Starting out.

solidsneek

So I have a MTB which cost me around £500 so nothing spectacular but real nice looking. I ride it a lot along the canal 10-15 miles at a time. I think however I want to start hitting some beginner trails. I live in the west midlands (cannock chase) however I worry, worry that I have never done a trail before and that 1- I don't want to embarrass myself and 2- People think I am slow and no idea what I am doing. Any reccomended tips and tricks to get started?

Thanks guys.

cooldad

Just go and ride, everyone starts out somewhere. Don't worry what other people think, it's not important, just have fun.
We have a FB page for local rides, see if there's anything similar your way - I'm sure there is. We regularly get new people, and it's no hassle to help them round, and warn them of plces they could get killed, or worse.

solidsneek

Great advice! I just think it's about not wanting to hold people up or whatever. A trail to myself would be good just to get into the swing of it but I think you are right.

cooldad

Arrange to go out mid week sometime when it's quiet, or find some local trails and play a bit.
Otherwise just keep an ear out and let faster people through when you can.
But everyone is allowed on the trails so if people are impatient tough.

solidsneek

Thats a great piece of advice. Thanks man! I live like 20 minutes from the chase so I would be mad not to.

oxoman

Currently off the bike due to injury at the minute but if you ride in the week I'm more than willing to go round cannock with you at your speed. As mentioned above FB groups and just riding will get you going to start with. As to annoying people on the trail, as long as you move over when safe and don't block the trail by stopping every 2 mins you should be ok. If not very fit its normal to tackle sections a few at a time then stop at the end of the section not midsection. Have a look on Chase trails website I believe some FB links from that.

kickaxe

Also remember that as long as you are in front of them, they need to watch out to not run into you, just try to let them pass when there is room (only when YOU can, it's not your responsibility to make sure they keep a safe distance)

solidsneek

Thanks guys really great advice there. There is a place by me called Sandwell valley they have recently made little trails which I don't believe are too taxing which would help me get used to the 'harder' trails.

oxoman

Some of the smaller flatter trails are what I class as constant pedallers and ideal for building fitness up. Cannocks trails are up and down so if used to constant pedalling you will be ok. When a trail gets to easy to pedal rather than go faster try a harder gear to build strength up. Remember not to overdo it as well.

whyamihere

solidsneek wrote:

Thanks guys really great advice there. There is a place by me called Sandwell valley they have recently made little trails which I don't believe are too taxing which would help me get used to the 'harder' trails.

I live about 10 minutes from Sandwell Valley, the trails there are fairly fun for a new rider. I still go occasionally when I can't be bothered to go further afield.

solidsneek

whyamihere wrote:

solidsneek wrote:

Thanks guys really great advice there. There is a place by me called Sandwell valley they have recently made little trails which I don't believe are too taxing which would help me get used to the 'harder' trails.

I live about 10 minutes from Sandwell Valley, the trails there are fairly fun for a new rider. I still go occasionally when I can't be bothered to go further afield.

That is awesome dude! Where about are they in the valley? I only live in Wednesbury.

StinkinHippy

Stourbridge local here.. in the same boat as you not wanting to look slow, but really looking forwards to giving cannock a shot once i have a decent helmet to save my brain when i inevitably come off!

KMG

Whilst you could always take a day off and session the trails when they are quieter the advantage of riding when others are around is that you can learn from them. I've been riding for more years than I care to remember and I still get ideas for lines from others, it's a creative, ever learning sport so just get out there and enjoy yourself. For every idiot out there that does mind you slowing them up I can assure you that there are another then out there that will be nothing but encouraging!

solidsneek

KMG wrote:

Whilst you could always take a day off and session the trails when they are quieter the advantage of riding when others are around is that you can learn from them. I've been riding for more years than I care to remember and I still get ideas for lines from others, it's a creative, ever learning sport so just get out there and enjoy yourself. For every idiot out there that does mind you slowing them up I can assure you that there are another then out there that will be nothing but encouraging!

Thanks man that is great advice. I know once I have done it a couple of times I will be fine it's just getting used to it all.

whyamihere

solidsneek wrote:

whyamihere wrote:

solidsneek wrote:

Thanks guys really great advice there. There is a place by me called Sandwell valley they have recently made little trails which I don't believe are too taxing which would help me get used to the 'harder' trails.

I live about 10 minutes from Sandwell Valley, the trails there are fairly fun for a new rider. I still go occasionally when I can't be bothered to go further afield.

That is awesome dude! Where about are they in the valley? I only live in Wednesbury.

Go to the Swan Pool car park, then the start of the trail is to the right, (looking from the car park towards the pool).

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.52769 ... a=!3m1!1e3

martin36

I've not long started and go Cannock I'd be happy join up I'm not that fast and don't mind what pase it is I e been goin once a week in the evenings after work

larkim

At Cannock, I'd recommend going around Follow the Dog but avoiding The Monkey as a beginner. I visited Cannock for the first time a few weeks ago and whilst I've been down the reds (and bits of black) at Llandegla there are plenty of sections where I stop, get off and push the bike around. At Cannock on FTD there was nothing really like that apart from the steps near the junction with The Monkey route. If you're an adult, have a half decent MTB and can ride a bike, I'd say you'd be fine round Cannock.