I've been testing some 29ers recently, which has been fun, but last night I took my trusty 26" Trance out and had one of those great life affirming rides. I'd considered not going. It had been a tiring day and I felt like crap. But after a few pedal turns all the crap just melted away and there was just me and the trails. Not just any trails. Dry trails. I don't think I've ridden properly dry trails up here since last March; before the summer that wasn't and the winter that was.
I slogged up the mountain, setting a new personal record on the climb, then chased the sun back down. The bike was flowing underneath me and almost felt alive. It must be similar to the feeling horse riders get, with the advantage that your bike wont suddenly get spooked by its own shadow and throw you over a wall. After a while I realised that it wasn't the bike that was alive. I could feel the trail through the bike, but it wasn't the trail that was alive. It was me that was alive and if I wanted to keep it that way I'd better stop all this hippy day dreaming and pay attention to those rocks.
But even the rocks weren't out to get me this time. I still baulked at a few sections but really committed to a few bits that have scared me in the past and suddenly they felt easy. What's more, this time it didn't all end in a crash.
I didn't quite manage to clear a couple of sections that I'd managed (for the first time ever) on the 29er, but I came so close. With a bit more skill and a bit more practice they are there for the taking.
Anyway, this isn't meant to be yet another wheel size discussion. Quite the opposite. My point is that; whatever bike you've got; however much you may feel that you've lost interest in it and however crap you may feel; just get out and ride. You never know when the magic will come.
+1
Dry trails for the first time in ages yesterday; my mojo was back and had me giggling and sprinting until my legs hurt. Biking is awesome.
*applauds roverpig* amen!
...Also, sometimes its about wanting what you've got rather than having what you want.
Thanks folks. It's funny, I've been riding bikes of various sorts for 40 odd years now and I still can't put my finger on why I enjoy it so much. It's usually hard, sometimes scary and often downright painful, but there are still few things more life-affirming than a good bike ride.
Is good. Especially rewarding when the bike does what you expect. And you start projecting moves ahead and then it all just happens as if by magic.
Solo ride for me in the Beacons last night. I cleared all the stuff I'd normally falter on. WTF? Sunshine and dry trails = Happy Ambrose.
Very cool post! I've had the same feelings for a couple of weeks.great trails that need caning for as long as they're dry! Even your everyday local rides turn out to be gems! Look and you will see people 😆
I've only just got on the MTB after spending far too long on the road bike commuting etc over the last few months and being kncked off it. I just forgot ho wmuch i loved it, first ride was a bit wobbly, no confidence etc then second ride on a test bike I just thought "sod it" and started riding stuff like I knew I could - had a great time 😀
Your right that its not about the bike but the test bike was an FS 29er vs my 26" HT, 2 minutes faster on the FS due to the downhill sections being a bit quicker (exactly the same time spent climbing according to my GPS) and a bit less beaten up on it, but both bikes were as much fun as each other..
Nice post. I think I'll be riding my bike all weekend, too 🙂
Hoping for the same today, the long weekend has begun!
Recently built my 06 Rocky Ridge back up with parts spanning 06 to 12. It's pretty different to the one I wheeled out the showroom all those years ago but damn I love that bike. There's something about it, a couple of rides in and strava KOM, 2nds, 4ths are popping up. It just loves to be ragged, and I love ragging it!
Great post and sums it up. I have been rationalising the bikes in the last few weeks and am temporarily (for no more than 4 days) without a mountain bike at all. I had a superb farewell weekend to my 5 at Kirroughtree and Mabie last weekend, packed it up and sent it off to its new owner on Tue, a great road ride wed, a velo session later today, as its housing down here in Glasgow. New MTB arrives tomorrow I hope and get it out on my local trails.
Bikes are great, all of them 🙂
Feel the same about my Trance. Its nearly been replaced twice by new bigger wheel versions. And every time I ride it I want to keep it and spoil it with some new shiny kit 😀
Up at 5.45am this morning for a commute to work on my Anthem X4, hate getting out of bed early, hate early morning rides as I never have any "fuel in the tank" but after getting to work I'm so glad I did it. I will leave work at 1pm and will head for the north downs and have an extended ride home exploring, all part of the fun which makes it worth while.
I've been considering upgrading to a 29er, possibly a trance 29er x1 or a canyon nerve al 29 but I always love riding the Anthem after a ride out and think do I really need a new one?
I was also thinking of maybe a "standard" Trance X2 to give me a bit more travel and slacker angles, I think I need to do a few test rides.
Any thoughts?
Looks like an early (6ish) start one morning this weekend. Was out on wed eve and its was bloody excellent. Fastest the trails have been for the best part of a year. Base fitness not too bad (strong after slogging through the winter mud), so when I was out it felt like Id gained 2mph everywhere. Managed to set a new personal best on my fave woody singletrack too.
Mozzies are back though. 😥
Great post, I often have rides these days where it all comes together, nothing in particular but end the ride feeling joyous & alive, giddy almost at the experience and from life itself. Cycling rules.
Nice one.
Had 2 knackering commutes home on the cx bike the past 2 days - across the bumpiest fields known to man, but oh jeez, do I feel so much better for it. Bruised, stung and tired legs, but my brain feels great (comparatively speaking) 🙂
Must get the old 26er (is that a thing?) Yeti out at the weekend...
Went out with a bunch of mates, cracking ride, good company, a couple of well earned beers. Stuck my bike in the shed, gave it a pat. All's good.
Yeah. Nice post.
I have to say, last weekend riding in Wales was possibly one of the best weekends riding I've had. It was really relaxed, the weather was fine; even the hail on Friday and the drizzly rain on Sunday didn't really matter.
I felt like I was riding faster than normal on a lot of the trails, letting the tyres slide in the turns knowing that they'll bite at some point, doing little poppy jumps over crests and rollers where I normally keep the tyres on the ground as much as possible.
Even this morning I had to cycle to a colleagues house to get a lift in with him while my car is in the garage. It's about 8.5 miles on fairly boring roads and I've had a grotty cold since Monday. But even that was a pleasure. Out of the house by 6:15 and on my way. Looking forward to short sleeves on the way back.
Good post, I have to say I've noticed a few of your posts Roverpig and like your writing style, do you write professionally?
Some great stories there folks. It looks as though the riding gods are finally paying us back for that winter. Good to see so many people taking advantage of their generosity. Keep the pedals turning.
ps. thanks [b]makeitorange[/b]. Love that username 🙂 My job does involve a fair bit or writing, but it's all scientific stuff where accuracy and clarity are the primary concerns. Wittering away on here gives a chance to take a few more liberties with the English language.