i know it's a random question, but i just heard that there are some good places to mountain bike here in Michigan. i've never actually done it before, but i wouldn't mind trying something new...

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/1782991/2/istockphoto_1782991_mountain_bike_crash.jpg
image added for dramatic effect.

Is that one of the Ramones?

sorry...nm...carry on...

Michigan Mountain Biking Association: http://www.mmba.org/

Mountain biking on the Michigan.gov site: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_16816---,00.html

Some Michigan mountain biking trails: http://www.dirtworld.com/trails/MichiganMountainBiketrails.asp

I used to out here quite a bit. It is fun and good excersize. It is one of those things you can hooked on for sure. Doing it with friends is a blast.

I used to out here quite a bit. It is fun and good excersize. It is one of those things you can hooked on for sure. Doing it with friends is a blast.

Any tips on getting started? Basically, i know how to ride a bike and that's it, lol. i heard that buying a good used mountain bike is a good place to start (rather than shelling out for an expensive one and never using it).

I think thats pretty good advice...used better quality bike. If you go new and buy a cheaper bike, it could turn you off on the entire experience.

I mean, if you are going up a hill and you need to down-shift under pressure, you do NOT want that to fail. If you have to stop cuz of a mis-shift, its a royal pain to get started again. And you buddies are going to be pissed waiting for you at the top of the hill. Then you get up there and you are gasping for air, and they take off.

And when your coming back down that hill, RELIABLE BRAKES are a must. Shocks front and rear are a must too.

Some of things with similar rushes that I do are snow skiing, dirt biking, but there really aren't many things that match the rush of screaming down a hill, wind whistling through your helmet and only a bike frame squeezed between your knees. Oh and 2 handfulls of handlebars/breaks. I havent' went in a while and now I want to go.

I think the hardest thing to get used to are the foot clips. I have them on my road bike and mountain bike. But it doesn't take that long. And to be truthful, some of the funniest times are when you and your friends just get done navigating some cool terain and no one falls and you're stopping for a drink of water and someone doesn't unclip, and they fall on their ass just standing there. Wait a minute to make sure has been thoroughly embarrassed, then take off and leave on the ground. Its a blast.

Ok I've written to much.

edit...good shoes, biking shorts (padded) breathable shirts, helmet will all make it more fun.

cool, thanks for the info, Tahoe.

[smilie=helmet.gif]

You start this Matt? I'm looking for another hobby but I was thinking more of a team sport. Maybe this.
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Though I'm worried about the preppy asshole factor.

But you get to spike the frisbee a lot.

It also doesn't look like black people are allowed to play.

Jesus, the guys in white sure do take their little frisbee game seriously. I want to see an army of border collies set loose and they can duke it out with those douches as to who gets the frisbee.

"Let's go boys. This is everything."

I know I'm going to forget that its non-contact and blast somebody in the center of the back like a safety while playing defense. I just know it.

It also doesn't look like black people are allowed to play.

I think that music might chase any black person out of earshot of any frisbee competition. I think that its Green Day, but that is some white sounding music. Can I say that? Oh, I just did.

"Let's go boys. This is everything."

I know I'm going to forget that its non-contact and blast somebody in the center of the back like a safety while playing defense. I just know it.
Its only non-contact if you play that way. During cross country back in high school we played frisbee football (or ultimate frisbee, depending on where you are) every friday. It got violent. A lot. My dad was the XC coach and he'd play with us every once in a while and at one point I jacked him in the face. Yeah, that didn't go over well.:emo kid:

Also, Michigan is great for mountain biking. I haven't gone a whole lot but my dad's been doing it since I was a baby and he gave me his old GT. You just have to find the trails you like around here. Its amazing if you have the right people to go with.