Thread: Mountain Biking Noob

Righto team..... After 30yrs out of the saddle, I've dusted off one of the kids bikes and have started shredding up the tracks, roosting the berms, getting huge air off the jumps.......



Then I wake up in a cold sweat, puffing and panting.

As much as I hate the 'Lycra Clan',(I see to many maggots on a daily basis) it's something I can do that doesn't hurt me. Plus with the kids having to be dropped off at sports practices,(6 a week) I've got an hour to something that may even benefit my health.
The first ride was only about 3km, which left me shattered. To many stops at the pie shops for this driver.
Have progressed up to 15km and feeling not to bad 10 mins after stopping. Looking at upping it further, then I can tag along (keep up with) a couple of fellas from work.

Since its been a lifetime between drinks, what are the better brands of bikes. For all I know, I could be buying a Lada thinking I've just bought a Rolls Royce. Same for bike shops. Are there better ones to frequent. Is Bikebarn the Warehouse of biking, or just another chain store.

Thoughts and your experiences appreciated. Cheers