Total newbie checking in

the_spooks

Unsure if im having a midlife crisis or what but a few weeks ago bought myself a Revolution Triad 2 to basically get fit, have a good laugh and generally fall off.
Problem I am having so far is I have never owned a bike so taking it easy on cycle paths etc but plan on using it as its supposed to be used.
Any tips I can glean from ya'all will be appreciated.

The Northern Monkey

Welcome to the madhouse!

Stick around, you'll pick it all up easy enough!

cycleactive

if you want to build up your skills for mtb riding then you can get a lot out of the features on this website. There are companies around, like ours, that will gladly sell you beginner courses and training definitely makes a big impact. But you don't have to spend money if you don't want to - we wrote a load of features for this site and for What Mountain Bike magazine and they're all available online.
If you need any help finding them just let me know and i'll dig up the links.
Best if luck,
Chris@CycleActive

tenfoot

Probably the best thing is to build up slowly, which it sounds like is what you are doing, and feel your way around the bike, and just build your confidence.

Once you're confident enough to come off cycle paths, if you have any local woods or footpaths give them a go and feel how the bike and you react to different surface conditions, obstacles like tree roots etc. Remember shifting your weight around can help massively, especially when going downhill. Shifting weight to the back of the bike will stop you shooting over the bars, and will also go some way to stopping the back wheel from locking up under heavy braking.

Enjoy yourself. I've been cycling all my life and can't ever see a time when I don't want to. I

the_spooks

Yeh luckily enough for me I have a good few areas that I hope will be fun to ride through. Still having a blast learning this, although kinda sad a 30 something is just starting out. Cheers

Phill B

the_Spooks wrote:

Yeh luckily enough for me I have a good few areas that I hope will be fun to ride through. Still having a blast learning this, although kinda sad a 30 something is just starting out. Cheers

Not sad at all mate, i am 35 and just starting out (although was into mountain biking up until about 7 years ago) it beats slouching on the sofa and getting fat like most guys our age.

tenfoot

Phill B wrote:

the_Spooks wrote:

Yeh luckily enough for me I have a good few areas that I hope will be fun to ride through. Still having a blast learning this, although kinda sad a 30 something is just starting out. Cheers

Not sad at all mate, i am 35 and just starting out (although was into mountain biking up until about 7 years ago) it beats slouching on the sofa and getting fat like most guys our age.

+1 8)

Stoo61

Welcome. The perfect sport for this fine country.

shx8000

You're never too old too start.
Great sport and generally friendly out on the trails.
Enjoy

blucky

I've just turned 35 and I've on my 2nd bike in as many years, nothing better then getting out with a few mates having good banter and more importantly... time away from IKEA,Tesco...etc........ and you get fit at the same time. perfect.

cooldad

Top tip. The clue is in the words Mountain Bike. Find a mountain, ride up it, ride down it.
If still alive at the bottom, repeat.

Welcome.