What constitues hard/easy, pushing yourself, steep etc etc?

I know what you mean but it's very difficult to advise someone you don't know on something as personal as what constitutes pushing themselves.

Generally though it's putting yourself outside your comfort zone by just enough that you learn without killing/injuring/dispiriting yourself. Much more fun in a group than alone IMO and safer.

I would say join a local club and go riding with them, within a group you'll find your level and be able to judge yourself against how others ride (and watch how they do it for pointers). Also a good way to get to know the best parts of your local trails. Before you know it, you'll be one of the ones that new members will be looking at for pointers!

Just get a feel for it for the time being. You'll only find what you're comfortable with by riding it.

I have a habit of following people down stuff, then hesitating half way and ending up on my arse. If you're going to do it, do it. If not, don't worry about it, just build up to it.

What may look simple, may not be, and vice versa. Only your own experience will tell the difference.

I agree with what has been said above. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself, but be sensible about it. As your skills improve, your confidence in yourself will improve, and I think that confidence is half the battle when it comes to technical riding. Have confidence in your abilities and you'll stay in control, but attack something you really aren't sure about and you'll probably just tense up, grab a handful of the brakes, and be jolted down the trail out of control

It's all relative. I remember my first trip to Glentress, going to the skills area and looking at the stepdown bit and thinking "Nah, that's just stupid, who'd try and ride down that?". That was, oh, 15 months ago I think? Went back to the skills area last saturday, and rode down it, then picked an alternative line and rode off the side of it, then rode down the rocks that form the border of it, then dropped the whole thing, then rode up it It's amazing how things get smaller and less steep.

1) pushing yourself a little and often is by far the safest way to learn. If you could ride your bike every day you'd soon be very good indeed

2) set yourself goals:- things you've seen on the trail and liked the look of but chickened out; or small skills, like straight-lining roots, or pumping the terrain for speed, small jumps/drops etc; and work on them.

The little bits combine to give you extra trail mojo; and set you up for the next level

3) some days we all suck on a bike. If you feel off your game; or your confidence is getting worse on something you think is risky; walk away. It'll still be there next time. I've seen some serious schooling come from off days not being heeded

4) if you're on an on-day and everything's going right, go ahead and hit that section you've been eyeing up. 9/10 times you get it. But be aware if you get too cocky you will discover your limits.

5) don't be phased by age/body shape/fitness. As long as you push yourself on the small things regularly it will all come to you.

6) as everyone else has said, ride with others. There is no greater inspiration than seeing other people sending it on the trail in front of you.

7) chics dig scars, pain is temporary, glory lasts for ever