Ha, i’ve got a big bike, certainly know how to ride it, hence why it only gets ridden a few times a year.
Trail bike gets ridden 95% of the time (120mm 29er), on most of the “DH” stuff near me, even stuff like cwncarn (im sure BPW too), im faster and keeping up with fast DH boys on DH bikes on it.
Just take gwin winning chainless, far stiffer suspension than anyone else, ride right, got fastest through the speed trap, in a pedally section (i didn’t imagine that right?), won the race too, through riding right.
IE riding right is the fastest, bikes just get you marginal gains.
Though “fun” is a personal preference thing, i personally dont have fun on my MTB unless im doing lots of jumping or having to think about/work at things to do it well, which normally results in it being fast once i’ve figured it out, ie it being quick is a strong indication i’ve got it “right”.
If you get your buzz from being a passenger, who am i to critique?
We can enjoy different things, it’s fine.