Callin out the mountain bikers!

[homey]

I'm getting the ACL replacement segery:eek:
I'm going to get some Astrisk knee braces so hopefully I can get back on my bike a little sooner. People are saying that they tested 100% recovery after about 6 months of PH. I am in really good shape going into the sergery so I hope to recover faster coming out of sergery. I ingured my knee about 2 months ago so I just about have full range of motion again. My ACL did separate from my femur so I have to get it replaced no matter what!
I'm coming out fighting when I can ride again:p
I actually hope to turn pro by the end of next season...I'm quite motivated too!

 

[mgorman]

I had the donor replacement so my knee would be stronger. They don't remove other parts of your body

 

[homey]

I trust my own parts. I dont want a 30 year old ligament going into my 24 year old knee!

 

[mgorman]

they are called fresh frozen and along with a few screws and bone graphs, my knee has held fast for over 10 years now.

 

[pumpkin033]

'01 Cannodale F3000SL, the bike rocks!

 

[mgorman]

got a fresh blanket of snow last night, should make for some fun riding. Any one ride at night?

 

[JTT]

I started Mtbing in 1984 and haven't really stopped since, although sadly, in the last year I haven't ridden hardly at all :( I have several bikes, including a vintage custom MTB from the 80's. My main ride is a Cannondale Raven 4000SX (with that silly one-legged fork). I love technical riding particularly (trials like).

I used to do a lot of night riding and competed in several 24hr events. Night riding adds a whole new prospective to your favorite trail, if you've never tried it. Night in the snow is the ultimate!!

 

[mgorman]

JTT,
I started to ride about the same time.

Too bad you didn't live closer. It is hard to find riders that like trials like riding. One of my favorite races is called "scott trials" where you sprint for 2-4 miles pending on the course except there are 3-4 trials sections in the middle. For evey time you dab in these sections, you get a time penalty.

 

[JTT]

Sound nice! Actually, around here, the trend has moved from "Cross country" racing type riding to largely technical riding, although with extreme stuff involved too. Kind of "North Shore" type riding, if you know what I mean. Lots of drops, bridges and other silly stuff. These trails are excellent for techincal riding though, and you can avoid the bridges and "gap jumps" if you choose. The other nice thing about this type riding is that you really don't need to be in great shape, as there is little pedalling involved in most cases, making it perfect for me ;)

 

[homey]

You may not have to be in great cardio. shape but you better be in great physical shape if you think you can just go ride off a drop or jump a double! In my opinion, cross country requires very little bike handling skill, where BMX, slalom, and downhill require a much greater level of concentration! Don't run out there and think that "freeriding" is easier, that's when you get hurt!! Other than that, drop your seat and go for it! ;)

 

[JTT]

Wooohh now, I never meant to incinuate (sp) that "freeriding" or trials riding was easy. It's just that it generally doesn't require the cardio that cross country type riding does. I don't loose the bike handling skills nearly as fast as I loose the lungs ;)

 

[mgorman]

I have done BMX,DH, DS, CC, ST, Trials, and even uphill challenges.

Except for up-hill they ALL require skill in the handling department especialy if you have ever ridden Vultures KNob with all the bridges, switchbacks, rocks and roots. The trails around here require more effort than the down hill races only because you have to do repeatedly for 2 hours with out getting pulled back to the top by a tractor or ski lift. A lot of time can be made up by doubling and jumping on the downhill portions to miss rocks and roots. A few races I have done cross country have man made jumps in them just for spectators. And they do it on very little travel compared to our downhill bikes that are getting full 8" travel. That is why John Tomac was so good at both, he made up huge gaps on the downhill portions of the trail.

In the bang for the buck, downhill is a waste of money. It is fun but for all the more you get to ride during race day, I'd rather free ride with friends or go to the local trails to jump. Dual Slolom is a blast as long as you don't get bumped early.

I will continue to do them all till I am too old to pedal.

 

[homey]

Sorry guy's I was really trying to keep an open mind and not offend anyone, If I did, it was not my intension! I just don't have the patience for cross country riding plus my equipment is not set up for it.
As for the downhill bikes, they are WAY over priced, even the slalom bikes are too much (if you get a full suspension slalom specific bike) My Foes slalom bike cost's about $5,000! I'm selling it by the way ($1500 Frame, Fork, and custom shock only) but I am getting back to what the sport is all about...Having fun! I just bought a new chromolly frame for $450 so I can put that togeather while I recover from my ACL surgery. Check out www.gackbmx.com and look at the speed demon frame. That's what mountain biking should be about...the most bang for your buck!
Do any of you guy's race NORBA events? I went to all of them last year except Vermont. I raced expert slalom, maybe I met some of you.

 

[mgorman]

Between all the different sports I do, I can't afford to travel. My last NORBA rae was in '94. My EX license has long expired. I race local now in all that I can. I would love to go to a national down hill but like you said, $5k for a bike that doesn't propell itself is not my idea of an investment. If that was all I was going to do then it would be different.

For all the tougher the courses get around here my Proflex Animal gets the job done fairly well with it's measly 4". I changed the rear shock and the forks from stock. I just put together a Marin Quake to jump and DS on this summer.

 

[JTT]

No fear homey, no offence taken here. Hey, I don't suppose you know Tim and Sherry over at Switchback do you? Orange is a big place, so not likely, but who knows? I got to ride with them down there in June...the hills are WAY too big in CA :scream:

 

[homey]

Yeah, I don't know those guy's. There are only a couple trails that I do around here, other than that I ride more BMX trails than anything!