An important note to new DH riders

[Charlie]

Thanks Chris!


"This is my general word of advice to you new guys who are interested in learning and planning on going to the Grimsby shreads...

Make sure you have a set of leathers, and make sure you take it easy.  Don't try and be a hero and take hills from the top with everyone else or go charging into shit if you've never done this type of stuff before.  If you fuck up at full speed in Grimsby I am not exagerrating when I say that you could die.  These hills are GNARLY on a scale not comparable to anywhere in Toronto AND open to traffic.  Make sure you feel comfortable footbraking, pendying  or sliding to a stop at 70k or higher, there are a couple of runs where it is a necessity."   

and Ryan

"Learn the basics, get the proper gear, then come out to the hard core sessions. Anyone can go walk up Rich Kids or whatever mellow hill and learn how to ride. It's not like you have to go down Sydenham to experience bombing hills.

I know how many close calls I've had, and the guys I ride with have, and I'd like to think we know what we're doing. I can't even imagine bailing on an open road with cars at 85k. The chances of one not getting an ambulance ride would be slim."



This thread is not to discourage people from attempting big hills

It is to help them do so safely!

We've already had a major accident in 2008 and I don't want to see another one!
http://wikiskate.com/olf2/index.php?topic=265.0
Chris is an awesome rider and had ridden the hill many times before.
These things can happen to anyone at any time and it's important to know your limits when getting involved in a sport like this.

Feel free to add to this thread!

[CIRCA]

Thanks Charlie, this thread I think was a necessity what with all the new riders showing interest in coming out to the sessions.  The last thing I want to hear is that someone killed themselves while out skating some hill.  It's good to push yourself so you can grow as a skater, but you have to skate within your limits as well.

Sessions where everybody can learn in a safer environment will happen, and I encourage new riders to come out when they do.  Just be patient, they're worth the wait.   

[OSS]

For sure...thanks for the warning label Charlie.

I dream about having the Ontario scene grow with loads of talented riders...where we can hold our own with any scene on the planet.

I'd like to think that a couple of us have always hyped our hills and riders...with only positive intentions...and I think how fast we have progressed, and the strengthening of our DH scene is the direct result.

Everyone has to start somewhere...and it's not from the top of the hill with the gnarliest riders out there.

This shit is taking too much of my time to write... Scott said it best ..."I'm not toting vagina's around in my van who don't ride." (or something to that effect).

Oh, and I second what Circa said...I don't want to hear about any of you newbs being in a coma because you couldn't stop doing 70k. 1) I care about people. 2) It's our scene, don't ruin it with your stupidity.

[ScottyD]

Ya No Vagina's are aloud unless you where born with one.  lol

[Dubius.hillbomber]

my buddy teddi set up this safety page for coastlongboarding awhile back, and good over all safety advise for new dh riders.
                                       http://coastlongboarding.com/safety.cfm

[thrasha]

Ya No Vagina's are aloud unless you where born with one.  lol

hahaha good one scotty! that should be the escarpment surfers motto.

[Gaztick]

These hills are wild, so everyone should take the proper precautions before riding them; wear helmets, gloves, and leather where you think you should. You are your own best judge, and I would hate to be in the hospital over an extra 5km/h, so ride safe.

[beefspank]

VERY IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT


   THIS SHIT IS FUN!!

[CallumWilliams]

i find learning to tuck and air brake and how to footbrake are pretty cool to do on lemonville road and down hidden valley road! just off plains. i rode one of my first hills there. i wouldnt dream of askin to ride with these people without taking proper precautions first

[Joker]

 i support safety 100% and this is a really important thread for the new dh riders in ontario.



most of the guys who are going to grimsby and riding dh have been doing it a pretty long time. i can say for myself and a few other guys we didnt have people to teach us or show us what we were doing wrong so there was a LOT of trial and error.

so when somebody gives you a pointer, or gets mad at you because you did something insane or stupid, take it with a grain of salt and learn from it.  I think it really needs to be stressed that even though we are in a sport that is called "extreme" or "insane" you dont need to ride in an insane way. Being predictable and riding in your comoft level will make you more friends than bombing a hill thats out of your skill level.

The price we pay for making  mistakes at 80km/h is a very high one.

I would hate to be in the hospital over an extra 5km/h, so ride safe.

ITS NOT WORTH IT, TRUST ME let them pass you.

[jakoop]

seems like Grimbsy just doesn't fuck around eh?

ive got unstarted business there 

[Sam]

i've seen a couple threads where the ES have talked about doing sessions but they didn't want noobs who can't handle it.  I fully understand because we gotta keep things safe and also keep hills a secret somewhat so that they don't get baited out.  My only question is, how do I learn to ride those hills and stop at 70 if I can't practice anywhere but those hills.  I really want to work up my skills this summer in Burli to start getting some technical stuff down and some serious speed but I don't want to be the noob who no one wants to ride with.  No doubt I want to take things easy especially at the beginning and the from all the ES cuz i've seen vids of them ripping and the ones who i've met have been awesome guy but all in all it just seems a tad intimidating.  The only way to learn is to try stuff out and learn from more experienced riders.

[justin]

get used to all the toronto spots master them then move out to burlingtons 60-70km hills and then grimsbys 80-90 and work from there

[Sam]

thanks justin 

[Tim K.]

if you go out to slower sessions with the serious DH riders, and they see you can handle speeds and feel comfident in your riding, i'm sure they will ask you to tag along if they head to a slightly faster hill.

If they don't think you will be able to handle the speeds they are going to be hitting, they wont invite you. Just trust their instint, people who have been hitting the faster hills most have been doing this for a long time and have a very good sense of judgement.