Mountain Thoughts...

[MarkD]

Its been a few hours since I rode the XTERRA O.N.E. race course (and then some). I have a few thoughts about the experience. Note that I have Mountain Biked twice in my life and both times were casual. Today was good. I rode moderately hard and only went over the handlebars once - no harm done. A few scrapes and mud later, here's what I learned:

1. This is pure fun - like being a kid again.
2. My brother advised me to look as far ahead as possible - good advice - probably saved a few more falls.
3. Good mountain biking probably requires years to develop the skills - I'm guessing West Branch is tame compared to other courses - good thing for me!
4. I had platform pedals - any newbie like me better not try to clip in - THAT could be ugly. I can't count how many trees I pushed off of with my legs 'cause I just ain't used to technical riding yet.
5. The mountain biking community is much like the triathlon community - very friendly and inviting.
6. Take on roots and rocks head on - side swiping is a recipie for going down.
7. Trail running feels good on the knees !
8. Don't be afraid to get off the bike and walk around things you aren't comfortable with - especially if you aren't serious about this.
9. Mountain biking is all about power and responsiveness - so much different than road riding.
10. How the hell do you pass people on these tiny trails ??

Alan, Chuck, Brett, Jess - good to meet you all...
Aussie Rob - thanks for letting me borrow your mountain bike for this...

Lookin' forward to the race.

[jose]

Glad you enjoyed it! Always happy to welcome new potential enthusiasts. I'm new to tri and excited about the Xterra.

Regarding passing, and assuming the Xterra is like mountain biking and mountain bike racing in this respect, if you need to pass, you will find yourself right behind the person, waiting for the chance. There is no anti-drafting rule, the concept of drafting wouldn't mean anything anyway, so you can hug their wheel IF you believe they won't stop suddenly . When the chance comes you'll feel it. A slightly wider spot, pick a line they aren't already on, call out which side you are passing on, and pour it on. Anyone who belongs out there will yield, at least a little, and there you go.

[Alan]

Mark,
So glad you had a good experience at West Branch!
(other than over-the-bars). You're right on about feeling like a kid again in the woods, the one thing that sticks out in my mind after years of racing Xterra's is even when you don't finish or place where you wanted to or things don't go the way you had hoped there's always a sense of pleasure when you finish in regards to how awesome the trails were or how flowing that certain downhill was.....almost saddened when the race is over.
Glad you enjoyed yourself in any case and if you want to go for a ride sometime let me know.

P.S. Audible, PASS LEFT PLEASE or PASS PLEASE or CAN I PASS PLEASE. People almost automatically pull over at the safest/widest spot on the trail. I will stress this at the clinic on Saturday and Sunday before the race.

[bwilms]

It was a great day indeed. Very nice meeting Chuck, Mark and Martin. I'm glad your experience was so positive (even with an endo).

Just one note...

Jul 12, 2008 13:48:10 GMT -5 MarkD said:

3. Good mountain biking probably requires years to develop the skills - I'm guessing West Branch is tame compared to other courses - good thing for me!

I am by no means the most traveled mountain biker but I will say, of all the trails I've ridden elsewhere, West Branch definitely holds its own as far as difficulty - especially that Southside trail. It's a killer. If only we could move all of those darn rocks somewhere else

[chuckm]

Good day, great company. Nice meeting you all. Great eye to find that key on the trail Brett. Mountain biking is great fun, too bad West Branch is an hours drive away. Still haven't been to the new Medina trail, I've heard it's good, and that's only a half hour away. Mark, with your fitness and fearlessness, you could get good at mountain biking real fast.

[MarkD]

Glad we stayed ahead of the rain, eh...

I didn't anticipate the really stiff body this morning. Ouch. Luckily, I had a swim planned and it really loosened things up. All good.

Ride on !

[chuckm]

Yeah, I've been kinda sore in my arms and back all day too. Forgot how much of an upper body workout the MTB trails are.