Absolute MTB BEGINNER Tries Riding Hamsterley Forest RED Route

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

check out this video if you want to see my VERY first time EVER on a trail. today's vid is a huge improvement over the 9 rides kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYfag4l4mJt8b8U

[@roddixon9402]

Never say you're pathetic ... I'm in my 60's and only started a year ago and I've had my fair share of crashes ... it's ace when you get through a feature but it's really not pathetic to stop and not do something - love these videos because they help us beginners feel supported !!

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

thanks for your kind words, yea i felt feel like there is a lack of us newbies filming our rides for fear of being ridiculed! I'm very thick skinned lol i wanted to put my rides up so others like me get a truer perspective of riding trails with little experience!

[@turnertower]

So great to see perfectly relatable--achievable-human levels of bike content! We’ve all got to start somewhere and we don’t all ride 60ft drops at 60mph every weekend. Brill to see, thank you 🙏🏻

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

Thanks Amy, yea there's not so many on youtube showing how difficult it actually is for us newbies!! thank's for your kind words🙏

[@suzannelunn3536]

This is great, thanks. I am also a beginner and it great to relate exactly what you are going thru. I am very much in my head and need to conquer that.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

i still haven't worked out how to conquer "in my head" lol, i think your level of what you can do without thinking, just slowly increases as you get time on the bike!

[@samfletcher93]

I might be having my first trip to Hamsterley this weekend so this video is great. I will be doing exactly the same. Pottering down the trails for a look before I choose whether to tackle any features at speed.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

It's definitely a lot of fun, yea just take your time and you will be fine, i found the featured looked way worse on approach then not to bad once you get right up to them Apart from the first one that i chicken out of lol

[@bikerkermit]

Thankyou for this video. I rode this route at the weekend for the first time, in fact it was the first time I'd rode anything like this. I didn't break it down like you, I was just trying to keep up with my 13 year old and his friend who just have that "balls to the wall" attitude about this stuff. I thought I was about to crash a few times, and was very slow but still loved it and at least I caught some air on the way down. I'm glad I wore a hi-vis top to warn those behind me of my presence but everyone we met was very helpful, warning us about the various tricky bits of the trail. Really supportive of beginners (and older riders like me!) Can't wait to hit it again now I know what to expect!

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

it's an awesome trail, but yea, when your a beginner it's pretty hairy at times haha. Yea I found everyone to be really helpful too, nobody is judgy if you can't or won't ride a section! MTB community is fab!!

[@bikerkermit]

@@DownhillDesireMTB have you ridden (and filmed) the skills loop at Hammers yet? There's some decent drops on there, well worth a look!

[@hardtailguy86]

Getting better each time mate 👊 ... you are a big motivator for us beginners

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

Cheers man! my hardtail is making a re appearance in the next video!

[@andrewgent179]

Fair play to you mate, the main thing is you give it a go. The more you do, the easier it gets - it's all about the basics and having the confidence in your own ability.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

cheers Andrew, it's a year on now since that vid and i'm way more confident on that trail! slowly getting better!!!

[@craigparson6605]

That first drop is called the "squirrel catcher". That feature is there to be intimidating as a warning to beginners, as opposed to the trail looking tame for a while and then your realize you are in over your head. It's nice to watch a mtb video that is not a full speed blast by someone completely comfortable on each feature. This is a trail you can revisit in the future to see how much progression you have made.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

the "squirrel catcher" kind of worked haha, yea i'm defo gonna come back soon once i've practiced a few more basics like cornering etc and getting my leg fitness up a bit as they turned to jelly half way down!!!

[@Hopeful_Wanderer]

Whilst I don't like hearing you call yourself pathetic (you're not by the way, you're mega for getting out and riding these trails!) I love the commentary, especially when you're on Transmission, it's like I'm listening to my own inner monologue "DEAR ME!!JESUS!! SCARY!!!" 🤣😂🤣

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

lol cheers, yea some of the features scared me the first time lol

[@brood1658]

Love the honesty here, very refreshing, good work lad!!

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

Much appreciated!, this was well over a year ago now i think, i'm riding that trail way better now lol

[@albashinski8521]

Great video! No bravado or pretence! You had me laughing with your honesty and genuine fear because that was exactly me a month ago. Got a better bike and five rides later the transformation is amazing. Still cant match the proper lads but progressing at such a rate and having such a blast. This video is a must for beginners as is the route you have taken.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

Thanks Al, yea i thought it might be helpful for newbies to get a real idea what it's like! i've progressed loads too, this trail doesn't phase me at all now! still not quick but defo getting better! It's just so much fun!!

[@netfusionuk]

Well done pal, I ride here regularly and its nice to see an honest beginner riding and reviewing...keep going pal and your confidence and fitness will build....keep up the good work.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

Cheers Mate, yea i've watched many good riders videos on this and thought it looked easy enough, when it's actually their skills that make it look easy. i'm a lot more confident now then what i was last year (this vid) but still not brilliant. A lot more riding to do haha

[@davidcoomber4050]

Thanks for that , everybody has to learn , your no different than anyone else and the video was informative well done 👍

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

Glad you enjoyed it, Thanks David👊

[@davidcoomber4050]

Doing that line next week wish me luck 👍

[@mcoomlie8478]

you seem to have some anxiety about how you're doing mid trail, but my favourite parts of your videos are when you're saying its fun and pointing out what you like, be confident mate, you're doing alot more than most can, keep it up mate its all for fun!

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

yea, i'm still doing it now 1 year on lol, i am improving though and no matter what i'm saying on cam i'm always having a great time!!

[@davidsheldon1954]

I love your videos mate, im still building my confidence on my bike and know how you feel when it comes to pushing through features. Keep at it mate. Your doing well. I have a feeling we live close to each other so look forward to seeing you out and about sometime.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

aw cheers mate, glad someone likes them haha. yea if you see me come say hello!!!

[@owenjohn1192]

Did those routes for the first time on Saturday @ 52 /53 years old, I went home with soiled shorts!

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

haha, yea they are a lot worse in person than on camera lol, i'm starting to get used to them now though after 3 or 4 times!!

[@danwain666]

Smashing video. Really makes me wanna visit Hamsterley.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

yea, and this trail is just a few of many plus loads of off piste too!!

[@BM_PAZ]

These cameras never really show how severe some of these drops are, fair play to you for knowing your limits. The confidence will come eventually, I'm in the same boat as you are and I probably wouldn't have gone for it yet either.

[@jaymoore8526]

completely agree mate, as someone who rides hamsterley every weekend i can tell you for a fact that drop infront of the 4 jumps is still huge after riding it loads

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

yea, watching it on youtube is definitely different to being there! thanks for watching👍

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

@@jaymoore8526 i wish i lived closer, i would love to ride there every week! it'a an 1 hour and half drive for me!

[@OldCodgersmtb]

At 024 seconds into video just as trail goes right there used to be a bushy tree, its gone now but l used to end up in it everytime l went over that drop, me and my mate both 66 and now go there regularly, had a few offs and survived it, so keep at it.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

cheers Baz, I'm knocking on 52 and thought i might be to late to start all this, but i've spoken to loads of older guys who are doing great!

[@dirtcheapdownhill2848]

Great day Gordy, you did really well and pushed some boundaries for sure . 😎

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

cheers Adam, looking forward to next one!

[@johnstark5404]

I love your "dear me!" and "shit!" reactions. Don't be too hard on yourself. Progress at a rate you are comfortable with and keep enjoying the riding fella "

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

haha, thanks, yea they are honest reactions to what i'm experiencing for the first time. don't realise im doing it haha

[@lewisgraydonflyfishing5575]

Can confirm this, was on the red trails for the first time at hamsterley today, if (like me) you watched abit youtube and think you're going to go up there and just blast down you're in for a very rude awakening. Gopro give it no just these hills are massive. Great fun mind you

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

it's defo harder than it looks on gopro isn't it. i'm used to it now though after a while riding now!

[@lewisgraydonflyfishing5575]

@DownhillDesireMTB absolutely, I'll keep at it slow n steady wins the race 👍

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

@@lewisgraydonflyfishing5575 yep, i'm still way behind all my mates but i'm slowly improving too😃

[@OktaFierce]

Great video. Good example not pushing too far too soon. Don't rush into it and it will come in time.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

cheers, yea just enjoying the ride ...so to speak

[@neilduncan441]

Great video! I’m 39 and wanted to get into MTB more, this video has made me want to get out and try… even though I’ll be on a really old crap bike

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

do it! don't worry about the bike at the moment! you will still have fun! i'm riding a 15 year old bike in this video, and my own nike is a cheap entry level hardtail!!

[@neilduncan441]

@@DownhillDesireMTB thanks man, I think I will… I’ll never be a downhill star with a super ££ bike but guess can still have fun!

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

@@neilduncan441 you will defo have fun on any bike, be careful though it's addictive 😂

[@dirtcheapdownhill2848]

Just found another classic quote from you after 're watching this, " The fear is getting me" 😆 an absolute belta

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

lol i'm an encyclopedia of daft quotes !!

[@dirtcheapdownhill2848]

I love it lol

[@LordBookii]

Ey mate this video is class. I love how we really good understanding for how you feel about each feature. Keep on riding, getting out and about is the main thing! 🤟🏾

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

cheers man, yea i really wanted to put a new rider perspective on the features. As a newbie watching decent riders doing this stuff they make it look easy, and we think it will be easy too! lol it;s not if you haven't done it before! but yea, i'll keep riding as i'm loving it and the features do seem to be getting easier as i gain confidence

[@jadebool1906]

Doing well mate, keep up it and you will soon be shredding. . Everybody has to start somewhere 🤘🤘🤘

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

cheers mate, even though i know i'm not quick yet I'm still having fun!

[@jadebool1906]

@@DownhillDesireMTB as long as your having fun thats all that matters dude, speed will come with time and practice .

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

@@jadebool1906 thanks

[@LeecMTB]

Well done for giving it a go mate great video for beginners thinking of trying hamsterly, always harder in real life isn’t it !

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

yea, it's way harder than it looks. we almost went to hammers for our first ever go on a trail! really pleased we didn't i would probably walked half of it lol.

[@davegbsng]

Good to see beginners enjoying themselves but could you ask your friend to ease off with the unnecessary skidding when he's coming to a stop.... It's what causes the breaking bumps that then rattle your teeth out.... Remember. Skidz and for Kidz.......

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

hadn't even though about effect skids have on trail, know we know! cheers

[@andi08uk]

Someone has invested their time voluntarily to build the trails. Skidding destroys their hard work.

[@troutdoors1996]

Good honest no ego video 👍it will come with practice your doing well. Try leaning back over the drops and pulling slightly on bars you'll find it alot easier with abit more speed and relax don't tense up.good video 👍

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

yea i know i'm still tensing up too much! i guess with practice i''ll start to loosen up! cheers fella

[@muddymongoosemtb9873]

I could totally relate to so much of what you were saying in this video mate. Especially about the fear factor when you’re trying to progress. Stick with your gut feeling on things, obviously you have to push out of your comfort zone a bit to progress but if you’re not feeling confident about a feature I’ve learned through bitter experience (separated collarbone) not to do it, leave it for another day- it’ll still be there .A great honest video.👌😁🤙🤙🤙

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

agreed, i've just got to have more patience lol, in fact we were back at this very drop a few weeks ago, and i had zero hesitation going off it, it was literally like nothing!!!! i'm pretty happy with my slow progress,( even if it doesn't always come across that way in my videos) lol. Thanks for the encouragement👍

[@sholehan]

Nice one, well done fellas. Everyone starts somewhere. It's a great trail to learn on. Try not to do the big skids after all the drops mind as it causes big holes 👍

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

cheers mate, yea we've already been told off for skids lol now we know though😀

[@sholehan]

@@DownhillDesireMTB 👍 keep it up! You've got winter to contend with coming up next 💪😉

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

yea, not really ridden in wet muddy conditions yet. lol not got to grips with the dry lol, should be fun!

[@trevorkeay6564]

Well done for trying mate, I took up the sport 3 years ago and I’m 64 so never too late, Hamsterley is my local track and the red routes are brilliant, did you got to the decent park side and ride the rest of the reds if not give em a go. Just one issue, please ask your mate to not lock up his rear off every drop, all he is doing is destroying the landing zone and a lot of volunteers spend a lot of time building and repairing them.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

cheers Trevor, not had a go at other reds there yet but defo will soon! yea mate knows now not to skid👍😀

[@nfive5]

Your doing quite well progression is coming on good. I was like you with drop offs but here's a tip dnt think bout the drop just do it, also scout the drop first then u can decide what line you are gonna take.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

yea i find when i think to much it makes it worse, still not easy to just do it lol brain is to old lol I'm getting there though haha

[@420fxnn5]

Don’t say it’s pathetic, everyone has to start from somewhere, great vid btw 👍

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

cheers, yea probably a bit hard on myself lol thanks for watching

[@barryray275]

It’s great to see some real riding. We’re not all Steve Peate. Progression is the name of the game.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

cheers Barry, yea just trying to give an honest newbie perspective! hopefully it will help someone!! thanks for watching, very much appreciated

[@cyclonasaurusrex1525]

I need this

[@tanget1337]

Not pathetic at all, bud! There are plenty of absolute monsters on KZbin smashing down worldcup DH tracks like they're nothing. Most of us cannot relate to that. What we can relate to is bailing on a feature because we're not feeling it on the day/can't quite work up the courage. Whenever I go out riding with a group of people with a range of experience levels, we have a general policy of "only ride it if you're comfortable to ride it." No pressure on anyone to ride anything, just because one of us does. Sure, push yourself out of your comfort zone, but only hit a feature if you can do so with confidence. Most of the crashes i've seen (had) are when people don't fully commit to a feature. If you're tentative, weight too far back, trying to go too slow - it's a recipe for disaster. There's no place for ego on a mountain bike. If a more experienced rider pressures a less experienced rider to hit something they're not at all comfortable with, the crash is on them! Keep up the good work - KZbin needs more real-world mountain biking. Also, I love Tom Cardy's channel for a similar reason. He's a super capable and experienced rider, but he still puts up videos showing how he struggles to overcome the fear on really sketchy lines. It's so helpful and encouraging for the rest of us mere mortals!

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

yea,one of the reasons i started channel was to show what it's like as a true beginner!. watching on youtube is soooo different to actually being on a trail, and as you said, it gets kinda lost when viewing experienced riders blasting down!

[@stevenparker4378]

Love your videos Gordon. Great to see your passion for MTB. I’d have a look at Ben cathro’s “how to bike” series on YT. It will help you with the uncertainty and improve your riding 👍

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

thanks Steven, oh i've watched bens how to bike series over and over it's been amazing!!!!!

[@rapidapple8941]

cool trail i've been b4!

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

first time for me! it was awesome, even though i was slow lol

[@trailsfromthedarkside6460]

Good on ya buddy. Sometimes you have to say No. you can’t out ride your ego. Hammers is a great place to learn. Keep at it mate. Ride Safe. 🤙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

lol i watched your vid the night before going for help lol

[@trailsfromthedarkside6460]

@@DownhillDesireMTB it was our first time aswell. Such a great place to ride mwill defo be back down at some point.

[@cockapoosbellapeppa3594]

you are so funny love to take you to Wharncliffe

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

haha thanks, maybe someday i'll get there, probably about a 3 hour drive i think. thanks for watching😀

[@cheetochaprides7632]

Don't be ashamed of not trying things mate, better to stand back, asses the situation instead of getting yourself hurt and ruining the ride, you'll be cleaning these trails in no time buddy😄

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

yea, i'm no spring chicken so don't bounce so good these days! lol as i've just found out this week, as i'm off the bike with knackered ribs ! ouch

[@theanimalchannel8172]

sweet

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

cheers AC

[@paulwilson8238]

Whats adams channel called

[@keithjhenderson9381]

Next time you go try the skills loop first. Build your confidence up on that before hitting the trails.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

couldn't find it lol i know where it is now though!

[@daftoldmanmtb]

I think you're a bit harsh on yourself in this one. I'm certainly no judge but everybody starts somewhere and you're doing great. Just a little win every time adds up in my (limited) experience. And at the end of the day, you're out, in the forest, having fun.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

spot on! i know i'm over critical of myself, but i always come away having had an awesome time!! fast or slow!

[@jamesbutler606]

Rode here the other weekend, even with 20+ years of experience in riding off road this place terrified me…..plus you have already ridden for nearly 2hrs before you get to these trails…..I will say tell your mate to stop skidding, ruins the landings for the drops/corner entrys.

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

lol yea it defo scared me too lol. yea we now know not to skiddy! cheers

[@garrypatrickson8075]

Everyone start from somewhere mate keep trying

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

cheers Gary👍😀

[@garrypatrickson8075]

Hamerstley isn't easy on some trails but when you have been a few time they become more rideable and enjoyable

[@COOKIE_wcc_]

Just one criticism is when you come up to wooden bench that transmission the bit you said was transmission is up to transmission but a lot have said never call your self Pathetic your beating the sofa surfer speed is your friend

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

yea we were a bit scetchy on the names of the trails and where they started lol. cheers for the support man!!!

[@amagnu100]

your mate needs to stop braking like that after short runs, screwing the trails

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

yea, we know that now, that vid was when we first started riding👍