Danger Of Off Road Biking
(My first google earthe map with my new GARMIn 405 cx- sorry abt the many Laps of 1 km. It is for my runs)
Went off road for the first time with Sifu and Kapitan yesterday at Mt Erskine. My bike was loaned to a friend and Sifu has to loan his cousin bike to me. Well I must say it is very interesting, I would certainly go off road again. To be honest, I enjoy so much road riding, that I was having a tinge of regret buying a sluggish MTB and that is the reason why it is at my friend s place!!! But after yesterday ride, I am taking back my MTB soon.
We start off from Sifu's place aand ride to Mt Erskube market and begin the off road trail until number 23 that s the end before the PBA protection area starts. I thought to myself a piece of cake this uphill ride. My confidence got into my head. As we start down the trail, I was riding it like I did for my roadie. There is this giant slope, Sifu got off his MTB and Kapitan also got of his MTB and me the hero, puzzled why worry abt a slope. We hv done it so many times coming down Pearl Hill and here I comes not realising the danger of trail riding.
For you guys roadies who are going off road for the first time, Hear thee!!
Down hill for off road is very different compared to downhill for tarred road. Firstly, the traction on a tarred road is very secure and the flatness makes manipulation easy. Balancing is also easily maintained. On this particular slope where even Sifu got down to push his bike, it is particularly steep and to make matters worse, there are a lot of sands on its surface.
The moment, I applied my back brakes like the way I do for a steep slope on a tarred road, my back tire start to slide sideways making me lost balance and the steepness cause me to propel forward. I was still firmly pressing on to my back brake and I am straddled across the bike. ( Now I understand why when choosing a MTB, you hv to sure your crotch got to be way above the bike frame.... OUch !!!!) When I realised that I am loosing control of the bike and carreenin freely down the ravine I panicked ( thoughts of my colleagues metal screwing my broken collar bones, ribs etc eerily cropped up) and applied both the front and the back and I felt the back of the bike flipping forward almost double backing on me. I am glad I hv been speed running 10 km in preparation for the Bridge Marathon, that I managed to outrun the free wheelie and stopped in the nick of time at the edge of the ravine.
Surprising, Sifu and Kapitan were extremely quiet throughout the whole epsode, No shouts ooh!! Aah!! Guess they too shock and expecting to dial 911!!
The lesson to learn; downhill on a trail is very different than downhill on a road. When Sifu and Kapitan disembarked and pushed the bike, you don't try to be a hero !!!
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Both are dangerous. However, offroad we(the riders) can control the situation, road ride we can't control other motorists carelessness. Anyway, both type of rides are fun.
Offroad is bloody tough and brutal. It is all about the skill/art of balancing on the bike. Most of the time our butt is off the saddle unless get a full susser and it takes balls of steel with some common sense to roll downhill. Choosing the ride knobby tires for specific terrain also helps. Try sign up for some mtb xc jamborees. Will be a good offroad riding experience.
Road ride is more towards endurance, fitness and tactical. Energy conservation for final sprint, breakaway from pelathon, uphill and the proper gear shifting to breakaway from other cyclists. Almost all the time the butt is on the saddle.
Haairrryyyy!!!! :O
Hey doc, you forgot to mention, fun!!
Mt. Erkine is considered to be a newbie trail. But I have to agree with doc. Roadie and mtb are two different ball games. Different ride technique applies.
Anyway, spoke to my whacking crews. We are gonna spend some time recce-ing new trails again. Will keep you guys posted once we spotted new trails around Pulau Tikus area.
Aiya.. I miss the fun again. Don't think I be able to climb to 23 though after the SP ride.
Which slope was it?.. the very steep one ?