Riding buddies improving

1mancity2

Went out yesterday with a couple of pals and they both tried new things and laid to rest some fears, both did some big drop offs and tried some new jumps.

So when your out do you try to do something new every time or do you just tottle along happy?

thekickingmule

Depends on if I'm with people, where I am and how much time I have.

If I'm with friends, in a new location and have all day, I'll give most things a shot. If I'm by myself, I'm cautios, but might give something a go. If I'm just going out for an afternoon pootle, with just the mindset of getting out of the house, then no, I wont.

Kudos to your pals though!

specialeyes

I tend to push myself more when with mates. There is always that element of, if he does it I'll have to lol! Were all of similar skill level so it works out fine. When out on my own I don't try as many technical things but I find I ride a lot more aggressively and can get onto a zone! Also you have your mates as back up if / when you stack and mess yourself up

warpcow

I suspect I take more risks when riding with others. I'm definitely a 'mid-pack' rider though: I tend to ride best when having someone to keep up with and knowing someone is behind me, so I don't want to hold them up. If I'm at the back, I tend to get lazy and figure everyone'll wait for me. At the front I ride as fast as is possible/required, but without taking the risks I might if I was trying to keep up with someone. It comes back to bite me on the ass occasionally when I take a sketchy line in an effort to close a gap, but it always feels good to have tried at least. If I'm alone, I don't feel the 'need' to take similar risks.

Our rides don't really involve much 'sessioning' though. When they do, it tends to be more technical climbs than jumps, etc.

.blitz

Mellow & chilled when riding solo

Mildly competitive when riding with mates

Ruthless with tourists

t0pc4t

It really depends on who is out and the mood we're on. When it's just my mate Ben and I we tend to be faster. Some days we're quite relaxed but yesterday we decided to push a bit harder.

It varies.

With a bigger group things generally get slower.

ilovedirt

Depends how i'm feeling, who i'm with, where we are, how long we have etc. I try to push myself and do new things when it's sensible to do so. There's one drop on one of the local downhill tracks that i have yet to hit successfully, need to man up and give it another go soon... There's a small roadgap at another local track I need to try as well...