How to get started in mountain biking?

I was just wondering what suggestions you people have for a beginner mountain biker. I've been on some technical stuff, small drops (2.5 ft), steep descents, urban riding, etc. However, my main problems are finding places to ride at and people to ride with. (I heard one way to improve one's skills is to ride with people who are better than oneself and none of my friends even ride bikes.) Essentially, I would appreciate any information on trails near the southern part of Vancouver and mountain biking clubs.

contact cycling B.C. , or check in with John Henry's , the have organized groups for rides. Other wise just get out there and ride your bike, doesn't really matter where.

cHuck

He's right. Get a hold of a shop like JH, and go on one of their group rides. You will never lack somebody to ride with in the lower mainland.

you live in Vancouver? there should be no problem finding people to ride with. Hang out at a bike shop for an hour, and see if anyone will ride with you. I guarantee you noone will say no

You can always post on the ride planning part of the site too! That's how I got people to ride with me! It's so much fun!

You live in Van and can't find anywhere to ride?

Try living in Vic…

p.s. post in ride planning, and maybe include that you're a n00b. Good luck.

Use nsmb like you might use a dating service.
Present yourself as a cool cat, young and beautiful, owning your own bike and shuttle vehicle and will drive your victi…I mean, riding buddy, all over the place if they'll meet you to ride.
Draw them into your lair:evil:

Originally posted by Loopie
Use nsmb like you might use a dating service.
Present yourself as a cool cat, young and beautiful, owning your own bike and shuttle vehicle and will drive your victi…I mean, riding buddy, all over the place if they'll meet you to ride.
Draw them into your lair:evil:

Very funny!

:lol: Seriously though…even just using this BB alone…you'll find riders to hook up with in no time:)

Yeah, I think I will use the Ride Planning part of this bulletin board. It's too bad I'll have to wait 'til August to go on any major mountain biking trip because of damn exams:(

seriosuly u should have no problem. I live all the way in Plainville,Connecticut and I even found someone to ride with.

Originally posted by Loopie
:lol: Seriously though…even just using this BB alone…you'll find riders to hook up with in no time:)

true. And, I must say, everyone from the board that I've met has been super cool. Hoping to meet some more of you at VPS Fest this weekend.

Basically, bikers rock.:rocker:

Originally posted by math314
I was just wondering what suggestions you people have for a beginner mountain biker. I've been on some technical stuff, small drops (2.5 ft), steep descents, urban riding, etc. However, my main problems are finding places to ride at and people to ride with. (I heard one way to improve one's skills is to ride with people who are better than oneself and none of my friends even ride bikes.) Essentially, I would appreciate any information on trails near the southern part of Vancouver and mountain biking clubs.

Your lack of complete disregard for the proper grammatical use of English has me concerned.

NARC!!!!!!

j/k but you should really concentrate on making more typos, internet abreviations (i.e. j/k, sup, k) and maybe mix in some confused homonyms while your at it ;)

Originally posted by Slamigo
**Your lack of complete disregard for the proper grammatical use of English has me concerned.

NARC!!!!!!

j/k but you should really concentrate on making more typos, internet abreviations (i.e. j/k, sup, k) and maybe mix in some confused homonyms while your at it ;) **

You're right in that I am a perfectionist when it comes to typing up messages. It's a habit which started because I did not want to errode my keyboarding skills. I was afraid that I might start typing the same way when word processing. By the way, what does NARC mean?