[dogwonder]

I just finished my first trail ride of the season, a solo trip to Mount Beacon in NY. I'd never been there, but heard good things about it. It was tough to find a trail up, I'm not even sure I was in the right place. I ascended up a washout. I wouldn't even call it a rock garden, more like a rock salad, very loose. I had to walk a good portion of it, being a decent pitch and so loose. It was on par with a hiking trail (which I think is what I was on).

Anyways, on the descent, my front wheel slipped to the side and I proceeded to go over the bars. Some real nice souveniers on my legs, arms, & shoulders. Resetting the handlebars caused yet another wound, a burn from the brake rotor (trying to hold the wheel in place between my legs).

So you can see I was riding the brakes pretty good and wasn't going terribly fast, although I was trying to enjoy it.

So now my confidence is shot. I don't know if I should be spooked about this wreck or if I was just stupid trying this trail on a bike period. Any one else been through this?

DW

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

everybody goes through that in the beginning...Need to ride with people better than you so they can show you tips.

 

[COmtbiker12]

everybody goes through that in the beginning...Need to ride with people better than you so they can show you tips.

Word. Sometimes I'll get spooked on a certain thing, and while I'll still progress, I just won't ever hit that thing, but most of the time I do.

 

[Dartman]

"Wrectum hell! Damm near killed'em!"

Hehehe...sounds like a normal day for me. Wrecking is part of downhilling. I had a bad one going off a ledge where my rear wheel kicked up and I landed on my head, jamming my spine. That pretty much freaked me out on that drop. But one like you've described happens to me 3-4 times a day. Body armor helps.

Mike

 

[dogwonder]

Word. Sometimes I'll get spooked on a certain thing, and while I'll still progress, I just won't ever hit that thing, but most of the time I do.

So how does one decend down a loose gravel trail? Especially when the gravel is the size of softballs. Is there a certain technique to use? Should you go slower or faster?

 

[freerider67]

go fast

So how does one decend down a loose gravel trail? Especially when the gravel is the size of softballs. Is there a certain technique to use? Should you go slower or faster?

yah you need to go faster and get your a$$ behind the seat it helps a lot and i had to learn the hard way on that one also

 

[NRTH SHORE]

staying

staying off your front breaks helps to.or use them realy lightly.

 

[zenmonkey]

So how does one decend down a loose gravel trail? Especially when the gravel is the size of softballs. Is there a certain technique to use? Should you go slower or faster?

assume the position - pedals flat, strong foot forward, butt off the seat weight back arms loose, elbows slightly bent, legs, arms are your shock absorbers

think smooth <- this was the single best advice I heard back when - speed to smooth out the ride, smooth on the brakes and choose smooth lines, (keep your head out of the rocks eyes up front)

loose gravel come is flavors, the worst, for me, is fist size and roundish, you know that is going to spit out - today's ride conked a derailleur on a guy next to me ...