Some helpful tips please

Gers_punto

howdy guys,

heres the story. im sick of being fat so i went and bought my self a bicycle...

the bike in question is a GT aggressor xc2, i fiteed marrachoi(spl) bomber shocks and a set of maxxis ignitor 26x 2.35 tyres

it came standard with the tektro augira comp hyrdalic brake set up.

i find it a nice light bike and have so far just used it at brian borus fort in killaloe on a dirt trail with plenty od exposed roots.

basically what im looking to know is. should i just go balls out as do as much off roading as i can everyday or gently brake myself in on the road a little first..

is this bike ok for doing plenty of off roading?

what cycling equipment would i ideally need?

sorry for the newbie questions but this is something i really want to get into

abcdggs

In terms of distance you should be increasing about ten percent a week to avoid doing too much too quickly. whether this is on road or off i doubt it will matter too much. Just keep in mind you'll be more comfortable off road on your bike than on road, if you were to start cycling roads i woudl suggest getting a different bike (even thought it's not necessarily essential)

The bike sounds perfect for what you're looking to do.

In terms of kit i would suggest just goign for whatever your comfortable with, the most important thing is getting out there and doing something, if you're not comfortable you'll be less inclined to get out on the bike

anoble66

hey gers-punto,

I am around Killaloe too, another decent place for the MTB is up around Ballycuggaran woods. The uphill sections might be a bit challenging to begin with but its really nice up there and coming down again is something else :pac:

good luck

Gers_punto

thanks folks. went in and arounf the forest beside twomile gate today and am really starting to get into it. maybe thinking kknee and elbow pads are a nessecity tho:D

Bunnyhopper

It's probably relatively uncontroversial to say that a helmet is a very good idea for off-roading. (Let's not get into any helmet debates...)

A decent pair of full-finger gloves is also a good idea. They'll save you from getting blisters or the like from the handlebar grips, but they can also save your skin (literally) if/when you come off the bike, but if you're considering knee and shin guards then you probably have decent gloves already.

For hydration, something like a Camelbak is easier off-road than regular bottles. A multi-tool can also come in handy (Topeak do several).

Gers_punto

i have a decent helmet and a good set of sixsixone full finger gloves i find them very good as they have already saved me fom ripping my habds open

do the camel baks come with pockets in to carry a tube pump and handy tool ?