I felt like such a girl today.........

[CyclingKat]

Sympathize whole-heartedly. I've only been riding mountain for about three months ... took a pretty hard fall a month ago ... did the stupid thing going too fast downhill and grabbed the brakes. Next thing I know, my partner is kneeling over me asking me if I knew my name and my birthday (which I didn't remember at first! Pretty odd feeling! Mild concussion and an ambulance ride to the hospital). I went out for the first time last week and walked every downhill! But my goal was to get on my bike. If you are on a trail marked "expert," you're already a superstar in my book. As long we're out there trying a little bit more every time and most of all enjoying the ride -- that's the key!

[Brandi]

Oh my gosh, there is nothing wrong with being careful. I get off and walk a lot too. I have broken bones and that thought is the only reminder I need. Besides by walking it every once in a while I am able to walk it another day because of it. My dh is and animal like your dh and does all the hard stuff as well. He never thinks I am a wimp for walking. But does say the more I practice the better I will get at doing the rocky stuff!

[run it, ride it]

girl with the busted, protruding clavicle awaiting a surgery date speaking up here: if I hadn't tried the jump I wasn't ready for, my skeleton wouldn't be in pieces right now.

self preservation is nothing to be ashamed of. take your time and trust your instincts. don't try something you have no idea how to maneuvre. try a smaller version first with instruction.