Newbies- Here is what not and what to do when u want to go mountain bike riding

[eruizela]

Shit, In the 90s I rode a GT Backwoods MTB a hardtail (without front or rear supension) for a while. I used to ride down Redbox to JPL with one water bottle and no gloves. I think I wore basketball shorts.
I also rode snow summit that time with no armor, (armor was for soldiers) no gloves and cheap ass tires. I bailed alot and learned as I went.

Originally Posted by L8 APEKS

I had a split second of that just yesterday riding Holy Jim. There were about 7-8 guys, high school aged, coming down the waterfall trail on HJ as I was on my way up to the switchbacks. A couple were rigid, a couple were on RST's, etc.

I had an inkling of "bikesnobbery" for a split second, and then chatted with them and told them good job. It's not like I have any reason to be a bike snob anyway...I ride a KHS.

I still remember the first MTB's I had that got me to love MTB's...a neon yellow Skykomish and a Firenze with OG bull-bars. Both POS'es, but I had a ton of fun on them both - and THAT is what really matters.

A slew of bikes and a number of years later...here I am! All thanks to my noobish bikes!

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by eruizela

He had fun and he will prob be back. He has gone with with me before riding.

As for new riders, I just will have to go over things with them pre-ride and if they are not ready (no water, , bald tires, not food in thier stomaches) then I will not do the ride. I have to fit work into my day and can't be making a short ride into a all day thing. Plus, Im starting to get worried about people getting hurt (even though i take em on beginner rides), cramping up or breaking their bikes and them blaming me. I love to ride and want to show others this great sport-hobby, just that there is too much shit that coould happen.
I am not a leader, I just like show others what Mountain Biking is like. I love riding and love to take others that have never gotten out of the city. Being a leader is tuff, that is why there are so few of em compared to those who follow.

Peace

Good for you for getting someone out there riding! And when I said that I hope you learned as much as the newb, I didn't intend on that being negative. After I got into BMX in the late 70s, I mentored a lot of younger riders. It made me feel really good to see these riders grow and learn because of much I taught them. Since I got into mountain biking in the early 90s, I've brought many people out to the trails. I've almost always had an extra bike for newbies. But even to this day, I still make some mistakes educating new riders, but I'm still learning new styles and techniques and learning to adapt my style to the other person.

You may not think of yourself as a leader, but you can be if you want to...You've already compiled a list of things to go over with new riders before the ride.

[eruizela]

If people are not crying and complaining on the internet, they will just find another place to do so. Work, the commute, church, the grocery store you name it. Anyways, it is easier to flame on forums and chat rooms than other avenues. Moan if you have a stomache ache, wine is for the liquor store shelf and bitch if you are fighting terriorist in Iraq.

Now, lets get to riding our mountain bikes.

P.S. I see your point about communcating sarcasim, well point made. Muddslinging is for the people riding the trail behind me after rain.

Word

Originally Posted by Zippo

Cheers. I think a lot gets lost in translation in posting sarcasm, and perhaps as a general practice we all should start prefacing threads such as this with a note as to the sarcastic angle. Some people get it, some don't, and unfortunately most are very quick to jump to misled conclusions. STR is a fantastic resource, but does it need to be a place for people to bitch, whine, and moan? I'm not referring to the OP here, but to the immediate tirade of seemingly misdirected negativity. To each his or her own.

Eruizela - good for you for taking newbie's out, and on waiting for 1.5 hours for him. I do think though that if there were to be a more blunt hint of sarcasm in your original post the mudslinging would abate.

[Pickettt]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

9) Find a host who will cut you some slack and teach you the ropes instead of complaining.

That's what I'm talkin' about.

[richie_rich]

Originally Posted by tehelmo

Word. At least the dude is out there riding.

+1

[eruizela]

I see your point, the ride with my buddy was the "if anything and everythiing could go wrong ride". Everything in life is a learning experience and that goes for both rider and host. I know that most people have not taken up as much new riders as i have this year. I have even borrowed demo bikes for people that dont even wash em post ride and I ended up picking up the bike from the shop (and returning em). I have intoduced coworkers, friends and others to great riding spots. I have no incentive to take anyone up riding and just do it cause i want to.

Like I said, i gonna chill on introducing new riders to mtb.

I dont need the liability issues if anyone gets hurt, and negative criticism- the unappreciaion of the same riders as well as some str members.

I am sort of a leader. I have helped alot of new realtors get going in their careers. I have mentored them, answered question, and have been there when the brokers didnt even invest time in helping new struggling business people. I did not really have people do this for me. I just invested (paid) in training, read books, and learned by trial and error.

Now, I gotta get to work, see ya


P.S.
Now, its time to have some fun i gonna hit strawberry peak, redbox jpl tommorow with some good friends. Im picking up a demo from my LBS, but im gonna ride it this time.

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Good for you for getting someone out there riding! And when I said that I hope you learned as much as the newb, I didn't intend on that being negative. After I got into BMX in the late 70s, I mentored a lot of younger riders. It made me feel really good to see these riders grow and learn because of much I taught them. Since I got into mountain biking in the early 90s, I've brought many people out to the trails. I've almost always had an extra bike for newbies. But even to this day, I still make some mistakes educating new riders, but I'm still learning new styles and techniques and learning to adapt my style to the other person.

You may not think of yourself as a leader, but you can be if you want to...You've already compiled a list of things to go over with new riders before the ride.

[BFloFoxRider.]

Originally Posted by eruizela

It doesnt matter what you tell some, some people dont follow advice anyways. My buddy has been out with me before and he knows the drill. I have to remind people AND convince them just to have breakfast or bring enough water. I had someone call me this morning to ride (new rider) and I said no. I prep my stuff, eat breakfast, and bring food which is what i tell all people to do and some dont take time to be ready. Its just that some people will not follow advice and will do whatever they do anyways. I have ridin with some new people and they do quite well.

Too funny, seems like people are way too anal today. I been there before (newbie) and did my share of dumb shit in which I got ragged on. I went out riding in the 90s at Big Bear got a flat without a tube and had to stick dirt-in the tires leaves to get back. I also once went riding past 6pm at JPL and got stuck in the dark with no lights getting out of their at 12:00am with a broken collerbone straight to the emergeny room. I took the ragging like a man and knew it was my fault, that I was reponsible for me

Whatever the case is, its just bike riding and nothing else. A little humor once in a while is good in this Fuc*ed up world we live in (war, global warming, reccesion fears, unemployment and so on). I ragged on my friend (he knew he screwed up) and we both laughed it off.

Peace out and take it easy, life is too short too get your panties in a bunch


12) Learn not to take everything so serious and have a sense of humor.

I only read a few replies, But just remember, as frustrating as it gets, your representing the sport of Cycling, and remember you were once the "Dumb Newb"