Up the creek without the paddle?

BFG · 03-15-2006, 04:06 PM

No not really got the bike but got no mountain.......

Went out on my bike today got it just after Christmas and aint had much time to ride it. Its incredibly flat round here but found a great woods to cycle round and had an absolute blast forgot how much fun it was :-) Thinking Im getting the bug.

It aint much and it aint the flashest but here's my baby:

http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bik...ike=Wahoo_Disc

Its the poshest bike Ive ever had and was worth every penny for a neewbie

(feel as proud as a new dad

)

ODB · 03-15-2006, 04:18 PM

Sweet ride....

BFG · 03-15-2006, 04:20 PM

many thanks handles like a dream ....... wish I could get used to the front suspension tho! Ouch back of my head still hurts!!!!!

Chris-STL · 03-16-2006, 11:19 AM

Grats on the bike! I've always like the GF's.

For what its worth, heres a good list of trails in your country, you can sort it by city and maybe find something with a hill close by.

http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/trails-ar...S_4539crx.aspx

BFG · 03-16-2006, 03:22 PM

wow many thanks for that Chris really appreciate that and funny enough this one is where I am going Sunday morning its 5 miles from where I live and was the motivator to buy the bike as have been there loads walking.... now to think about gear!!!!!

http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/trails-ar...2_4539crx.aspx

Flee · 03-16-2006, 03:30 PM

Nice looking sled. It won't be long before your loving that suspension fork. Your prolly digging those disk brakes as well.

But...I must say.......if you got relitively flat terrain, with short climbs....then you should consider making it a single speed.

Lose the gears. Lose the shifters. Lose the shifter housing and cables. Lose the deraillures. Liberate that bike.

Now were talking about some serious fun.

ODBSGIRL · 03-16-2006, 03:37 PM

Man all this talk about new bikes, sweet bikes....I want a GF Fat Possum just for the name!!!! Bug? did someone say mountain bike bug? Hey BFG, hiking Hadrian's wall (with loads of pub stops, i am perfecting my crawl) is on my list of must do's WHEN I finally get round to it, I'll come back south and you can take me mtb-ing AHHHHHHH she says while staring at her New Forest calendar and dreaming.

Chris-STL · 03-16-2006, 03:38 PM

that place looks like a blast!

BFG · 03-16-2006, 03:57 PM

flee not being rude but I aint got a clue what you just said Im really knew to all this MTB business

(Im seriously gonna die arent I!!!!!!!)
ODBSGIRL well Im kinda in the middle of the two, Bedfordshire has some quite good trails but we are pretty much officialy the flattest county in the country but would be my pleasure to show ya around

Chris yeh it looks great and has really inspired me ! Damn if littleun wasnt asleep in the next room Id be out on my bike right now even if it is 10pm!

ODBSGIRL · 03-16-2006, 04:19 PM

Know where you are...was mapping out a trek in my head...Scotland first cause I've not been there...hiking the wall or making it from pub to pub, however you want to think of it...mtbing in the flat country just for kicks...and to see my friends in Southampton for as many relaxing drives and walks in the new forest as I can muster

I think what Flee is trying to tell you is that if you are going to ride flat, you ditch all the bells and whistles and make your bike a single speed, no gears. Think of it as kind of like a kid's bike, only with great suspension!

BFG · 03-16-2006, 04:35 PM

ha ha wouldnt be too clever I use it for work ODSBGIRL and BTW we maybe a small country but traveling round here can take as long as it takes to get from one side of the US to another if you aint careful so you may need to get some local input on your plans or fly down from Scotland etc

Flee · 03-16-2006, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFG

flee not being rude but I aint got a clue what you just said Im really knew to all this MTB business

(Im seriously gonna die arent I!!!!!!!)
ODBSGIRL well Im kinda in the middle of the two, Bedfordshire has some quite good trails but we are pretty much officialy the flattest county in the country but would be my pleasure to show ya around

Chris yeh it looks great and has really inspired me ! Damn if littleun wasnt asleep in the next room Id be out on my bike right now even if it is 10pm!

No offense taken. And I don't mean to rain on your new bike parade. But......if you think your bit now........don't get near a Single Speed. It's very simple really.....you have only one gear. You cannot shift. It's perfect for areas with little elevation change.

BFG · 03-16-2006, 05:15 PM

Jeeze thats like NO fear!!!!! Argggg would kill myself in 5 minutes on that!

OK daft question what should I do for pedals? Clips? The guy who sold it to me was saying about the special shoes with quick releases that you slide on and off the pedals said they are best for getting power in ???

Am I being seriously dense now! Think I should stop and but a MTB mag tomorrow!

cward76 · 03-16-2006, 07:44 PM

Thats a nice bike. If you are not already hooked on this sport you will be soon. Don't worry there is nothing wrong with being hooked on Mountain biking.

On the pedals question you want to eventually switch to clippless pedals. With clipless pedals your feet latch on to the pedal with out using clips. To un lock from the pedal you have to twist your foot. I would get some ride time in on the new bike before switching. I would shoot for a couple hundred miles before switching to clippless. ONce you switch and get past the learning curve that comes with using clippless pedals, you most likely will never ride plat form pedals again.

Have fun

Chris

BFG · 03-17-2006, 01:37 AM

many thx Chris that was the ones I was trying to explain. yeh shall get used to the bike first good idea

Ogedei · 03-17-2006, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cward76

Thats a nice bike. If you are not already hooked on this sport you will be soon. Don't worry there is nothing wrong with being hooked on Mountain biking.

On the pedals question you want to eventually switch to clippless pedals. With clipless pedals your feet latch on to the pedal with out using clips. To un lock from the pedal you have to twist your foot. I would get some ride time in on the new bike before switching. I would shoot for a couple hundred miles before switching to clippless. ONce you switch and get past the learning curve that comes with using clippless pedals, you most likely will never ride plat form pedals again.

Have fun

Chris

And when you switch to clipless make sure you practice getting in and out of the pedals on a nice soft grassy area.

When your bike rolls to a stop and you can't get your foot off the pedal in time..THUMP!..over you go.

Og.

Chris-STL · 03-17-2006, 07:19 AM

yeah when you are ready for pedals, then come back here. I'm sure everyone has their favorite that they ride. The main thing it gives you is much more power. You not only mash the pedals down, but also have the ability to pull up on the backside. Much more power for climbs and it keeps the wheel turning at a constant rate which will help you not spin out so much.

For now, ride your flats and enjoy them. For a bit more push, point your toe down at the bottom and 'drag' the pedal accross the bottom 1/3 of your stroke, if you get the hang of that, you'll have 2/3 of the muscle memory you need for when you go to clipless. You will also be using your hams for that little bit of extra power.

BFG · 03-17-2006, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ogedei

And when you switch to clipless make sure you practice getting in and out of the pedals on a nice soft grassy area.

When your bike rolls to a stop and you can't get your foot off the pedal in time..THUMP!..over you go.

Og.

PMSL have images of that happening

thx for the tips guys will try concentrating on them over the next few weeks and let ya know how I fair. Am really lookin forward to this as its something I can do sport wise that aint "aesthetic"

and my injury doesnt stop me doing

Must admit I love it when I do spinning occasionaly as you really get that drive from the hamstring and feels so much better