considering mountain biking



Steve wrote:

> Hi, I'm considering buying a Mountain bike. I have no
> experience riding, and definitely would start at the low
> price range. I first looked at the discount store bikes
> but now I'm now looking at the Specialized Hard Rock XC
> for $290. I walk some of the local trails (ex. Wild Azalea
> Trail in Alexandria, La)and thought it would be a good
> sport to start, for fitness and fun. I consider myself in
> fair shape, I walk 3 miles five to ten times a week at
> about 14 minutes average per mile. I have several
> questions. (1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to start
> recreational Mountain Biking? (2) I had a herniated disc
> about a year ago and have had some arthritis problems, I
> was wondering how much jarring there is and are crashes
> inevitable? (3) What does the XC stand for in Mountain
> Biking? Thanks for your time, Steve
>

Steve, I had neck surgery for a herniated disk 18 months
ago, and have been riding a bunch since then. Start slow and
listen to your body.

--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado (remove ".nospam" to reply)
 
Tommy Taylor wrote:
> "Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> Yes, crashes will happen. My biggest problem is when
>> platform pedal
> pins dig into my shin. You

shinguards penny
 
kimba wrote:

> As for crashing- well- I had a hell of an endo this year-
> but fortunately only my pride was hurt, really. Lots of
> bruising though- and a huge hematoma on my leg where I hit
> the handlebars on the way over.. It was a panic stop-
> sometimes it's hard to quell the rising tide of panic- I
> just went on the wrong hill at the wrong time, is all.And
> just a bit o' inexperience! Remember- right hand brake-
> right hand brake!!!!( the rear brake is your friend)
> : )

AHHHHHHHH! Kimba, go back to lurking if you're going to give
such bad advice! The front brake does the work! Yes you need
to learn to control it, but if you only use the rear, less
effective brake, you will limit the kind of riding you do,
and end up trashing a lot of trails skidding around on your
back brake. BTW my right hand controls my front brake.

Shawn
 
On 2004-05-31, Shawn Curry penned:
> kimba wrote:
>
>> As for crashing- well- I had a hell of an endo this year-
>> but fortunately only my pride was hurt, really. Lots of
>> bruising though- and a huge hematoma on my leg where I
>> hit the handlebars on the way over.. It was a panic stop-
>> sometimes it's hard to quell the rising tide of panic- I
>> just went on the wrong hill at the wrong time, is all.And
>> just a bit o' inexperience! Remember- right hand brake-
>> right hand brake!!!!( the rear brake is your friend) : )
>
> AHHHHHHHH! Kimba, go back to lurking if you're going to
> give such bad advice! The front brake does the work! Yes
> you need to learn to control it, but if you only use the
> rear, less effective brake, you will limit the kind of
> riding you do, and end up trashing a lot of trails
> skidding around on your back brake. BTW my right hand
> controls my front brake.
>

To temper Kimba's advice a bit ...

Most newbies will go for a deathgrip on both brakes when
they're nervous. So it's not a bad idea to focus on the
right hand brake. Of course, you need both, or they wouldn't
have put both on the bike, right?

--
monique
 
see- this is why I lurk. Of COURSE you use both brakes- but
- as I had said in my post- I had experienced a fairly
serious endo- which by definition indicates incorrect use of
the front brake. I indicated also when I said "right brake"
that it was the rear brake. As for advice- that was not advice-
if I was offering advice I would've been a bit more
defining, and indicate that feathering with the right, or
rear brake is important, especially because the most
stopping power is in the front brake.

I thought I was giving information to someone who was in the
same experience bracket as myself, the same age, with
similar health issues. And more importantly giving them the
support to just go and ride.

Sorry you took my post so wrong... and by the way- since you
are such an expert- where is your advice to this newbie?
Where is your support for somebody to join this great sport?
You're quick to jump on me- but you didn't answer his post
at all- did you?

Monique- thanks for the kind words, at least you understood
where I was coming from.

Kimba

"Monique Y. Mudama" wrote:

> On 2004-05-31, Shawn Curry penned:
> > kimba wrote:
> >
> >> As for crashing- well- I had a hell of an endo this year-
> >> but fortunately only my pride was hurt, really. Lots of
> >> bruising though- and a huge hematoma on my leg where I
> >> hit the handlebars on the way over.. It was a panic stop-
> >> sometimes it's hard to quell the rising tide of panic-
> >> I just went on the wrong hill at the wrong time, is
> >> all.And just a bit o' inexperience! Remember- right
> >> hand brake- right hand brake!!!!( the rear brake is
> >> your friend) : )
> >
> > AHHHHHHHH! Kimba, go back to lurking if you're going to
> > give such bad advice! The front brake does the work! Yes
> > you need to learn to control it, but if you only use the
> > rear, less effective brake, you will limit the kind of
> > riding you do, and end up trashing a lot of trails
> > skidding around on your back brake. BTW my right hand
> > controls my front brake.
> >
>
> To temper Kimba's advice a bit ...
>
> Most newbies will go for a deathgrip on both brakes when
> they're nervous. So it's not a bad idea to focus on the
> right hand brake. Of course, you need both, or they
> wouldn't have put both on the bike, right?
>
> --
> monique
 
kimba wrote:

> see- this is why I lurk.

Oh, don't take it so hard. The front brake always does most
of the braking (except on ice), even on really steep trails.
I hate to see newbies have a misconception of how to ride
reinforced in this forum, so I jumped all over that aspect
of your post. Otherwise it was a good post. :)

> Of COURSE you use both brakes- but - as I had said in my
> post- I had experienced a fairly serious endo- which by
> definition indicates incorrect use of the front brake.

Actually not necessarily. The front wheel can turn a bit too
far and you launch. You may have your weight too far forward
on a drop (like a foot, not a big ol huck), the shocks
compress shifting weight further forward, and you launch.
These, among other causes are a couple from personal
experience. FTM, my front wheel usually skids before the
back end comes up, unless I'm trying.

> I indicated also when I said "right brake"
that it was the rear brake. As
> for advice- that was not advice- if I was offering advice
> I would've been a bit more defining, and indicate that
> feathering with the right, or rear brake is important,
> especially because the most stopping power is in the
> front brake.

What? I was being a smartass. :)

> I thought I was giving information to someone who was in
> the same experience bracket as myself, the same age, with
> similar health issues. And more importantly giving them
> the support to just go and ride.
>
> Sorry you took my post so wrong... and by the way- since
> you are such an expert- where is your advice to this
> newbie? Where is your support for somebody to join this
> great sport? You're quick to jump on me- but you didn't
> answer his post at all- did you?

Look, its not personal. It was flawed advice, to such an
extent that it could result in injury to the OP, damage to
trails, and the propagation of a bad riding style by the
many other readers of AM-B. There was lots of good advice by
others that I didn't feel needed a "ditto" from me
(including yours). I was kind of surprised no one else
jumped on you over, what seemed to me like, advice to avoid
using the front brake. Guess they didn't feel the need to
"ditto" me. Keep posting Kimba.

Shawn
 
kimba wrote:
> see- this is why I lurk. Of COURSE you use both brakes-
> but - as I had said in my post- I had experienced a fairly
> serious endo- which by definition indicates incorrect use
> of the front brake. I indicated also when I said "right
> brake" that it was the rear brake. As for advice- that was
> not advice- if I was offering advice I would've been a bit
> more defining, and indicate that feathering with the
> right, or rear brake is important, especially because the
> most stopping power is in the front brake.
>
> I thought I was giving information to someone who was in
> the same experience bracket as myself, the same age, with
> similar health issues. And more importantly giving them
> the support to just go and ride.
>
> Sorry you took my post so wrong... and by the way- since
> you are such an expert- where is your advice to this
> newbie? Where is your support for somebody to join this
> great sport? You're quick to jump on me- but you didn't
> answer his post at all- did you?

sorry to jump in so late. let me share an experience I had
several years at bike camp. At the beginning of one of the
skill sessions, we were asked how many of us used our
front/left brake. The answer was a unanimous "none". It
seems that we were all "trained" to NOT use the front brake
by well meaning friends, boyfriends, whatever. To sum it
up, we got reamed by the coach and then spent an entire
morning learning how to use a front brake correctly. That
means, understanding that the front brake is 60% of your
stopping power, and yes that grabbing it might cause a
rectal/crainial inversion but that doesn't mean you don't
use it. We had to practice things like controlling a steep
descent using ony the front brake, and going as slow as you
can, but not stopping, using the front brake for control.

I used to endo a lot but I never caught on that I was doing
panic grabs and didn't know it, I just thought I was a lame
rider. ;-)

I wish I had this info when I first started riding, but
I didn't. Bottom line is that it's a disservice to tell
any rider, new or not, to forget the front brake and
focus on the rear.

I've posted well meaning but off base info here before, and
got called on it, and i lived to tell about it.

Are you the same Kimba from TE? if so, unmoderated
newsgroups can be a little wild compared to web forum. We
are a tactless and opinionated but well intentioned bunch.
It doens't mean all input isn't welcome, it is, but you have
to have a bit of detachment sometimes.

Penny S

> >
> >> As for crashing- well- I had a hell of an endo this year-
> >> but fortunately only my pride was hurt, really. Lots of
> >> bruising though- and a huge hematoma on my leg where I
> >> hit the handlebars on the way over.. It was a panic stop-
> >> sometimes it's hard to quell the rising tide of panic-
> >> I just went on the wrong hill at the wrong time, is
> >> all.And just a bit o' inexperience! Remember- right
> >> hand brake- right hand brake!!!!( the rear brake is
> >> your friend) : )

-
 
Shawn Curry <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> kimba wrote:
>
> > As for crashing- well- I had a hell of an endo this year-
> > but fortunately only my pride was hurt, really. Lots of
> > bruising though- and a huge hematoma on my leg where I
> > hit the handlebars on the way over.. It was a panic stop-
> > sometimes it's hard to quell the rising tide of panic- I
> > just went on the wrong hill at the wrong time, is
> > all.And just a bit o' inexperience! Remember- right hand
> > brake- right hand brake!!!!( the rear brake is your
> > friend)
> > : )
>
> AHHHHHHHH! Kimba, go back to lurking if you're going to
> give such bad advice!

It's not bad advice. Bad advice would be to use your rear
brake exclusively, or to skid using your rear brake.

Dirt is the only place I use mine at all. When I ride on the
road, I don't even touch the left* lever.

> The front brake does the work! Yes you need to learn to
> control it, but if you only use the rear, less
> effective brake, you will limit the kind of riding you
> do, and end up trashing a lot of trails skidding around
> on your back brake.

I'm not sure that kimba was implying that the front brake
*shouldn't* be used. Just use the back brake *too.*

> BTW my right hand controls my front brake.

*Mine as well. You grow up riding motorcycles, and you get
used to right lever/front brake. I almost made a buddy endo
the other day when I loaned him the bike for a little ride-
around, and forgot to tell him. And he'd never ridden disks,
so it was a high-pucker-factor stoppie for him. LOL.

Anyway, give kimba a little slack - I don't think he's
saying exactly what you think he is.

Advice for kimba - delurk, keep those RRs coming, and don't
be afraid of the a.m-b grouches. They're really ***** cats
at heart. Uhh, but don't pet them in public, if you know
what I mean.
--
Jonesy "I do some of Sorni's best work on a.m-b...."
 
> That means, understanding that the front brake is 60% of
> your stopping power, and yes that grabbing it might cause
> a rectal/crainial inversion but that doesn't mean you
> don't use it.
>
> I used to endo a lot but I never caught on that I was
> doing panic grabs and didn't know it, I just thought I
> was a lame rider. ;-)
>
> I wish I had this info when I first started riding, but I
> didn't. Bottom line is that it's a disservice to tell any
> rider, new or not, to forget the front brake and focus on
> the rear.

And I know that- and that's not what I was inferring- what I
was inferring is that the rear brake is your friend...not
the only method of stopping. My endo was because of a panic
stop - I panicked and grabbed both brakes- but obviously
harder on the front. Bad situation when most of your
stopping power comes from the front, right. ...I'm
inexperienced enough that I couldn't control the impulse.
Plus I was riding with a new bike, brakes I wasn't used to.

Y'know - I even put a little happy face after that comment
so you could get the idea it wasn't serious. I never said
use the rear brake to the exclusion of the front. EVER. You
folks just inferred that. I was just saying that - but
that's how I ended up catching air. And since then I have
been drilling myself on using the front brake correctly,
feathering the rear, and using the front brake as well. Just
like you - coming to a stop slowly using just the front.It's
working.I'm already a better rider because of it.

>
> Are you the same Kimba from TE?

Yeah- that's me. And so you know how I looked if you
followed my endo link. Do I want this guy who asked about
crashes doing that? Nope. Do you know that I still have that
huge hematoma- will have for a while too- takes up
practically my whole upper thigh. But I'm not gonna tell him
to just grab onto the brakes either.

> if so, unmoderated newsgroups can be a little wild
> compared to web forum.

Yeah- tell me about it. I'm a veteran of one of the
flamiest newsgroups around. Which is why I lurk most of the
time now. I can't be bothered with the stupid political
infighting that takes place. I would rather read the posts,
learn what I can, discard what I can't be bothered reading,
avoid flamewars because they are so pointless and just
become pissing matches between small minded people who
think that they are somehow great and powerful because they
can hide behind their computer and post to usenet.
Somebody's initials come to mind I think they might be MV
...but anyway.... That was a sarcastic comment just so so
you know. And NO- I am not saying that applies to the
people who have posted to this thread...just the other
newsgroups I've been affiliated with. Actually I like this
newsgroup because it does seem supportive. But I'm not
coming here to fight- if you want to flame me go ahead.
I'll just killfile you and lurk anyway. I've just reached
the point where I don't need it and don't want the
infighting.... can you understand that?

> We are a tactless and opinionated but well intentioned
> bunch. It doens't mean all input isn't welcome, it is, but
> you have to have a bit of detachment sometimes.

That's fine. I appreciate it. That's why I've been lurking
here like I have. I've read the trail summaries, laughed at
some of the jokes, taken a lot of info to heart- I'm still
learning - I admit it. You guys have lots to share. I'd like
to be a part of it.

Kimba
 
>
> What? I was being a smartass. :)

Okay. Truce?

>
>
> . Keep posting Kimba.

Thanks. Next time I'll be more specific...okay?

>
>
> Shawn
 
kimba wrote:
>
> Yeah- tell me about it. I'm a veteran of one of the
> flamiest newsgroups around.

what, a refugee from RSA (unmoderated)? I didn't think you
were a skier.

>> We are a tactless and opinionated but well intentioned
>> bunch. It doens't mean all input isn't welcome, it is,
>> but you have to have a bit of detachment sometimes.
>
> That's fine. I appreciate it. That's why I've been lurking
> here like I have. I've read the trail summaries, laughed
> at some of the jokes, taken a lot of info to heart- I'm
> still learning - I admit it. You guys have lots to share.
> I'd like to be a part of it.
>
> Kimba

cool! I've learned tons here. I got the "most improved
rider" award at amb-id last year. Also, we need women around
here, the ratio really stinks.

penny
 
kimba wrote:
>
>
>>
>>What? I was being a smartass. :)
>
>
> Okay. Truce?

Of course!

>>Keep posting Kimba.
>
>
> Thanks. Next time I'll be more specific...okay?

Yeah, I usaully don't get so bent, hadn't taken my meds...
:)

Shawn
 
Thank you all so much for your input. I've decided to have a
talk with my
Dr. and if he gives the okay then I'm in.

As for as braking goes....?????...Duh.. I live in Louisiana,
we have trees for that.

Thanks again, Steve
 
"Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Thank you all so much for your input. I've decided to have
> a talk with my
> Dr. and if he gives the okay then I'm in.
>
> As for as braking goes....?????...Duh.. I live in
> Louisiana, we have trees for that.
>
Those big pines in Kisatchie will do it.
 
Steve <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> As for as braking goes....?????...Duh.. I live in
> Louisiana, we have trees for that.
>

Obviously you've got the sport figured out already! The
actual riding of the bike is the easy part.

Mountain biking covers a pretty broad spectrum. I'm sure
that you'll be able to find a variation that fits your
needs. No matter what type of riding you end up doing, just
get out and ride!

Good luck.

Tom
 
> Kimba

<sniff> That was my <sniff-sniff> favorite cartoon.

Next to Speed Racer, of course.

--
Slacker
 
Shawn Curry wrote:
> kimba wrote:
>>
>>
>>>
>>> What? I was being a smartass. :)
>>
>>
>> Okay. Truce?
>
> Of course!
>
>>> Keep posting Kimba.
>>
>>
>> Thanks. Next time I'll be more specific...okay?
>
> Yeah, I usaully don't get so bent, hadn't taken my meds...
> :)

you and the rest of the amb crew, that must explain it...
;-)
 
[email protected] (Jonesy) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...

[snip]

> Anyway, give kimba a little slack - I don't think he's
> saying exactly what you think he is.

Err, sorry about the gender confusion. I won't get it
wrong again.
--
Jonesy "at least where you're concerned"
 
Jonesy wrote:

> [email protected] (Jonesy) wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>...
>
> [snip]
>
> > Anyway, give kimba a little slack - I don't think he's
> > saying exactly what you think he is.
>
> Err, sorry about the gender confusion. I won't get it
> wrong again.

Hah- not to worry- after all, Kimba was a white lion boy....

but I'm not
>: )

Kimba
 
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