The long way up....
How often do we think about the process of walking back up for another run. We often walk down a trail, we always see videos of track walks going down pre- world cup, pre-practice etc, like the classic Wyntv by Wyn Masters, or Ben Cathros, Cathrovision on youtube. But what about using the same observations when going back up? As mountain bikers are well aware, having no uplift service means walking or riding back up to the top, with that lovely lactic acid burning our legs. Lets face it, the only time we have an uplift is if we pay the £30+ for the service at Bike Parks, guaranteeing more runs, and more runs equates to more fun. Then again, the birth of the e-bike has introduced a new means of a personal uplift, and I'd be interested to know if owners of e-bikes would still use the uplift at somewhere like Bike Park Wales to avoid the queues.
Bearing in mind I'm nearly 50 years old, I still want to progress, learn and feel like I'm doing something right. As a surfer you never stop learning so why should riding bikes downhill be any different and that progression will help me stay safer. The more we learn the better we get.
This past week, I've ridden most days in Steyning, West Sussex, but depending on where I'm riding, if I'm home in Cornwall, and especially if riding alone, if its steep or loose, technical or not, and there is no choice but to push up, along the side of the trail then I find it always the perfect time to reflect on the last run. Checking lines, moving fallen rocks or obstacles, looking for faster lines, did my run flow, what went well, or not, asking where and how can I improve? But also its my time to mentally build some confidence and a little self belief into my downhill riding. By looking for smoother lines on the way back up, will personally outweigh the more aggressive ones and in many ways, help me stretch my abilities as I endeavour to increase my speed but remain in control, and my word, I need to remain in control.
Personally, the push back up is where I spend a fair bit of time stopping, resting, breathing, and being mindful of my surroundings too. I do love to just stop and take it all in, we're so lucky to get to ride in the great outdoors, but maybe thats my age, maybe it's this process that clears my head when its full of everyday confusion.
I suppose that the journey to the top for another fun filled run, can be as painful or pleasant experience as we make it. But guaranteed, taking it all in on the ascent, will ensure that coming back down, with a new mindset, is so much more enjoyable, and besides, that little root, rock or off camber section you failed to miss going back up is the one that will probably get you going down, and no one wants that
Bearing in mind I'm nearly 50 years old, I still want to progress, learn and feel like I'm doing something right. As a surfer you never stop learning so why should riding bikes downhill be any different and that progression will help me stay safer. The more we learn the better we get.
This past week, I've ridden most days in Steyning, West Sussex, but depending on where I'm riding, if I'm home in Cornwall, and especially if riding alone, if its steep or loose, technical or not, and there is no choice but to push up, along the side of the trail then I find it always the perfect time to reflect on the last run. Checking lines, moving fallen rocks or obstacles, looking for faster lines, did my run flow, what went well, or not, asking where and how can I improve? But also its my time to mentally build some confidence and a little self belief into my downhill riding. By looking for smoother lines on the way back up, will personally outweigh the more aggressive ones and in many ways, help me stretch my abilities as I endeavour to increase my speed but remain in control, and my word, I need to remain in control.
Personally, the push back up is where I spend a fair bit of time stopping, resting, breathing, and being mindful of my surroundings too. I do love to just stop and take it all in, we're so lucky to get to ride in the great outdoors, but maybe thats my age, maybe it's this process that clears my head when its full of everyday confusion.
I suppose that the journey to the top for another fun filled run, can be as painful or pleasant experience as we make it. But guaranteed, taking it all in on the ascent, will ensure that coming back down, with a new mindset, is so much more enjoyable, and besides, that little root, rock or off camber section you failed to miss going back up is the one that will probably get you going down, and no one wants that
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