HawthorneVillager.com

You're so funny Cactus Jack. Let me know when you want to be schooled by me and my one gear bike!

If you plan on moving to more difficult trails, definitely get a hardtail. Kelso and Hilton Falls are both great places to learn. There is a real mix. Where Hilton Falls can get very rocky when you venture out into the single track, and beyond the Hilton Falls boundary into the Agreement Forest, Kelso from a fitness perspective can be more challenging because of the elevation climbing up the escarpment. Up top, Kelso is pretty flat, but there are lots of trails that have difficult lines, and easier lines. As you get better and more confident you can move to the more advanced lines (they are well indicated on the trail).

As for 26 vs 29, you really need to ride one. Most bike shops should be able to set you up with a test ride. I have a Niner Sir9 with a 6 gear setup you are welcome to try, with 29" wheels. Its hard to explain the difference, and each bike is different. With 29ers especially, the bottom bracket height and center of balance is really important. I've ridden some 29ers that feel like you are perched up on 2 big wheels, where as some feel much better like you are nestled in between them. Its hard to describe until you ride one.

One thing I recommend right off the bat, get a set of clipless shoes and clipless pedals. Don't mess around with running sneakers and flat pedals and then "graduating" up to clipless shoes (unless you aren't comfortable on 2 wheels to begin with). You will build far more confidence learning to stay with the bike and follow through and you will very quickly build up the muscle memory to unclip and clip in without thinking about it. The shoe/pedal interface makes a big difference!

Nothing wrong with starting out on crushed rock trails and going from there. Depending on your fitness, you can build a lot of strength and climbing technique just climbing the fireroad at Kelso that goes from the bottom of the ski hill until the top. It's not technical at all, but will build fitness and teach you to climb on loose rock surfaces.

And don't forget, lots more great trails a little further west off the 401 at Puslynch Tract! Fantastic trails!

WOWMTB: I wish he kept running the 24 hour race and WinterWOW at Mansfield and. I miss doing those races.

I doubt if Kelso would be open until April? Lots of clay up there and the trails stay pretty moist. I've never known it to open that early. Usually Hilton Falls is rideable much earlier. Tomorrow I'm going to head out back roads and head up through Caledon and finish in Bolton.

Plus Kelso trails are as wide as a highway in there, don't need it to get any worse than it already is.

I've been in Hilton Falls all winter. No logs. But right now with the thaw, its going to be real sloppy and tough to ride until the hikers pack some of it down, or all the snow melts.

Pfftt!!! Youz guys aren't the boss of me!!!!

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Haha, yeah that's the one - about 5 years ago. It wasn't a dude though it was Natalie (I think?). They're not doing clinics anymore unfortunately.

I ride a F/S everywhere. I ride my medium travel downhill F/S bike on XC trails all the time. If you're not a p*ssy a F/S can be ridden anywhere

All this "expert" advice being thrown around yet nobody is asking for more information that is pertinent for btimmins to make a decision. Proudowners budget question is definitely an important question to ask but the main question to ask btimmins is "Do you suffer from haemorrhoids?". Without knowing this all recommendations are suspect.

LOL. Thanks again everybody for the advice, definitely helped make me feel more confident about the decision making. I'm looking at some hardtail bikes from Kona, Norco and Trek right now in the $800-$1000 range. I was prepared to spend more if I was better off on a full suspension but it seems that is unneeded. Kona Blast, Norco Wolverine and Trek 4300 seem like good choices at this point.

And no KGC, I don't suffer from any ailments that will impact my biking. I'm also not worried about trails, I'm more than capable of dealing with it if I get into terrain a bit harder than I want to be in and so I'll just try out different stuff at both HF and Kelso, as well as some less known locations and see what I like, I think the bigger issue at first will be endurance more than ability to get through more technical terrain, as like most of us, I spend far too many hours of my life sitting at a computer screen.

Bike rack

as crazy at it may sound but this is really important. Roof mount, trunk mount, hitch.. Do you get one for 1 bike or more, get one thats lockable...

Opie







edit due to wtf, who taught me to spell !

Opie, I've got a Saris Bones 3 truck mount rack. Trunk-mount because I don't have a hitch and I personally prefer the location for ease of mounting the bike. Roof mount seemed awkward for me. If I had a hitch, I'd have gone that route. 3 bike figuring I may have both kids with me at some point, or friends. So far have never mounted more than 2 bikes on it. The Bones 3 is lockable - though its more to prevent someone from taking the rack.

Spend the extra $$ and get a hitch. They are easy to install and because you aren't towing anything you don't need the electrical - it reduces the cost. Regardless of how well you put on the trunk mount ones you will end up with small dents and scratches on your trunk or hatch.

For what we do at Kelso and HF there is no need for a full suspension bike. Best Biking video ever below - if your planning on doing this - get a full suspension. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zLuqKNKOqs

I agree with Big Daddy D. Most people I see have the hitch racks and if you can do it that's the way to go it seems. The other next most popular seem to be roof racks. I'm not really sure the advantage of roof racks over hitch racks.
If I had something other than an 11 year old Jetta I'd have done the hitch thing . A few scratches from a trunk-mount rack isn't something you'd notice in the grand scheme of things on my car and it worked for me but with a newer car I'd have gone a different route!

Hitch mount for sure. Make sure its a tray style hitch mount so you don't have arms contacting the frame. Roof mount sucks up gas, trunk mounts are annoying as hell and will ruin your paint job (I had a Saris Bones for many years, would not buy again). It makes your trunk awkward to open, you have to tie up the loose straps so they don't flap in the wind, and they are not quick to put on. Hitch mount can come off and go on in 30 seconds. Add another 30s to load your bikes.

The one I have a Kuat Sherpa, it works awesome. Tilts backward to allow for hatch access. Excuse the mud:

If you are planning on riding mostly cross country and using it around town I would not go with the Norco Wolverine. Go with something more along the lines of the Charger. I would also suggest looking at the 29ers. Stop by our shop on Nipissing Rd. we have tons to choose from and we be glad to help out with any questions you have.

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Mill Town Cycle
150 Nipissing Rd Unit 4
Milton
905-864-8800
http://www.milltowncycle.ca