DH Noob to Megavalanche - How possible?!

Woody80

Hi all - had posted this in DH/freeride but think that's probably to specific an area for my question.......


Just had a weekend of riding in South Wales - W2 at Afan followed by an easier day at the Forest of Dean. Whilst we were at FoD I thought I'd give the DH runs a crack - I've never ridden DH, more trail centres and the peaks but the descents is the bit I love.

Anyway, I loved the runs and nothing was too scary for a first timer even though I was shattered after two days of riding! It's now got me thinking that I want to book some uplifts and also try Stile Cop at Cannock rather than just riding the Monkey like I'd do most weeks. I've also started reading more about the Mega, looks awesome!

I'm after some advice on the best way of getting into DH more seriously (possibly some events?) and building my confidence with it. I ride a Canyon Strive so it's up for more than I am capable of at the moment! (I think) I'd like to attempt the Megavalanche in a couple of years so I guess I've got plenty of time to get skilled up?!

Any tips on the best places etc to ride would be appreciated!

felix.london

Welcome to the club! I've signed up for the Maxiavalanche in Cervinia in July and my DH experience is a handful of runs last season on my '06 Rockhopper

Bought a Session 8 this month and will have exactly 18 days (sessions) of lift accessed Alpine DH to learn wtf I'm doing before the race :?

Can't give any advice on UK DH though - sorry.

Btw - will be doing the Mega next year if bike & body are still working

miss notax

It better be bloody well possible because I am a DH virgin and i'm riding the Mega in 3 months time :shock: :shock:

cooldad

miss notax wrote:

It better be bloody well possible because I am a virgin and i'm riding the Mega in 3 months time :shock: :shock:

Bit sad, you dying a virgin.

Anonymous

DH places to ride 'down south' - Cwmcarn, FoD, Gawton, Aston Hill, Rogate, UK Bike Park, PORC

Probably plenty more and there are a number of less official or private places, or areas that aren't DH specifically but have a few DH runs. The dedicated ones are more likely to have uplifts or at least not too savage a climb back up.

miss notax

Cwmcarn is a good 'beginner friendly' DH trail. Apart from FoD I haven't tried any of the others, although am quite keen to try the UK Bike Park just for the hell of it (but am a bit worried that i'll look like a prat as everyone else will be about half my age. And good :? )

.blitz

Woody80 wrote:

I'm after some advice on the best way of getting into DH more seriously (possibly some events?)

There are regular 'timed practices' at Stile Cop the next one is this Sunday http://www.racersguild.blogspot.co.uk/

All very informal all you need is a ff and some handlebar plugs

Thewaylander

DH is great,

but i will admit there is a bit of a young kid attitude issue with it, starting to move down the surf scene issue, of locals only and you get funny looks if your not. Not toally like trail riders which are far more friendly.

but FOD is great place to cut your teeth on

Woody80

What is Cannock like for beginners? At the moment I've literally only done a couple of runs down Sheepskull at FoD after two days of riding so I was in less than peak condition! Still loved it though which is what has got me tempted to look into in more seriously! I live near Nottingham so the Forest of Dean and Cwmcarn are a bit of a trek - doable but Cannock is much more on the doorstep but I'd rather travel if the other places are better for noobs like myself!

I was going to buy a full face as I'm off to Les Arcs in the summer and thought there is no downside (apart from the initial expense ) to using a full face on an uplift holiday. I might buy this sooner and have a go at some UK runs instead of doing the normal trail centre loops.

I'd just like to ease into it though and not end up being faced with a ridiculous unmarked drop :shock: as that might just put me off/land me in hospital!!

I can see me getting the bug which is why I'm looking at the Mega - could 2013 be a possibility rather than 2 years away?

Thewaylander wrote:

DH is great,

but i will admit there is a bit of a young kid attitude issue with it, starting to move down the surf scene issue, of locals only and you get funny looks if your not. Not toally like trail riders which are far more friendly.

but FOD is great place to cut your teeth on

I did notice a load of kids riding brand new serious DH bikes at FoD!

ilovedirt

Thewaylander wrote:

DH is great,

but i will admit there is a bit of a young kid attitude issue with it, starting to move down the surf scene issue, of locals only and you get funny looks if your not. Not toally like trail riders which are far more friendly.

but FOD is great place to cut your teeth on

I've not come accross any "locals only"attitudes in downhill really, though some people do get arsey with 'secret trails', but they can do one.

Two years is plenty of time to get into downhill, just ride it as much as you can, all i can say really! I only started riding downhill about a year ago as a total novice. I'd say I'm fairly average now, able to ride down most things, though not always incredibly quickly. So it's not an unrealistic goal. I'm hoping to race the mega next summer, so I guess I can tell you how it goes, having been riding downhill for about two years by that point haha

angry_bird

Woody80 wrote:

What is Cannock like for beginners? At the moment I've literally only done a couple of runs down Sheepskull at FoD after two days of riding so I was in less than peak condition! Still loved it though which is what has got me tempted to look into in more seriously! I live near Nottingham so the Forest of Dean and Cwmcarn are a bit of a trek - doable but Cannock is much more on the doorstep but I'd rather travel if the other places are better for noobs like myself!

The trails at Cannock are alright, considering the hill only loses 60-70m, I think it's safe to say that there's plenty for a range of abilities there so you can build it up. It's not uncommon for people top pop over from the Monkey to do a couple of runs, pop over next time you do the XC, at the top of lower cliff descent go right onto the fireroad so you're almost going back on yourself, follow this down the hill, turn left, carry on a bit and you get to the bottom of the DH runs

There's a vid in the link in my sig of a couple of the bits at stile cop, mostly the easy bits

Woody80

Angry Bird wrote:

The trails at Cannock are alright, considering the hill only loses 60-70m, I think it's safe to say that there's plenty for a range of abilities there so you can build it up. It's not uncommon for people top pop over from the Monkey to do a couple of runs, pop over next time you do the XC, at the top of lower cliff descent go right onto the fireroad so you're almost going back on yourself, follow this down the hill, turn left, carry on a bit and you get to the bottom of the DH runs

There's a vid in the link in my sig of a couple of the bits at stile cop, mostly the easy bits

Thanks, I'll give Stile Cop a go then. It's always seemed a bit intimidating but I've definitely got the bug after a couple of goes at FOD! I'll take a look at your videos. No real surprises at Cannock then that'll catch me out?!

Woody80

Angry Bird wrote:

There's a vid in the link in my sig of a couple of the bits at stile cop, mostly the easy bits

Video looked good, apart from the crash! How big were the drops? Videos always flatten them out!

sanchez89

Woody80 wrote:

Angry Bird wrote:

The trails at Cannock are alright, considering the hill only loses 60-70m, I think it's safe to say that there's plenty for a range of abilities there so you can build it up. It's not uncommon for people top pop over from the Monkey to do a couple of runs, pop over next time you do the XC, at the top of lower cliff descent go right onto the fireroad so you're almost going back on yourself, follow this down the hill, turn left, carry on a bit and you get to the bottom of the DH runs

There's a vid in the link in my sig of a couple of the bits at stile cop, mostly the easy bits

Thanks, I'll give Stile Cop a go then. It's always seemed a bit intimidating but I've definitely got the bug after a couple of goes at FOD! I'll take a look at your videos. No real surprises at Cannock then that'll catch me out?!

im just starting to get into a bit of DH more. iv been over Stile Cop many times and to be fair there are a few tracks which i dont think i do could without having a pretty big crash, but my confidence in jumps and big drops isnt brilliant.

the red run is pretty much the starter run. all rollable and after a few runs down you get the hang of it and get alot quicker.

ridge run is also pretty good for noobs, drops are a little bigger but not huge. there is a bit of a jump about half way down which im still yet to conquer. good fast fun though.

little bringe is pretty steep and very rooty in places, no jumps or drops, i quite like this run.

wonderland is the same but with a couple of small drops/jumps in aswell.

its worth just going down on an afternoon and having a walk round. i did and i have seen many people doing the same.

ilovedirt

To be honest, I always thought that downhill was something just for crazy people to do, and that I wouldn't ever have the skill to do it, and didn't want to do it. After the student champs DH race weekend last year, my mind was changed! It's all a confidence thing, most stuff is easier than it looks, you just need to man up and do it. It's all about learning basic skills as well, jumping, pumping, riding steep stuff etc. Once you're decent at XC etc, downhill is the natural progression, or at least it was for me. Most downhill tracks have chicken runs/rollable features etc, it's just steep/tech stuff that you have to get over. Like I say though, most stuff is easier than it looks. I'm really enjoying riding downhill now Though there's still stuff I can't do/haven't done (big gaps, some silly steep stuff that's probably not as bad as it looks etc). Just give it a go, you'll probably find yourself pleasantly surprised with what you can do!

Woody80

I guess it's well worth getting a full face for any DH even Stile Cop? I think I'd feel a bit self conscious being a noob but probably better than falling off and landing on my face?!

.blitz

ilovedirt wrote:

It's all a confidence thing, most stuff is easier than it looks, you just need to man up and do it.

Would agree with this. There is nothing at Stile Cop that's intended to kill you in fact there are many places where faith in your bike and the laws of physics will have you riding much smoother and faster than rolling over obstacles.

A ff is pretty much essential imo not only for protection it will also put you in the right frame of mind.

Stile Cop is very chilled it's not like there's a queue of Greg Minaars at every drop in.

slimboyjim

Stile Cop is definitely achievable as a beginner. I've only really done the red run and Ridgeline - both not too bad but as mentioned make sure you do walk it first! None of the drops are massive on the red run but some of the landings are a bit flatter than Monkey trail causing landings to feel heavier...

FF is a good idea, but I would also suggest checking your bike over before you do any runs - a slightly loose qr caused me to have to go to hospital once! Best of luck!

Woody80

Think I'll treat myself to a ff this weekend then! Was going to get one for the Alps anyway but I'll get it now and go and check Stile Cop out. Are the runs that much different to the lower cliff descent ridden quickly? I can ride the black sections at Cannock (occassionally mess up :oops: ) but they don't worry me.

I've definitely found myself looking for jumps and drops on trails recently - I felt drawn to the slabs at the side of the descents at Afan just for a bit of fun!

How mental is the Mega?

Anonymous

From what I can see, if you did the Mega with no one else on it, then it's not a big deal. The dangers appear to not be from the trails but from crazy people about you. The mass start looks like a right laugh but then could end up with a bust bike or body part in the first few minutes and ruin the whole thing.

.blitz

Woody80 wrote:

Are the runs that much different to the lower cliff descent ridden quickly?

The red run is technically no more difficult than the last bit of Follow The Dog except it's steeper and sustained downhill although there is a section about halfway down where it levels off a bit. The Ridge Run is not dissimilar except there are more trees to hit.

The other runs are progressively more difficult but they're all clearly signed from the top. If you stick to the single skull runs you will be fine just take it easy people get carried away (on a stretcher!) on the Red Run because it's a blast and not that difficult but the ground is still pretty hard when you hit it.

Woody80

Full face bought! Picked up an Urge Down-o-matic veggie last night. Was looking at Oakley O frame MX goggles, these seem to get good reviews? Is there anything very different about goggles or is it a case of making sure they fit the helmet/my face?!

felix.london

Woody80 wrote:

Full face bought! Picked up an Urge Down-o-matic veggie last night. Was looking at Oakley O frame MX goggles, these seem to get good reviews? Is there anything very different about goggles or is it a case of making sure they fit the helmet/my face?!

Good choice. I have the Down-O-Matic Monaco.

I have always used Oakleys for snowboarding goggles & shades in general - they have the best lenses IMO. Got the Fox Rockstar Goggles for DH duties...they're made by Oakley 8)

Stevo_666

+1 for FoD and Cwmcarn to get started as a relative newbie.

IMO get body armour, judging by the marks on mine every bit of mine has earned it's keep ! Mind you I am a bit accident prone...

Woody80

I've got knee and shin pads since my vaults are vicious! Might get some elbow pads then

Stevo_666

Woody80 wrote:

I've got knee and shin pads since my vaults are vicious! Might get some elbow pads then

When I said body armour I was meaning something like this (as well as the knee and shin protectors):



Covers elbows, shoulders, back and some padding on the chest.

Woody80

Oh, I see! The full works! Might have to do a few runs first to justify kitting up like that! That said I'd wear it round the house because it looks cool!

Stevo_666

Woody80 wrote:

Oh, I see! The full works! Might have to do a few runs first to justify kitting up like that! That said I'd wear it round the house because it looks cool!

TBH the first few DH days out were when I really needed it

Anonymous

9 times out of 10 if something is going to break it's going to be clavicle (collarbone). Not much that can protect against that other than - don't break it!

Woody80

In all seriousness though, do you need much more than a full face, pads and balls?

sanchez89

for my very few first downhill runs i used my xc lid and a brave pill.

you do feel a little tiny bit safer in a full face. dont no about pads as i have never worn them. (have a pair of fox launch pro's on order)