I feel like a rock star!

[bounceswoosh]

Technically you can do a bunny hop without being clipped in -- I've been told, and I've seen it. But it sure doesn't hurt to be able to pull up with your pedals!

I've done bunny hops before, but never over anything, so I guess that doesn't count =P And it's been a couple of years.

I don't know how climbing gyms compare; my 5.10 may be your 5.7. I'm just psyched to be climbing. There was a time when I thought I'd never be able to.

I started with clipless because of ego. I switched to flats for a while when I realized I was agonizing about them to the point where I rarely cleared obstacles (indecision about whether to be in or out would lead to me bumping up an obstacle without enough momentum to clear). Eventually I missed the ability to pedal both sides of the stroke, so I switched back to clipless, but a style that I thought would allow me to use them as flats when necessary. As it turns out, I slide in and out of them so easily that I never, ever clip out before an obstacle; if something happens and I'm falling, it's smooth as silk to get out, and I've never felt trapped.

They're the Shimano (SPD) PD-M647

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/cont..._mountain.html

Not for weight weenies or people with tight budgets ... but I love them so much I've kept them (the same pair) across three bikes.

[yellow]

wow, I need a day like that. That sounds AWESOME!

I had a couple of bad-ish (not horrible...just bad) crashes year before last and my brain has not recovered. I rode some last year, but find that I am mostly terrified now when I am on anything remotely technical. There are a couple of the Dirt Series clinics here this year but I'm afraid it's not in the budget. I find every excuse in the book to not go out, but I know that I really just need to ride. The trails are starting to dry up enough to ride now, so really, my only obstacle is my stubborn and dramatic brain.

But I get trial by fire next weekend...we're off to Fruita. Either I ride or I sit around and drink gin & tonics.

[bounceswoosh]

wow, I need a day like that. That sounds AWESOME!

I had a couple of bad-ish (not horrible...just bad) crashes year before last and my brain has not recovered. I rode some last year, but find that I am mostly terrified now when I am on anything remotely technical. There are a couple of the Dirt Series clinics here this year but I'm afraid it's not in the budget. I find every excuse in the book to not go out, but I know that I really just need to ride. The trails are starting to dry up enough to ride now, so really, my only obstacle is my stubborn and dramatic brain.

But I get trial by fire next weekend...we're off to Fruita. Either I ride or I sit around and drink gin & tonics.

It *was* awesome!

I know what you mean about getting psyched out. A few years ago I took a digger at Kenosha and sprained my wrist badly, as well as banging up the bike. I definitely found myself making a lot of excuses. Then last year, I wasn't able to ride due to issues with my other wrist. I got my dream bike built up, and then while it was being put together, I totaled my car in a nasty accident. I was so determined to get out there on my bike that I did it even though I was really not emotionally ready. I didn't harm myself seriously, but I looked even more beat up from the bike than from the accident, and it did not leave me in a good state.

Just more reason to be happy I had such a great ride last week =)

Enjoy Fruita! Just do what feels right. You'll know what you should and shouldn't do. Just listen to your inner voice.

[atombessy]

Hmm...I might check out those pedals....gotta run them by the husband, he's more of the gear expert than I am

I'm sorry for all the injuries everyone has had recently! Don't think about the rocks and logs, just find an awesome sunny day and a pretty trail, and screw it if you chicken out of stuff, just get out to enjoy the woods and see where it goes from there! good luck....keep us updated yellow! (although save a day for gin&tonics too...)