so, i’ve been out for most of the summer post injury after a very truncated but much anticipated epic. but while the injury was niggley what surprised me more was my head. no enthusiasm for the mountain bike whatsoever – the only time i’ve been out on it was a staggeringly dull day at gt around the time of the tour of britain. i got out on the road bike sure, but not so much and my broken bike is still in the shed untouched from its trip.
eventually ms swiss got in on the act and told me in no uncertain terms to stop fannying about and get more hours on the bike. out with my winter road bike and what do you know, it was okay. then, back on the mountain bike for an easy loop round the lochs. nice.
yesterday tho i got back to one of my usual routes with the guy i normally cycle them with. lovely day, lovely spot. except where were all them skills i once had? no speed, no technique, super ginger over the slidey roots, grabbing bags of brakes and oh yes, there i am in a bush. and again. and again. frightening!
fortunately nil in the way of head weasels. it was great! but i’m astounded yet again that all that hard won fitness and whatnot exists in inverse proportion to the vast drop off in performance if you’re away from it for only a few weeks.
still it’s my own fault. so i’m off for a night ride this evening. that’ll learn me…