking. As I entered the trail, I was instantly aware of why everyone (including myself now) loves this sport so much. The first 2 miles or so were spent with a giant grin on my face as my Huffy and I blasted around turns and over rocks. As I approached a sharp right, I learned very quickly (instantly in fact) that pine needles are the mountain biking equivalent of ice. I went sort of half-right, my bike went straight, and just like that I had my first wipe out. Of course as soon as I hit the ground I hear "Are you ok?" from a more experienced rider who I honestly had no idea was even behind me. "Yes, just learning" I replied, and off he went. I picked myself up, gave the bike a once over (including tightening the bars; I had the right tools thanks to the blogs in the beginner section), and was back on my way to funville. I learned the meaning of the term "hike-a-bike" shortly after; I am much more out of shape than I realized and a few of the pine covered inclines were simply too much for me. As I coasted across the parking lot back towards my car, I see that the same person who saw me eat dirt was parked next to me and was also just finishing up his ride. After a very pleasant conversation about mountain biking/me hitting the ground, I tucked myself into my car and headed off with a smile. The entire experience has left me with a lifelong hobby, and I look forward to heading back out there this upcoming saturday to have even more fun. Below is a a few pictures, including one of a Mater truck at a local car show in Williamsburg that I stopped by on my way home. I realize this post is a bit of a ramble, but wanted to share the fact that the knowledge gained from this site combined with friendly fellow enthusiasts has created a new fan of this sport. So the next time someone on a shiny new bike with a shiny new helmet approaches you with questions, be polite and friendly. Your attitude could very well determine whether mountain biking turns into a lifelong hobby or something only snobs do.
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Awesome dude! Welcome to the addiction. You’re lucky to live near such a sweet trail. Check out the C loop next time you’re there. When I was a new rider, seeing some of the jumps and drops blew my mind…but it inspired me to get better so that I could ride the stuff and not just ride around it. A couple years later, I can ride most everything on the C loop and have a freakin blast doing it.
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Thanks! It’s actually not too bad of a trip to get there for me (I actually live in Norfolk) but the general consensus online was that it was worth the trip through tunnel traffic. I’m definitely looking forward to the C trail 😎
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That is so awesome that you got in such a fun positive experience on your first outing. This website truly is such a wealth of knowledge, and I am glad that we were able to help you in making it all happen. Feel free to ask as many questions no matter how dumb you might think they might sound. There really are no dumb questions in my opinion.
If you possibly can, try to ride a couple of times a week. Your skills will improve by leaps and bounds, and you physical fitness limitations will come tumbling down super fast. Also try to hit as many different trails as you can. This really further broadens your skills.
I am looking forward to reading up on how you are progressing with your rides through the season.
Ride often and enjoy the ride!
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First, welcome to Singletracks forum! It’s great to hear of someone just starting out. I (barely) remember those days, and look back often at how much fun I had learning to mountain bike. Isn’t the mountain biking community great! I would have to say that 95% of the time, the people I meet are awesome and very helpful. I also do quite a bit of road biking, and I will say that while both of these hobbies are on 2 wheels, I find the sense of helpfulness and community MUCH greater with mountain biking.
Just wait, if you are anything like half of us, you will be trying to figure out which "next great" bike to buy in a couple months! 😄
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Thanks! I actually have already started thinking about my next bike and honestly I would really like to build one. The friendly attitudes I have encountered is very refreshing. I’ve grown so accustomed to the car and motorcycle communuties and how segregated they tend to be based on what you ride/drive. the only other group of people I’m around that are this willing to talk and trade tips is the gun community. Of course there is a difference between a gun owner and a gun enthusiast, but you rarely meet an enthusiast who isn’t willing to talk shop and compare toys. I look forward to writing more blog/posts as my skill level and experience increases.
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Welcome craigasaurus! Sounds like you don’t have a chance, the MTB bug has infected you. Now all you have to look forward to is excellent health, lots of new friends, and a huge grin permanently attached to your face! Get out there and have fun with your new ride!
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That is about the same experience that I had on my first outing also. I also found a lot of support in my local mountain bike trail advocacy club! You should look up the clubs in your area to find the group rides and trial work days so you can pitch in on maintenance and trail builds too. You will get a great deal of satisfaction the first time you ride a section of trail that you cut in yourself!!!
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Welcome to the site. Singletracks is definitely the best website out there. Some more friendly advice pick up a book like Mastering mountain biking Skills by Lopez and McCormick. I guarantee you will not be sorry. Enjoy yourself but be safe out there.
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Looks like I will definitely be picking up that book. And yes, I am officially infected with the MTB bug. Hopefully my schedule will be such that I can ride more than once or twice each week, but as a college student who also has a job, finding time to do fun things is a bit hard to do.
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Remember that when you graduate and look for a career if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life. If not you still can go ride. I’m lucky got both. Now I got my daughter infected which is good she pushes me harder than I would alone.
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That’s definitely something I’ve been trying to keep in mind. Of course, everyday working retail simply strengthens my resolve to finish college lol.
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"MTI" wrote
Welcome to the site. Singletracks is definitely the best website out there. Some more friendly advice pick up a book like Mastering mountain biking Skills by Lopez and McCormick. I guarantee you will not be sorry. Enjoy yourself but be safe out there.
+1- booked helped me a lot! Good luck, great story.
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I don’t often ride bicycles,
but when I do, I prefer MOUNTAIN BIKES!
Ride safely my friend!(my apologies to Dos Equis beer commercial)
BTW, I’ve only been riding for 9 months but my skills have
improved immensely. Take blundar’s advice and ride at least
a couple of times a week (I ride 2-3 times). Your skills and fitness
will thank you. I’m 63 and can keep up with many of the guys half my age. -
I would eventually like to ride several times each week but my current work/school schedule simply will not allow it. I do ride around my back yard when I’m bored (sounds dumb but you’ve never seen my back yard lol).
Here’s the huffy on the cobalt today after a day of riding at Freedom Park:
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"craigasaurus" wrote
I would eventually like to ride several times each week but my current work/school schedule simply will not allow it.
When I am short on time, I will sometimes do a top speed sprint ride up and down the neighborhood streets near my house. It takes me less than 10 minutes to do. Other times I will substitute that ride with a very brisk walk with a couple of 1 minute runs (just like circuit training on a treadmill). I get my heart rate way up and I can feel the burn. It all counts and adds to my fitness goals.
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My 10 minute something is better than nothing exercise: walking up and down my stairs with a 35lbs dumbbell in each hand lol
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"craigasaurus" wrote
My 10 minute something is better than nothing exercise: walking up and down my stairs with a 35lbs dumbbell in each hand lol
I have done that, but I usually jog up and down the stairs…
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Side note: I have my bike selection narrowed down to a few choices so anyone who would like to chime in feel free:
Specialized rockhopper 29er
Felt Nine Trail
Giant Talon 29er 1…thoughts?
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The Talon was my first "real" mountain bike and I can’t say enough good things about it when it’s price point is considered. I eventually moved to FS, due to neck issues making me a wussy.
The only thing can I can say is this: It’s almost always cheaper to get the better components(for instance, air shock instead of coil) out of the box than it is to upgrade later. The coil forks are absolute trash and if you’re riding a lot you’ll want to upgrade to something else. If you’re on the fence about getting a higher end model, I would suggest saving your beans to do it rather than wait to upgrade.
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Well my tax return has given me a bit more wiggle room as far as upgrading to a higher end model out the gate… 1 week ago the trek marlin was something I was considering but now the ability to move into the 800-900 range if absolutely needed has given me some more things to consider…
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You should check out Airborne bikes. They give you a lot more wiggle room. Good bang for buck and it just so happens their parent company is Huffy 😃 although they are a separate company. Great customer service as well. I got what i believe is the equivalent of a $700 bike for $350.
[url:17yx0rx3]http://www.airbornebicycles.com/category/55-cross-country-xc.aspx[/url:17yx0rx3]
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Ill second checking out airborne bought one for my daughter great bike. I like the fact that I got to assemble and tune as well little more feeling of ownership.
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^^What they said^^
Check out this Airborne 29er for $600. Several of us here have Airbornes and are very happy with their quality and components for their price point.
Keep in mind when buying a new bike you might have to buy pedals also. So, if you can keep your price down, you can get yourself a some riding gear also!
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Well today I got to ride around on the rockhopper as well as the giant talon. The talon felt better suited to me but seems a bit pricey for what you get. Not enough of a difference to turn me off of it, but the bars on the rockhopper seem a bit wide for actual singletrack. thoughts?
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"craigasaurus" wrote
but the bars on the rockhopper seem a bit wide for actual singletrack. thoughts?
No such thing as "too wide."
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A plumbing pipe cutter and 5 minutes are all you need to get them to a size that you like.
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Do not be afraid of wide bars. They can be cut down when needed. My LBS did mine of $5. I kept them long for awhile til I knew how much to cut them down and it was only a 1/2" on each side.
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Update: I am now the extremely proud owner of a 2013 trek mamba in black/orange. Of all the bikes I tried the mamba just seemed to fit me best. literally couldn’t be happier with my purchase.
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Congrats, man! Now go get it dirty 😀
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"craigasaurus" wrote
Update: I am now the extremely proud owner of a 2013 trek mamba in black/orange. Of all the bikes I tried the mamba just seemed to fit me best. literally couldn’t be happier with my purchase.
I have a friend that has a Mamba, and he has put a ton of miles on that thing. Great, dependable bike! Enjoy it!
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Nice, congrats! I hope you enjoy the new ride! 😄
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I saw an article in 2012 about the $1000ish bike shoot out and the Mamba won. It was a beautiful bike too.
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A bit of an update… I have been riding first landing state park a few times a week (3-5) as weather allows and can’t wait to make my way back up to freedom park again soon. Even though its probably the least technical "trail" in the state, it allows you to push yourself from a cardio perspective because there isn’t really any reason to ever stop pedaling. Not to mention that the scenery is amazing. A few pictures:
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You have for sure caught the bug! Congrats on the new bike and being able to get out that much!
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Congrats on the new bike dude! First Landing is a cool place to ride. Great scenery for sure. I like cruising that trail on the beach cruiser.
I was down your way on Saturday and rode Freedom. I’ve seen that a few other dudes on here ride/have ridden Freedom, I’m thinking we should do a Singletracks meet up down there one day.
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Couldn’t agree more! A singletracks meet/greet/ride at freedom would be a pretty awesome time. Not to mention it has trails for every level of rider so anyone who came would definitely be able to find something that matches their abilities. First landing is a great place to cruise… I usually end up doing the cape henry trail 2-3 times all out, and then ride it back towards the parking lot at a nice leisurely pace. The way I do it ends up being about 15-20 miles of pushing myself, and around 5-6 miles of cruising. Not the hardest trail (as everyone including myself has said), but 15-20 miles of all out pedaling is about all my out of shape legs can take at the moment 😆 so it works out
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How are you liking the new ride Sig? Looks like you are having fun!
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"gar29" wrote
How are you liking the new ride Sig? Looks like you are having fun!
Absolutely loving it. Hoping to make my way up to freedom park tomorrow depending on the weather. Ready to take it on an actual technical trail instead of just pedaling all out at first landing.
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A bit of a Today’s Ride Update: Finally made my way back out to freedom today and rode the A & C loops on the mamba (something I would not have been physically able to do just 1 month ago). The combination of quality components and 29er momentum is amazing. Hills and inclines that I would have been walking up on the huffy (lol) I am now able to almost casually ride up. The change in class schedule this semester has definitely been helping; I have been riding at least 3 times a week but usually closer to 5 recently. In a non-mountain biking update (don’t judge lol), I am working with a local bike shop to build a road bike out of a semi-vintage cannondale frame and a shimano sti drivetrain. While I don’t see myself enjoying road biking as much as mountain biking, it will provide me with additional cardio when I can’t make it to a trail/weather has them closed. I feel bad for anyone who see’s me riding it; My pale chunky body is not going to look terribly appealing in the stereotypically required I Ride Road Bikes Spandex 😏 . More likely, I’ll be getting mean looks from roadies for wearing an underarmor t-shirt and some mesh shorts but to that I Say 😆 . I’ll post some pictures of the new bike as it progresses.
2013 Trek Mamba Update: I switched to a set of the "ergo" style grips today and moved the controls inward about 1/2" and what a difference it made. It allows me to retain the giant trek 29er bar but has given it the feel of a smaller more manageable bar. Although I have no idea of the actual effect of this, it made a huge difference in confidence today on the trail so to that I say 😎
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