What I Learned Mountain Biking This Season

[bounceswoosh]

I (re)learned that riding with other people is fun! I'd fallen into the habit of riding by myself, because I didn't have to coordinate with anyone. But this year I rode with some old friends, and met a new riding buddy. It's just plain different. I'd forgotten how fun and satisfying it is to ride with other people and to be able to share the ride. I also rode some trails I'd never ridden before, and some that I hadn't ridden in a long time. And while we haven't managed it every week, having a weekly ride day ensured that I rode a lot more the second half of the summer than I normally would.

Riding behind someone is a mixed bag -- if the person ahead of you gets stuck, you may be more likely to get stuck, either because they're in your line or because you get psyched out. On the other hand, if they clear something you might have been iffy about, you're more likely to try it. And seeing the way other people ride can definitely give you some new tricks to try. Okay, I should say "I", not "you" -- it's definitely true for me.

[tzvia]

I guess I learned that it's still ok to play in the dirt when you are pushing 50. I had stopped after a bad car accident (truck vs suv vs light pole vs bus bench vs fire hydrant vs building) and used all that pain as an excuse, then heaped the 'I'm too old anyway' on top. I had my first mtb ride in over 6 years last month. I hadn't realized it had been so long till I stopped to think about it. Well, some things hurt and that's never going to change; I know that now. But I am not going to make any more excuses. I'm gonna ride! I started back on a new road bike several months ago and now on my new Giant MTB. I've dropped two pant sizes and am on my way to three down! I got a Wii Fit and exercise 5 days a week on that too.

One thing I would like to learn, is how to get rid of the smell of the horses (you know what I mean if you ride on multi use trails) that emanates from the bike, as it is stored in the house. I wash it and clean the chain and wipe it all down, but it makes no difference. The shoes too...

[sundial]

I had stopped after a bad car accident (truck vs suv vs light pole vs bus bench vs fire hydrant vs building) and used all that pain as an excuse, then heaped the 'I'm too old anyway' on top.

You are never too old to enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and a limitless trail.

One of the top female mtb'ers in our region is 51 years young. She can clean just about anyone's clock, lol. Good for you for getting back into the game and enjoying those long leisurely rides.

As for the smell, do you rinse your bike right after your ride? Before you get home? if you are still having horsey odors after a suds bath, try using Nature's Miracle and spritz it on your bike tires and shoes. This product is available at pet supply stores.

[Aggie_Ama]

Second the never to old sentiment. I went on a Women's group ride last week, one of the leaders of the fast ride is in her 60's. I have seen her out on the trails before, she is fast. Completely kicks my 27 year old butt on the dirt. She probably could put my husband in his place if she wanted to.

This weekend I learned even more by riding a rocky trail- owie. There were some loose rocky descents, yesterday I said no way to them because one turned at the bottom which really bugs me. But today I was mentally ready to try and did. As stupid as it sounds by just relaxing and trusting my little bike I made it. Definitely was not pretty or how you should descend but it worked and I made it. Shaking but in one piece. I made the mistake of being too far forward on the seat and using the brakes too much. Now I know how to make it a better descent when we go back out to this trail. The trail is 68 miles away but just down the road from my in-laws. I am eager to visit it again. I love tiny victories on the trail, I have more there than I ever do on the road.

[Irulan]

As stupid as it sounds by just relaxing and trusting my little bike I made it.

that is what you are supposed to do!!!! Glad you had a good one.

[Becky]

So far this season, I've learned that:

1. I do not MTB often enough.
2. MTBing is hard work!
3. I need to learn to trust my bike, especially on downhills. I balk at short steep downhills way too often.

[limewave]

I love reading and seeing women that are 50+ out riding kicking the young kids butts. My mom is 60 and has been very sedentary most of her life. She's had so many problems. I often wonder and hope that when I get to be her age that I will be as active as I am now. Then I realize that many of my friends are my mom's age and are just as active, if not more so. All of you "seasoned" athletes out there are truly an inspiration to me.

[Aggie_Ama]

that is what you are supposed to do!!!! Glad you had a good one.

I know! The funny thing is everytime someone has told me that I looked at them like they were crazy. But now I know they were right and I have a little more confidence to boot.

[limewave]

I forgot to mention that I learned to:

Ride the flats
Until I started riding with some other women, I didn't realize that I was only riding the hills and mostly coasting through the flats. I saved all of my effort for the climbs. I was so impressed with the women I met this summer because they flew through the flat sections. Once I got used to riding hard in the flats, I had more momentum and became a better climber and a much faster mountain biker

[sundial]

I made the mistake of being too far forward on the seat and using the brakes too much.

Did you endo?

[Aggie_Ama]

Did you endo?

No thankfully! Just made for a willy-nilly ride to the bottom.

For some reason though endo-ing my biggest fear. It looks so freaky!!

[sundial]

It's really not so bad as long as you hit dirt.

[TBird]

To take the death grip off the bars! A bit looser hold reminds me to feather the brakes and helps me float over tricky technical sections. It lets the bike do its job and feels more intuitive. Helps arm fatigue, too.