New to this....which means...I know nothing!

Dru said:

Hello, I'm Dru. I have recently become interested in your sport and I
know nothing at all about it, but I want to learn. First question:
Recommendations for my first mountain bike purchase, any will be
helpful. Second question: I am in good physical health but what do you
suggest for cross training? Third question: What type of protective
equipment is advised? Fourth question: I have seen some sites about
guided mountain biking. Do you recommend this to a newcomer to the
sport or should I just wing it?

Google search all of your questions on this newsgroup and then wade
through it all.

JD

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Hey dru, are you a brown eyed jeannie too, or just borrowing someone
else's webtv?

JD smelled a rat

Get a helmet, good MTB shoes, black tights, any shirt, and a hardtail
with front suspension in the $800 range.
Make that $660 for last year's model.
Anything less is a waste of money and will soon breakdown costing you
more money than the original price.
Buy it from a MTB shop, make sure it's the right size (too small),
and practice on flat dirt roads before tackling any firetrails.
Be sure your bike handling is adaquate before going solo....

Oh, run uphill, preferably stairs, for cross training.
Then on the descent, maybe run down a dirt path, to practice quick
judgement and route planning, and agility, of course.
Consider some hip and elbow padding, if you singletrack skills are
lacking.

Thank you for your responses. And Lee, I am reseaching ratings for
different mt bikes and will be sure to get one from a Mt Bike Shop.
'til next time. ***Dru***