did my first trail ride today

[SuperJETT]

Had a blast, and it sucked too.

I have no idea how far I went, maybe 1+ mile with some up/down but generally up until the end which is a downhill run through a field back to the parking lot.

I got passed by 2 people, expected it, didn't crash or die, had to walk it uphill maybe 3 times (single speed sucks in a few situations) but did pretty well for not knowing the trail and where to carry my speed and just starting to ride 10 days ago.

Fun stuff.

I have a whole new brake setup on the way and should be here Wed. 2009 Avid Single Point 7 V setup with levers and a set of Kool Stop pads for the front. That will be a huge upgrade over my current old stuff. I probably won't upgrade much else on this bike and just save the money toward a newer one if I keep riding.

I'm still torn on the single speed setup. I do seem to like the style but sometimes wish I had lower gearing. However, when I was leaving some guy rode up toward the trailhead on a FS bike in like 3rd gear. He was pedaling pretty quick but barely moving---I'd rather just stand up and pedal harder and on that part that what I had done and it wasn't that hard. Gears make you lazy I guess. :biggrin:

 

[WaveDemon]

when you have a single speed set up you really need to attack before you hit the hill so your momentum can help carry you. also, you may just need a slightly lower gear ratio. have you calculated your gear inches? ~63 is a generally accepted good offroad gear inch.

you will get in better shape with one gear.

 

[WaveDemon]

here is sheldon browns gear inch calculator.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/

 

[SuperJETT]

when you have a single speed set up you really need to attack before you hit the hill so your momentum can help carry you. also, you may just need a slightly lower gear ratio. have you calculated your gear inches? ~63 is a generally accepted good offroad gear inch.

you will get in better shape with one gear.

I'll have to check my cranks to see what size they are, but I'm running 32/16 gearing which is fairly common or on the lower side of 34/16 which I see a lot too.

I do like thinking ahead on trails but not knowing the trail or being able to see more than 20' ahead most of the time (it's definitely a trail cut through the woods) made it hard.

I'll calculate my gear inches to see where I truly am but mainly I just need to ride and get in cycling shape. My legs are strong as hell from jetskiing over 18 years now, it's just a different kind of shape they need to be in. Getting up hills wasn't a problem, but my lungs were.

 

[Big Kahuna]

I started back riding pretty regular last fall. But slacked off in the summer until mid August. Early Sept I picked up my new bike. Have been riding twice a week now since September. In all my years riding I have never gotten to the level I am at now. My average ride is now 8-9 miles each time. Use to be when I got done it was not soon enough. Now, I feel like I could just keep going. It really is a great feeling. Keep riding and every ride will get better and easier. The muscles you use skiing, really do not come into play here except your back muscles.

 

[SuperJETT]

Surprisingly, my muscles don't feel any different today so that pretty much confirms it's my cardio fitness that needs to get better. I'm probably going to do the same trail again this afternoon.

 

[yamaslut]

we have a 7 mile trail here that is sooooo fun... all singletrack and tons of technical sections... takes about 1 hour at 9mph w/ a coupe water breaks thrown in.. I did it in 42 min once and it almost killed me...

the sand sucks...

 

[accbr]

Have you tried clipless pedals? You can push down with the front foot and pull up with the back foot while pedaling, so you're legs don't get as tired. I switch back and forth between some clipless pedals and some flat pedals depending on what I'll be riding.

 

[SuperJETT]

Have you tried clipless pedals? You can push down with the front foot and pull up with the back foot while pedaling, so you're legs don't get as tired. I switch back and forth between some clipless pedals and some flat pedals depending on what I'll be riding.

As tight as the trail is that I'm riding, I can't imagine using clipless. I'm on/off the pedals a lot due to obstacles.

 

[accbr]

They definitely take some getting used to, but they can help in technical sections after you get comfortable with them. You can hop around to change directions, hop sideways, pivot on your front or back wheel, etc....

However, I can't use a single speed. I've tried some of the local trails without shifting, and it was not fun.

 

[crammit442]

Had a blast, and it sucked too.



I'm still torn on the single speed setup. I do seem to like the style but sometimes wish I had lower gearing. However, when I was leaving some guy rode up toward the trailhead on a FS bike in like 3rd gear. He was pedaling pretty quick but barely moving---I'd rather just stand up and pedal harder and on that part that what I had done and it wasn't that hard. Gears make you lazy I guess. :biggrin:

As goofy as it looks, pedaling with a high cadence is the key to cycling. Standing up and cranking over the top of a hill is ok, but it takes more effort than can be sustained for any length of time. The way a geared bike should be used is to pick a cadence and change gears as necessary to maintain cadence. A high cadence in the 90-115 rpm range is usually considered most efficient. Obviously there is no difference in the amount of work required to go a given distance in a high gear and a low gear, but a small motor(the human body)can only do so much work in a given amount of time.

As tight as the trail is that I'm riding, I can't imagine using clipless. I'm on/off the pedals a lot due to obstacles.

They will feel a bit sketchy the first time or two, but before long you won't be able to imagine riding without them. The only place I can see them possibly being an issue is on serious chairlift type downhill stuff.

 

[shawn_NJ]

Any clipless petal recommendations? I want to try them. I did about 30miles of singletrack this weekend, I biked Fri, Sat, & sun...lol. I keep loosing contact with the petals when hitting logs,ect. I also bought a more aggressive set of tubeless tires today to help with hookup when climbing on leaves and loose .

 

[accbr]

Pricepoint has a few decent sets for $30 if you're just wanting to try them. Some of them come with the cleats too. You'll have to get shoes also.

 

[BruceSki]

i ride with toe straps. i first rode with them a few years ago and didn't like it......until the 3rd ride. then i was hooked.

to me, riding without being attached to the pedals would be like riding my ski without some sort of footholds or straps.

 

[redrrocket]

i ride with toe straps. i first rode with them a few years ago and didn't like it......until the 3rd ride. then i was hooked.

to me, riding without being attached to the pedals would be like riding my ski without some sort of footholds or straps.

Truth.org.

i run doublesided "commuter" pedals.. SPD style with a regular pedal on one side for sketcy stuff. and clippless on the other for climbing and most.

now that its a bit to chilly for riding here in WNY the lleaves and mud keeps the riding fix occupied.

 

[Big Kahuna]

i ride with toe straps. i first rode with them a few years ago and didn't like it......until the 3rd ride. then i was hooked.

to me, riding without being attached to the pedals would be like riding my ski without some sort of footholds or straps.

That is why you need clipless!!!!!!!!! Straps are like glue on lifters!!!!!!!! They just kinda keep your feet there. Whereas clipless actually holds your feet!

 

[SuperJETT]

Here is the track along with elevation/speed profiles of my ride today.

It was 2.45 miles and took me 24 minutes at an average 6mph.

I used gpslogger on my Blackberry, sweet little free program.

 

[SuperJETT]

I guess you guys have helped me (plus riding 5 miles this weekend and having to walk it up a couple of hills) decide to put the gears back on and try it out.

 

[Jetaddict]

If anyone wants to buy some clipless, I have a set of pedals I have used a few times on the trails. They are Shimano SPD's and are in excellent shape, just a few scuffs. I will include the cleats also, say....$40 plus shipping? I can post up some pics if anyone is interested. I also have Paypal to make it easy and safe.

 

[Jetaddict]

OK they are Shimano SPD m505's. 415grams.
They're scratched up on the spots in the pics, but the clips are perfect and they work like new. Heck, you'll scratch em up anyhow...lol. I'll let em go for $40 shipped, so just PM if you're interested.