jI have ust checked my tyres on the little 650, they are Mitas Enduro E 07 front and rear.
I also tackled my first muddy lane! It is only about 600 yards each way, I soon learned that coming back up is much easier than going down. The front was sliding around all over the place on the grassy, peaty, muddy middle but flat section. Then I got into the side rut and it was much better from a slithery aspect, but was very much bumpier. I did manage to not fall off or drop it, but I had to stop about half way and gather myself, I was getting tied up in knots and had to sort myself out and get things back under control.
Coming back up I just stayed in 1st gear and came up gently, but it pulled straight up no problem and with no sliding around. I could see the tyre tracks from on my way down where they had slid and there was no tyre tread marks, just scoops where the tyre had gone forward aand sideways at the same time. I was relieved to see the tarmac again! My first 'green lane' completed without mishap.
Any hints and tips greatly received. I did a day with Skygod, but it was about Christmas before last and I have forgotten it all. To be fair, I had forgotten half of it by the time we got back to base to warm up.......my retention ability is serverely restricted now, but I am keen to have some idea of how to do easy lanes. I cannot buy a 'proper' off road bike, Iam not going to be climbing rock walls! Just farm track type stuff, so the Xcountry will do me fine.
Should I let the tyres down between road and track? Or are the Mitas tyres OK at one pressure, if so what sort of pressure should they be pumped up to. I did the same as stanard on the 1150 36 front, 42 rear but someone said that was too hard so I let them down to about 28 / 30 respectively. Seems OK on the road.
Please be understanding and gentle with me.
I also tackled my first muddy lane! It is only about 600 yards each way, I soon learned that coming back up is much easier than going down. The front was sliding around all over the place on the grassy, peaty, muddy middle but flat section. Then I got into the side rut and it was much better from a slithery aspect, but was very much bumpier. I did manage to not fall off or drop it, but I had to stop about half way and gather myself, I was getting tied up in knots and had to sort myself out and get things back under control.
Coming back up I just stayed in 1st gear and came up gently, but it pulled straight up no problem and with no sliding around. I could see the tyre tracks from on my way down where they had slid and there was no tyre tread marks, just scoops where the tyre had gone forward aand sideways at the same time. I was relieved to see the tarmac again! My first 'green lane' completed without mishap.
Any hints and tips greatly received. I did a day with Skygod, but it was about Christmas before last and I have forgotten it all. To be fair, I had forgotten half of it by the time we got back to base to warm up.......my retention ability is serverely restricted now, but I am keen to have some idea of how to do easy lanes. I cannot buy a 'proper' off road bike, Iam not going to be climbing rock walls! Just farm track type stuff, so the Xcountry will do me fine.
Should I let the tyres down between road and track? Or are the Mitas tyres OK at one pressure, if so what sort of pressure should they be pumped up to. I did the same as stanard on the 1150 36 front, 42 rear but someone said that was too hard so I let them down to about 28 / 30 respectively. Seems OK on the road.
Please be understanding and gentle with me.