Getting into Mountain Biking in the South West
Discussion
This will read a bit like an intro at an AA meeting, but here goes.
So I’m 39, have two very young kids and a long commute, reasonably stressful job.. yada yada... blah blah... you get the picture.
Now the conundrum. 2019 has started with a dull thud and I’m determined to get out of the rut (pardon the pun) and into a new hobby this year. After hiring a bike for some off road trails last year in Cornwall, I fancy mountain biking as something to get the heart rate up, get out into the great outdoors and get away from the wife and kids....
I used to enjoy rowing (on water not arguing), the discipline it demanded and the fact it forced me out of bed early (although my kids do that now) and into the outdoors. Therefore I need something to get me outside, energised and fit again.
This idea is in its embryonic phase and I’ve not even got a suitable bike or roof rack yet.
I would appreciate any advice or tips in terms of what bike to get for a beginner (few £hundred) and also what trails might be worth a look in this neck of the woods. I’m located in Wiltshire (not far from Bath).
Thanks in advance for your help, wisdom and insight, PH pedal people.
So I’m 39, have two very young kids and a long commute, reasonably stressful job.. yada yada... blah blah... you get the picture.
Now the conundrum. 2019 has started with a dull thud and I’m determined to get out of the rut (pardon the pun) and into a new hobby this year. After hiring a bike for some off road trails last year in Cornwall, I fancy mountain biking as something to get the heart rate up, get out into the great outdoors and get away from the wife and kids....
I used to enjoy rowing (on water not arguing), the discipline it demanded and the fact it forced me out of bed early (although my kids do that now) and into the outdoors. Therefore I need something to get me outside, energised and fit again.
This idea is in its embryonic phase and I’ve not even got a suitable bike or roof rack yet.
I would appreciate any advice or tips in terms of what bike to get for a beginner (few £hundred) and also what trails might be worth a look in this neck of the woods. I’m located in Wiltshire (not far from Bath).
Thanks in advance for your help, wisdom and insight, PH pedal people.
Can’t help with Southern routes but have you considered a road bike? MTBing can be a massive faff to load your bike up, drive somewhere, drive back, clean bike etc.
Road bike means you’re out of the door and immediately riding.
I do love MTBing but rarely do it now, and when I do it tends to be a weekend away so that I get good ‘value’ out of the time.
Road bike means you’re out of the door and immediately riding.
I do love MTBing but rarely do it now, and when I do it tends to be a weekend away so that I get good ‘value’ out of the time.
Have a look on ebay, you can pick up some real bargains. Lots of folk think they'll try it, spend hundreds even thousands on a new bike, and after one or two rides, realise it isn't what they thought it was and the bike sits in the shed hardly used. I'd suggest anything from the big brands, Specialised or Giant or Trek to name a few, hardtail. (These have suspension in the front forks. Full suspension bikes are great, but will cost you more, weigh more, and have more parts to go wrong.) Riding a hard tail for a year or two will show you what kind of riding you prefer and that will show you what to go for next.
Wheel sizes - ten years ago, they were all 26 inches. These are bargains on ebay. Then came 29 ers ; bigger, so harder to get up to speed, but once there should hold speed better. There less likely to get knocked off line and smooth out smaller bumps. I've still got 26ers; I tried a 29er once and it felt a bit harder climbing, and dangerous fast downhill. I already scare myself enough downhill so I don't want to go any faster!
The size that seems to be winning the battle is 27.5 inches, halfway between the two, I guess trying to bring the benefits of both.
Can't help with riding around Bath, I live close to the South Downs Way so hardly ever put the bike in the car (it seems wrong somehow!)
Wheel sizes - ten years ago, they were all 26 inches. These are bargains on ebay. Then came 29 ers ; bigger, so harder to get up to speed, but once there should hold speed better. There less likely to get knocked off line and smooth out smaller bumps. I've still got 26ers; I tried a 29er once and it felt a bit harder climbing, and dangerous fast downhill. I already scare myself enough downhill so I don't want to go any faster!
The size that seems to be winning the battle is 27.5 inches, halfway between the two, I guess trying to bring the benefits of both.
Can't help with riding around Bath, I live close to the South Downs Way so hardly ever put the bike in the car (it seems wrong somehow!)
Not sure about what bike you should go for as I'm more into road cycling these days. But if you get hold of an OS map and join the Bridleways together, you'll be able to figure out some good routes.
You could have a look here or try Googling MTB clubs in my area.
I live in Bath, by the way.
You could have a look here or try Googling MTB clubs in my area.
I live in Bath, by the way.
Thanks for the useful replies, food for thought.
Reason for not being as keen on road biking is not wanting to mix it with traffic; and I kind of prefer the peace of being on a trail, rather than the public road.
More than happy to find an excuse to sling a bike on top of the car- gives me an excuse to drive the thing!
I’m going to take a look for some used 27.5 hard tails on the bay....
Reason for not being as keen on road biking is not wanting to mix it with traffic; and I kind of prefer the peace of being on a trail, rather than the public road.
More than happy to find an excuse to sling a bike on top of the car- gives me an excuse to drive the thing!
I’m going to take a look for some used 27.5 hard tails on the bay....
Hi, I’m in a similar situation to yourself minus the kids, live in Midsomer Norton I have been told that Ashton gate has some good trails also seems to be something of a bike park near longleat, not been to either yet as I haven’t had my bike long (rockhopper pro x1) got mine on the cycle to work scheme I’m trying to get a bit fitter before going so I’m riding the old S+D railway lines a fair bit at the moment
Plenty of good places to ride down your way, the Quantocks can't be far & there is a huge amount there.
As for bikes, something second hand off ebay would be my suggestion. Start with a hardtail or something short travel would be my starting point. Contrary to the above, i'd also go straight in at a 29er now.
As for bikes, something second hand off ebay would be my suggestion. Start with a hardtail or something short travel would be my starting point. Contrary to the above, i'd also go straight in at a 29er now.
nammynake said:
Can’t help with Southern routes but have you considered a road bike? MTBing can be a massive faff to load your bike up, drive somewhere, drive back, clean bike etc.
Road bike means you’re out of the door and immediately riding.
I do love MTBing but rarely do it now, and when I do it tends to be a weekend away so that I get good ‘value’ out of the time.
Mountain biking is infinitely more fun than road biking though Road bike means you’re out of the door and immediately riding.
I do love MTBing but rarely do it now, and when I do it tends to be a weekend away so that I get good ‘value’ out of the time.
. I think I’m the opposite to you. Used to be a fairly keen roadie but now would rather mtb despite, as you say, endure that faff of packing the bike in the car and driving to the trails etc. If the OP is looking for an escape then you can’t beat mountain biking.
I’ve just posted on another thread about getting back into riding about 3 months ago for the first time since being a kid. I bought a 29er hardtail based on advice and loving it. It’s not too difficult to pace uphill, but was an effort to start with. A month in and I’m loving it. Downhill it’s great and really gives confidence that it’s not going to dig into a rut, as it just rolls through them.
I didn’t bother getting loads of expensive kit either. Fully kitted out at Sports Direct for peanuts. Shoes are a waterproof trail running shoe that grips well on the flat pedals I use.
A mate bought a used Voodoo Bizango off eBay for next to nothing and it does everything needed for no money. That’s where my money would go now, rather than chucking the best all of a grand at it, these can be had for £250
I didn’t bother getting loads of expensive kit either. Fully kitted out at Sports Direct for peanuts. Shoes are a waterproof trail running shoe that grips well on the flat pedals I use.
A mate bought a used Voodoo Bizango off eBay for next to nothing and it does everything needed for no money. That’s where my money would go now, rather than chucking the best all of a grand at it, these can be had for £250
macushla said:
I’ve just posted on another thread about getting back into riding about 3 months ago for the first time since being a kid. I bought a 29er hardtail based on advice and loving it. It’s not too difficult to pace uphill, but was an effort to start with. A month in and I’m loving it. Downhill it’s great and really gives confidence that it’s not going to dig into a rut, as it just rolls through them.
I didn’t bother getting loads of expensive kit either. Fully kitted out at Sports Direct for peanuts. Shoes are a waterproof trail running shoe that grips well on the flat pedals I use.
A mate bought a used Voodoo Bizango off eBay for next to nothing and it does everything needed for no money. That’s where my money would go now, rather than chucking the best all of a grand at it, these can be had for £250
Agree with most of this apart from the shoe recommendation. Get proper flat mtb shoes with soft rubber e.g. five tens. Buying decent shoes and pedals was one the best improvements I made to the riding experience. Decent gloves and grips too as they’re you’re only point of contact with the bike. I didn’t bother getting loads of expensive kit either. Fully kitted out at Sports Direct for peanuts. Shoes are a waterproof trail running shoe that grips well on the flat pedals I use.
A mate bought a used Voodoo Bizango off eBay for next to nothing and it does everything needed for no money. That’s where my money would go now, rather than chucking the best all of a grand at it, these can be had for £250
Good advice already on this thread. Certainly as a beginner you can ride from your door, exploring your local area is part of the fun. I live in the middle of a city and before I got a mountain bike I had no idea about just how much greenery and wildlife there was virtually on my doorstep.
Went through similar a few years back, always loved MTB when i was younger and desperately needed to do something for me, and to get some activity back in my lifestyle.
Agree with all the comments on here already, particularly with the 'explore your local surroundings' part. - I was expecting all sorts of driving here and there, but in reality, almost all of the cycling I do tends to be from my front door.
I started with a hardtail, and have now also a full sus.
The hardtail has become more versatile for me, particularly in the summer when I run some cheap semi-slicks on it (halfords had a deal on!) and get out on some of the quieter rural roads near me - basically if im after a 2 hour ride for some fitness on a weekend afternoon, ill do that - its easily do-able for me a mid-30's fat bloke to do 30 miles and enjoy it. If I plan on going a bit of a way, I tend to have the step son on standby to come collect me with the roof bars...just incase of a mechanical issue!
The only things I haven't bought cheap on are (as per another comment) gloves, pedals and a helmet.
Also worth keeping an eye on magazines for subscription deals - my front and rear lights I got free from MBUK for signing up for 6 months. Over time I also ended up with a beanie hat thing, socks etc etc etc, The lights were half decent though and about 70 quids worth. Ive got some cheap single led marker lights that I use as backups if the battery runs out on the others.
Have fun.
Agree with all the comments on here already, particularly with the 'explore your local surroundings' part. - I was expecting all sorts of driving here and there, but in reality, almost all of the cycling I do tends to be from my front door.
I started with a hardtail, and have now also a full sus.
The hardtail has become more versatile for me, particularly in the summer when I run some cheap semi-slicks on it (halfords had a deal on!) and get out on some of the quieter rural roads near me - basically if im after a 2 hour ride for some fitness on a weekend afternoon, ill do that - its easily do-able for me a mid-30's fat bloke to do 30 miles and enjoy it. If I plan on going a bit of a way, I tend to have the step son on standby to come collect me with the roof bars...just incase of a mechanical issue!
The only things I haven't bought cheap on are (as per another comment) gloves, pedals and a helmet.
Also worth keeping an eye on magazines for subscription deals - my front and rear lights I got free from MBUK for signing up for 6 months. Over time I also ended up with a beanie hat thing, socks etc etc etc, The lights were half decent though and about 70 quids worth. Ive got some cheap single led marker lights that I use as backups if the battery runs out on the others.
Have fun.
Found a video of Windhill Bike Park..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js4YtjO4Dug
Thay also have a FB page...
https://www.facebook.com/windhillb1kepark/?fref=ts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js4YtjO4Dug
Thay also have a FB page...
https://www.facebook.com/windhillb1kepark/?fref=ts
I’d say go for a decent second hand hardtail. Ideally a 650b, maybe a whyte.
I would suggest buying some decent equipment too eg helmet, spd shoes, clothing etc.
The above will probably come to £1500 but that’s good encouragement to use it.
Practice in your back garden and on local roads first of all to get used to spds.
You’ll find your fitness will improve quickly. The great outdoors and some me time is great for the soul.
Technically you’ll probably just need to learn how to use the spd pedals without thinking, getting your bum behind the saddle for drops, how to balance your weight on steep climbs to stop front wheel lifting, take long climbs nice and slow and save some energy so you get over any small rocks etc,
I would suggest buying some decent equipment too eg helmet, spd shoes, clothing etc.
The above will probably come to £1500 but that’s good encouragement to use it.
Practice in your back garden and on local roads first of all to get used to spds.
You’ll find your fitness will improve quickly. The great outdoors and some me time is great for the soul.
Technically you’ll probably just need to learn how to use the spd pedals without thinking, getting your bum behind the saddle for drops, how to balance your weight on steep climbs to stop front wheel lifting, take long climbs nice and slow and save some energy so you get over any small rocks etc,
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