Bit of a rant/ inspiration needed r.e mountain biking

[TT1138]

I’ve been riding mountain bikes for years, mostly downhill/ freeride type stuff. Love jumps, drops, difficult technical rooty off camber descents as well as the flowing berms etc.

In an attempt to get out more than I have previously I’ve just bought a hard tail trail bike (albeit one that leans more towards the aggressive, long low slack end).

However the problem is I’m not enjoying it at all. Went to do ‘The Wall’ at Afan yesterday and Cwm Carn today and just don’t seem to ‘get’ it.

The bike is incredible, easily as good downhill as anything I’ve ever ridden, and absolutely comes alive on the fun stuff. I’m just not really enjoying the trails. Mile after mile of climbing, most of it either dull fire roads or tight technical uphill, neither of which particularly interest me. The downs were ok but nothing special. Trails didn’t seem to have any ‘flow’.

Is it a case of just sticking with it? Or should I just go back to uplift days, BPW, FOD etc.

[46and2]

Everything gets boring if you do it too much. I love mountain biking too, but the faff and travelling that goes round it means I don't do as much as I would like.

Take a break

[Scoobyshue]

Take a friend who has never ridden their before. It opens your eyes to the place again when you have to teach / show them lines etc. I think their fun rubs off on you.

[FSEngineer]

This will probably get a reaction from some, but have you tried an eMTB? For a given amount of time on the bike your average speeds will be higher and you'll be having a lot more fun (in my experience).

The main downside at the moment is that the prices are daft and they seem to attract thieves like flies to sh*t, but other than that they're a blast.

[missing the VR6]

I bought my first hard tail (Ragley Mmmbop pretty agressive geo) in 10 years back in September and in the mud of the South East's more natural trails (Surrey Hills) I love it, took it to Cwm Rhaeder, Whites Level and Penrydd (apologies for the Welsh spelling) a month or two ago and wasn't overly fussed about it, I think it's because they're quite hard pack I felt like I was being beaten up on the climbs from the saddle constantly bashing my @rse. Week after, I took it to BPW and loved it, mostly blue and a few red but mega fun, probably as I didn't have to pedal it on rocky trails.

I'd also say that for me, The Wall is not a good trail, way too much pedalling and not enough good decent to make up for it.

[Wildfire]

46and2 said:

Everything gets boring if you do it too much. I love mountain biking too, but the faff and travelling that goes round it means I don't do as much as I would like.

Take a break

This, I smashed the MTB'ing last year in lockdown, out at 5am 3 times a week, weekends were into the car whatever the weather for a half a day ride. Now getting in the car with all the faff etc, just doesn't quite appeal.

Throw in my riding group breaking up in to full on XC guys who can only do nights or mornings, a new job and more recently a death in the family and I've not been out half as much, despite having a shiny new Bird bike. Last yuear I did 1600 miles on the hard tail.

I'm off to the FOD next week with a different mate, so will see if it gets me going again.

[TT1138]

Thanks to everyone who has posted, some good things to think about. Went to FOD today and enjoyed it a lot more, only the Verderers trail but the downhill made up for the climbing.

E bike is an interesting idea too, just can’t look at the prices without wincing a little!

[Robster]

TT1138 said:

I’ve been riding mountain bikes for years, mostly downhill/ freeride type stuff. Love jumps, drops, difficult technical rooty off camber descents as well as the flowing berms etc.

In an attempt to get out more than I have previously I’ve just bought a hard tail trail bike (albeit one that leans more towards the aggressive, long low slack end).

However the problem is I’m not enjoying it at all. Went to do ‘The Wall’ at Afan yesterday and Cwm Carn today and just don’t seem to ‘get’ it.

The bike is incredible, easily as good downhill as anything I’ve ever ridden, and absolutely comes alive on the fun stuff. I’m just not really enjoying the trails. Mile after mile of climbing, most of it either dull fire roads or tight technical uphill, neither of which particularly interest me. The downs were ok but nothing special. Trails didn’t seem to have any ‘flow’.

Is it a case of just sticking with it? Or should I just go back to uplift days, BPW, FOD etc.

What did you buy?

[TT1138]

Robster said:

What did you buy?

Ragley! The aluminium one. Such a good bike. Doubt it’s much slower than my DH bike in real world conditions.