Good points Indy, and thank you. In a way I've already gone there, which is part of the reason why I am going to pursue a few sessions with a cycling coach this spring. Before I hit the trails again I will need to know that my neck is strong enough for me to ride without pain - and I also learned last summer where my basic skills are a bit lacking and I will be safer on the trails if I address what I know is lacking first.

Yes, positive thinking is good, and while I've never called it thus, "resilient thinking" is even more important. Thank you for the term, I've never really come up with a name for it.