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2104
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
Durango, CO
US
Edited Date/Time
6/22/2017 11:29am
There's no denying that each of us have learned several lessons during our years as mountain bikers, sometimes the hard way. If you could give yourself MTB advice five or ten years ago, what would it be? From riding to racing, wrenching, attitude, and everything in between, let's hear what words of wisdom you'd bestow on your younger riding self.
Taken February 5, 2006, while still young and foolish in many ways... Here are some tips I'd give myself ten years ago:
- 95% is often faster than 105%. Dial it in a notch.
- Proper tire pressure is crucial. Don't just pump it 'til it's hard.
- Your kit doesn't matter, pretty boy.
- Stop ham fisting, invest in a torque wrench, and check those bolts often.
- Look further ahead while riding. It makes a huge difference.
- WD40 isn't lube.
- Service your suspension once a year.
- Plan more road trips. Explore often.
- Drink more water. You're not a camel.
- Poptarts are not race fuel.
- Ride lots of bikes. See what works for your style.
- It's not always a race.
- Give the fads a year or so before investing in them, if ever.
- Don't be such a hater. Big wheels can be rad.
- 680mm wide bars, seriously?
- Stretch before you ride.
- If you're doing it right, your race run is just another practice run with a timer. Breathe, dude!
- Expand your horizons. Actually pedaling a bike can be fun.
- Look before you leap.
- When they say not to twist the coil more than three turns, they mean it.
- You don't have to take every sponsorship offer. Actually having traction matters more than free stuff.
- Pad up. You'll thank me later.
- A good attitude, six pack of good beer, big smile, and some patience go a long way in a bike shop.
- Self-tapping sheetmetal screws are not good replacement pedal pins. Sorry shins.
- Giving back to the scene more often can lead to bigger and better things.
- When your brakes start howling, it's time for new pads.
- Helmets are a one and done type of deal. Replace it after a good crash.
- Cherish your riding buddies. They'll likely be some of your best friends, forever.
- Bikes have the potential to take you places you've only dreamt about. Stick with it.
Taken February 5, 2006, while still young and foolish in many ways... Here are some tips I'd give myself ten years ago:
- 95% is often faster than 105%. Dial it in a notch.
- Proper tire pressure is crucial. Don't just pump it 'til it's hard.
- Your kit doesn't matter, pretty boy.
- Stop ham fisting, invest in a torque wrench, and check those bolts often.
- Look further ahead while riding. It makes a huge difference.
- WD40 isn't lube.
- Service your suspension once a year.
- Plan more road trips. Explore often.
- Drink more water. You're not a camel.
- Poptarts are not race fuel.
- Ride lots of bikes. See what works for your style.
- It's not always a race.
- Give the fads a year or so before investing in them, if ever.
- Don't be such a hater. Big wheels can be rad.
- 680mm wide bars, seriously?
- Stretch before you ride.
- If you're doing it right, your race run is just another practice run with a timer. Breathe, dude!
- Expand your horizons. Actually pedaling a bike can be fun.
- Look before you leap.
- When they say not to twist the coil more than three turns, they mean it.
- You don't have to take every sponsorship offer. Actually having traction matters more than free stuff.
- Pad up. You'll thank me later.
- A good attitude, six pack of good beer, big smile, and some patience go a long way in a bike shop.
- Self-tapping sheetmetal screws are not good replacement pedal pins. Sorry shins.
- Giving back to the scene more often can lead to bigger and better things.
- When your brakes start howling, it's time for new pads.
- Helmets are a one and done type of deal. Replace it after a good crash.
- Cherish your riding buddies. They'll likely be some of your best friends, forever.
- Bikes have the potential to take you places you've only dreamt about. Stick with it.
I'd go with ride more new places more often. These are the rides you'll remember. The 50th time down your second or third most ridden trail start to blur.
2. Make fun of Lycra as much as possible because at some point you'll own some
3. The older your get the harder things become but don't worry about it. Bikes are still fun even if the jumps are smaller now
Doesn't matter what your bike is or how well tricked out it is, just ride.
Comes from only managing to get out a couple of times this year so far due to work, family and financial commitments. I sure miss the days of being able to ride everyday and sometimes curse myself for not riding because I "couldn't be bothered" at the time!
Go trail riding more. The effort/time/money it takes to get your DH bike out for 4-5 runs sometimes isn't worth it.
Ride more before wasting money on upgrades. You probably won't understand the benefit of that part that costs 10x more if you didn't put in the time riding the inferior part.
No advice to give. I've been pretty awesome this whole time.
Okay maybe drop the body armor.
And I still flip my visor down when the sun's in my face because that's what it's fucking there for.
But poptarts NOT race food? Come on BT. They certainly are.
Now, I know this is NOT applicable to everyone / everywhere , but considering how much time I spent wishing I could build a wall ride some where , or build a foam pit somewhere, or build some jumps somewhere......and every weekend driving up into the mts looking for "the place" and never finding it. And at the same time had X amount of money sitting in the bank doing nothing but collecting 0.00002% interest.
Two years ago I bought a 15 acre forested property (no house, just land ) near The Dalles , OR , and it was the best decision ever. So much control and freedom to do what ever, how ever---and at the same time , the value of the property will stay the same or increase. Money that sits in the bank is not doing much for you other than "staying safe". Now - the money is still safe- but I can ENJOY IT anytime I want too.
I want to change my answer. What ^He^ said.
Bikes are supposed to be fun. Don't take it so seriously.
Not every lap is a race run. Dick around on the bike some more.
Make mistakes, stop trying to ride with perfect form all the time.
Believe in what you're capable of.
2 stop smocking these fckn cigarettes!
3 don't stop running, you'll have great fun later
4 run more with your father
And of course
5 leave those bitches, go find your wife!
6 buy 90's cheap sport cars
Buy new stuff when the old breaks, save your money for travelling instead of wasting them on bikes and parts!
I still love to ride, but man I miss the days I didn't have to wake up at 5am on a Saturday to fit it in...
That said, don't let life stop you from riding. I keep at it to stay healthy & sane for my kids, and to lead by example so they pursue an active lifestyle. Hard some days for sure, but totally worth it to be the dad that can actually keep up with them!
And maintain all my drivers license points
and buy the right size bikes - medium is too short for you.
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