Show off your Mountain Bike!!!

I’ve found it helpful when I am able to get on a MTB trail on the weekend and do some interval work 1-2 times a week on the road bike when I don’t have enough time to get to the trails. Like others have said, more days in the bike will improve your conditioning. You’ll especially notice this improvement more early on in your training

 

A stationary bike at home helps also throughout the winter month's if you can't ride much outdoors. Check FB for local riding groups in your area or ask around your local bike shops. I'm sure they know all the group's.

 

Pretty new to the sport! I moved to a neighborhood with access to a state park and miles of MTB trails a few years ago.

2016 Giant Stance 2, with a few upgrades

 

Also, ride with people who are better and faster than you. You'll learn their lines and get better just by trying to keep up with them.

 

Bought a 2018 trek marlin 7 today. It’s hunting season here so I did a couple miles on the road and then maybe 1/2 mile on a dirt road. I lift 4-5 days per week and thought I was in good shape....until I got on the bike. Got some work to do haha.

 

Great bike, I had a Trek Marlin 5 and it served me well. Love that color!

 

That’s awesome. Yeah I was dead set on the matte black and red color until I got to the local bike shop. Saw the blue and thought it was more my style. Can’t wait to put some miles on this bike!

 

The 7 is a pretty good platform to start. Small upgrades will make it even better. A good set of platform pedals and lock on grips will be great to start. Hope you enjoy it, be safe!

 

Great choice! I rode all the time in high school, but needed a new all around type bike.

 

You as well! Looks like you have much more favorable riding weather in Georgia

 

Haha. Yea, can pretty much ride year round here

 

I’m new to mountain bikes. I bought a helmet with the bike. After riding a couple miles I’ve realized some padded compression shorts are coming soon. What else would you or anyone else recommend for essential gear? I’ve got a lot of hiking stuff but it doesn’t really translate to biking. I don’t want to bust out on my first trail looking like a complete tourist haha but I’d like to get stuff that makes sense for a beginner. CamelPak is on my list...

 

^gloves! Always. And find a seat that fits you. No pads needed.

 

Good socks. Don't wear cotton socks or they'll feel like wet garbage bags on your feet in the summer. Also get some moisture wicking shirts. They don't have to be bike jerseys. I ride in a lot of the c9 tech fabric shirts or just whatever similar shirts I find at tjmaxx.

 

Good advice. I’ve got a lot of moisture wicking stuff for hiking/camping. Sounds like gloves and a good seat for my ass are top notch.

 

I prefer swiftwick socks, made in middle Tennessee. I recently started wearing hand-up gloves, made in Chattanooga.

 

Do you have a link for their gear?

 

Yea a good pack is essential if you plan ride very far. A CO2 inflator or a frame pump, a bike speciffic multitool, a tire lever, a patch kit(slime makes adhesive ones) and a spare tube. You will flat on the trail especially if your running tubes. Slime tubes are good if your not a weight weenie as they are a bit heavier. I do not ride with padded shorts but it can be rough till you get used to it. I second a good set of gloves, a good set of grips, and a good set of pedals and a good flat sole shoe like a Vans skate shoe or a pair of 510 free riders.

 

Http://www.Swiftwick.com or you can just get them on Amazon. They come in numbers that designate their cuff length. This time of year, I like their thin wool socks.

Http://www.Handupgloves.com and also may be in Amazon. These gloves don't have padding, so if that's your thing, these aren't for you. I've been using these since March or so and will replace them with another pair of the same thing when they wear out.

 

Thanks guys!