I never got there. I wanted to ride my bike in the woods, and didn't think about the fact that mountain biking is so technical. I had one year where my skills got a little better, but basically, I was scared to death I was going to die every time I rode, and I felt like it was taking time and miles away from my road bike. I don't play tennis, golf, or any other sport that requires coordination and technical skills, but I truly never thought mountain biking was in this category. It's too bad, and I might have improved if i spent more time at it, but one of the most humiliating riding experiences of my life was the group moutain bike ride I went on (during the year I was feeling confident), at a place that is rated "easy." I was off the bike almost the whole time, being passed by guys wearing jeans.
I rode my mountain bike maybe 5 times after that, and sold it in 2008 to someone who was thrilled. I now spend time in the woods hiking.