Mountain Bike Help

[NewChief]

I ride a Salsa El Mar 3 29er. I won't ever get rid of it, because it's a cult collector's bike these days... but I'm going to either go full suspension or something with more aggressive, slack geometry for a second bike. We're down in Cpsta Rica currently, and I just rode a Scott hardtail that's pretty slack... and damn it was fun. Was throwing that bike around like crazy.


My youngest son has really gotten into riding, so we tend to ride everywhere we go, now. I'm still cutting video from our ride down here today, but here's some video from Santa Fe in March.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by NewChief

I ride a Salsa El Mar 3 29er. I won't ever get rid of it, because it's a cult collector's bike these days... but I'm going to either go full suspension or something with more aggressive, slack geometry for a second bike. We're down in Cpsta Rica currently, and I just rode a Scott hardtail that's pretty slack... and damn it was fun. Was throwing that bike around like crazy.


My youngest son has really gotten into riding, so we tend to ride everywhere we go, now. I'm still cutting video from our ride down here today, but here's some video from Santa Fe in March.

That is awesome scenery, great that the kid is out with you too. Had mine hooked when he was young...then he became a teenager and that ended that.

You have some really cool stuff in your area as well, I've been up and down the paved trails from Bella Vista to Springdale, but not all the way to Fayetteville. What I've rode is some of the best anywhere.

There's all kinds of dirt I've yet to have the chance to check out yet as well. Need to get back down that way again soon.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

That is awesome scenery, great that the kid is out with you too. Had mine hooked when he was young...then he became a teenager and that ended that.

You have some really cool stuff in your area as well, I've been up and down the paved trails from Bella Vista to Springdale, but not all the way to Fayetteville. What I've rode is some of the best anywhere.

There's all kinds of dirt I've yet to have the chance to check out yet as well. Need to get back down that way again soon.

Northwest Arkansas has become absolutely epic as far as the MTB scene (we just hosted the IMBA World Summit). The Walton boys (Tom and Stueart) are sinking insane amounts of money into the trail systems here, and the community is responding. I rode a lot when I was younger. At a certain point, I decided it was crazy to raise my kids here and not raise them riding. Similar to raising kids in Colorado without them doing snow sports. Anyway, loving riding and loving the scene in this area. I'll post up some other rides we've done in our area, though there are an abundance of videos from much more impressive riders than me out there floating around.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by NewChief

Northwest Arkansas has become absolutely epic as far as the MTB scene (we just hosted the IMBA World Summit). The Walton boys (Tom and Stueart) are sinking insane amounts of money into the trail systems here, and the community is responding. I rode a lot when I was younger. At a certain point, I decided it was crazy to raise my kids here and not raise them riding. Similar to raising kids in Colorado without them doing snow sports. Anyway, loving riding and loving the scene in this area. I'll post up some other rides we've done in our area, though there are an abundance of videos from much more impressive riders than me out there floating around.

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Anything you'd recommend when I get back down there? Keep in mind I'm old and #1 priority is not getting hurt. I've seen bits and pieces of the dirt trails and some of it looks pretty intense.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

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Anything you'd recommend when I get back down there? Keep in mind I'm old and #1 priority is not getting hurt. I've seen bits and pieces of the dirt trails and some of it looks pretty intense.

If you want a nice, long ride that has more of a XC feel with good climbs, but not too technical, Hobbs State Park is really good. Here's some video I shot from there:



The Back 40 Loop is pretty awesome, and it has some features similar to what you posted there, but they're always optional. Here's a good sampling from a ride there:


You probably don't want to do Coler, hah (this guy is from KC, and his channels is great. He posts some great videos of the trails around there):