mountain biking is an extreme sport, we all hurt ourselves from time to time but the buzz of sailing down a trail out weighs it for me. its our leisure time, do what makes you smile, we’re not here long enough to mess around eh
This.
For me I decided to road race last year. I got some things wrong such as training, being distracted away from the events I wanted to be good at and at the end of the year got a bit disapointed. I was convinced MTB was now just an occasional leisure pastime.
I also raced my MTB and discovered that despite not being the best technically – not many of us are – my new found fitness made being on an MTB loads more fun.
Then I got a chest infection in October which to cut a long story short is just about clearing up. I’ve been a bit down, but in the middle of it during a lull I finished in the bunch for the first time.
As I contemplated my “ruined” plan for this year, I’ve realised actually this is just a blip, and thiers lots of opportunity to enjoy myself, race, try new things.
Then last night the switch really flicked. I attended a talk organised by our club from a figure in the Grand Tour scene. The backdrop of the talk was about the “reality” of a pro rider. Not the riding, or the glamour but what happens behind the scenes and in the off season. Do you know what, they are just like us. They get moody, despondant, they have family issues, some are liked, some aren’t. Some love training, some hate it, some ride MTB’s, some don’t.
All of this conspired to want me to get out on my bike – any bike – more than ever. I’m racing my MTB tentatively as I continue to recover on Sunday, and I can’t wait to be on the thing. I have a road crit in two weeks on a course that I know doesn’t suit me – I can’t wait.
We all go through doldrums, upsets and injuries – stick with it, the humble bicycle has so much to offer. And if for you it doean’t, don’t get upset about it, just do something else which makes you happy.