In my five minutes of riding the other day, I came across an obstacle I remember having problems with about 1-1/2 years ago. Blimey, I thought I was bad now, what the heck was I like then. It's a brilliant flowing hill (more a slope) and I remember bogging on it a few times on the 80. It got me thinking how far I've come and how much further I've got to go to be anywhere near decent. But other than my lack of speed, hatred of downhills, lack of mud experience, I think I'm doing reasonably okay. The cool thing about it all is, I still remember all the dumb things I've done and can still laugh about it.
Some of the obstacles I've come across, I know I'd still have hassles with, but often because the obstacles are that much harder now (i.e. erosion has taken place and the cut-outs are that much deeper with the roots that much more exposed).
I just think that all of us have probably got the same story if we stopped to think about it. I'd like to do my "hell" ride from last year again, as I'm that much more comfortable on the bike than I was then, but unfortunately it's a once a year event, and if it looks like the same conditions as last year, we won't be going because waiting for 1-1/2 hours to attempt to go up a hill isn't my idea of fun (especially in the rain).
Just wanted to share that and hopefully get you all thinking about how far you've advanced in a year (or less). I know from your ride reports that you're probably doing things you'd never have contemplated 6 months ago, so when you get down about an obstacle, stop & think how much better you are, not that the stupid whatever is too much :) (it won't be for long)
Some of the obstacles I've come across, I know I'd still have hassles with, but often because the obstacles are that much harder now (i.e. erosion has taken place and the cut-outs are that much deeper with the roots that much more exposed).
I just think that all of us have probably got the same story if we stopped to think about it. I'd like to do my "hell" ride from last year again, as I'm that much more comfortable on the bike than I was then, but unfortunately it's a once a year event, and if it looks like the same conditions as last year, we won't be going because waiting for 1-1/2 hours to attempt to go up a hill isn't my idea of fun (especially in the rain).
Just wanted to share that and hopefully get you all thinking about how far you've advanced in a year (or less). I know from your ride reports that you're probably doing things you'd never have contemplated 6 months ago, so when you get down about an obstacle, stop & think how much better you are, not that the stupid whatever is too much :) (it won't be for long)