I actually did my first bit of MTB in Hong Kong last week.
Went to Mui Wo Park on Lantau Island.
We had a guide with us to show us the trails.
I have to admit, it was a shit ton of fun.
We got Santa Cruz Hightower Carbon Frame bikes. I've got no frame of reference at all.
But they were really smooth bikes. Practically brand new by the looks of them as well.
We got flat pedals, but I'm wondering what it would be like to ride clipped on an MTB. Certainly powering up the climbs will be easier.
Thought it would be a good idea to start out with flat pedals first just to get a feel for it.
Mui Wo - Bike Park
First part was cycling up the hills to the park area. Climbing on an MTB off-road is a completely different discipline than road cycling.
It's much more short bursts of power whilst adding some technical skill navigating rocks and such.
My friend was wheezing after 5 minutes so I'm guessing my experience climbing on a road bike did help a bit.
After all that climbing (with insane views of Hong Kong city in the distance) we got to a more open area where the bike park started. There were multiple trails to ride. I never did any downhill riding on an MTB but I think it came quite natural to me. Just trust in the bike to do its work and it'll stomp over most obstacles.
That sort of trust actually felt very similar to snowboarding deep powder.
I think I topped out at about 37 kph downhill on the trails, at least I felt like I was charging at them quite fearlessly.
Friend of mine in action
Definitely something I'll try again at some point! Now I'm just disappointed once more at the insane flatness of my own lil country.