Two huge Mountain Bike rides browngreen: We went on two epic mountain bike rides since Saturday AM.
One was 24 mile round trip up Sheep Mountain. 16 miles of ascent, and I had to hike-a-bike and portage it on my back a good bit of the climb.
When I was peddling up, it was so stenuous mentally and aerobically taxing.... I crashed twice. The first, I actually fell off the single track and rolled, with my bike, down the side of the mountain! Got some nice bruises, but was otherwise fine becasue I was going so SLOW up the hill. The wipe out seemed to take place in slow motion.
The second was also upill-- stopped short my a big rock and just fell over. More bruises, and this time I was emo about it-- cursed out loud, cried ...LOL!
The downhill was an amazing 8 miles from the alpine summit down into trees, across a couple rivers, and down across talus trails, and eventually ended up on forest service road for the last mile or so.
The dog was dog tired. We all were.
You know, I started out on that ride feeling confident becasue the trail was big buffed double track for the first 8 miles, and then the next 8 were super technical and burly single track-- granny gear the whole way, if not hiking it. I lost all confidence after my first crash, and started to sketch myself out-- wanting to break at small roots or other obstacles instead of power over them keeping my momentum going. So afraid that I'd crash again.
But the 8 mile downhill was amazing. I think I was so tired that I didn't care anymore about going slow, and I was nice and relaxed, which made my stearing easy.
Our next ride was For the Fourth of July: did a shuttle ride with another couple. This ride was glorious-- started out at Lost Trail Ski Basin, and rode up only 5 miles and ended up with a 20 MILE DOWNHILL! Woo Hoo!
OMG was it crazy-- mostly all single track, and about 7 or 8 creek crossings-- most without bridges. The topography changed from high mountain views, to deep forest coverage, to mountain meadows just in full bloom with prairie smoke, sticky geranium, lupin, fire weed, bear grass, buttercups, lady slippers, and indian paintbrush. But as the elevation changed, so did the flora, and it was like a full cornicopia ride, you know?
The last 4 miles were on a road, but it was so smooth and fast because the single track had been too technical in spots for me.
Once again, I crashed twice. Both were endos (end over end) going down hills. I even cracked my helmet.
I am thankful for it, and that my neck is OK too.
I walked until the shakes went away, and got back on feeling tentative. I really wanted to just ride slowly, but it was not possible. The hill was steep and loose. You can't ride your breaks on loose stuff. Walked some more.
Once the trail became more clean, I got back on, and rode for a few miles feeling really good, reflecting on the crash, and reflecting on how sports are at least 70% mental for me and 30% physical. I was riding over whatever came before me, and although I was having a tendency to panic, I bared down and rode over, leaving the scary spot behind.
I was just thinking "OK, I'm over the crash" when BAM! I big root came up out of nowwhere I knew I didn't have the speed to get over it and I slammed on my breaks, which was super dumb, and did another endoverend. THis time, I didn't hit my head!
Ladies and gents, I am more bruised up than I can stand to look at. My arms are so sore from pushing up hill, and my legs are not only black and blue, but scabby! Luckily most opeople I know have similar looking legs, including my H, who wiped out really good on the road and has some road rash up one thigh.
But I had total fun anyway on both rides. It was really super cool to be up and out, and have such adventures. We came out with the other couple and had a beer and ate salami and cheese, and told stories about other great rides as we loaded the bikes into their truck.
Something about crashing, being scared, psyching yourself out thinking "I'm going to crash! I just know it" and proving yourself right, but taking it, and having a good time anyway---- I don't know. Is that an analogy for life, or what?
Oddly, I feel as if I'm not afraid of crashing any more.
AG/bg
Re: Two huge Mountain Bike rides AfterMath: Awesome stuff there guys!
Re: Two huge Mountain Bike rides browngreen: Hey, yeah! It's been super fun!
Nice to meet you!
AG
Re: Two huge Mountain Bike rides AfterMath: Ditto AG. Hope the bruizes are heal soon & soreness gets better quick!
