no skills

Last week, I tried my hand at singletrack for the first time. It was with a LBS group and was SUPPOSEDLY a beginner's ride, but I found it to be very technically difficult. To make a long story short, I crashed four times and accumulated quite a number of cuts, scrapes and bruises. I don't want to throw in the towel, but I'm not ready to head out onto that kind of terrain until I feel a little more confident about how to turn through lots of switchbacks, "choose a line", and pick up speed without being terrified that I'm going to run into a tree and kill myself. I was hoping the guys from the LBS would offer advice, but no. They just said, "Are you okay?" and continued on. (Oh, well.)

Are there any helpful videos or books you'd recommend I check out? I really want to improve my bike handling skills. I'm not trying to be any kind of expert--I prefer riding road, anyway--I just want to have fun without getting bloody.

i don't know either. i am new to this as well. i will keep an eye on the thread. however, i just went down with my boyfriend who is a bit more skilled than i and we took it sloooooooow. i got off and walked if i had to. if you know someone who will do that, i recommend it. all that technical stuff takes time unless you are just totally fearless. good luck!

Here is an outline I found that lists basic technique that I found helpful:

www.durangomountainb...m/Skills%20Sheet.pdf

I do think a lot xcountry riding is getting comfortable on the bike. I'll practice in my neighborhood. There's a highschool near us that has ramps and stairwells that I will sometimes practice riding on.

I found this site and the how-to videos seem pretty good:

www.bikeskills.com/blog/?page_id=422

Hope this helps! Don't give up. I cried the first few times I started xcountry riding. Now its my favorite thing to do.

There are a few upcoming MTB skills clinics in my area. You should do a search for one in your neighborhood

I have the same issue, but got good advice here: Get out and ride on that mountain bike! Ride on sidewalks, grass, gravel, dirt roads, and keep riding. Eventually you'll end up on a trail.

I also went to a skills clinic offered by REI. That helped a little.

My husband and I went out to a local state park with trails ranging from easy to hard. He went out on the hard trails, I went by myself on the easy loop, and we met back at the truck.

I am still a noob, and I still screech on sandy bits (I fell really hard on a sandy road in Martha's Vineyard and it took a long time to heal my disclocated shoulder), I still avoid logs (I went rear over handlebars trying to get over a log), I still walk on most *sweet* downhills and while I'll attempt an uphill, it is rarely without unclipping and having to stop halfway up.

I don't know if that helps, but just know, you are in good company.

Don't give up. I cried the first few times I started xcountry riding. Now its my favorite thing to do.[/QUOTE]

Really??!! Thanks for saying that...I was THIS CLOSE to crying after my 4th fall and not just from the physical pain. I don't know which was hurt worse--my shins or my ego! Good to know that I'm not alone...I'll keep trying.

The last two group xcountry rides I went on, someone cried. It can be tough. But that's what makes it all that much more rewarding.

Gawd, I still fall. Hug fenceposts. Swing around the odd tree. Orchestrate some creative flip dismounts. And that was BEFORE going clipless.

Keep your head up. Look ahead. Don't look down in front of your wheel. Look at that tree and yes that's where you'll end up. Try not to think of all the things that *could* happen. Trust your bike. It was made for this. Relax. Learn to move around the cockpit.

Time on bike will help. Ride. Ride more. Take it easy. Go at a speed where you feel comfortable