My son invites me for a little ride on a new trail. I say, sure! After all, I climb mountains all the time, how hard can it be?
Well, it’s hard.
We had a single trail with some rocks, loose dirt all along the side of a hill, more like a cliff at times. The first two miles was straight climb. Maybe 1500’ elevation gain. I get to the first gnarly part so I attempt to stand up to put some power to the pedal. Wrong, no traction. It was just pain and spinning and trying not to tip over and fall down the hill. I was sucking wind so bad. The downhill was somewhat better but the threat of falling off the cliff kept me on the brakes. I definitely do not have the skills for this and will be looking for some easier courses.
my first time in a mountain bike park the trails i rode for 2 hours i fell 17 times, both elbows both knees and both buttcheecks all hard bruises or scrapes… i feel your pain
One of my first trips mountain biking I fell 3 times, had my first endo and finally got knocked on my back by a tree. I returned the rental bike to the shop and told him I hit a tree to which he deadpanned “yah, those trees don’t move.” Good times!
I started mountain biking as a bike cop, after 11 years as a triathlete. My first lessons and rides were of the “urban” nature. Up and down curbs, through traffic, and up and down stair cases. I’ve done as many as 200 steps down but not more then 5-6 up. Its tough when you fall down a flight of concrete steps over the handle bars…hurts like hell!!
I smashed a few police radios in my time…its tough when you fall in front of lots of people…but tougher to tell the Sargent that you weren’t answering your $1,800 radio for the last 2 hours because you smashed it into 4 pieces.
For post-tri season, I usually need a logging permit to ride my mtb. After a few rides, my mountain bike merely becomes a landscaping tool for clearing brush and saplings.
//quote *That’s what you get for riding with your kid. *
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Since my son started running cross and track for school, I cringe when he asks me to go for a run with him. I guess this is the payback we get…
Despite the pain and suffering, it was one of the best rides you’ve done yet right???!
I started mtn. biking this year, and I can honestly say, I suck at it. But I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT.
I finally graduated from the easy loop to a more technical, rock and root filled course last night.
I left my lungs on a windy uphill, almost pooped my pants when I endo’d on a hill and gave the timers a scare when I came back with mud, dirt and leaves everywhere on me.
I can’t wait to go again.
It’s so much fun, I signed up for the Calabogie Off Road Tri - 750M Swim - 15K Mtn Bike - 7.5K Run, on Aug 26.
I’m guessing I’ll be walking parts and being last for the bike portion:)
It’s great fun! And to get to do it with your son is icing on the cake. Just take it slow and test your abilities a little more each time. Last night I stopped at the top of a very technical single track and asked my riding partner if he was going to try it. I said something like, “I wonder if I have the handling skills to make this first set of turns”. 2 seconds later I was flipping over my bike and hugging a tree to keep from falling into a ravine. My legs are bashed up but my body will recover. The bike is fine, I’ll be going out again on Friday. It make take a few rides to get back to that trail for a second attempt, but I’ll do it one day!
Now get back out there and show that whipper snapper who’s the boss!
That sounds like fun! I have not done a 24 hour race before. I too have a group of 4-5 girls who ride together regularly. We have so much fun, and we push each other to be better riders. Lots of smiles and laughter and pats on the back when we make it over/through things we didn’t think we could do. I love the sense of accomplishment you can get from mtb riding compared to how I feel after a road ride.
Have fun at that race. Does it stay light most of the night for you that far north?
