First time DH questions

[If_Rider]

So I'm vacationing in N. Conway in 2 weeks and was thinking of trying some DH for the first time and I have a couple questions.

1. Is there any/enough beginner DH riding at Attitash for me to get my feet wet?

2. Should I just ride my Giant AC or rent a full on DH bike? I don't anticipate doing anything crazy and I have no idea what to expect.

Any advice for a first-timer?

Thanks

Mike

[slapheadmofo]

I think the rentals aren't really full DH bikes - pretty sure they've got a bunch of Sunday River's old Stinkys there and they've kinda been thru the ringer. You may be better off on your own bike; maybe throw on some beefy tires if you have some around, drop the seat, throw on a short stem etc.

There are definitely a bunch of fun trails there. I don't know if I'd really classify any of them 'beginner', but there's also not much that's really nasty there either. I think they also run some sort of shuttle service, but I'm not sure of the details.

You can probably get more info over at bustedspoke about which particular trails would be best to start out on. Other random advice (mostly just commen sense stuff):
Go on a nice dry day.
Wear pads, knee and shin minimum. Full face helmet too if you have one. (A few minor spills are pretty inevitable; it's nice to just get up and dust yourself off rather than try to hunt down band-aids.)
Don't ride alone if you can help it.
The first few runs will seem a lot tougher than the next few. It's a lot like skiing - a few runs to get warmed up, then bang out some good ones, chill out a little later in the day when you're tired so you don't get hurt.
Look before you leap - specially the first time down a trail I'll stop and get off and walk ahead to check things out. You don't want to come barrelling along and all of a sudden find yourself flying off a drop into a nasty rock garden.
Scrub off speed early and often - it's easy to get moving really fast and sometimes tough to slow back down. Once you've ridden the same trail a few times and know what to expect on it, you'll know where it's okay to let it roll and where it's not.
Letting off the brakes a little when you start skidding is counterintuitive, but really helps to regain control.
Don't think too much - relax and try to 'flow'.
Lat but def not least, try not to be extremely hungover when you go.

[Geoff G.]

The best trail for beginners is called grandma's house. Just ask in the shop how to get to it, becuause it is kind of hard to find, the easier way is to go right off of the lift, and down the fire road until you see a 4by4 foot yellow house, and that is the trail. It is tech, and steep, but it is the easiest. Also, it ends in the little 4x track, so that is fun.
I DH'd for the first time there last year, and it was easy, as long as you go slow, and take your time. Also I didn't wear any pads, or a fullface.

[If_Rider]

Thanks for the advice and info.

I do have pads but no FF. I almost always take it easy so that shouldn't be a problem.


Lat but def not least, try not to be extremely hungover when you go.


I think I can manage the extremely part but after all, it is vacation. ;)

[dhfurever]

Use your bike and ya grandmas house is good for the less experienced. I saw a guy with I forget what bike but it only had like 4 or 5 inches and rode fine.

[narlus]

i 2nd the recommendation on grandma's house, definitely the easiest trail on the mountain, while still being really fun. attitash could use some more mellow options such as GMH, i think. my wife wasn't too crazy about the mountain.

i think they have Iron Horse Yakuzas as rental bikes.

[If_Rider]

Even though this thread is a year old it reminds me I never tried DH'ing last season. Hopefully this year though.

How is Jiminy peak for a beginner mtn?

[ddoggett]

First time options depend on your experience but if your coming from a XC background and use a 5" travel bike then.

Plattekill = NO, good mountain but nasty for a beginner.

Attitash = Not really, some tough sections also fairly tight and technical, not a lot of choice for beginner runs.

Mt Snow = Yes, only a few real downhill runs (unless you like to pedel up hill again) but there is a mix of open fast areas and some tight areas with nothing to bad.

Jiminy Peak = Yes but get a guide, mix of easy/hard and fast/slow stuff. Some nasty stuff if you take a wrong turn otherwise fun for a beginner.

Diablo = Yes but follow the trail markings. The blue/beginner trails are really fun on a 5" travel bike.

Others?

Also can we make this topic a sticky at the top?

[slapheadmofo]

I plan to ride Jiminy pretty regularly this season - let me know when you're thinking of going and I'd be happy to point you in the right directions. Great place to try DH for the first time.

We should set up a beginner DH day sometime soon - I know some other people that want to give it a shot.

[ddoggett]

I rode with you at Jiminy last year after we meet up in the parking lot and I led you off the back for the 3 mile road ride back....

How about we plan a first timers DH day at Jiminy or Mt Snow since they are closest?
Pick a date, everyone brings the spare armour / tyres / tubes / helmets etc. Maybe we can even get a discount on rental bikes. Get a few more experienced people to go and spend time riding slow and showing people the lines.

Mid June works for me.

[slapheadmofo]

Not I - I haven't been lucky enough to do that road ride yet - pretty sure we did meet there sometime last year though.

We did a 1st timer day at last year with tele-mark and a couple other guys and had a lot of fun. I'd recommend Jiminy since their hours are much longer; you can be a lot more leisurely and still get plenty of riding in.

Mid June sounds good to me too.

[If_Rider]

Mid June sounds good to me too.

Beginner day sounds great. Mid June could work the way it looks right now. It's amazing how fast the weekends fill up in the summer.

Mike

[rigidhack]

Mid June sounds good to me too.

Beginner day sounds great. Mid June could work the way it looks right now. It's amazing how fast the weekends fill up in the summer.

Mike


Count me in this time - I'll take a day off work if I have to. I should have the Splinter by then, too. (All I need is a jersey and I'm good to go.)

[FriedRys]

Count me in, I'm obligated to ride Jimminy at least once a season on account of it being so damn fun. ;D

[JSecor]

Count me in, also! I really want to get out there several times this season. Budget is going to be tight so will likely only manage Diablo once or maybe twice. So a day trip to Jiminy sounds great! Also looking to go to Highlands when they open.

Dennis, let me know when you are heading out! Would love to get out and ride with y'all this season now that I'm "almost" a local. ;)

Jen

[slapheadmofo]

I'll be heading up for Memorial Day weekend with the family, planning on getting some runs in on both Sat and Sun... ;D

[rigidhack]

I'll be heading up for Memorial Day weekend with the family, planning on getting some runs in on both Sat and Sun... ;D


I have a grad ceremony to go to (my own) on the 27th. There is a big NEMBA ride at Bachelor St. on the 28th. Maybe I can talk my wife into going to Jiminy for a day w/the kids on the 29th? They open on the Monday?

[gnurider1080]

I'll be heading up for Memorial Day weekend with the family, planning on getting some runs in on both Sat and Sun... ;D

to jiminy? im pretty sure i still have your cell # so ill let you know if ill be heading out there for opening day as well. i cant wait to dh this season on a fully! ;D

[slapheadmofo]

Pretty sure they'll be open on Monday...tho we'll probably head home on Sunday :-
Let me know if you're gonna be up there Mike - with two M1s they'll hear us coming a mile away. You're gonna have a blast on that thing. ;D

Jen - we're still riding Wed nites so gimme a yell (and bring the d o g along too.)

[CouchingTiger]

So I'm vacationing in N. Conway in 2 weeks and was thinking of trying some DH for the first time and I have a couple questions.

1. Is there any/enough beginner DH riding at Attitash for me to get my feet wet?

2. Should I just ride my Giant AC or rent a full on DH bike? I don't anticipate doing anything crazy and I have no idea what to expect.

Any advice for a first-timer?

Thanks

Mike


Mike,

I think that what you really need is to buy a full nut DH bike and all the gear. Hey, I happen to know where you can get a FULL setup, bike, pads, armor and even helmet ;D

Lets make a deal!

-Couch

[If_Rider]

Mike,

I think that what you really need is to buy a full nut DH bike and all the gear. Hey, I happen to know where you can get a FULL setup, bike, pads, armor and even helmet ;D

Lets make a deal!

-Couch

Does that deal include living in your basement?

I wish I could! Hit me up if you have other gear you need to unload but the big ticket items are on hold for awhile :'(

[JSecor]

Jen - we're still riding Wed nites so gimme a yell (and bring the d o g along too.)


Hey Dennis - PM with me with the details on the Wed nite rides...where? what time? do i need lights?

Jen