I commute to work via mountain bike since the car drivers are not friendly and often off road riding is necessary on short notice. I went on a trail ride and up until that ride had only fallen once. On that ride I fell four times and I learned the hard way I have no clue about going down hill over roots. I earned myself a mild concussion and some very nice bruises and everyone enjoyed a laugh.
So, besides not using my front brake and learning to hang over the back of my bike what else should I do to learn? Trail riding is very fun, but alas my bike is much better prepared for this than I.:p
well i am a long time mountain biker turned road biker. But really if you dont know a section go slow, and always be in a lower gear then you think you need just incase you need some power quickly. Stay as far back as possible, keeping all your weight on your rear wheel so it has as much traction as possible. Dont get scared if your rear wheel starts to slide, dont painic, just work with it. Let go of your brakes, and grab them again. When going down hill use only your back brake (or light front break) and pluse it, let it grap -> skid -> relase .... repeate till the bottom of the hill. Always go perpendicullarly to roots. And like in all things, controll is the key.
Thanks. Yes, perpendicular to roots it good, this I learned. It's the not panicking thing I have to get over. Mountain biking is much different than road biking which is where I come from. Man oh man am I ignorant. I just need to go slower and learn what my bike can do versus what I think I can do. Thanks again, you have helped.
