Any MTB classes in Austin?

Newbie here, and I really want to improve my skills on my MTB and also how to repair/maintain my
MTB. Are there any low priced, decent classes offered in Austin? Someone told me UT offers a class,
but I figure its pretty costly... I am still working on my endurance and losing weight, but I want
to learn riding tricks and techniques, balance, hopping, how to repair maintain and upgrade my bike,
etc. I have just recently re-started riding my bike, and have been riding every day for the past 3
weeks. I love it, and find myself slowly improving, though there is alot of room left to get better.
I'd like to save some money by repairing my bike myself, since I weigh 230, I am sure, I will need
to frequently repair my bike. Also, I want to learn how to ride correctly, to prevent damage to it.
Any ideas are gretaly appreciated. Thanks all! Eventually I want to start riding with others... once
I can break the 10 mile barrier without feeling like my head exploded. Or maybe when temps get back
UNDER 95F...

Jason Diaz

 

"TacomaBoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Newbie here, and I really want to improve my skills on my MTB and also how to repair/maintain my
> MTB. Are there any low priced, decent classes
offered
> in Austin? Someone told me UT offers a class, but I figure its pretty costly... I am still working
> on my endurance and losing weight, but I
want
> to learn riding tricks and techniques, balance, hopping, how to repair maintain and upgrade my
> bike, etc. I have just recently re-started riding my bike, and have been riding every day for the
> past 3 weeks. I love it, and find myself slowly improving, though there is alot of room left to
> get better. I'd like to save some money by repairing my bike myself, since I weigh 230, I am sure,
> I will need to frequently repair my bike. Also, I want to learn how to ride correctly, to prevent
> damage to it. Any ideas
are
> gretaly appreciated. Thanks all! Eventually I want to start riding with others... once I can break
> the 10 mile barrier without feeling like my head exploded. Or maybe when temps
get
> back UNDER 95F...
>
> Jason Diaz
>
Yo k. dude. These guys will teach ya all you would want to know and more. Don't waste your money on
classes. http://www.austinridgeriders.com/

Cleanbean

 

Nice, thanks.. Ill spend some time on this site. Free is ALWAYS cool to me

"Cleanbean" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "TacomaBoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Newbie here, and I really want to improve my skills on my MTB and also
how
> > to repair/maintain my MTB. Are there any low priced, decent classes
> offered
> > in Austin? Someone told me UT offers a class, but I figure its pretty costly... I am still
> > working on my endurance and losing weight, but I
> want
> > to learn riding tricks and techniques, balance, hopping, how to repair maintain and upgrade my
> > bike, etc. I have just recently re-started
riding
> > my bike, and have been riding every day for the past 3 weeks. I love
it,
> > and find myself slowly improving, though there is alot of room left to
get
> > better. I'd like to save some money by repairing my bike myself, since
I
> > weigh 230, I am sure, I will need to frequently repair my bike. Also, I want to learn how to
> > ride correctly, to prevent damage to it. Any ideas
> are
> > gretaly appreciated. Thanks all! Eventually I want to start riding with others... once I can
> > break the 10 mile barrier without feeling like my head exploded. Or maybe when temps
> get
> > back UNDER 95F...
> >
> > Jason Diaz
> >
> Yo k. dude. These guys will teach ya all you would want to know and more. Don't waste your money
> on classes. http://www.austinridgeriders.com/
>
> Cleanbean
>
>

 

"TacomaBoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> Newbie here, and I really want to improve my skills on my MTB and also how to repair/maintain my
> MTB. Are there any low priced, decent classes offered in Austin?

There's one class that is not only offered in Austin Texas, but any locale in the world, and that's
just getting out on your bike and exploring and expanding your riding horizons. Find a set of trails
and become comfortable with them and their obstacles, and then challenge yourself by seeking out
other ride areas. You'll see your ability level go up and you'll also be able to go back to your
home trails and impress the hell out of other riders, which is great for the ego.

 

[email protected] thoughtfully penned:
> "TacomaBoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>...
>> Newbie here, and I really want to improve my skills on my MTB and also how to repair/maintain my
>> MTB. Are there any low priced, decent classes offered in Austin?
>
> There's one class that is not only offered in Austin Texas, but any locale in the world, and
> that's just getting out on your bike and exploring and expanding your riding horizons. Find a set
> of trails and become comfortable with them and their obstacles, and then challenge yourself by
> seeking out other ride areas. You'll see your ability level go up and you'll also be able to go
> back to your home trails and impress the hell out of other riders, which is great for the ego.

I boldly disagree. Riding around is a lot of fun but learning skills is NOT intuitive for all. The
$150 I spent on a bike camp was an excellent investment me and for many others that I know. If no
one had showed me how to get off the back of my seat, proper braking and many other skills, I'd
still be where I was two years ago.

I'd say for a class, or at least riders that are better than you that know how to share and how much
you get out of it.

penny

 

<[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> "TacomaBoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > Newbie here, and I really want to improve my skills on my MTB and also
how
> > to repair/maintain my MTB. Are there any low priced, decent classes
offered
> > in Austin?
>
> There's one class that is not only offered in Austin Texas, but any locale in the world, and
> that's just getting out on your bike and exploring and expanding your riding horizons. Find a set
> of trails and become comfortable with them and their obstacles, and then challenge yourself by
> seeking out other ride areas. You'll see your ability level go up and you'll also be able to go
> back to your home trails and impress the hell out of other riders, which is great for the ego.

True, but the best and quickest way to improve is to ride with people better and/or faster than you.

Like, my last ride: I tought my friend how to hop logs a lot better, especially the big stuff, as
well as how to get up onto rock ledges easier (similar technique, he made the connection himself).
He's a hell of a lot fitter than I am, and he's also pretty decent technically (other than the logs,
although he picked it up REAL quickly!), so I pushed myself pretty hard to keep up with him. We both
improved, him more than me, but I still pushed myself harder than if I was by myself, and because I
was with a bud, we both decided to take on our biggest drop yet (about a 3 footer, maybe a little
bit less). I've been meaning to do it for a while, but I was usually alone or with people I just
met, so I didn't have the confidence. With one of my best friends there, bingo! I'm off and riding.

Jon Bond

 

"Jon Bond" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > "TacomaBoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>...
> > > Newbie here, and I really want to improve my skills on my MTB and also
> how
> > > to repair/maintain my MTB. Are there any low priced, decent classes
> offered
> > > in Austin?
> >
> > There's one class that is not only offered in Austin Texas, but any locale in the world, and
> > that's just getting out on your bike and exploring and expanding your riding horizons. Find a
> > set of trails and become comfortable with them and their obstacles, and then challenge
> > yourself by seeking out other ride areas. You'll see your ability level go up and you'll also
> > be able to go back to your home trails and impress the hell out of other riders, which is
> > great for the ego.
>
> True, but the best and quickest way to improve is to ride with people better and/or faster
> than you.
>
True, but all you have to do is make acquaintances in your biking community to find someone like
that. I found someone like that buy paying a whopping $5 admission to the Vultures Knob race course,
and between two days of just watching other riders who knew the course well and having a guide from
one of the local shops, I've become a smoother and faster rider.

 

"TacomaBoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> Newbie here, and I really want to improve my skills on my MTB and also how to repair/maintain my
> MTB.<snip>

Contrary to misinformation posted in this thread by another newbie, take a "dirt camp" type class
this Summer. A search on the web coud garner something close to you. Also, join a bike club. Club
rides usually have all levels of rider and you can learn a lot from riding with others.

JD

 

JD thoughtfully penned:
> "TacomaBoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>...
>> Newbie here, and I really want to improve my skills on my MTB and also how to repair/maintain my
>> MTB.<snip>
>
> Contrary to misinformation posted in this thread by another newbie, take a "dirt camp" type class
> this Summer. A search on the web coud garner something close to you. Also, join a bike club. Club
> rides usually have all levels of rider and you can learn a lot from riding with others.
>
> JD

yes.. the trick is that you go out with folks that aren't testosterone poisoned and just try and run
you into the ground, but that will let you stop and work on something, show you a few things and
make sure it's about fun.

Penny

 

TacomaBoy wrote:

>Newbie here, and I really want to improve my skills on my MTB and also how to repair/maintain my
>MTB. Are there any low priced, decent classes offered in Austin? Someone told me UT offers a class,
>but I figure its pretty costly... I am still working on my endurance and losing weight, but I want
>to learn riding tricks and techniques, balance, hopping, how to repair maintain and upgrade my
>bike, etc. I have just recently re-started riding my bike, and have been riding every day for the
>past 3 weeks. I love it, and find myself slowly improving, though there is alot of room left to get
>better. I'd like to save some money by repairing my bike myself, since I weigh 230, I am sure, I
>will need to frequently repair my bike. Also, I want to learn how to ride correctly, to prevent
>damage to it. Any ideas are gretaly appreciated. Thanks all! Eventually I want to start riding with
>others... once I can break the 10 mile barrier without feeling like my head exploded. Or maybe when
>temps get back UNDER 95F...
>
>Jason Diaz
>
>
>
>
OK, second time to say this, but it certainly applies here.

Post up on the mojo board. I'm leading a series of clinics at various venues here in Austin (TEXAS<
BAYBEEE!!!) We hit City Park for technical work, and I want to add in some bike handling/fit and
speed work at Walnut Creek.

We've had heaps of fun, and the people are all pretty goodly folk.

A

 

"Anthony Sloan" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
>
> TacomaBoy wrote:
>
> >Newbie here, and I really want to improve my skills on my MTB and also
how
> >to repair/maintain my MTB. Are there any low priced, decent classes
offered
> >in Austin? Someone told me UT offers a class, but I figure its pretty costly... I am still
> >working on my endurance and losing weight, but I
want
> >to learn riding tricks and techniques, balance, hopping, how to repair maintain and upgrade my
> >bike, etc. I have just recently re-started
riding
> >my bike, and have been riding every day for the past 3 weeks. I love it, and find myself slowly
> >improving, though there is alot of room left to
get
> >better. I'd like to save some money by repairing my bike myself, since I weigh 230, I am sure, I
> >will need to frequently repair my bike. Also, I want to learn how to ride correctly, to prevent
> >damage to it. Any ideas
are
> >gretaly appreciated. Thanks all! Eventually I want to start riding with others... once I can
> >break the 10 mile barrier without feeling like my head exploded. Or maybe when temps
get
> >back UNDER 95F...
> >
> >Jason Diaz
> >
> >
> >
> >
> OK, second time to say this, but it certainly applies here.
>
> Post up on the mojo board. I'm leading a series of clinics at various venues here in Austin
> (TEXAS< BAYBEEE!!!) We hit City Park for technical work, and I want to add in some bike
> handling/fit and speed work at Walnut Creek.
>
> We've had heaps of fun, and the people are all pretty goodly folk.
>
> A
>

I plan on it.. lemme look more at it now, its kinda intimidating to be honest, but I really oculd
use some friends who bike

 

TacomaBoy wrote:

>"Anthony Sloan" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
>
>>TacomaBoy wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>Newbie here, and I really want to improve my skills on my MTB and also
>>>
>>>
>how
>
>
>>>to repair/maintain my MTB. Are there any low priced, decent classes
>>>
>>>
>offered
>
>
>>>in Austin? Someone told me UT offers a class, but I figure its pretty costly... I am still
>>>working on my endurance and losing weight, but I
>>>
>>>
>want
>
>
>>>to learn riding tricks and techniques, balance, hopping, how to repair maintain and upgrade my
>>>bike, etc. I have just recently re-started
>>>
>>>
>riding
>
>
>>>my bike, and have been riding every day for the past 3 weeks. I love it, and find myself slowly
>>>improving, though there is alot of room left to
>>>
>>>
>get
>
>
>>>better. I'd like to save some money by repairing my bike myself, since I weigh 230, I am sure, I
>>>will need to frequently repair my bike. Also, I want to learn how to ride correctly, to prevent
>>>damage to it. Any ideas
>>>
>>>
>are
>
>
>>>gretaly appreciated. Thanks all! Eventually I want to start riding with others... once I can
>>>break the 10 mile barrier without feeling like my head exploded. Or maybe when temps
>>>
>>>
>get
>
>
>>>back UNDER 95F...
>>>
>>>Jason Diaz
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>OK, second time to say this, but it certainly applies here.
>>
>>Post up on the mojo board. I'm leading a series of clinics at various venues here in Austin
>>(TEXAS< BAYBEEE!!!) We hit City Park for technical work, and I want to add in some bike
>>handling/fit and speed work at Walnut Creek.
>>
>>We've had heaps of fun, and the people are all pretty goodly folk.
>>
>>A
>>
>>
>>
>
>I plan on it.. lemme look more at it now, its kinda intimidating to be honest, but I really oculd
>use some friends who bike
>
>
>
>
I can understand that. But overall, I have fouind it to be a bit more "real" than other online
boards, this one included.

I think the key is that if you spend any time there, you meet and ride with most of the people
there. That kinda cuts down on the posturing and trolling.

They's jest folks, y'know?

I'm headed to Colorado at dawn tomorrow. When I get back, let's hook up for a ride.

A

 

"Anthony Sloan" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
>
> TacomaBoy wrote:
>
> >"Anthony Sloan" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> >
> >
> >>TacomaBoy wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>>Newbie here, and I really want to improve my skills on my MTB and also
> >>>
> >>>
> >how
> >
> >
> >>>to repair/maintain my MTB. Are there any low priced, decent classes
> >>>
> >>>
> >offered
> >
> >
> >>>in Austin? Someone told me UT offers a class, but I figure its pretty costly... I am still
> >>>working on my endurance and losing weight, but I
> >>>
> >>>
> >want
> >
> >
> >>>to learn riding tricks and techniques, balance, hopping, how to repair maintain and upgrade my
> >>>bike, etc. I have just recently re-started
> >>>
> >>>
> >riding
> >
> >
> >>>my bike, and have been riding every day for the past 3 weeks. I love
it,
> >>>and find myself slowly improving, though there is alot of room left to
> >>>
> >>>
> >get
> >
> >
> >>>better. I'd like to save some money by repairing my bike myself, since
I
> >>>weigh 230, I am sure, I will need to frequently repair my bike. Also,
I
> >>>want to learn how to ride correctly, to prevent damage to it. Any
ideas
> >>>
> >>>
> >are
> >
> >
> >>>gretaly appreciated. Thanks all! Eventually I want to start riding with others... once I can
> >>>break the
10
> >>>mile barrier without feeling like my head exploded. Or maybe when
temps
> >>>
> >>>
> >get
> >
> >
> >>>back UNDER 95F...
> >>>
> >>>Jason Diaz
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>OK, second time to say this, but it certainly applies here.
> >>
> >>Post up on the mojo board. I'm leading a series of clinics at various venues here in Austin
> >>(TEXAS< BAYBEEE!!!) We hit City Park for technical work, and I want to add in some bike
> >>handling/fit and speed work at Walnut Creek.
> >>
> >>We've had heaps of fun, and the people are all pretty goodly folk.
> >>
> >>A
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >I plan on it.. lemme look more at it now, its kinda intimidating to be honest, but I really oculd
> >use some friends who bike
> >
> >
> >
> >
> I can understand that. But overall, I have fouind it to be a bit more "real" than other online
> boards, this one included.
>
> I think the key is that if you spend any time there, you meet and ride with most of the people
> there. That kinda cuts down on the posturing and trolling.
>
> They's jest folks, y'know?
>
> I'm headed to Colorado at dawn tomorrow. When I get back, let's hook up for a ride.
>
> A
>
Awesome, enjoy beautiful Colorado!

 

"Penny S." <pennyde[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> JD thoughtfully penned:
> > "TacomaBoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:<[email protected]>...
> >> Newbie here, and I really want to improve my skills on my MTB and also how to repair/maintain
> >> my MTB.<snip>
> >
> > Contrary to misinformation posted in this thread by another newbie, take a "dirt camp" type
> > class this Summer. A search on the web coud garner something close to you. Also, join a bike
> > club. Club rides usually have all levels of rider and you can learn a lot from riding with
> > others.
> >
> > JD
>
> yes.. the trick is that you go out with folks that aren't testosterone poisoned and just try and
> run you into the ground, but that will let you stop and work on something, show you a few things
> and make sure it's about fun.
>
> Penny

Which in essence is what I said when I said "and that's just getting out on your bike and exploring
and expanding your riding horizons." When you come up to obstacles such as a fallen log/tree, to me
there are only so many ways to conquer it. If you feel you have to pay $150 for a weekend for
someone to show you how, then more power to you, but I'll save that $150 and use it for gear or
components.

 

[email protected] thoughtfully penned:
> "Penny S." <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>...
>
> Which in essence is what I said when I said "and that's just getting out on your bike and
> exploring and expanding your riding horizons." When you come up to obstacles such as a fallen
> log/tree, to me there are only so many ways to conquer it. If you feel you have to pay $150 for a
> weekend for someone to show you how, then more power to you, but I'll save that $150 and use it
> for gear or components.

I have a really hard time believing that the first time you came upon a fallen 8" tree you knew
exactly how to hop your bike over it. I can see it now... forget picking the bike up, I'll just do
some cool wheel lift moves and be on my merry way...

I'm glad you have the kind of brain that just learn everything intuitively and by osmosis. You just
keep right at it.

Some people don't learn that way. just to refresh your memory... here's what I got at bike camp,
and not everything is on the list:

front and rear wheel lifts quarter pedal turns level wheel lifts manuals turning: counter steering,
high speed and outrigger turns. climbing: crouch climbing, standing climbs, push-pull climbing' soft
pedal shifting descent and bail techniques feathering and modulating brakes switchbacks, stairs,
plants and drop offs. appropriate skidding gourmet food, hot tub and good company. World champ gals
as coaches, 1/3 coach student ratio.

but you needn't bother - I'm sure you know all this stuff you just didn't know it had names.

penny

 

Penny S. wrote:
> [email protected] thoughtfully penned:
>
>>"Penny S." <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:<[email protected]>...
>>
>>Which in essence is what I said when I said "and that's just getting out on your bike and
>>exploring and expanding your riding horizons." When you come up to obstacles such as a fallen
>>log/tree, to me there are only so many ways to conquer it. If you feel you have to pay $150 for a
>>weekend for someone to show you how, then more power to you, but I'll save that $150 and use it
>>for gear or components.
>
>
>
> I have a really hard time believing that the first time you came upon a fallen 8" tree you knew
> exactly how to hop your bike over it. I can see it now... forget picking the bike up, I'll just do
> some cool wheel lift moves and be on my merry way...
>
> I'm glad you have the kind of brain that just learn everything intuitively and by osmosis. You
> just keep right at it.
>
> Some people don't learn that way. just to refresh your memory... here's what I got at bike camp,
> and not everything is on the list:
>
> front and rear wheel lifts quarter pedal turns level wheel lifts manuals turning: counter
> steering, high speed and outrigger turns. climbing: crouch climbing, standing climbs, push-pull
> climbing' soft pedal shifting descent and bail techniques feathering and modulating brakes
> switchbacks, stairs, plants and drop offs. appropriate skidding gourmet food, hot tub and good
> company. World champ gals as coaches, 1/3 coach student ratio.
>
> but you needn't bother - I'm sure you know all this stuff you just didn't know it had names.
>
> penny
>
>

Jesus, You all really have generated some whipping boys here, eh?

Everyone learns in diferent ways. So far I haven't seena bad idea offered up in this thread.
Sometimes a skills camp is best attended after one has been out on one's own for a bit.

A

--
My hands are full of thorns but I can't quit groping for the rose.