I am sooo going to hurt myself.

Fnord5 · Jun 9, 2009

A couple of guys at work invited me to do some mountain biking.
Northstar at Tahoe. :thumbup:

Took a look at the trails, and some videos.
most looked OK, but I really am not one for jumps. I prefer to keep both tires on the ground. :blink:

Gonna have to get some better gloves, and some pads. Going to rent the helmet there though.

Has anyone here biked Northstar?

Seraphim · Jun 9, 2009

I used to be SOOOO into mountain biking back in The Day (1990-99).

Then I got old and cratchety.....

Ecclesiastes 11:9
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes

This is probably 15 years back...

sapito318 · Jun 9, 2009

Mountain biking is fun. Gotta love those jumps! Very tough work though.

Muirtach · Jun 9, 2009

Renoite here. Northstar has some great trails for a variety of skill levels though it has been a few years since I was last there. It is my second favorite resort to ride after Mammoth. Though I prefer cross country to downhill so I do not hit them that often nowadays.

Muirtach · Jun 9, 2009

Seraphim said:
I used to be SOOOO into mountain biking back in The Day (1990-99).

Then I got old and cratchety.....

This is probably 15 years back...

Is that a 2" travel Fatty Headshock? I was completely rigid back then, but always lusted.

sapito318 · Jun 9, 2009

I have an iron horse something or another that needs a new wheel. One hell of a mountain bike!

Stubblefield · Jun 9, 2009

Yay, they open this Friday.

Dude, N* can be as tame or gnarcore as you like.

first of all:

1. What bike are you taking (or are you renting?) Do you have a FS rig?

2. Def rent a FF, and get some hardshell pads, or 661's at minimum.

Stick to the easier trails, green/blue ones, they have less features, jumps, plus you won't get buzzed by the groms. Ride Zepyr and do a run down Tryumph or Frolic, for starters.

Have fun!

sapito318 said:
I have an iron horse something or another that needs a new wheel. One hell of a mountain bike!

6 point?

thirdeye · Jun 9, 2009

Seraphim said:
Then I got old and cratchety.....

I'm kinda bummed, I was old and crotchety when Mountain biking came about..... :biggrin:

Enjoy ....Give a good run for me to... :thumbup:

Brodirt · Jun 9, 2009

Im a roadie, but there is a XC race bike and a freeride bike hangin' in my garage.

My local trails are gnarly east coast stuff...roots, ruts and rocks. Short, steep climbs and insanely dangerous downhills.

I used to hit the trails 2 or 3 times a month to work on different elements of my fitness, but every time I would go out I would come home bruised and bloodied!

It didn't help me out in my road riding/racing and I think it scared the heck out of my kids so much that they don't like bicycling to this day.

Seraphim · Jun 9, 2009

Muirtach said:
Is that a 2" travel Fatty Headshock? I was completely rigid back then, but always lusted.

I think it was (is) only 1 1/2" travel...

richmondesi · Jun 9, 2009

Brodirt said:
Im a roadie, but there is a XC race bike and a freeride bike hangin' in my garage.

My local trails are gnarly east coast stuff...roots, ruts and rocks. Short, steep climbs and insanely dangerous downhills.

I used to hit the trails 2 or 3 times a month to work on different elements of my fitness, but every time I would go out I would come home bruised and bloodied!

It didn't help me out in my road riding/racing and I think it scared the heck out of my kids some much that they don't like bicycling to this day.

One of my teammates in college was a mountain biker, and he came in all cut up on numerous occasions from his expeditions... didn't seem like a whole lot of fun from that perspective :tongue:

Muirtach · Jun 9, 2009

Seraphim said:
I think it was (is) only 1 1/2" travel...

Could be depending on the year. Or at least I think so after downing pints with the mates watching the Cup

Fnord5 · Jun 9, 2009

Going to be renting the helmet and pads there, going to get new gloves for myself(I am thinking street bike gloves with carbon fiber knuckle covers)

My bike is a 1998/99 Specialized Rockhopper FS (front suspension)
I have a couple thousand miles on the bike, 2.5 inch tires on Ritchey Pro Logic aluminum rims.

I know what I can do with the bike, so nothing will really surprise me, probably going to stick with the fast single track runs, maybe a baby jump or two. I have a tendency to blow out the back tire when I do any kind of drop over 2-3 feet.

I need to get a new chain too, the one I have is showing its age, and I don't want to have it give out on the trail.

I am thinking that I am going to break something on my bike though, which will be OK, because I will be able to justify buying something with full suspension and disk brakes. :thumbup:

And as long as I don't break anything on ME, I will be happy.

Muirtach · Jun 9, 2009

Well if you lot want to come to Reno for your wind down after riding PM me. I know plenty of solid places for such.

Stubblefield · Jun 9, 2009

Fnord5 said:
Going to be renting the helmet and pads there, going to get new gloves for myself(I am thinking street bike gloves with carbon fiber knuckle covers)

My bike is a 1998/99 Specialized Rockhopper FS (front suspension)
I have a couple thousand miles on the bike, 2.5 inch tires on Ritchey Pro Logic aluminum rims.

I know what I can do with the bike, so nothing will really surprise me, probably going to stick with the fast single track runs, maybe a baby jump or two. I have a tendency to blow out the back tire when I do any kind of drop over 2-3 feet.

I need to get a new chain too, the one I have is showing its age, and I don't want to have it give out on the trail.

I am thinking that I am going to break something on my bike though, which will be OK, because I will be able to justify buying something with full suspension and disk brakes. And as long as I don't break anything on ME, I will be happy.

Good deal. New chain and brake pads. I'd skip the roadie gloves, get some DH gloves like the Fox or 661's. If you can, toss a cheap DH tire front and back (if you have the clearance) and that will improve your ride and fun factor immensely. Also make sure your fork has oil.

Gratuitous bike porn shot here:

Brodirt · Jun 10, 2009

Hey, Stubblefield....what are you doing with a Santa Cruz (right) out there in SF? With the roots of MTBing in your back yard shouldn't you be riding a Gary Fisher or a custom Joe Breeze? Maybe a Marin?

Stubblefield · Jun 10, 2009

Brodirt said:
Hey, Stubblefield....what are you doing with a Santa Cruz (right) out there in SF? With the roots of MTBing in your back yard shouldn't you be riding a Gary Fisher or a custom Joe Breeze? Maybe a Marin?

A Santa Cruz? Look closely, my friend, that is a TURNER. :drool:

I wouldn't be seen riding a SC :biggrin:

Tho lots of guys around here like them, and they are not bad bikes. Seriously, that picture is not the best.

I did try a few Fishers and Marins, but they were not for me. I would really like to get my hands on either a OS Blackbuck (made by Mark Slate of WTB) or else a Steve Potts. I also like Ventanas; Sherwood makes some awesome bikes.

I have had a few Turners, what brings me back to the brand time and again is David Turner's commitment to customer service, and the ride quality his bikes have. The RFX is a bit much for most/all Bay Riding, but it is super beefy and mostly indestructible, plus I can take it to N* or hit the local fun stuff without being underbiked. It is kind of a pig going uphill with 6" of travel, but downhill it is a blast. I built the RFX up from scratch, BTW.

And anyone that thinks shaving is an expensive hobby should try mountain biking . . .