I'm no riding god…but

Hi All,

I went to hamsterley forest for the second time today and had a great time. I did the Section 13, Transmition and a few more I dont’t know the name of.

One of the route (it may have been red) had a wooden jetty type thing that you could drop off. Height was only about 3 – 4 foot though.

My point is, I bottled this twice. Then after plucking up the courage did it 5 times getting faster. Well chuffed I was… 😀

Then – lots of lads came down, Yeti’s, Specialized’s, Giant reign’s etc. None of them did the drop! I was amazed by that.

Like I said, only my second time at Hamsterley and no other trails centres ever. SO – what’s up with these riders?

Honest question.

some people lack confidence and are over-biked imo

Dont know about those people but for me it’s a fear of bending a wheel rather than myself.

i’m with Mackem on this, but swap the wheel for a frame… 8)

I ride around stuff like that particularly if I’d bottled it twice as you had.
I ride to keep fit and get out in the countryside not take unnecessary risks.
I’ve got nothing to prove and can’t afford another injury.

For me, and lots of other grown ups with responsibilities to family and colleagues, there is too much risk to others and too little care for the opinions of people I don’t know.

Oh and I’m a big girl’s blouse too.

Is this going to be one of those things where anyone less good than you is a coward/incompetent and anyone better than you is a nutter?

That’s a reassuringly familiar STW post to read after spending ages away from the forum.

At my age, it takes a long time to heal. Good enough reason not to act like a teenager 🙂

Maybe they had ridden there all winter when anything wood and smooth was deadly silppy and where put off by that?

Hey lads,

I’m a family man, big responsibilities etc. I did bottle it 2 times remember! That said, it won’t defeat me. I’m not looking down on anyone, honest. I just wondered why these people weren’t hitting it if I was. I’m not great so knew it was easy once I did it.

Does a lot of sessioning go on in trail centres? I’ve no idea. Maybe that’s why???

PeaslakeDave – Member
some people lack confidence and are over-biked imo

Maybe they wouldn’t have even got to that point in the trail without those bikes. I’m sure if you let them know they’re over biked they’ll sell them and buy a rigid 29er niche-chariot though.

Who cares what strangers do and don’t ride. He may have just recovered from an injury. His wife might be at home with a new-born and he doesn’t want to spanner himself in. He might not be “feeling” it that day and decide to ride round something he doesn’t normally think twice about. He might be a novice on a borrowed bike. He might have just bought the bike, and be taking it easy with his new pride and joy. He might be at the end of a 40 mile slog and be a bit wasted. He might not have the skill to ride it, but just enjoy having a nice bike.

At the end of the day, it’s bugger all to do with you. 😀

Unless he’s your mate, then rip the piss mercilessly!!

it won’t defeat me

I don’t think like that anymore but I used to. I’m not overly concerned about technical skill progression either.
I actually prefer to challenge myself on the climbs.

…act like a teenager

fair points above. i’m still a teenager (just) so I guess I can act like one for now. 🙂

Did they stop and bottle it twice too? Or just ride on by…

Unless he’s your mate, then rip the piss mercilessly!!

Or not tell him it’s there so he hits it blind…

Last time I was there I didn’t do that bit due to a massive hangover. Had to stop the van on the way home to spew up kind of hangover.

That’ll be this one then:

hamsterley drop off

Suppose it could be slightly intimidating if you’re not used to drop-offs. I consider them a basic element of mountain biking so I’ve practiced them loads – this one’s as easy as dropping off a kerb once you’ve lost the fear. (picture isn’t me by the way)

lol.

good job OP

I wouldn’t go off that in a million years

I wouldn’t go off that in a million years

Really??

Hmm, I fell off in a car park dislocating my finger which wouldn’t reseat and needed surgery meaning I couldn’t drive for 6 weeks. Fortunately I could work around that.

Plus I usually ride alone and sometimes in places posibly nobody will be through for a while.

I’m with druidh on this one. Oh and like bol, I’m a blouser too 😳

Really??

Yup

Quite a lot of testosterone on this page.

I’m at the wrong age (42) to start faffing about learning/trying to do large jumps. Anything over 12-18″ I’ll just chicken run. I don’t bounce well anymore, plus I’m self employed.

I don’t ever look at anyone’s bike. I just look at their faces to see how much fun they are having 😀

I’m a XC/AGGRESSIVE/MARATHON rider myself so I wouldn’t do it

I’m a XC/AGGRESSIVE/MARATHON rider myself so I wouldn’t do it

…dam 🙄

I don’t ever look at anyone’s bike. I just look at their faces to see how much fun they are having

That’s about as plausible as looking a lass with big tits square in the eye.

I don’t ever look at anyone’s bum. I just look at their faces to see how much fun they are having

this is what I read!

I don’t think anyone’s getting too “testosteroney” over this. Robsoctane seems to be suggesting it’s psychology rather than skill I think, and I agree – I’ve only ever done drops like that when I didn’t know they were there.

It takes no real talent, unless you’re doing it really slow, so I don’t see why anyone should be proud or ashamed about riding it or not.

Here’s some mates of mine riding off that a few weeks ago… I was taking the photos, so (ahem) didn’t get the chance to hit it myself. I do get annoyed at myself for not doing stuff like this – I used to do far bigger drops than this not all that long ago.

Jumping without a helmet?? Really??

Oh, and here’s another of a mate losing it a bit at the big jump shortly before that!

@widge34 – he can do what he wants – he’s a big boy.

EDIT; I even do it myself sometimes – what of it?

I don’t think anyone’s getting too “testosteroney” over this. Robsoctane seems to be suggesting it’s psychology rather than skill I think, and I agree – I’ve only ever done drops like that when I didn’t know they were there.

It takes no real talent, unless you’re doing it really slow, so I don’t see why anyone should be proud or ashamed about riding it or not.

Spot on. If you can ride off a kerb and land both wheels together then you have the correct technique and enough talent. Just hit it fast enough and carry the front wheel. There’s more chance of hurting yourself hitting a root or rock at the wrong angle and washing out at speed but because your wheels are on the ground you feel safer.

@widge34 – he can do what he wants – he’s a big boy.

EDIT; I even do it myself sometimes – what of it?

So you are happy to protect your elbows but not your head. Does that really make any sense?

i came off this a few weeks ago when i was there and i mean came off literaly. it was wet and as i hit the boards i slipped then corrected but it was to late i was into the tree on the left when i landed, Result = broken wrist, dislocated shoulder and stiches in my arm from lots of gravel rash it hurt realy bad. great photo by the way

From the comments on that pic!

I reckon I’d do it, don’t like drops much bigger than that though.

widge34 – Member

Jumping without a helmet?? Really??

A huge number of BMXer have no problem with stuff much bigger than that without the need for helmets.

some people like walking in the park on a sunny afternoon..

and some people like walking though the Antarctic.. and then there are all the walks between the two extremes..