Jump to content

Van Gaalens Mountain biking and running trails


Recommended Posts

  • Replies 971
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted

Oh re read your post , I know that section I can do it on my 26er but not my 29 er

 

I'm almost always on my 26" SS, it's not the bike for me.

it's SO doable ,specially in winter, when the roots aren't slippery..it really is the silliest thing, I just can't get my head around it, I guess i just need a cement injection and HTFU when reaching that point.... I have ridden through that corner(twice i thinkwhistling.gif ) .. but I have a rule... either commit to it or walk it, don't ever attempt something with hesitation... momentum is your friend!

Posted

Lovely pics,

 

really need to make a day of it and come through some time.

 

G

It's worth the ride! I ride every weekend,(unless I got a race somewhere) I am in edenvale! Worth the hour drive there and hour back. So you would drive about 1:30min

Posted

Dipstick

Know the are well, use to ride de wildt on quads allot in the past.

Just need to get wife's fitness up, will then get the gran parents to baby sit and come through

 

G

Posted

Bought another piece of land today at VG it's really becoming too much of a habit, if I go over my bars once more I think it's time to have a ( bike garage ) sale!! ...

Is it possible that a incorrect set up can make you go over, I have fallen lots as have most of us but lately I seem to be going over all the time, and yes I do shift my bum over the saddle towards the tyre. When I rode my Santa Cruz I always knew why I fell , too fast, too stupid, not enough speed, too little speed, not enough skill. But lately on my bianchi it's like ........oh I am on my ass again, what the hell happened???

Posted

Bought another piece of land today at VG it's really becoming too much of a habit, if I go over my bars once more I think it's time to have a ( bike garage ) sale!! ...

Is it possible that a incorrect set up can make you go over, I have fallen lots as have most of us but lately I seem to be going over all the time, and yes I do shift my bum over the saddle towards the tyre. When I rode my Santa Cruz I always knew why I fell , too fast, too stupid, not enough speed, too little speed, not enough skill. But lately on my bianchi it's like ........oh I am on my ass again, what the hell happened???

 

Eish, I can't remember when last I went OTB (I like riding hectically steep and technical).

 

What bike is it? How steep is the head angle? Your bar position may contribute to going over. If you are naturally riding more technical stuff as you get more confidence, then drop your seatpost. Or better yet get a dropper post! Going over just means you are not far enough back so that you aren't staying balanced on the pedals. You will be able to shift your weight even lower and further back than usual with your saddle out of the way.

 

I like your "not enough speed, too little speed". It is my motto too :P

Posted

 

 

I'm almost always on my 26" SS, it's not the bike for me.

it's SO doable ,specially in winter, when the roots aren't slippery..it really is the silliest thing, I just can't get my head around it, I guess i just need a cement injection and HTFU when reaching that point.... I have ridden through that corner(twice i thinkwhistling.gif ) .. but I have a rule... either commit to it or walk it, don't ever attempt something with hesitation... momentum is your friend!

 

That is one of those sections where if you get the line perfect you can just ride it. But if one of the roots throws you offline you have to have some skill with a small wheelie here and a tailflick there to get through it.

Posted

Bought another piece of land today at VG it's really becoming too much of a habit, if I go over my bars once more I think it's time to have a ( bike garage ) sale!! ...

Is it possible that a incorrect set up can make you go over, I have fallen lots as have most of us but lately I seem to be going over all the time, and yes I do shift my bum over the saddle towards the tyre. When I rode my Santa Cruz I always knew why I fell , too fast, too stupid, not enough speed, too little speed, not enough skill. But lately on my bianchi it's like ........oh I am on my ass again, what the hell happened???

 

You could also try a shorter stem. When I built up my bike I had a 110mm stem on it, damn thing wanted to throw me over the front all the time. Now I've got a nice 50mm stem on and no more trying to buck me over the bars :)

Posted

Eish, I can't remember when last I went OTB (I like riding hectically steep and technical).

 

What bike is it? How steep is the head angle? Your bar position may contribute to going over. If you are naturally riding more technical stuff as you get more confidence, then drop your seatpost. Or better yet get a dropper post! Going over just means you are not far enough back so that you aren't staying balanced on the pedals. You will be able to shift your weight even lower and further back than usual with your saddle out of the way.

 

I like your "not enough speed, too little speed". It is my motto too tongue.png

bianchi methanol with intergrated seat post

Posted

 

bianchi methanol with intergrated seat post

 

Nooit Bru!!!

 

71.5 degree head angle on that frame and then they integrate the seatpost so that there is no chance to get it out of the way.

 

Try a shorter stem but go with widish bars at the same time (if they not currently wider than 700mm). That will help you get your weight back.

 

Many people don't go far back enough when the trail points down. Your body should be in a position where you are standing balanced on the pedals and making slight adjustments all the time as the terrain changes. In other words if you hung a plumbline from your navel (roughly your body's centre of gravity) it should pass through your bb all the time. If it is very steep then you can go so far back that your chin is just above your saddle.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout