Every have a bad day? (mountain biking)

[tablerock]

Do you guys ever have a REALLY bad day on the bike? One where you question why you are into the sport and if you will ever be any good at it? It happened to me last saturday--suddenly out of the blue (after 16 positive miles) I freaked out and couldn't ride anything!! I was walking stuff less technical than the sidewalk in front of my office (an exageration, but you get the picture). Things I normaly wouldn't think twice of I baled on.

What do you do when you have a day like that? Do you just give up and go home? do you keep riding (I didn't have a choice on Sat. if I wanted to get home)? Do you chant and do meditation? I was almost in tears at times I was so frustrated at myself!
I went out and hammered the next afternoon to try to rid myself of the residue of failure the experience left on me but it still isn’t totally gone even after two enjoyable rides. What if it happens again….
Any advice?

[Irulan]

I have a few days like that. Here's how I deal with it because at times all I can see is how I suck and not what I can do.

I give myself to permission to do what ever feels best at the time... walking something, whatever. I've gotten to the point where I am so pissed at myself or frustrated that I am crying too... this is where I try and give myself a lot of nurturing messages like"hey it's a beautiful day', "you don't have to be ON every day" "give yourself credit for being out here" " there's always another day to push myself and try again"...

I try and stay out of my head and not listen to the "committee" that gives out lots of would'ves, could'ves, should'ves plus the if onlies.

I focus on my gut and what it tells me. I had a really bad airborne endo last year and for a month after I coulnd't ride anything that had a downhill. The way I dealt with it was go out and ride miles and miles of double track, alone, just trying to get to the comfort zone I had before. It took me a long time to get over that, and I still have trouble at that particular spot.

I think as women we are really hard on ourselves a lot. This is why I prefer mostly to ride with other women. I"ll find by talking ot them that we have a lot of the same shared experieces. I met another gal last summer who had a season similar to mine... new bike and a few bad wrecks to go with it. Even the best bike gal I know, never ever seen her dab, got a new bike and wrecked and was walking sections I thought I would never see HER walk... she just said she wansn't quite ready to try it again..

sorry to be so long winded.

Irulan

[Kpicha]

Oh yeah, definitely! Just last Tuesday was one of those days where NOTHING was going right. My rear tire went flat and I had no pump and I just couldn't get a good feeling on the saddle no matter how many adjustments I tried to make.

B/c my tire was so low, I kept washing out and the smallest turns so I couldn't even come close to getting up any speed. I took one look at the climb that I usually try to make and then thought of all the chainsuck problems I'd been hearing about in relation to my bike and said, "forget it!".

So, yeah, it happens but there will be other days to ride and I take the good days with the bad and thank God that at least I have the ability to even get out and ride. Sometimes its even a month between rides so its even more frustrating when things don't go well! But, then those days when everything goes better than expected- those are the BEST

Cheers,
Kristina

[MightyMitre]

I'm a roadie but I totally know where you're coming from, in tears and generally feeling miserable. And as for the "committe" - not always very helpful. They've had me going round in mental loops before now. ( Any suggestions about how I can shut them up Irulan? )

In January I had one of those rides. The weather was fantastic - very clear and sunny but very cold, frosty,with a biting wind , but I've done a few chilly rides this winter so I just wrapped up and went out.

By about half way round the loop the gremlins set in - nothing had felt right from the minute I 'd left the front door. The headwind along the coast road was a b*****d and because I'd left later in the day than normal there was loads of traffic down my normally quiet route, with a couple of cars tooting horns and gererally being rude.

Finally I just pulled in at a layby, fumbled around trying to eat some energy bar and generally felt very sorry for myself. If there had been a magic button to get myself home I would have pressed it about 50 times! After that I just limped home and then gave myself a hard time about it for the next few days.

What I'd totally forgotten was that even though it wasn't the best training I've ever done I'd actually got myself out there - even though it was totally freezing and most 'normal' people would have thought twice even about going down the shops. It had also been such gorgeous weather - the sea was pan flat and glittering, but during the ride and the days that followed I'd totally managed to forget the good stuff and kept beating myself up instead.

I've had similar experiences since but that was the worst because I was just so cold. After the last one I decided they were 'Mental Bonks' - just the same as when you bonk /blow / hit the wall when you don't eat enough, except they affect my head/spirit instead .

Next time I feel out of sorts I think I might try a sugar/glucose hit the minute I start to feel bad, rather that just trying to ride it out like before- just to see what happens - as i've got a feeling it might just help lift my mood.

But on those good days .... ahhhh....

Tablerock, I'm sure you'll be feeling good again soon,don't be too hard on yourself. Just take a nice, easy ride, relax, look at the scenery and remember what it is you like about riding a bike. (Cool name by-the-way)

[pedalfaster]

Like everyone else I've had those days. I tell myself "I'm still ahead of the guy (gal?) sitting on the couch eating twinkies and consuming a six-pack".

What's so bad about a good, strenuous (you hafta carry the bike!) hike???

Ride on!

[Veronica]

Oh I never have bad days.

I put my first scratch in my bike yesterday changing the rear tire. I dropped the chain - DUH! I was so mad. I know it had to happen eventually, but it was just stupid and clumsy.

The weather has been really iffy this week so I haven't been riding to work. A wet grade book would be a bad thing. I want a real spring and soon!

I had a good ride on Saturday. The volunteers for the Devil Mountain Double ride the course the week before, marking it and noting anything that should go into the route sheet. The full course is 205 miles, 20,000 feet of climbing. I knew I wasn't going to do the full thing. I got to mile 91 (9,000! feet of climb.) and decided my back was ready to be done. There were five of us riding on Saturday - only one finished. It took HER about 17 hours. My husband and I shadowed her for the last 25 miles. She finished at about 11 PM. Totally inspiring. A really nice group of people - very supportive and enthusiastic. I don't know that I would ever find doing the whole course fun - I'm not sure about that riding at night thing. But they offer a shorter version, a double metric, that I may try next year.

And I am now less upset about the scratches in Fluffy.


Veronica

[missliz]

Everybody in every sport has those days- and you'll have more. It's really hard to accept that the magic carpet ride isn't happening and the universe is conspiring against you, but those days are nessesary, 'cause wouldn't the good rides be meaningless with no spastic struggles to point them up?
Those bad days are really valuable though because you do have to struggle, and talk yourself through technique, and when the going is just break down and cry awful is when you become the better rider/ skier/ skater/ whatever. I had a famous coach come to town years ago for a three day camp (nother sport) and it was just the most horrible three days of my life- he worked us till we dropped. I went home and cried myself to sleep, I couldn't do anything right. When he left on Sunday he said the body learns and adapts when it's pushed hardest, that technique and combinations and all sorts of neat tricks get learned that way. So fifteen years later, I still surprise myself and a lot of other people with what comes out of that awful weekend. I'm retired from that sport, not supposed to play 'cause of knee damage but I go by anyway once in a while. The body remembers.
Spastic days are just part of getting to the next level- just don't do anything really risky, My spastic days on Miss Bike (cross country) seem to end in a headplant or require a lot of stitches, don't reccomend it. Go to the park and ride drills, learn some of eNd Overends neat tricks, talk out loud and coach yourself. Also good for getting home, and by the time you ride a MT bike, you don't care what the neighbors think anyway do you?
There's an easy explanation, too- you could just be tired. That'll make you ride like a sack of lead. I've been out for my fix before and been a complete mess when I should have gone for a drink instead; Even the super fit need recovery time, and get plain tired. Try not to beat yourself up over it. I bet even eagles have bad flying days. I heard one whining in the woods one day, not at all like the TV sign off image. Poor girl must have had PMS she was squawkin and bawlin so bad.

missliz

[sempre]

I have to agree with everything that's been said here... I've managed to have two bad days this week, the first on Monday off-road, and the second on Tuesday commuting to work. For me it's really important to recognise that I'm having an "off day" and not push myself too hard. On days like that, I've found that trying to prove to myself that I really can ride tends to result in me throwing myself into situations that end up in lapses of confidence and crashes... So I just try to take a deep breath, think "zen" thoughts and have a slow, easy ride instead. Doing this lets me get a feel for the bike again, and hey, at least I'm outside in the fresh air. It is hard, and those days are the worst, but then there are always days that are the exact opposite, days where you get everything absolutely right and end up feeling like you're the best rider in the world!!!

[goddess1222]

i have to chime in on this too. my situation is most unique because of my present occupation. i am on my feet, walking and running around for up to 6 to 8 hours at a time. i get pretty worn out, and right now am only riding twice a week. i get very frustrated because i want to ride more, but my fatigue levels are pretty high from work.

i just keep telling myself that i am doing the best i can, and cannot be expected to "do it all." there are many women out there who would love to get out, but can't. i find myself lucky that i have my health, and a passion for bikes that i can indulge.

[Irulan]

So why is it that the commiteee shuts up when everything is going good!

I did have a great ride today. We went out in a very light sprinkle, four of us gals to Beacon... to make a long story short there are two tricky technical turns and I just dialed them in, first time ever. My one gal pal is just raving at me... you did it, you did it that is so awesome!! The committee did try to chime in that it was a fluke but I told it to shut up.

That's what I do to the committee: I talk back to it. Now it I could just get it to leave me alone for good.

Irulan

[Adrien]

Oh man, I've had some *horrible* rides! Reading everyone else's stories makes me feel a little better though. I'm not alone!

Recently, I went out on some local trails with my husband and I wasn't feeling 100%, but I went anyway. I almost immediately had a small spill and it shook me up to the point that I'd totally lost my nerve and was walking *everything*. I was so frustrated with myself, but my husband (#1 good sport) was really supportive and just told me to trust my instincts and take it slow. My next ride was fantastic and my nerve returned!

[gapgoil]

I have had those rides, when I wanted to throw my *precious* bike into the trees and wish that I had atleast driven in!!! So, I push from inside, and set myself to make it out...damn whatever put me in that place!!!
It's all in the mind set for me, if i wish it, I can get out....

[Terry]

Oh boy...were the goddess's playing with the stars or something last Saturday? I wasn't going to mention my ride, but...

The ride was going well UNTIL the trail markers showed different numbers than the ones on the forest service map...as in, are we lost? So...after assessing that if we didn't turn back and take another trail, we'd be riding around a mountain all day. That was just a little dark cloud. I was leading, but when we turn around, I was in the back. No biggie until these two women on horse back came up behind me and and were paying no attention to the fact that I could not ride out ahead fast enough (over rocks up hill) and their horses were freaking out on me...the women just ignored my shout-outs to back off for 30 seconds, plus, ignored their horses being upset by my presence. On top of that, they were loud and gossiped something fierce to the point I was getting a headache. I felt as if I were in a bad dream where I could not get away and pedal fast enough...the guys were gone...OK, got over all that as soon as I caught up with the guys...But, right after that, I caught a bush in my derailer, fell to the right with the bike on me (you should see the 6" black beauty on my inner AND outter thigh). The derailer was mangled and I lost all but my 3 large gears. Then I bonked from all the nervous energy...plus guys never came back because I can "take care of myself" and "didn't blow the whistle for help". So, I stopped, said a few cuss words, took my shirt off, sat down and ate some food. After that, I just could not get my focus back. I had slipping gears, could only ride straight aways and the last 1.5 miles was all up hill...all my skill were gone and I was dabbing, falling so, I stopped and walked it in. I was too beat up on Sunday to try and ride; lots of bruises that didn't show up until the next day.

Took the bike to the mechanic...$5.00 bucks later, a pat on the back, I was fine. I also found a wire choker full of rinstones that hooks into my helmet beautifully. It reminds me of a circus elepant's head jewels...Missliz, this tiara thing really does cheer up the day.

One more thing...
I don't think the guys understood. Sigh...glad you ladies are here.
Terry

[Kpicha]

Yikes, Terry! What a nightmare of a ride! I'm so glad i don't have to deal with horses on our trails after hearing about that. Geez, and then the thought of possibly crashing in horse doo-dee isn't all that appealing either Good thing you landed in a bush! (I hope that was a good thing)

I'm glad you came out alive and in one piece,
barely! I'm sure that bruise is going to look, oh so lovely, in a day or so.

I hope you're not scarred by that incidence and are out riding again soon!

Cheers,
Kristina

[Irulan]

So Terry, the horses came up behind you and the riders wouldn't give you a chance to get off the trail? That is really messed up. We have mixed use in our area, but people try to be really respectful of each other's "mode". I especially respect the riders who acknowlege that there horses are big and stupid.

Anway, hope your next ride is better. My hubby did that once skiing... I had a really steep falling descent and lost a pole, literally was hanging onto a tree, and he was more worried about the lost pole than he was me... because he knew I could take care of myself. He got really reamed for that by an older gal who was with us at the time. I think all we really want at times like that is a little chekcing up on, even if we don't "require" anything.


crashing through horse poop isn't so bad except for the bikers behind you when it flings off the rear wheel into thier face.
Irulan