MY "ahh haa" moment...

[Running Mommy]

Oprah (no I'm not a huge fan, just catch her every once in awhile) has been known to say that when you get it you have an "ahh haa" moment where it all becomes clear.
I think I had a few today on my ride with the hubby.

We are fortunate in the phoenix area to have regional parks that have "competitve tracks". These are one way loops that are made specifically for fast mtn biking, fast running, and of all things (the horror of running into one) fast horse riding. They vary in difficulty, but they are defintely suited to the avid rider.

Anyhoo, we decided to take on the long loop out at the mcdowells today. The day started late as we overslept. Not a good thing when you live in Phoenix this time of year. But we headed out anyway. All in all it was a very good ride, but I bonked BADLY around the last mile. It was UGLY! Tony had to help me limp in, and I felt like such a loser! I know better.

But here are my ahh haa moments...

1. Mountain biking requires more power and strength, while road riding is more of a constant aerobic effort w/ bursts of speed thrown in. I was really feeling my quads today. And I knew I was working when I was gasping for air at the top of every climb. Not to say that you don't need power on the road, but for the way I road ride, it is much different! I feel like I'm in the gym lifting weights when I'm on my mtb vs. my road bike.

2. MTB requires WAY more mental concentration than road riding! On the road I'm just looking for debris and the rogue driver. On the trails my mind is doing this- "You can make it up there, just pedal easy, watch that big loose rock there, but don't look AT it, look beyond it, what is that up there? oh better take that line because the other side is too ledgy. Oh no here comes a drop, and it looks rocky. Can you make it? Yeah, settle down and loosen your grip on the bars. Momentum over the rocks is better, so stay off the brakes, let the bike do the work, oh no here comes a climb get back into that little ring and spin. Ok your almost to the top just power up it, oh no look out for that cactus over there- but don't look at it, look beyond it"....... and on it goes..
Crazy how much you have to concentrate out there! Myabe it's worse because I am a beginner, but I was mentally taxed at the end!

3. To make it through a nasty roack garden you have to have some speed and just let the bike glide over the rocks, loose grip and butt off the saddle.
I have always had a fear of the big loose nasty and sharp rocks we have here, but today I conquered (most of) them.

4. I will not die on downhills!! I am such a skeerdy kat about falling, but I have found that if I just enter the drop slowly and then gradually let her go, I will come out alive and still in the saddle.

5. When climbing a short steep hill being in your easiest gear is not always the best bet. Better to give it a little power move over the short steep stuff. This took a LOT of trial and mostly ERROR today to figure out! Finally I had it at the end.

6. I need more than water when riding in the desert.. We were out there for 2.5 hours today, and I was cramping at the end (during my bonk o rama). My husband can go with just water, but I know better!

7. Riding terrain that's a notch above your ability is good for you. I feel bad for Tony because he would have jammed out there, but I know pushing my limits will only make me a better rider. - And he is one understanding guy. He says he's just happy to have me out there with him.

So there you have it my "ah ha" moments..

Oh- and I have to tell you about something Tony said. He is not one for compliments. He's a quiet guy, and it's just not a part of his make up. I never get offended by his lack of compliments, because he means no ill. Well today he told me at least three times that I "looked good" on my bike. I kept saying "you mean the fit looks good, yeah it's comfy"
and finally he said "No. YOU look good. But yeah the fit is good too".
So I laughed and said (half joking) "Good like - Hey she looks like a pro luna chix team rider,or good like - girls on bikes are hot??"
(of course I was LAUGHING at this point- ME look like a PRO? Psshhwahh!- Or OTOH- me being reffered to as "hot"?/!! HA!)
And he said kind of quietly "you look hot on your bike"... AH HA!!!!! Maybe all that work at the gym, and effort to lose weight is paying off! God knows I'm trying! Anyway, of course I said "thank you honey" and gave him a little kiss. I was just shocked, because as said- it's not like him!!
I told him, "yeah, just wait until I get my weight off! Then we'll see huh?!".. He just laughed.
So again, it was a VERY good day!
Hope all your rides were just as good!
Happy trails!
Denise

[Zen]

Heeheehee.

I was married to a man like that once, never a compliment and he never got off his azz to do anything.
Consider yourself a lucky woman.

You're so right about the difference in road v mountain. Even though I have never actually ridden a proper mtn bike trail I have ridden on the canal and it has it's share of potholes and obstacles. Neither one is easier/harder than the other, they're just different.

[East Hill]

It's taken me about 20 or 30 times around the local reservoir to get used to the ups and downs of mountain biking. Nothing especially difficult, but lots of hills. I've learned that there are a few stretches where I can go bombing down the dirt road (because that's what it is) at about 30 mph! I've gotten a lot looser, and having more fun because now I'm reading the line. I've also learned that sometimes it's not good to go slow--it really can be better to just power through.

My husband likes going with me, but I have found that I can quite easily leave him behind--he's not nearly as bold as I am.

I just realised today that there's one part where the road has a ten foot deep ditch alongside it. I never noticed before because I was always so focused on the line! MTB to me is much more work than on the road. I actually sweat mountain biking, I don't when I am riding on the road. I went around twice--that's 18 some miles around. Once clockwise, once counter-clockwise. Both times I had fun.


East Hill

[CycleChic06]

running mommy,
I've made those EXACT same conclusions about MTBing! It was like you were reading my mind. I'm a roadie, but have gone mtbing three times now and just love it! But it's an ENTIRELY different sport than road biking, and it still gets me every time I ride. I went on my third ride yesterday and I find that though I'm fit and can keep up with my friends, my fear gets the better of me sometimes, especially going down hills with big drops and large rocks and tight switchbacks, and that's what slows me down. I can already feel myself getting more comfortable and relaxed. The best part is, I go with my friend who's not ashamed to get off her bike and walk it through really technical parts and it makes me feel ok to do that too!

[han-grrl]

I find i enjoy mtb BECAUSe i have to stay so focused on the trail. On the road bike i can take the time to meditate and process events and issues in my life, but to clear everything i go to the mtb trails.

[rocknrollgirl]

Thanks for recognizing the differences. I have given up trying to explain to my roadie and nonriding friends why 30 miles of hard single track makes for a tough day.

And better yet, when folks ask me about the distances in Xterra, and when I say 12, or 13 or 14 miles of single track, they reply..."Really, that is it...maybe I will do one too."

UGGHHHHH......

It can beat you up. When we ride hard, I am sore all over.

Now that being said, I LOVE it. More than any other sport I have ever done.

I am glad that you are getting it figured out RM....it is a fantastic workout. And you are probably so efficient at road riding that this will give your body a spark.

Just remember...boobs to the tube uphill...butt of the seat downhill....

Ruth

[yellow]

And he said kind of quietly "you look hot on your bike"... AH HA!!!!! Maybe all that work at the gym, and effort to lose weight is paying off! God knows I'm trying! Anyway, of course I said "thank you honey" and gave him a little kiss. I was just shocked, because as said- it's not like him!!

You lucky girl. Like me, you've probably been married for umpteen years and you just don't expect it anymore (though you KNOW they are thinking it). I don't think DH has told me I'm "hot" in probably 15 years. My girlfriends and I do a pretty good job of ensuring that we all know just how hot we are!

Re: the subject at hand, I always say that everything I learned about mountain biking I learned from SadieKate and Ned Overend (though I have learned a few things on my own on the trail, as you described in your original post). Ned's book is "Mountain Bike Like a Champion" or something like that...it is a GREAT book to have in your library. I just pick it up every now and then and read tidbits. Helps keep things fresh in my mind since I really don't ride all that much. I think there is a DVD of the same title; SadieKate owns it I believe.

Maybe I'll have to meet you guys in Mobe in October...that would be so tragic.

[SadieKate]

Alas for me, Yellow has outstripped my pitiful knowledge since she gets to ride the dirt so much more. Yippee for her.

Elladee Brown's DVD is a great next step after Deadly Nedly's.
http://www.amazon.com/West-Coast-Sty.../dp/B000PTYK2U

From the Queen of Brain Farts at Stupid times --
-- Sing on long sketchy downhills to stay relaxed.
-- If you're relaxed, you can turn your head into downhill switchbacks and live to tell the story.
-- Jacquie Phelan (aka Alice B. Toeclips) says dabbing is just fine and even teaches the technique.

[LBTC]

Ah, this thread has me reminiscing and looking forward to a real mountain bike ride again.

I call it the zen sport. If I am not 100% focused on riding the trail I will crash. Not might. Will. You can't get more zen than that!

I found that road biking takes endurance, strength, balance, and a certain time of bravery. (I hate hate hate traffic - it scares me); but mountain biking also requires explosive power, risk assessment and problem solving. Interestingly, I think that road biking has seriously improved my mountain biking, but I'm not sure the reverse is true.

I love how necessary it is to think of everything - where my weight should be, where my pedals should be, where the best line is. Even after years of riding, the same thoughts go through my head. And the big one that took so long to learn - sometimes the better line is *over* the rock, not around it!!

I'm so glad you had fun and that your DH is showing such appreciation for you! Rock on, girl!!

Hugs and Juliana butterflies,
~T~

[Running Mommy]

Thanks LBTC! I need to get that package together for you! I've been a BAD cyber buddy! I acually have things to send to the girls who sent me helmets for my project!!
Ok, that's my goal! GET THY PACKAGES TO THY POST OFFICE!!

[Reesha]

I did a lot of technical stuff yesterday that I've never been comfortable with... and I found myself making little squeaky noises the whole way! I was with my friend Joe who was helping me overcome some of my MTB phobias so to speak and he kept laughing at my noises and facial expressions.

It's really fun to go to a grassy field and set up cones or rocks and slalom around them on the bike. Great practice. Singletrack gets a heck of a lot easier after that!

My conclusions are a lot to do with shifting. I'm shifting constantly on my mountain bike so that the pressure on my feet is just right. When I get to steep uphills, I get into a high gear leading up to it and as soon as I hit it and feel the pressure, I start thumbing my right rapid fire shifters and use as many gears as it takes. The risk of going up in a higher gear is losing momentum completely and ultimately splatting because I'm clipped in. Hahaha... that's happened once or twice before!

[Tri Girl]

You nailed it, sister!! All those things are soooo true. It's such a different sport and so much more difficult (for me- because I can't concentrate all that hard). I FINALLY learned to hang my butt off the back of the seat when descending- what a diff. And boobs to the tube, eh? I'll remember that one.
And how nice to get such a HUGE compliment from Tony! Awwww

I just can't mtn bike in the summer here because it's so spidery/ticky/overgrown, but I really can't wait for winter when I can get out there again and kill the trails. I've been really missing my mtn bike lately, and your post made me want to ride her again so badly!

And RNR- I know what you mean about people scoffing at the Xterra distances. I've not done one, but my very good friend is ranked nationally in the series and some of the stories she tells me just make my jaw drop! A mile long (probably close to) 15% grade hill.... wicked crazy descents.... the inherent dangers of the unpredictable trails. Yikes! She says they are tough races (and she was a pro mtn biker when she was younger). You have all my respect for racing Xterras- I'm far too chicken for the challenge. Hats off to you!