The problem with integrating into rides is most the options I get are things I’ve always had hang ups on and riding with a group we go through the trail and want to move on to the next so I often chicken run them and thus don’t practice. I do find excuses not to do them. It’s all mental blocks. Tony has pointed the way and unlocked some of them, I just need to be in the right place when I get to the local ‘features’ that have historically concerned me.
Oddly if I go to a trail centre I’m far more confident probably because they’re purpose built and I have confidence in the trail not to throw me a surprise or be changed since I last rode it through conditions or digging. Plus trails in Wales or the Alps I find run fast, you follow other fast riders and I just find I go for it without thinking
Though jumping off or over roots, rocks, kerbs etc I often do naturally now without thinking. It’s the bigger features like jumps and drops where I can’t see the landing and there’s a pile of roots on the lip or landing or it’s a gap, those things get me. More so for some reason when they are on a steep descent. I think I worry about the speed and yet if it’s a flat run up I’m much happier.
