Downhill beginner here..

yeah, he had a bunch of different sizes. i was wrong in my previous statement, it was $125 with $13 shipping. still a good price.

 

o ok... you mentioned there's a lot of trails... any recommendations?

 

recommendations for what?

 

the sun might have gotten to you a little too much. thats prob. why. lol.

 

for a beginner downhill trail...

o and btw. how do you join a race for example a dh or xc race?

 

I dont know really know, i would say most are ok for a beginner at fontana.

If you want to race really just show up pay your $. For DH I would say come to a Sat practice see how you feel an then sign up. For XC just come out and give it a shot. For Fontana races you dont need any license so they are great starting point.

 

hmm... interesting.... thanks!

 

Anybody riding in the Ventura area this week?

 

I'm a beginner DHr too and I've been self-conscious about maybe getting in people's way. I've done a couple of DH clinics and did well, but no DJ experience, no MX or BMX either - so doubles and gaps are a little intimidating right now. Got no problem with speed on steeps, rock gardens, roots and smaller drops. Thanks for the info about Fontana - it sounds like fun and sounds like I wouldn't be alone in my desire to get a taste. Apprehension loves company.

 

What about riding there on the weekdays????

 

You get a feel for whos fast and who isnt. Let them go ahead. Most are cool if your slower then them.

Where Fontana? Yeah you can just have to hike a bike it.

 

Im a DH noob also. We should put together a beginners day at Fontana so we can all make fun of each other and how slow we are. Fontana lends itself to working on specific skills and areas of the track without having to hike all the way back up to the top.

 

Lets set something up..maybe we can convince some of the more talented riders to come out and give an informal clinic on a non-race weekend..:-k

 

I hope all you guys are showing up to the races this sat and sun at Fontana. (I know it's been covered in this thread already but still...). I'm a downhill noob and a wussy myself and I'm making myself race DH this sun...on my 5 inch bike no less. I'll be down practicing on saturday and racing on sunday. (look for a green Kona Dawg and a bright green and white jersey/shorts).

For those wondering Fontana is very forgiving to new DH'ers and there are no jumps or gaps, or even any drops that can't also be rolled.

If your new and thinking of DH come out saturday please and at least shuttle up for practice. I swear I'll get out of your way if I'm going to slow...which I will be. :lol:

 

For you guys who are apprehensive about practicing the DH course, there's no reason to be - just go for it! As a faster guy on the course, here's my take on practice: At the top, the faster guys nearly always give plenty of space before starting - they'll only go soon after a rider if they know the relative speed of the person.

Also, many of the faster guys work on sections of the course at a time, so if they come up on someone who is slower, they'll pull off the course and wait. Generally, the fast guys won't follow you too closely - it's too much of a risk for them. Really - don't worry about it; focus on your on riding, not that of others.

Having said that, this is what you need to be mindful of:
- If you fall, stall, or otherwise come to a stop on the course, be mindful of people coming. If someone is coming, get off the course or get out of the way as soon as possible. Others may be riding lines that you don't expect so get as far out of the way as soon as possible.

- Before re-entering the course, make sure that no one is coming! This can be tough in blind sections of the course, so use your eyes and ears (no ipods!).

Oh, and if I can offer one piece of advice for new racers, I'd say to relax. Imagine your race run as simply another practice run. Don't try to go fast, try to be smooth. Save your energy for end of the course where you will need to go fast (pedaling the straights or along the wall). The faster you try to go at the top of the course, the more likely you'll go slow - or crash. The smoother you are, the faster you'll go.

In other words, focus on proper techniques instead of speed. If you're not aware of the techniques, look into taking a clinic some time. Riding with proper technique will result in faster speeds much more than simply trying to go fast. But again, I can't say it enough - relax and be smooth.

Have fun and be safe!

 

For all the newbs thinking about coming out to Fontana for your first DH experience, I'd say come out, give it a shot, and have fun! I was pretty much in your shoes seven months ago. Dino Brown suggested that I go out and demo the Iron Horse Sunday on the DH course. Although I was really apprehensive about it, I decided to make the journey out to Fontana. The rest was history.........

Having raced XC in the past, I instantly noticed that the DH community was a lot more laid back overall. The scene was a lot more socialable with riders offering tips and words of encouragement. Anyway, hope many of you can come out and give DH'ing a try! If you see my group (there will be at least four of us with Intense M6s), I expect you to come by and say hello :wave:

P.W.R. welcomes all new racers/riders with open arms :bang:

 

Want to borrow one of mine? They are all smalls btw.

Demo 8 w/888 RC2
Socom w/Boxxer WC
IH 7Point7 w/Totem 2-Step

 

Thanks for the offer, but I want to try on my Kona.

And also do I look like a small? At 6' and 225lbs I doubt it. :lol::lol:

 

OK, just thought I'd offer. You really that tall? It's been so long I don't remember. Anyhoo, some people prefer smaller bikes for DH cause they are more maneuverable.

Good luck this weekend everyone!

 

Chumba will have a F5 demo fleet at the races, I don't know if there is a cost, but this is always an option.

and one blacksheep Sunday