The Bike Geek

I have friends that are strictly roadies, friends that are strictly MTB’rs and friends that do both. I happen to enjoy both sides of cycling. I love the adrenaline rush of riding a tight singletrack amongs lush fields, steep descents, ass kicking uphills. I also love the challenge of long distance rides on my road bike, the constant high speeds when riding with a pack, the organized fun rides. I have been bugging a good roadie friend of mine to taste some dirt, he finally agreed. He’d never been on a dirt road, for that matter he’d never been on an MTB. I asked him to share his experience with a little Q & A:

1. What was the biggest difference between the ‘feel’ of the bikes?

One of the biggest differences is the weight. A mountain bike weighs more, so you have to learn how learn how to distribute your body weight properly or else you will eat it! As you witnessed, I had difficulty with that on my first ride!

2. What was the biggest difference between the ‘feel’ of the terrain?

The biggest difference between road and dirt is the loose gravel. You cannot over compensate on loose gravel or else the bike will slide under you. On a road bike you don’t have to worry about making tight turns, the road tires grab on to the road fairly well. That’s not the case with dirt.

3. What did you enjoy about your first MTB trip?

I really enjoyed riding in a wilderness type environment. Riding through nature is a definately more of and adrenaline rush!

4. What did you dislike about your first MTB trip?

I disliked the fact that they cut the tree stups in an angle on the bike paths! It can be very dangerous if you happen to roll over one! I really felt uncomfortable because the trail was unfamiliar terrain to me! Also any man with pride hates falling from his horse!

I also disliked the difference between shifting! I guess I should have taken more time to get familiar with shifting! I fell a couple of times because I didn’t shift properly.

6. Did the conditioning from road biking help you on the mtn bike?

I really do believe the conditioning from road cycling helped me on my first MTB trip. I really did well on the hills, I didn’t feel I was left way behind because of conditioning. I rode slower than everyone else because I wasn’t familiar with the trail.

5. Would you do it again?

I would definitely do it again only if I have better gear! I don’t recommend you wear your road cycling shoes. You need shoes with some traction on the bottom. The proper gear is very important. Let me know when’s the next ride!

Now if I can only get RL to ride a 50 mile road ride with me…