downhill/freerideing

welshwaffle

hi im new to this site and these forums. i started rideing again last summer as a way of loseing wieght and as a replacement to rugby (ive got a dodgy knee!!). since then ive become addicted to rideing and want to expand on cross country rideing and have a go at downhill and some freeride stuff, the only problem is im 28 and as a relative newbie to the sport im not sure if im to old or not!! cheers if you read this and comment
waffle

supersonic

28?! Are you serious? We have riders in their 70s and beyond!

MacAndCheese

No where near too old, I'm 25 and i'll be damned if i only have 3 more years of riding like a lunatic. Was just this weekend talking to a guy of about 40 at my LBS who is gearing up to go to Morzine in the summer.

welshwaffle

really? thats cool, i only asked as im relitively new to proper mountain bikeing!! as i wasnt allowed to do much of it as a kid so its been quite a big learning curve!

milfredo

I'm 31 and try everything from cross country to downhill and what you will find is that it's a total mixed bag of ages everywhere. At freeride parks you will feel old but so what, the kids will kick your ass but it's still a laugh. Also, I've never met an unpleasent rider in over 16 years of mountian biking, just tones and tones better.

All the gear and no idea! is my mantra.

Duggan13

How would one get into Downhill riding, to begin with?

welshwaffle

yeah im intrested in finding out more about it now! so any pointers would be good im looking at getting an long travel all mountain or saying bugger it and getting a specialised big hit! also apart from llandegla are there any downhill courses in north east wales??

Atz

Might be useful to get a skills course booked. There's plenty around, perhaps talk to Tony at UK Bikeskills

Buckled_Rims

Duggan13 wrote:

How would one get into Downhill riding, to begin with?

To test the waters, I'd say look for some Red Runs and do them a few dozen times. Then try a black run during a quiet period, just take it easy.

Oh, and don't forget a decent bike. Although, I've don't lots a red runs at my local on my £200 MTB (which is now a commute bike)

JayKingFunk

I find that having balls of steel helps for riding downhill!

Like 'buckled_rims' said, take it steady and have a go at red runs first as a build up to black.

I do a little bit of downhill/black runs on a HT but I don't go at super speed, its good fun though. I'd also recommend getting some body armour/full face helmet for wen you fall off!

J

P-Jay

I started riding again at 28 after probably 10 years without any sort of bike.

Bought my first DH bike at 30.

You're never too old, the oldest rider in our group turns 40 this year, he's also the best rider in our group.

The only thing to consider is, you hit the ground a lot harder at 30 than you do at 16 ha ha, or rather don't bounce back up as well.

Chopper99

hi i only got into this sport last year iam 23 so only a few years diff. just bought a 2010 lapierre spcy 316 and i use it cross country and down hill. I have used it at gawton dh trails and cwmcarn dh trail and i was with peolple who had dh rigs and i had no problem. and i use it cross country at afan and brechfa and its no slog gettin it up hill climbs much better than most 120mm/140mm xc bikes. if thinkig of doing dh and xc would def get the spicy and a full face/body armour lol

joshtp

steve peat just won the world champs, and he's 35.... he may be a a bit special mind..... but still

Jedi

atz, thanks for the recommend.

i am 41yrs old. ridden all disiplines in cycling and love north shore freeride.

you only grow old when you stop!

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/111820/


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welshwaffle

cheers chaps for all the information the comment about steve peat was a good one i dont think i have the skill of one of his toe nails!! but will definately be giveing it ago once this chuffing snow disapears!!!

majmun325

dont mind the snow! winter biking is soooo fun...

welshkev

i started riding again last year at 31 after a break of about 10 years. bought myself a full susser and have been hitting trails bigger, harder and faster than i did when i was 21.

you're never too old, as long as you bounce back from the crashes quick enough

welshwaffle

thanks for all the feed back people will definately be haveing a go! im also extremly tempted to get myself a big hit as the reviews say its great for freeride and downhill just need to get the knee sorted and some funds together! anyone want to buy my shotgun??!!

welshwaffle

thanks for all the feed back people will definately be haveing a go! im also extremly tempted to get myself a big hit as the reviews say its great for freeride and downhill just need to get the knee sorted and some funds together! anyone want to buy my shotgun??!!

stunter ant

Never to old!! As long as i can throw my leg over my bike and point that sucker down the hill i'll be pinning it

Radixmatrix

Just 40, riding since my teens and a long time ago used to race XC.

Even bought a road bike this year on C2W for training and planning on doing Pass'portes du Soleil this summer with 36 yo brother. Just got my first full face helmet and currently looking at body armour.

I think I'm cycling and boarding harder now than ever before - so never too old.

In terms of mindset, maybe I'm little more aware that in terms of physiology there's less time to cram in all the experiences I'd like to undertake, which makes me more determined.

I watched the Everest programme last week about Mark Inglis, a NZ climber and double amputee who climbed it aged 47!

Stu 74

Well at 28 you are certainly not too old!

also apart from llandegla are there any downhill courses in north east wales??

I wouldn't say that Llandegla is really a downhill course. Is this the type of riding that you want to do more of or are you after something more extreme?

colintrav

If I cycle down hills ... does that mean am a experienced doonhiller

If I cycle down steep roads does that mean am i experienced steeproader

If i can cycle up hills does that am i experienced uphiller

:P :P

jrich

welshwaffle wrote:

yeah im intrested in finding out more about it now! so any pointers would be good im looking at getting an long travel all mountain or saying bugger it and getting a specialised big hit! also apart from llandegla are there any downhill courses in north east wales??

I'm sorry mate but, Llandegla, a DH track?! LOL! The place comes across a bit like a slightly more hardcore version of Centre Parks to me.

As for proper DH in north Wales I hear Foel Gasnach is good. Most of the official places are in south Wales TBH. If I were you, I'd head to Foel and get friendly with some locals as they'll know the private tracks.

My advice regarding kit is also to try (downhill) before you buy. If you start getting into it in a big way (which you could do perfectly well at 28, the world champ is 34/35 IIRC) then your gonna want a proper DH bike. An 'all mountain' bike would be fine if you wanted to carry on with the XC and ride DH once in a while, but really you'll do better with a proper DH bike as a second ride. Big Hits are solid starter bikes, go second hand for best value.

CavemanDavvy

I soooooo want to have a ful suspension dh bike but im only 16 and aint got tha sort of money, iv always wanted to try it so when the weather gets better im gunna try Cwmcarn DH on my hardtail.

welshwaffle

yeah im looking to get more into the extreme rideing! i didnt realise there was any downhill tracks in foel gasnach until i came on here they look pretty cool also is the downhill track at moelfre open to the public or is it a club only and competion track?

cains08

Alright mate. Good for you getting into mountainbiking. It's such a great sport.

The black runs at Llandegla are great for going fast and building confidence. If you are looking for some more technical downhill then I deffo recommend Foel Gasnach, which is just down the road. Also, there is a new bike park opening near Chester next month: http://www.mtbpursuits.co.uk/index.html

Let us know how you're getting on.

largephil

I also stopped playing rugby through injury, dislocated shoulders and broken coller bones are not fun!

Got back into riding regular about a year ago, still get injured though! Had a 3 week concussion last month!

I'd say nail as many red trails as you can and enjoy! Just be cautious on the black runs at first, when you know whats there you can judge how fast to take them. Thats how i got my concussion, hit a jump on a black run not realising it was a double... :oops:

welshwaffle

had my first run at foel gasnach on saturday and loved it! a different ball game from trail centres the local lads there rideing were all spot on and freely gave advice and encouragement to me so a big thank you and im tottally hook! unfrtunatley im haveing my knee operated on tomorrow and will be off all bikes for a few weeks but once im recovered i will be hitting the runs again hopefully a little stronger in the leg department!! thanks for the tips and advice on here

paul.skibum

I started riding at 31 and have guided in the Alps, riden most of the welsh trail centres and still try to go faster and further everytime. Age is not the problem state of mind is what is needed!