well, having raced in VT (Catamount!) and NH back in the day, then YES full suspension. I wished I had had it back then. LOL. You are in mtb heaven (outside of W.VA)
for sure become a regular with that mtb group. Just like anything else, there is a lot to learn can't do it all in one day. Experience and learn every day. Familiarity with a course counts for a ton, so if yo
If you are nearby that course go and check it out. Any time you can check out a course the day before is good, even if just walking it.
Go get a Fitting done - if you are a STW (Super Tiny Woman) not only is frame size/brand important but suspension setup as well. Getting suspension to actually function with Not Much Weight requires nicer components/smart tuning. Don't forget your tires/tire pressure are part of that suspension. Hehehe back last century that was ALL you had for suspension, if like me you started riding mtb without fork suspension either.
Now we have tubeless setups (allows for lower pressure) plus nifty pressure sensors like
TyreWiz In regards clipping in/flats, you are always better off being attached to the bike. I know I speak like a crazy old lady, but I say this to get people off the mindset that clipped in = doom. You've got 5 points of contact with a bike, and you should have at least four of them at any given time. Two feet, two hands, and a butt (two cheeks, one butt). In mtb you are out of the saddle a lot, much more than on the road. Bumps, obstacles etc. So balance between hands and feet are all ya got. If feet slipp off platform, yeeet!
It's ok to fall over with feet still clipped in. Or karaaang off into the bushes still clipped in. Or slide down the hill still clipped in. I've done all of those....
Learn the bunny hop: pop that front wheel over the thing in front of you. Practice with nothing, or plastic cups. Learn to hop rear wheel. Learn to ride in mud and slippery slopes. This is fun.
hydration packs: well, I had three of them at one point, depending on the length of my event. Or hot damn hot it was. Nothing worse than 3L of water weight on your back for a 1hour ride.
feel free to pm me for mtb-familiar Fitter recomendation in your area (or just blurt it out here)
Anne Barnes
ABBikefit, Ltd
FIST/SICI/FIST DOWN DEEP
X/Y Coordinator
abbikefit@gmail.com