Mountain biking

Is there an active MTB community here? Im not talking about biking the Isar to Talkirchen and back. I mean loading up a LKV and heading to Innsbruk or Bayrischer Wald. Munich is a bit flat, and the Isar ride is just about going fast on flat ground.

Anyone???

hmm, if you "not telling" your gender then there's "no helping" you!

If you're a girl there are 2 weekends coming up when a trainer from my (all girl) gym is doing a beginner and an advanced MTB trip for 2 days...

whats an LKV?

I assume LKW was meant - Lastkraftwagen I think - in other words a truck or HGV...

Ah, alles klar!

I've heard good things about Leogang, about 40mins south of salzburg.. Only been boarding there in the winter but they have one of the biggest bike parks in europe.. Lots of singletrack (both natural and purposebuilt), big downhills etc.. Plus there are tow other resorts within riding distance so no shortage of trails..

Have been discussing with a mate about going there one weekend.. Only trouble is my mtb is in the uk though they no doubt rent them out there..

If anyones interesting in organising something I'd be up for going there...

Er I go mountainbiking quite often... about once a week to the hills around tegernsee and also walchensee (sic)
Usually do a run of around 4/5 hours of mostly fire trails also as much single track as I can get in. Most of the higher stuff usually has a bit of trials/ seriously narly sections to it.
I mostly do the runs out of a excellent guide book called the moser bike guides...in german 'course but easy enough to follow.
Pm me if you are interested ... I like also to check out the leogang bikepark ... sounds like fun... need a full sus rig though... my bike breaks when I try hefting it off anything over 5 feet
gets expensive.
BTW the rides along the Isar 'ain't flat see Grünwald's bomb crater! or some of the freeride sections around Baierbrunn or Schäftlarn ... plenty enough to get the discs singin'!

With regard to Isar trails, they get a bit better if you follow it enough upstream.

If you follow the Isar upstream from Munich to the Grünwalder bridge and take the right side further upstream, you start to get hilly, and it's not that bad if you want a bit of exercise withing shooting distance of Munich. If you turn around at Kloster Schäftlärn you can get in a nice little 2-hour trip which includes a bit of technical biking if you want to take side trails. My favorite ride was the west side of the Isar until the Kloster, followed by the east side on the way back for flavor. The rapeseed was blooming 2 weeks ago at the Kloster, and it was just beautiful *sigh*

A bumpier alternative is to follow the Isar until Bad Tölz. It's about 5 hours but you can take a train back from there..

Those are the only rides I found coming directly out of Munich. They're not extremely technical rides, but the river valley is the only place I found that made the flatness of the area interesting, and you can hammer hard for a pretty good workout if you want.

HTH

by the way there is also the www.munichwanderers.de and they not only do organised trips, they also have a memo board where you can get on or arrange private trips...

In response to the questions:

DW
Wank
5.41am
very, but only until you get to the top.

Freestylers @ The Garden - Saturday 24.Jan.2004

I have been as far upstream as Bombenkrater, but that's it. Ill check out what goes on after there.

It reall yblows not having a car, since the trailheads are not [usually] near the train stations. (I did mean LKW, its the whole W is V thing that screws me up still.)
When i said 'its flat' i meant I like to take a chairlift up, and spend 20min to 1 hour coming down. Im not a great climber, and my rig is not built for it really. Maybe when I upgrade my fork I can do a bit better.

I hope it stops raining, but the mud is fun too. Nice to see so many replies.

C.

Also: for those with bikes thatare well... 'lacking' in the LETS GET STUPID category, Karstadt Sport rents Full suspension Scotts that are nice. there is also a 'Test Center' in Garmisch P-kirchen where you can rent and ride. I believe its near some nice riding.

the Diddie Schneider park in Bayrischer Wald looks like fun as well.

True enough. I was a hard-core biker in the states but haven't done any since I've gotten here (no bike). I'm in the market for a dual suspension setup and hoping to make the purchase soon. Soon as I do I'm in for some treks.

Looking at mtbreview.com they seem to have quite a few listing for singletracks in Germany but I don't know how many are close to here.

forgot the link ...

http://www.bikepark.net/

Well, my bike is for sale - it's a full suspension GT-LTS - it's carbon fiber. It's a bit hefty for me(around 31 pounds) cuz I'm just a girl. Bought it from a friend who was having money problems and needed to unload it. I seriously have not ridden it much because of lacks of places to ride and general lack of fitness. It's damn hard to ride this thing up hill(for an out-of-shape chickie).

But, if anyone is interested in taking it off my hands, that would be great...

In the meantime, I'm looking for trails that are a combination technical single-track that's not up hill but at least has some rolling stuff. To give you an idea of what I was used to, check out this site:

http://www.bikerag.com

Carbon Fiber AND 31 LBS?!!?! What the Flurck? It is filled with SAND? (Seriously... unless its the DH model they made forever ago, i can't imagine a 31lb bike. My Ellsworth with a dual-crown Jr T weighs less than that I think. I dont feel so bad for my girlfriend who has a Kona Stinky.Same as this years' Coiler, 32-35 lbs. No wonder she turns beet red after 5 KM.)

As for training, I think the ride from the Stadtmuseum to Bombenkrater is good for rolling easy rides. (If you pay attention, right after the Zoo, heading south, theres a singletrack that peels off to the left. Its usually muddy as hell, but its a bit of a nice 'float like a butterfly, watch out for that tree' singletrack-ish. There are sometimes hikers, but usually its empty, except for a few die-hards ripping thru there trying to raise their fitness levels to Pantani/Armstrong standards.

I once rode from Laim to Starnberger see, on a combination of roads, double and singletrack. there were some nasty parts in there, but there were too many old ladies with skirts (seriously) to make it really fun.

Does anyone want to organize a saturday/sunday lets get acquainted/easy/ light training ride? Or did I just nominate myself? Im not very motivated, but I can be coerced to ride. Since I'm currently unemployed, I can ride most days as well .

Where is this Bombenkrater???

Carbon Fiber AND 31 LBS?!!?!

Yes, you read that correctly. It is Carbon Fiber. All the weight is in the stupid Fox shock on the back - it is the downhill model, plus it has a Marzocchi Z-1 Bomber something-or-other shock on the front. It was the '99 model - they also had that aluminum one too. I didn't pay the ridiculous price of $1999 for it when it was new(I may be blond, but I'm not stupid), so I'd be willing to part with it relatively cheaply(that stupid shock on the front is worth $500 by itself). It is, on the downhill, like riding in a BMW 7 series - smooth. I beat all the boys down the hill on this one - uphill is another story entirely.

Have any of you guys found a knowledgable and fairly priced bike store yet? I've got an ultralight hardtail that will be making its way over in a few weeks but I'm in the market for a full-suspension for more XC riding. Some places here are just plain ridiculously overpriced.

@DW: You'll be struggling to find anything near US prices over here.. One option might be to get something mail order from the UK.. Still, even then it'll probably be more expensive than what you're used to.. You can always bring something back from the states.. When is your girlfriends european business trip?

@ Crotaline

Can you give us some details on the Karstadt Sport Scott rental? I was just at the Karstadt bike shop on Schleissheimer and their selection left much to be desired.

ProRad near Donnersberger and theres also one (forgot the name and exact location.) Leopold Str 251 or so.

they both have Specialized, and are reasonably priced. Then there's Extreme Bikes on Paul-heyse Str near Theresienwiese, but they dont have a lot, in my opinion. If youre looking for a bit more oomph, then there's Radsport Rolsh(sp?) mear the Meldestelle on Poccistrasse. they have all manner od Rocky Mountain and Cannondale bikes. Decent prices.

It is hard to find prices near US, but if you want that, then go with a German bike. (Steppenwolf or Bergwerk.) theres a shop on the 19 tram line near Laim/furstenrieder Str.

As for renting, I suggest going to the Karstadt Sport near Teresienwiese has a better selestion. And If youre interested in a weekend trip, the various parks that have been mentioned have Konas or Scotts for rent for a weekend or so. I haven't rented one myself, so Im not sure of the condition, but I'd guess they are all in good to excellent considering.

Last time I was in Karstadt, they had a few fully's at good to excellent prices. (2999 for a FS with a Boxxer up front and a Progressive in the back is a damn good price I say. But the old lady would kill me if I brought that home.)

Hey all,

I'd definitely be up for ripping some single trails. Can't say I'm an experienced rider, just got back into riding after not having a bike for 9years or so... I'm really enjoying going from old school no suspension to 6inches of pleasure in the front (you stop that filthy mind of yours ;-) Love my full suspension bike; makes off-season a little more endurable while waiting for the pow to return to the mountains.

Anyhow, I'm trying to get a feel for what these new freeride bikes can do, and so far I see no limits. Weeknights I try to find time to ride some trails by the Isar; usually from the Zoo to the Bombenkrater and back, pretty boring, but weekends I head for the Alps. I usually end up doing some moser-guide tour, swearing on the way up because I have to push my bike when it gets to steep, while the spandex-loving-Jan-Ulrich-wannabees overtake me. But on the way down I forget about the struggles and leave the hardtail-loving XC crowd eating dirt. I love narly, technical trails with good flow, and so far I've taken my share of uphill abuse to get it. Haven't been to any bike parks yet but the concept is appealing; take the lift up and ride down...so if anyone wants to head over to Leogang: count me in.

Crotaline: if you have any plans to go riding, let me know.

Hi,

I'd be interested in any bike trips too! Even just playing on some of the better tracks along the isar!

I have a hardtail xc, but I sill love to nail it down the steep jaggie stuff.

Tom...

Count me in too.

I have also got back on a bike after ~15yrs. And the legs feel like it :-(
Would be up for Isar as well as Moser Guide stuff. But slowly getting into it, so very much a beginner.

I'll be returning to Munich on the 30th with my Cannondale F900SX

I'm ready to ride eith you guys after that.

Count me in too!

Im guessing when I originally posted this, the weather was crap, so no one was interestred. Nice to see its nice enough to get a group thing going.

C.

Noch mal:


Where is it?

For you young'ns who want to hurt yourself at Bombenkrater, it is located in Grunwald, right next to the Isar. Ride south, towards the Zoo, wqhen you get to the Zoo, keep going. After a while, the trail will end in a parking lot right next to a bridge. backtrack about 100 meters, and go down in the direction of the river. BAM there it is.

Its not much in the way of downhill, byut there are some tricky steep sections. There is also a dirt-jump section there. (Its more for hard tails and BMX guys. Its also a bit 'local' but if youre cool, they are cool. the one rule is, If youre new, make friends, and help maintain the jumps. That's just common courtesy.)

Bombenkrater

There is a dirt jump 'park' for mountain bikes west of here on the way to Geltendorf, but Im not sure of the location. I saw it once, and its S-bahn-able. but id have to get mt old lady to find it again.

C

I've been told there are north shore stunts somewhere in the perlacher forst, any sightings?

If anyones interested, this could be worth a visit..

http://www.worldgames.at

If anyone is up for riding isartrails tonight, say 7:30ish, just send me a pm.

The conditions are good. Went for a spin yesterday and it was a little bit of mud here and there but mostly dry...not bad at all.

A word of warning: I'm not that fast, after all I'm moving myself and an additional 18kg.

Sorry, I'm not up for this, but I do wonder. Is the 18 extra kilograms due to excess weight around your middle, a small child or a case of beer that you'll be taking with you?

Two out of the three In my case...

I was attempting a blade night lasnt night so couldnt come along... Will you be doing it again soon?

Tom...

Tom17: Yeh I do it all the time, really depends on the weather and when I manage to duck out of work.

Showem: lol, neither of the three, just me and my bike. Hmm, 18kg of beer in one case - that's one hell of a supersized case...

So I ride with Kit once in a while, and we are both trying to ride more regularly. I'd like to propose a Wed. night ride. We go abour 5pm from the Seehaus in the English garten, but I know work may be a factor in when we can all meet up.

If anyone wants to make this a regular thing, Im game. All we need to do is figure out the time.

C.

Hey I might be able to manage a 5pm at the seehaus this weds...

Tom...

Hey Tom,

How far & where do you normally go? I might be interested, if you're not mega fities

Paul.

Personally I like anywhere. However I have a preference for technical trails & downhill stuff. Not overly keen on the big slog of going uphill or long long fast flat rides, but will do them anyways, especially if there is a hill or techie trail at the end

Tom...

OK. Here is what I will be doing with Kit.

Wed. at the Seehaus. We meet behind the Seehaus, by the memorial thing. (Not the one next to the biergarten, the one near the boat-rental.) then we roll south, following the Isar to thalkirchen/Zoo. If we are feeling good we go to Grunwald/Bombenkrater then come back.

After the Zoo, there is some singletrack to be had, albeit there ae other riders out, and sometimes (last time) a mother with her two sons. (They stopped right in the middle of the trail, and had a pee-pause. We waited, and then when they were done, they let us pass. no big deal.) If you want to rip along unfettered, fine, jst realize everyone in the city will want to do the same before its too wet and cold.

For me, its about a30-40 KM ride round-trip if we go all the way to Bombenkrater. Im not fit, I like Beer, and my ride is a rolling sofa with a double-crown fork, but Its not built to huck.

There is no real worry about not being fit. We can all ride together, and if youre feeling good, rip on ahead. If youre really slow, well... that ok that might suck, but I hate climbing, and the only reason i go to Grunwald, is the ride back to the zoo is mostly downhill and I like to go in the big ring down that, scaring small animals and irritating skinny people.

C.

ps. Bring Water and something to nosh. there aint no place to buy squat.

Do you do the jumpy jumpy at the bombenkrater? I was there (I think) yesterday and almost every jump looked beyond me lol... Still cool to watch though, might bring the camcorder...

Tom...
p.s... dare I ask, what is the big ring??

you gots 3 rings on your MTB in front. The small (29 i think) the Middle (32) and the Big ring (42 or 44). I like to go fast in the big ring downhill, but normally im in the middle. Middle-middle actually. Like 32-16 i guess.

OH thats 32 teeth on the ring. I forget the teeth part.

I have a BMX bike, but have not yet gotten it down to Bombenkrater. I think Im too old for that, but maybe Ill get the nerve before summer is completely gone. Id also like to build a Surly Instigator up for Jumping/urban assault/ general chaos. but that has to wait a while.

ok... now the ring thing is painfully obvious heheh... oops.
I like the middle ring mostly too... Pretty much exclusvely use that.

So if you arent bombenkratering, I assume you like to watch too? Or just go there & turn back? Funky stuff they get up to there, I dont think that would ever be me.. esp on my XC hardtail

5pm at the Seehaus?

I'm not sure I can make it this wed since I still need to figure the logistics.
At what time would you guys be arriving at the bridge by the Zoo?

Whoops! I won't be able to make it tomorrow. I have to visit Mr Inlingua! I guess getting my head around Deutsch is more important...

Perhaps next week. Lets hope the weekend weather doesn't crap out

Paul.

Wed. the first. the day before my birthday. Not tomorrow, but Wed. also known as 'Hump-day"

c.

Oh, that wednesday! Count me in then

@ pat

I'm assuming if we leave Seehaus at 5, then we would be at the wooden bridge by the zoo (East side of the river?) at about 5:30? Croataline, do you concur?

Tom...

maaay-beee...? I dont plan on ripping down there at top speed, since i did the same ride yesterday. I can wait at the far end of the Zoo (Where the singletrack starts, by the little bridge) for Pat, and we can play catch up, or we can all meet there and go from there.

Im open to all. I know that when i get to the end of the zoo, usually im down with a small break and a powerbar or whatever. Since this is more of a go out and dork around, get to know everyone and see just how silly we all are ride, I have no problem chilling.

Pat, just keep us updated, and maybe we can all work on being in the right area at the right time.

C.

Damn, totally got held up at work. What a shame, such a nice day for riding.

Well, if you plan to make this a regular thing then I'd propose to have a second rendezvous point for ppl living in south muc: say the northern bridge by the zoo at <insert the time you got there today>

Hope to see some pics posted of you guys dirt jumping at bkm