I did it!

[indysteel]

I'm sorry you're bummed.

Just keep at it. You'll get your mojo back. What is making you feel like going slowly right now? Fitness? Fear of obstacles? General unsteadiness? Lack of confidence?

I'm mostly a mtb newb myself, but it helps if I'm focusing far enough down the trail to anticipate what I need to do and if I'm using the various body positions at my disposal. I'm quick to get out of the saddle in ready/attack mode if I'm at all uneasy/unsure about what to expect. And I try to remember that momentum is generally my friend. Not only does it make getting over obstacles easier, the bike is easier to handle, too.

The renewed confidence will come with time. Stick to trails that you're familiar with. A few good passes will do wonders for you. Perhaps some skill drills will help you, too. Go back to the basics.

[TrekDianna]

It's great that you got back out there. I know too many people who have bikes sitting in their garages after accidents. I am with you on the flat pedals though. I have clipless and I had lots of pain that wasn't going away and found out I had micro tears in my 5th metatarsal tendon. Using the flat pedals doesn't hurt and the micro tears are healing now

[indigoiis]

Thanks Indy. All of the above. Yeah, I'm scared of it all. And it's a vicious circle because I'm scared, then I'm mad that I'm scared, then I'm feeling guilty about being frustrated and mad, then I try to go too fast to make up for it and then I come to a screechy halt at the next obstacle. It's all just a big boo hoo episode.

[Catrin]

Thanks Indy. All of the above. Yeah, I'm scared of it all. And it's a vicious circle because I'm scared, then I'm mad that I'm scared, then I'm feeling guilty about being frustrated and mad, then I try to go too fast to make up for it and then I come to a screechy halt at the next obstacle. It's all just a big boo hoo episode.

This all sounds familiar! At least you get to the halting part As for me, I keep falling (not at obstacles, I also stop for those). It doesn't happen near as often, which is a good thing. As I get faster the falls get harder, but I figure that is part of it for a newbie.

I think it is great you can actually ride on your property, this is seriously cool! Even if it doesn't offer many challenges, it still gives you a place to go when you can't get elsewhere.

As for me, I've decided since my fall/ride ratio is higher than I would like it to be, I will continue riding my current trails solo but I need to have a riding partner for more difficult/longer trails. I think this is wise...at least until my skills finally advance and my ride/fall ratio decreases. Most of my mtb friends have been beating me over the head with this idea...and they probably have something