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~