Newbie would appreciate advice

[GoBump]

I probably went about this backwards (which would be typical but I'm okay with that). Basically, I have my bike (Gary Fisher Marlin), my helmet, and my rack. I registered with NEMBA the other day. My problem is I haven't riden in a while (years) and I don't know where to start. I missed the starter clinics and I don't know anyone who mountain bikes so I'm really hoping to get in with a small group that is willing to take in a newbie in the Harold Parker area. I can travel to other locations and I would be willing to do that on weekends. I don't want to slow anyone down or ruin anyone's ride, but I really want to get involved with this before it gets much later in the season and I end up putting it off for another year.

Any advice?

[splat]

Ride , ride , ride

Start off easier and slowly move you yorslef to hard stuff ,

Start on the road , get the feel of the bike.

find some fire roads , beging to get the feel of dirt.

find harder fire roads , easy single track, and just slowly get better.

also Look for some of Just Bills skills clinics.

[YakFish]

Welcome GoBump :) I agree with Splat - ride as much as you can. I also joined NEMBA about a month ago. Soon you will receive your first magazine and it will list lots of group rides - look for beginner rides and hook up with others. There are also many NEMBA events coming up that will cater to folks of all abilities and these would be a great way to get back in the swing of things. There is a Blue Hills event coming up in a few weeks. A lot will depend on how active and in shape you are. Although you haven't biked in a while if you are engaged with other sports it will be quite easy to get back up to speed. Good luck on the trails!

[fisherking]

And keep reading the ride boards, and you can even post a ride if you are going to be at HP at a particular time, post it as a beginning ride and some people might also be interested.
I haven't been to HP but from the sounds of it, it does have a lot of different level trails, so do as Splat mention, hit the roads/fire roads then ease into some of the single track. Some people who ride there might be able to point you to some good first trails to go on that aren't too tough but are a lot of fun.
Welcome and hope you become addicted like a lot of us!!

[OldSloDoggie]

Welcome to NEMBA GoBump. There will be some beginner rides at HP and threw out the Northsore posted shortly. Also, check out our new website http://www.nsnemba.org/index.html for rides, Chapter meetings, and trail maintenance days. We do hope to see you there. Also, Southern NH has a regular Beginners Ride, http://www.nemba.org/NEMBAforum/index.php?board=21;action=display;threadid=9138 if Nashua isn’t too far.
Fred VP NS NEMBA

[benb]

Also don't feel you need to ride with a group to go ride.

If no one is riding just go ride by yourself.. if the group is required for it to be fun this may not be the sport for you. The group should make it MORE fun but it should be fun no matter what.

[kgoldswo]

Hi GoBump,

The North Shore chapter of NEMBA hasn't hosted any beginner rides yet this year. Sounds like Fred is planning some. I assume that when he does host a ride that he will post to this forum and send an email to northshore@nemba.org. So I would suggest subscribing to the northshore email list so that you are more likely to find out about his rides. Subscribe by going to …

http://www.vdfnet.com/EmailLists/NEMBAsub.asp

Lately, there seems to be a lot of interest in beginner rides in the north shore area, so hopefully our chapter will start hosting some beginner rides.

- Kirk

[GoBump]

Thank you all for the posts. I've made some notes, subscribed to some mail lists, and saved some favorites. Had a nice conversation with Phil and then received my membership package in the mail today so I am totally siked (sp?).

Until this rain passes (which hasn't gotten here yet...what's up with that) I'll keep reading these boards and taking in the information; there is a lot of information.

Thanks again.