I'm always last! It sucks!

[tattiefritter]

I like to do other things as well (climbing, running, hill walking) and also get bored if I ride all the time....BUT...the only way to get better at riding is to ride, there is no easy way round it unfortunately.

I tend to MTB more than anything else because:

a) I actually really enjoy it, the better I get, the more I do
b) I've spent a fortune on my bikes
c) Most of my friends bike, some bike only, its easier to organise.

However this weekend I'm going for a long walk in the Lakes

If you don't ride frequently unless you are talented then it will take you a long time to improve - bike fitness/handling is something that is built up over time, years in fact (sorry). I've been riding MTB for 3.5 years now and am no longer at the back on either the climbs or descents but it took lots of bike time. I also ride to work - now a 40 mile round trip - once or twice a week and this helps immensely.

Try not to let being at the back get to you, I know its difficult, have been there myself. Also try not to compare yourself to you OH as blokes are generally stronger/faster/more fearless/reckless than us girls. In my normal riding group I'm fairly near the front on descents, further back on climbs (lots of blokes) but I went on a bike holiday to Spain where it was all guys and they were fit and fast so I was right off the back again - just gritted my teeth and got on with it (didn't let the negativity gremlins get to me).

Have you thought about maybe getting some MTB skills coaching to help break you out of your negative thinking, a weekend in the Lakes with CycleActive or similar ? It will give you confidence and sometimes confidence is worth as much if not more than fitness - I've watched someone in our riding groups confidence yo-yo on a regular basis and with it their enjoyment and ability - fitness stays the same. A group of us got together and hired a couple of the CycleActive guides for a weekend who taught us manuals, trackstands, bunnyhops etc which I still practice now. My riding improved quite a bit after that weekend. There was quite a wide spread of ability and everyone struggled with at least something but the guides managed to sort everyone out. Its also easier to take guidance from someone who you have paid rather than taking advice from your OH or friends.

[mimitabby]

I'd rather be last than hurt or underneath someone else that crashed!
(look at the bright side!)

[Puffin]

Mimitabby - words out of my mouth...

[Offthegrid]

I know how you feel.

[rocknrollgirl]

There is not much I can offer in the way of advice that was not already stated. If you want to get better on your bike, you have to bike. It does suck being in the back, especially if people are waiting for you.

As I have stated many times before on this forum, my regular group of riding partners is all men, DH included. I can climb better than some, and they are all faster than I am descending. They are fast. So in my learining curve, I had to make a decision whether or not I was going to ride with them or not. I chose to stick with them. There are days I feel beat up chasing them, but overall, I am a better, faster rider for having hung with them.

So if it is important to you, that perhaps take a clinic, and stick with it. Riding with faster riders will make you faster over time, and then you will not be in the back.

Good Luck,
Ruth

[Puffin]

I made a big effort last year and rode through the winter for the first time. I did suffer from the cold but I admit, I had fun on the night rides and I found that dealing with slippy-slidy helped my technique loads. I also speeded up to be able to keep up with DH's new 9-speed set up. Then I got the REAL flu during which I lost 1 stone - all my muscle. So I started off again with an hour's coaching and a visit to Spain in February with Seasonally UnAdjusted. The stuff was way too technical for me and I ended up bruised and battered from hitting my legs on rocks and also managed to break 3 ribs with an impressive head over bars demo, landing after cheering at my own success at clearing (almost) a ditch.
So I rested up and went on a biking holiday to Exmoor in the June. It was great. Lovely weather and my fitness helped me up the hills and I even dared a rocky descent the DH balked at! Then I hit some fast easy stuff and ended up unconscious on the ground, bike still between my legs. That really shook me up because I remember lying there semi-conscious thinking "This is the end of my life".
I have been wary of anything mildly technical or fast ever since.
Is someone trying to tell me something?

[bcipam]

No you aren't always last... I am!!!

[mimitabby]

I made a big effort last year and rode through the winter for the first time. I did suffer from the cold but I admit, I had fun on the night rides and I found that dealing with slippy-slidy helped my technique loads. I also speeded up to be able to keep up with DH's new 9-speed set up. Then I got the REAL flu during which I lost 1 stone - all my muscle. So I started off again with an hour's coaching and a visit to Spain in February with Seasonally UnAdjusted. The stuff was way too technical for me and I ended up bruised and battered from hitting my legs on rocks and also managed to break 3 ribs with an impressive head over bars demo, landing after cheering at my own success at clearing (almost) a ditch.
So I rested up and went on a biking holiday to Exmoor in the June. It was great. Lovely weather and my fitness helped me up the hills and I even dared a rocky descent the DH balked at! Then I hit some fast easy stuff and ended up unconscious on the ground, bike still between my legs. That really shook me up because I remember lying there semi-conscious thinking "This is the end of my life".
I have been wary of anything mildly technical or fast ever since.
Is someone trying to tell me something?

gee, eheckscher, I thought roadbiking was supposed to be more dangerous!
be careful, would ya?