This is a picture of my niece. She's riding a bike that Bjet got her for Christmas about a year ago. I think she's just getting old enough to push that thing along (it's surprisingly heavy!).
Last week on the BioWheels ride I totally stunk it up in the double paceline. Maybe I had a bad day at work, but there was this MASH—MASH—COAST! tempo and it wasn't very smooth. I don't know if I got behind someone awkward in the paceline but my A.D.D. went into meltdown mode and I kept letting space open in front of me. Then I wasn't pulling off as soon as I should in the rotating paceline. I felt so embarrassed, I rode like a real newbie out there. I hate to suck it up so bad in front of my teammates and friends — people I respect and love to ride with.
On the way home I kept mulling over my failures in my head. Then I started kicking myself over the fact that I can't ride off-road on technical stuff. And I start to feel like a real mediocre rider and that on a crap-to-incredible scale I would end up somewhere that a lot of flies would be circling me! It kind of makes me want to quit.
Then we passed this farm field in Indian Hill. I remember seeing a sunset over this field when I first began riding and thinking to myself that I am so glad to be riding a bike. The sun was setting and I thought I have to let all my baggage go.
Hopefully I can be like my little niece and just have fun. But there's a lot that I have to learn — so I really have to work on some of my fundamentals if I want to get better.
Maybe someday it will be safe to take off my training wheels.
James
ReplyDeleteDon't be so hard on yourself! You're a beast!! Regarding mtb, one direction that really, really helped me was to ride with guys who were substantially better bike handlers than I was. If you can find an uber-talented rider, see if they'll ride a pretty mellow pace and let you follow. Just watch how they approach things and try to follow their lead. If they're willing let them teach you.
Also, night riding in the woods is great. Helps you learn to 'feel' the trail, not just see it.
And lastly, on a flatter, but somewhat technical trail, do slow, no-brakes rides. Learn to anticipate and not jump on your brakes.
All these combined will really help, especially if you can ride with someone who is patient and very talented. Start easy and go a little faster over time, in small steps. It's amazing how much more efficient you'll become. Do rides where you focus on smooth, not fast.
Just a couple thoughts. Cheers!
Layne