Few things I've learned today....

scoobasteve

Just been out to christen my shiny new bike in the mud, thought I'd share a few thoughts i had whilst re-visiting my old local trail from my youth, I've probably been out of biking for well over 10 yrs so this was my first proper outing in a good while!

1. I'm not as good on a mtb as I was when I was 15!
2. I can't get up semi-technical ascents that I used to be able to do when I was 12
3. I'm too scared to go down technical descents that I used to fly down when I was 12
4. the thought of falling off is a totally different prospect as a 30yr old who has to go to wrk tomorrow!
5. MUD is probably MORE fun at 30!
6. Wind is just as sh!te as it used to be.
7. I'm totally un-bike-fit! I ran a marathon 6 months ago and it was easier than a few hours in the saddle.
8. Saddles still hurt when your not used to them.
9. The view of the North Sea from Seaton Sluice hasn't changed a bit
10. Everything on my bike needs tightened!
11. I bloody love being back out on a mountain bike!

Please feel free to add to this agreeing or disagreeing as you see fit!

Oh and 12. Being out on a bike at 30 is such a good release from the stresses of two kids a wife and a job! I'm booking out Sunday mornings for the forseeabl future!

xgeek

LOL I am 42 and got my GT Aggressor XCR just under a month ago. The last bike I had before that was a Raleigh Chopper that my mum and dad got me for my 10th birthday!

Been out the last 3 weekends with a MTB group in Epping forest and I am loving it. Still have a long way to go before I will feel at one with the bike

maximus69

i agree with everything!! but must add that unlike when i was 12 dad would pay and fix for the bits i broke, now i have to!

robertpb

Until recently, because of work, I didn't ride much. Last few months with more riding, about 70-80 miles per week, I'm back to my old fitness.

More riding more confidence, you'll soon be tackling the ascents and descents and surprising yourself. I'm riding the trails and bomb holes I rode when I was 12 but then I didn't have a mountain bike just rode anything that would survive. But that was 46 years ago thank god the MTB full susser was invented or my knees and me would have had a falling out.

rd350lc

maximus69 wrote:

i agree with everything!! but must add that unlike when i was 12 dad would pay and fix for the bits i broke, now i have to!

Thats strange Mark I was under the impression that your Mum and Dad still pay for everything ........ haha

robmellor

Great list i really do associte with it.

I got back into MTB 3 months ago, after not being very good 7 years ago, did about 6 rides on my old bike mainley to improve fitness weight loss. As you can see im a 45 yo fat *astard going through a mid life crises.

Really loved it this time and after 6 rides on my old bike fitness really did improve.

So the real fun bit came when i decided i had to have a new bike, decided on a Merlin Malt 4, i loved the housr spent on the net reserching my choice. Sulked like a bid kid every day till i got it 15 days later. LOVE the bike.

On my last ride doing a little more technical stuff and wonderd if i should have got a full sus, but i know i need a hard tail to sort technique out and probably will never get to the stage were i need a full sus.

13. Watching your 10 YO son power past you in a long tough hill climb.

Cheers
Rob

PS love this sight,
PPS Sorry about the spelling.

cee

Robmellor wrote:

13. Watching your 10 YO son power past you in a long tough hill climb.

powering past him on the same climb a few rides later :twisted:

I've gotta say....I seem to be more of a maniac now than i was when i was 12.

lesz42

4. the thought of falling off is a totally different prospect as a 38yr old who has to go to wrk tomorrow!




its what hold me back, pain and the going to work in pain

Bikerbaboon

lesz42 wrote:

4. the thought of falling off is a totally different prospect as a 38yr old who has to go to wrk tomorrow!




its what hold me back, pain and the going to work in pain

I stopped my self going down hill on my bike by using an age old plan... smack face in to log.....

That was last sunday I have got a massive black eye cust all over my face and a cut lip. Work in pain is not fun.