[Ghettofab75]

Got back from the shop and dinner and decided to go for a ride. I've been trying to ride the bike to get used to it and start building up my stamina. So far I've only ridden around in the neighborhood, but that doesn't keep my interest and my rides were short. So this evening I went for my first real offroad ride.

I had no idea where this trail went to and that made it interesting. It started out with a long climb up the hill. I didn't get far and wound up walking a lot. Halfway up.

Oddly enough it was a nice day on the coast. Very little FOG! You can actually see the bay. All the way up. My truck is down there.

Once at the top it leveled off more or less. Had some interesting up and down bits that were more technical than my abilities. I like the lighting on the peak at sunset.

This was near the end of the trail on the other side of the hills. You can see two white dots that are motorhomes on Hwy 1 going to San luis.

It was fun. I need to develop more skill and a lot more stamina. I have a hard time controling the bike while pedaling up hill. I find it difficult to stay on my line. I think that will improve with time. Really amazed at how little the back brake can do on downhill dirt sections. I'm impressed with bike too. Its been taking my newbie abuse very well so far.R)

Kevo

 

[kylejohn4543]

What kind of bike do you got?

 

[Ghettofab75]

deleted

 

[Ghettofab75]

2007 Specialized hardrock sport disc in distressed silver paint job. I guess its now 3 days old.

Kevo

 

[kylejohn4543]

sweet. just curious

 

[dcairns]

With mountains like that in your 'backyard', it is no suprise you took up mountain biking! Great pics!

 

[Pawndream]

Nice pictures and ride report!

Just keep riding and next thing you know you will be able to ride all of that first uphill climb. Just takes time.

 

[normdzn]

Hey Ghettofab75,

Great ride and great pics! That's a pretty nice ride! I hope you don't mind but maybe this could be the "First Real Ride" thread of all newbies! I wanted to share mine.

 

[MTBgreatfalls]

Awesome pictures! I also today went for my first real ride. I ended up walking a time or 2, and deffinatly found some of the downhill sections beyond my abilities, but man what fun! I rode for about 4 iles and then back the 4 miles, going back was tough. I was very tired, and thoose hills that were such a rush to go down...werent as fun to go back up LOL but I'm enjoying the sport so far.

 

[mtbidwell]

Cool Pics

Great to see the trails are treating you well. Congrats and Welcome! From the looks of things- inspiration from nature should be easy to find. Keep riding- nobody is ever as good as they want to be. :thumbsup:

 

[psinsyd]

That's always been one of my favorite things...riding a trail that you don't know where it goes or ends up. That's when I really start pumping cuz I can't wait to see more of the new trail.

Keep it up, and yup, it sounds like you're hooked!!

 

[kylejohn4543]

Both of your trails look amazing. I would love to go on them. Hey normdzn, where are you (state)? That trail looks awesome. nice bike btw

 

[Ghettofab75]

Yes, feel free to post up more pics. If its one thing any thread needs its more pics!

Went for another ride this evening again and I plan to go out tommorrow morning also. Rode a trail my boss suggested, said it was a little easier of a trail. Still having issues pedaling up hills, espicially with just getting started. Can't seem to get enough momentum going in the granny gears to get me rolling along. Working on it though. Starting to climb a little better. I can stay on the bike a little longer. Getting used to controls etc...

I did fall over once however. Came down a section a little too fast, had to turn, but didn't turn fast enough and went off trail a little. Got the bike stopped, but was on uneven ground and couldn't get a footing. Wound up plopping right over into a bush. No damage done, just funny.:thumbsup:

I'm having a fun time exploring the trails around here. I've noticed its keeping me out longer which is better. Hopefully soon I'll be able to stay on the bike for the whole trip.

I am curious as to what tire pressures you all run on your rigs? Mine are at 40psi front and 45 rear. I don't think I should go much lower, or can I? I am 5' 9" and 140lbs if that makes a difference.

That looks like a cool trail there Normdzn. Where is that?

Kevo

 

[mtb_biker]

Nice pictures guys. Some suggestions for two of you.

normdzn - take off that kickstand if you're riding offroad. You can really hurt yourself.

Ghettofab75 - the reflectors on your bike wheels can become dangerous on the trail and you should probably take them off unless your'e doing night riding.

 

[normdzn]

Both of your trails look amazing. I would love to go on them. Hey normdzn, where are you (state)? That trail looks awesome. nice bike btw

Cali. SoCal to be exact. Towsley Canyon in Santa Clarita. I need to be able to ride that narrow track between the rock wall and the creek though, I had to hike it. Thanks.

 

[normdzn]

Nice pictures guys. Some suggestions for two of you.

normdzn - take off that kickstand if you're riding offroad. You can really hurt yourself.

Ghettofab75 - the reflectors on your bike wheels can become dangerous on the trail and you should probably take them off unless your'e doing night riding.

Hey mtb_biker, I hear you on the kickstand (is it dangerous because it could get caught on something, I am having a hard time deciding whether I should take it off or not because I think I really need it) because after the ride it had already come loose and was clicking on my pedal as I went but about the reflectors-how could that be dangerous-I am curious since I use my bike a lot on the road at night, i even have some head and tail lights on it. Cheers.

 

[Martin.au]

Great ride pics guys. Looks like some nice trails there. I'm doubt there's any harm in having reflectors on your wheels but the kickstand can be rather dangerous.

 

[LyNx]

Just to ease your mind, I ran those sorts of pressures for a long time and only really just started going lower with my new tyres and between the tyres (KENDA Nevegals) and the lower pressures grip is madd. I run between 30-36 PSI in my tyres and haven't had any problem with pinch flats, however my previous tyres didn't like going below 40 PSI on rough stuff or they'd pinch flat.

As for staying on the bike for the entire trail, that will come with time, fitness and perseverance. When you do get your fitneslevel up then you will really be able to get started on improving your actual riding abilities - it's a blast to finally be able to ride an entire trail without getting off that as a beginner you walked so much of.

Keep at it and you'll naturally improve fitnes and skill. BTW the both of you guys have some very nice trails, enjoy getting to know them better.

............I am curious as to what tire pressures you all run on your rigs? Mine are at 40psi front and 45 rear. I don't think I should go much lower, or can I? I am 5' 9" and 140lbs if that makes a difference.

Kevo

 

[mtb_biker]

normdzn - you can probably leave those reflectors on in that case, just keep an eye on them. They can come a little bit loose and as well as snagging stuff, they'll most likely eventually break and they'll be on the trail somewhere if you don't notice them.

I don't want to scare you by posting kickstand pictures i've seen on mtbr but as you said they come loose and your pedal sometimes hits it. The other reason is if you're flying down a hill (on purpose or not) and your kickstand decides to pop down, well we all can picture what happens after that...

 

[normdzn]

normdzn - you can probably leave those reflectors on in that case, just keep an eye on them. They can come a little bit loose and as well as snagging stuff, they'll most likely eventually break and they'll be on the trail somewhere if you don't notice them.

I don't want to scare you by posting kickstand pictures i've seen on mtbr but as you said they come loose and your pedal sometimes hits it. The other reason is if you're flying down a hill (on purpose or not) and your kickstand decides to pop down, well we all can picture what happens after that...

Yikes! Yah, its coming off!!