Hello - New User

Shoes

Hey all!

I've just registered here ahead of receiving my shiny new GT Avalanche 2.0. I'm shoes from stafford in the midlands, uk.

Not been on a bike in quite some time, and want to get back into it. I used to ride a fair bit on cannock chase when I was a teenager but have neglected it since getting a car! No surprise I'm developing a belly - hence the new bike!

I'm not experienced or skilled in mountain biking and will be starting off with easier trails at first.

Anyway just to say hello and introduce myself, I'm hoping to be an active member of the forum!

Shoes

freeride-mike

welcome to the forum, lots of great advice on here.

love cannock great place too ride

Airienteer

Welcome, good choice of first bike

Da Mighty Chicken

Welcome aboard

Danlube

Welcome to the forum and most of all, the world of cycling! Won't be long until you know how to ride a bike properly and end up buying more of em, then you'll end up building bikes and dreaming of super bikes

krazykayaker

Hi, welcome to the forum

If you ever fancy a go round Cannock give me a shout and we'll meet up

phoebian

krazykayaker wrote:

Hi, welcome to the forum

If you ever fancy a go round Cannock give me a shout and we'll meet up

I got three weeks off from 19th March, will have to plan something!

Shoes

Thanks for the warm welcome guys, much appreciated 8)

I'm certainly up for some chase action soon, up the weather!

One thing I do need is a helmet, any recommendations?

JamesBrckmn

How much do you want to spend on a helmet?
£45? http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gir ... gn=froogle
£30? http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... gn=froogle
£70? http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fox ... gn=froogle

And welcome to the forum and back into the world of mtbing!

llamafarmer

Shoes wrote:

One thing I do need is a helmet, any recommendations?

Buy one you've tried on, the fit can be very personal so you'll probably find you're more comfortable in some brands than others.

More money tends to buy you better venting and lighter weight, so the more budget ones from the big manufacturers still offer great protection.

Shoes

My beasty has arrived

Came packaged like this :



Only took me a few minutes to get it looking like this:



Its been snowing like crazy here today to i was a bit dubious about taking it out (once my mate had helped me get it all set up) but the kenda tyres on the road gripped literally like there was no snow. Absolutely amazing ride, so comfortable and the lockout on the forks is very efficient

The brakes evidently need bedding in a little but they're pretty sharp right now

All in all I am so far happy with this purchase. Simon and I are going to have a crack at at least some of follow the dog on sunday

Flynny2010

Nice bike mate!

I'm sure you'll have a great ride there!! I used to own the very same bike and it never let me down!

trekmtb1081

Hi Shoes.

Once you start the Dog I promise you that you will want to finish it!!

Good choice though, my GT lasted me 4 years of pure abuse. Great bike.

I am in Uttoxeter and although regularly follow the dog, spend some days up the peaks with some mates. Always room for another mtber.

Have a look on Sunday at the Swynnerton shop at the chase. Good selection of helmets there and lots of other accessories.

Have a great day and welcome back :twisted:

Thewaylander

Welcome mate,

Nice bike and all, hate Cannock but your not a long trip from north wales up there so least you can shoot over on weekends for a riot hehe

Shoes

trekmtb1081 wrote:

Hi Shoes.

Once you start the Dog I promise you that you will want to finish it!!

Sounds like an appetiser at a Korean takeaway :P

trekmtb1081

Thewaylander wrote:

Welcome mate,

Nice bike and all, hate Cannock but your not a long trip from north wales up there so least you can shoot over on weekends for a riot hehe

I admit Wales far exceeds cannock chase but as you are so close to it, it is great training ground. Do go to Wales though!!

Shoes

Haha absolutely! Cannock chase is literally on my doorstep (15 minute drive / 25 minute ride) and as you say its good training ground. I will definitely be heading to north wales soon though, any specific recommendations for an unfit geek?

Shoes

Did 5 or so miles today over easy ground and some road, very nice ride indeed, very confident on the thick mud!

So far so good, conscious I should get a lid though so didn't over do it.

Am quite proud of the new beast so took a few creative shots before i took her to the muddy wilderness:






:twisted:

tlw1

nice pics

did you have a good ride, I was there today and had a ball

Shoes

Yeah it was great thanks! I did the red way marked parts of follow the dog, the climbs danm near killed me lol... bike performed better than i could have possibly imagined.

A very enjoyable day out and got absolutely caked in s**t !

trekmtb1081

Great Pics shoes. Any more creative pics of the whole bike ?

Glad you enjoyed your first real outing! Did you get a lid?