Rubber Side Down

It’s easy to feel intimidated in this town, populated as it is with Olympians. Even the guy or gal next door is some tough mountain biker. But take heart – being a new mountain biker is a wonderful thing. You have so many cool experiences ahead of you: seeing amazing trails for the first time, learning to bunny hop, enjoying the camaraderie among other riders. (There’s also the not-so-cool experiences: going over the bars, dealing with oozing road rash, or bonking harder than a knocked-out prizefighter. But don’t think about those right now.)

This learning process can’t be rushed. While you’re developing your skills and fitness, keep a few things in mind:

1. Try to find other beginners to ride with. It’s a lot more fun when you can stick together and enjoy things at the same speed.

2. Recognize, and forgive, the fact that as people get good at something, they have complete amnesia about what it was like to be a beginner. Even if you’re a great athlete in other sports, it’s going to take you some time to learn how to ride difficult terrain on a mountain bike. Push the envelope whenever you can, but don’t let others pressure you into riding beyond your ability. That’s how people end up the E.R. and never want to mountain bike again.

3. Don’t even THINK of letting your significant other “give you a few pointers.” That scenario will go horribly wrong. Instead, get a friend to coach you or take a clinic. You’ll get better much faster — and no one’s belongings will end up on the lawn.

4. Inevitably, like death and taxes, you will end up on a group ride where everyone seems light-years faster than you. You’ll get left in the dust, only to find them impatiently waiting at trail intersections. Then they’ll take off the minute you arrive, leaving you no chance to take a break. You’ll hear only snatches of conversations before getting dropped again. These are the experiences that make or break new mountain bikers. Take heart, friends…if you hang tough on these rides, you won’t be off the back for long. But even if you are, here’s how to enjoy yourself anyway: Ride your own ride. No matter how far back you are, ride within your limits and be sure to look around at the beauty of nature. If it’s your first time on the trail, pay attention to where you are so you can ride it again on your own. Have fun on the obstacles you can ride, and feel no shame for walking the ones you can’t. When you do catch up to the group, smile and joke, but don’t complain. Same goes for cussing or crying. Your riding partners will enjoy your company and admire your effort when you’ve got a good attitude, and you’ll keep getting invited along. And one day, you’ll be the first one up the singletrack.

5. The sport of mountain biking has long prided itself on self-sufficiency. Keep the tradition alive by learning to fix your own flats and perform basic trailside repairs. Nearly every bike shop in town offers classes on this, or you can ask a riding buddy to teach you. While friends (and often even strangers) will come through for you, don’t be that person on the ride that can’t take of their own basic needs. Plus, once you know what you’re doing, you can help someone else in trouble.

6. Carry a little toilet paper in your pack. If you don’t end up needing it, someone else will.

7. Same goes for extra food. You never know when a ride is going to be extended due to getting lost, crashing, mechanicals, or just plain slow progress. Always have an extra bar or two on hand.

8. Have fun! In a parallel universe, you could be doing your taxes or cleaning the john.

Some resources:

Become a better rider with RipStoke.

Learn to fix a flat.

Find trails to ride. Or alternatively, here are some of my suggestions:

1. Here’s a great starter list of easy trails near Boulder. Can’t go wrong here.

2. More specifically, the trails at Marshall Mesa are groovy, especially the  Spring Brook Trails. They’re nice and mellow but still have the things that make mountain biking cool: views, foresty bits, places to spot wildlife, etc.

2.Buffalo Creek. There’s TONS of fun trail here. Riders of all levels will love the swoopy, buff goodness, with its aspen groves, backcountry feel and camping possibilities. Sure, it’s not right in your backyard. How bad do you want it?

3. The Boulder Valley Ranch/Reservoir trails. These are great for a quick hit after work, with a mix of double-and singletrack to learn on. No worries.

4. When you progress a bit more try Betasso Preserve. Tighter turns and some exposure (drop-away hillsides) will challenge you, but there are few technical obstacles.

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