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There's a fantastic book written by a man who spent 76 days at sea. He floated in a raft, purifying water and eating what little fish he could catch.
At night, he couldn't see or hear the sharks. But he knew they were there from the hard bumps they'd give the raft.
No motor. No communication to anyone. Just endless black sea and sky, while sharks kept him up at night.
Youtube videos. Park Tools is the channel to start with. But GMBN and many others have good maintenance videos as well. Buy this book and spend some evenings reading up on various parts of your bike:
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https://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Mountain-Bike-Maintenance/dp/1937715477/
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If you are really interested in learning, buy an old cheap "project" bike off somewhere like Craigslist and work to tear it down and build it back up again.
I would recommend snagging a copy of "Zinn and the Art of MTB Maintenance," it's a fantastic guide that will walk you through everything you need to know!
https://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Mountain-Bike-Maintenance/dp/1937715477/
I would also suggest checking with your local bike shop or cycling club if you have one, they often (pre-pandemic at least) offer "bike maintenance 101" classes where they'll teach you how to fix a flat, tweak your shifters, and get everything ready for a ride.
Changing tubes and tires is definitely do-able for a beginner! I think everybody should know how to replace a tube in case you get a flat while out riding. Swapping out brake pads is also a pretty easy fix.
For bike parts, you'll probably want to avoid the no-name-made-in-China parts that you might order off Amazon, but if you order from your local bike shop or an online bike retailer, pretty much anything you get should be decent quality!
I know a bunch of guys that followed this program and were fitter and faster with less time in the saddle than they ever were before.
https://www.amazon.com/Time-Crunched-Cyclist-Race-Winning-Fitness-Athlete/dp/1937715507/
I got this book (Bicycling guide to complete etc etc) when I started riding seriously a couple of years ago. Between it, youtube, and an antique bike that needed a lot of TLC, I've learned how to do all of the regular maintenance myself.
You bought a medium to high end bike as a beginner, but whatever. If you can afford it, no problem!
I would buy this book and read it cover to cover so you know the basics of how things work and, if needed, how to maintain them. Your bike will eventually need maintenance, and learning the fundamentals of that make it less scary when something goes wrong.
Get basic safety gear (glasses, helmet, gloves), some appropriate riding clothes and shoes (you'll figure this out), and have fun.
Do your best to avoid upgrade-itis -- only replace things as they wear or demonstrate a real need to replace.
Don't go too big too fast (you don't need to start jumping big stuff, or absolutely flying through the woods on the edge of control) else you're way more at risk of getting hurt.
Don't store your bike outside (they aren't meant to take long-term exposure to the elements) and do basic cleaning stuff to keep it nice and it'll last.
And most importantly, have fun.
Everyone (for their best protection) have to know the basics:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1937715477/
First thing I bought when I got my e-MTB.
YouTube videos are great. I find I do better with a book though and use YouTube as a backup once I've given something a go but can tell there is something I'm missing. Just depends on how you take in information best.
Edit to add the book I use. There are lots of them on Amazon with good reviews.
The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance & Repair: For Road & Mountain Bikes https://www.amazon.com/dp/160529487X
I’d highly recommend this for you and your friends.
the book in the sidebar (mmbs) has lots of tips. the rocks will get easier when you're fitter because then you are rolling faster. also, on one of the takes, it seemed like you were surprised when your rear wheel kicked out on a stone, but you could have expected that because the front wheel went just by it (and whatever the front wheel goes round, the rear hits). when you're standing you're maybe a bit "vertical" - try to be more in a position like you were going down the steps (flatter back). it makes it easier to shift your weight around, which can help at times. ride more and get your cadence up - use lower gears - to make things smoother.
This is what I read when I'm taking a dump...
And it has been great.
If you don't want to spend the money, just keep reading this subreddit.
This site recently awarded the Marlin 7 Hardtail of the Year for the £500 category: http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/hardtail/mbr-hardtail-of-the-year-sneak-preview-video The 6 will be a small step down in component quality but still a great place for you to start. As for getting the basics down this book has helped me: http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Mountain-Bike-Skills-2nd/dp/0736083715/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430842403&sr=8-1&keywords=mountain+bike+skills
Everything mentioned here, and more, can be found in this book: http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Mountain-Bike-Skills-Edition/dp/0736083715
Every mountain biker should read it, no matter how long you've been riding you're likely to learn something new from it.
Sheldon Brown is like bike maintenance jesus. The website is dated but the info is not. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/beginners.html
I recommend the park tool videos already linked. Calvin Jones also wrote the big blue book of bicycle maintenance. I bought that when i was first starting out.
The book above may be just a touch advanced unless you're really interested in nerding out. i found this book to be pretty helpful for basic stuff (but be warned, occasionally it will say to take your bike to a shop...which is good advice but not always what you want to hear) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/160529487X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You can also post in r/ bikewrench but the mods there are pretty quick to ban anyone that tries to have a good time while learning. The people in /r/bicewrench are cooler and if you ask for actual help you'll get it (probably from me), along with some gentle ribbing.
other good youtubers include RJ the bike guy and sometimes the dudes at GMBN Tech put on a good episode.
There was a guy who made it 76 days in the Atlantic and he happened to be a bad ass survivor type. His sailboat got RAMMED by a WHALE (that was a TIL for me) and capsized but he had a life raft.
The book is called Adrift and it's a quick read.
But it goes deep into all the things he had to do. Solar stills were the main reason he didnt die, also he caught some huge fish (Dorado) and made fish jerky. I think there was a mild shark attack as well.
Your FTP is the point,where lactate production and lactate clearance is equal. You can keep up this state for longer period of time until the mitochondria exhausted (or your brain gives up on you because can't stand the feeling anymore),and that happens somewhere between 40-70 minutes( so FTP IS NOT equal your60 minutes power,but your time to exhaustion (TTE) until you can keep up the lactate production and clearance on same level). To increase FTP,you have to increase mitochondria counts (LSD training) or mitochondria size (Sweet Spot training) or both. With increased mitochondria counts /size they can process more lactate which means higher lactate clearance,which means you can push higher wattage. Keep in mind that LSD training is best when you are not doing Z2 power 100% of the time,but mix up tge Z2 with VERY high intensity short workouts (80/20 principle applies,where you ride Z2 for 80% of the time,and 20% above treshold (supra FTP and VO2MAX) which is very uncomfortable. Also both with LSD and SST your mitochondria count and size will increase,but the proportion differs between the methods. It is not possible to give an estimated increase for the next half year,because of different reasons. I'd advise to start a training plan, and after a few weeks do a check up,how does it make you feel. Also,every 6 weeks of training should be followed up with a Ramp /MAP/ step test (these are the ones you have described). Do not be afraid to switch plans if you find one uncomfortable,and don't do a plan what you don't trust. According to Joel Friel (The cyclists training bible) training plans are like religious activity. You put your faith upfront into the plan,and you can check afterwards if it was successful.
Aside from YouTube, this is a great book to have in your garage Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance: The World's Best-Selling Guide to Mountain Bike Repair https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937715477/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3H0D28N5ETX7GTADABVQ
Learn to make yourself own periodized plans, and how to interpret ride data to reach those goals.
Get a power meter and these two books:
Give this a look. I have his road version and it had a ton of great training info which gets broken down to a nearly ELI5 level that anyone should be able to follow. Lots of nutrition advice as well.
For the price of one month of zwift you can pull from the goal-oriented plans in this book or craft your own for the rest of your life.
Absolutely not, just fall in love first, spend money later! GMBN has great video’s. I find this a great book, but it’s a LOT of info for newbies: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Mountain-Skills-Brian-Lopes/dp/1492544493
This book was very helpful to me when learning technique. Video taping yourself is a great way to see how well you're applying your technique. But knowing the fundamentals and practicing them before learning bad habits is so helpful.
I found it best to read a chapter, and consciously work on and apply it over the next 5ish rides. Then read the next chapter and work on incorporating it while still doing the last chapters stuff too.
Mastering Mountain Bike Skills - 2nd Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0736083715/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_76K8XT8SFJDTYFY39D3R
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1492544493/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_WKKE6ZQR0RJ528ME4SX1
Get that book, read it, and apply what you've read. You'll progress quick. A lot of the advise you'll get on this sub are echoed in that book, but the author puts it in much more understandable terms, and it's much more concise.
Joel Friel's book is a recommended reading.
Read the book in the sidebar, its super cheap, a really easy read, and goes over a ton of great beginner info: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Mountain-Skills-Brian-Lopes/dp/0736056246
My number 1 tip is learn the attack position well, and when to toss your hips and weight to the back of the bike. Its what will keep you rolling over obstacles instead of getting hung up and going over the handlebars.
Small changes to technique and fitness can play a big role in building confidence.
If you’re a reader, check out this book by Bryan Lopes
Mastering Mountain Bike Skills https://www.amazon.com/dp/1492544493/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4peLFbJGC06B0
YouTube videos are only ok, I think. Often they leave out some steps that I needed explained in detail. If you can find it, watch videos made by parts companies, like Shimano, SRAM, etc. The book Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance and the Road version depending on what type of bike you get are invaluable. Also, a lot of trial and error. It’s good to have a LBS to help out when you’re in over your (my) head, like when I tried to adjust my derailleur.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1492544493/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_btf_t1_G9GnFb1R72ENG
Get her this book from the sidebar. It helps if you arent the teacher but are instead helping her decipher what she learned on her own in the book.
Keep up the good work. Think of all the money you saved doing the work yourself. Sheldon Brown helped me through so many repairs. I also picked up the book from Leonard Zinn
https://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Mountain-Bike-Maintenance/dp/1937715477