OT:Post Canyon sesh on the MTB

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

Great! Thanks for the info, guys. I'll send you guys a PM when I know I'll be heading up there...perhaps we can meetup and you can show me the ropes.

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

I thought clipless was pretty much a must have for big drops and obstacles?

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

the only time I use clipless is if I know
I'm going to be doing a lot of climbing...

I take them off and put platforms on
if I know I'm going to be falling. Smile

forrest · Fri Aug 28, 09 8:29 am

I don't think one is better than the other... Quite a few of the big downhill racers us clips. I think it just comes down to preference.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I've always mountain biked with clipless pedals, when I bail I come out of them.

Then again I have never done anything like what you guys are hitting in that video. Still seems like there'd be an advantage to being able to hop the bike easier... really no idea though.

fredf · Since 10 Jan 2009 80 Posts Eugene. Or Â

Careful; you´re landing on ground instead of water. We had a local from here recently with a severe nuerologic injury from mtn-biking in Central Ore. > over the handlebars onto his head > neck fracture > paralyzed from the waist down, although maybe (hopefully) improving.

forrest · Fri Aug 28, 09 10:00 am

Fred, Was he just riding or anything special?

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Aug 28, 09 10:52 am

A few tips from someone who has done a shit load of dh and pulled of some hucks that even today make my palms sweat.

Do NOT start riding moderate stunts with clipless pedals, you are going to fuck yourself up, period!! The first thing you are going to want is a set of platform pedals with knarly spikes and a set of shin guards. You don't control your bike with your feet, you use your legs to squeeze the seat or frame and you use your brakes in the air. Your next purchase is a full face helmet.

You can ride moderate stunts with an xc bike but you
may find you will break stuff..rims,stems, shocks,frame. If I can snap the head tube off a $2,000 dh frame then you can snap your xc frame.

While dh riding is wicked fun the consequences are very serious especially when you progress to high ball stunts. If you fall going 40 or botch a huck and hit a tree, your going to the ER. After a fair amount of cracked ribs, seperated shoulders, broken fingers, and a broken ankle my friends and I were in nrth van hiting a 50' road gap. 50' horizontal and the launch was about 25' above the road. My buddy had a bad launch trajectory, crashed and hit a tree. He broke his pelvis in half and ruptured his spleen. Luckily the ambulance could access the road we were jumping. I came home and sold all my dh gear and bought kite gear and lessons. That was 2002. Haven't done any serious dh since then.

But I still daydream about it.....

forrest · Fri Aug 28, 09 10:55 am

Is there anything you and Gman haven't done? Damn ya'll are some crazy fools. Twisted Evil

What's after a full face helmet? I'm about to get one of those.

What do you mean you use the brakes to control the bike in the air?

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

I think he means you use your brakes in the air to stop the wheels from spinning and generating gyrosopic forces. But what do I know, I haven't jumped over a 50' gap Smile

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

I had one of these; http://www.performancebike.com/bikes//Product_10052_10551_1030214_-1___
The diff. between this and a motorcycle helmet is more air vents & lighter.
BTW This is a great deal at 39 bucks.

fredf · Since 10 Jan 2009 80 Posts Eugene. Or Â

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

jdk · Since 21 Dec 2005 333 Posts Obsessed

if i remember correctl, there are some obstacles out near Scappoose off Rocky Pt road (West of Sauvie). have only been out there once this year but i think i saw them last year

obstacles or not, the riding is steep and technical... potentially another option for the PDXers

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

The best hits around town ---->offroad ZOOBOMB. Watch out, there's some BIG gaps in there.

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 442 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

If anyone needs a tour, let me know. You definitely want platforms for Post if you are going to shuttle and do stunts. If you plan on riding up from the bottom, then whatever goes. Still recommend platforms,full face and leg armor, unless you like scars. Cool