naive downhill question??

[girlygirl]

Stupid question but I want to find out.....

What mountains allow people to ride the lifts and bike down the trails?

What type of bike and equipment do I need? Can I ride my stumpjumper? or should I rent a downhill specific bike?

PLUS - any hints?? I live near the Cape so I am hoping not to go further than Southern NH but will travel more if I have to.

[Shodan]

not many mtns in southern Nh
I think Attitash is the closest, you'll need full face helmet, and body armor, I would rent a bike rather than wear out my own brakes, plus they rent more dh specific models

[adam30k]

Jiminy Peak, in the Berkshires, is open also. About a 3 hour ride down the Pike.

http://www.jiminypeak.com/sum/s_b_trail.html

[huff'npuff]

Look at a map and decide which ski area you want to visit,then do a web search. Most places allow you to bring your bike,and don't require body armor.

[huff'npuff]

Look at a map and decide which ski area you want to visit,then do a web search. Most places allow you to bring your bike,and don't require body armor.


It goes without saying thay helmets are required,but I'll say it anyway. Waterville Valley is nice,and is about 3 1/2 hours from Sandwich.

[slapheadmofo]

I'd recommend Jiminy for starting out. They do have some decent bikes to rent, but not sure how much of a size selection is available. We're going to do a beginner DH day out there sometime pretty soon - keep an eye on the DH/FR page here - should be a lotta fun. ;D

[ddoggett]

You first need to let us know what you mean about 'downhill'.
There are some mountains where you can go and take a lift up and then ride cross country trails down, just like riding average to harder cross country trails around Mass except you avoid the climbing. For this type of riding all you need is your normal bike, helmet etc. If this is what you are looking for then Mt Snow has many runs, Killington has runs, and someone mentioned Waterville.

If you are looking to try downhill riding then you you will need at 6"+ travel bike full face helmet etc. For this you are looking at much steeper runs, many drops (2ft drops are just part of the flow of the trail and not a drop) and much rockier sections.

If you want to try out downhill let us know as me and slapheadmofo started talking about a beginners day a Jiminy peak. A few people will be out there next weekend and we'll try to plan something.

[bike187]

first off, there's a forum just for this kind of stuff, in which you might be able to find your answeres if you browse through previous posts.

closest mountain is Highland in Northfield NH, about 2hrs from boston. others nearby that i've gone to are attitash, jiminy, and diablo. diablo's in jersey and not too much for beginner stuff, but i was only there for 2 days. attitash has a good variety of trails. jiminy, i've only been once, but it seemed to have a decent variety.
highland is a brand new mountain that's opening supposedly around late june. search posts on bustedspoke.com for more info on highland, and downhill riding in general.

other mountains that have or amy have lift acces riding as well: killington, bolton valley (? they mgiht have closed) plattekill in upperstate ny

some good gear that'll help: fullface helmet, fullfinger gloves, knee/shin gaurds, elbow/arm gaurds, eye protection, chest protector or body armor suit, flat pedals and decent gripping pedals (you could use clipless but it'd be nice for first time to use flats at least), durable shorts that won't shred if you fall, a riding buddy that knows the mountain.

i would reccomend renting a dh bike for the day, because you can probably go faster on it, and that's what counts right? if you do decide to brave breaking you stumpy, i'd at elast reccomend getting wider tires at least 2.25 for more grip.

[Z]

The only local place I can speak to from experience is Attitash, which can be enjoyed on a burly trail bike. However, you might enjoy renting better. Definitely bring lots of protection.

Based on the photos, I'd want to check out Highland when it opens:

www.highlandmountain.com

Pretty cool stuff. I've always wanted to check out Diablo, too, but that's far.

Sorry I'll miss you guys at the beginner day at Jiminy!