I love riding but it’s easy for me to forget just how different everyone’s experiences are on mountain bikes. It’s wild that we consider riding a pumptrack in Kansas and riding a World Cup DH track in the Alps the same sport.
I know that internally we have containers for each of these disciplines but when we are talking with other riders about trails and bikes and equipment it’s so easy to forget that we might be as different as Ping Pong and Beach Volleyball.
I mean, shit, the sport can vary wildly between two different parts of the same state. Trails in Santa Cruz are so freaking different from So Cal trails. Awesome riders from both regions go up to Squamish and have to learn to ride again. That’s crazy! I guess skiing was similar to this, where I could absolutely rip at one mountain and go to another mountain and struggle on blues, but damn if it isn’t hard for us to really understand each others experiences in mountain biking.
This point really gets driven home when you ride with different groups of people at the same trail system. Groups will have wildly different understandings of helmets (half shell? Full face?) tire choice, amount of travel, what trails to ride or what lines to take…
I suppose I’m just reflecting on this because more than ever I have a deep curiosity about all of these other riders and their approaches. There is so much to learn and incorporate into my own riding. It’s wild to think about how much I can learn about this sport!!!
I’m curious, what insights have you gained from riding in different places or with people that are different than your normal crew? How has traveling to other regions changed your approach or understanding?
One of my favorite things about mtb is I know I’ll never be great let alone in the top echelon of the sport. So I can just casually improve at my own pace. And only really can compete against myself. Probably wouldn’t have this mindset if I could afford getting into the sport as a teen. Everything was a competition for me when I was younger till I got into my 20s. But as a dude just trying to get some excitement and exercise it’s been working out great so far. And it seems that culture is true for the majority of riders including the good ones. Even on the east coast where team sports were/are generally ultra competitive to the point even as a competitive person I always felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Interesting thread, thank you @seanfisseli!
Looking back just three years, I see myself as a totally different mountain biker. I came in with a “bespoke” BMX background, moved much closer to mountains (parks, harder trails) and got to work in the industry (thankfully no more) as a marketing folk. There’s so much to unpack for myself out of this timeframe, but I don’t wanna make a poem :D However, I’ll curiously be looking into this thread and responding to the things that click to me.
Can totally relate to @bulletbass man regarding findig your own pace. So much more fun, especially while raising a kid and juggling multiple jobs. What also helped me find “my terms” with riding/progression is fostering relationships within the right group of riding mates, where one can either push or take it easy, any ride. Previously it kinda bothered me that we all have different backgrounds and generally ride on different levels, but now, with quite some time invested into mutual trips, planning, certain prioritization, I feel like this diversity only helps and teaches a lot. Still I consider it a never-ending story – to keep the group together and know when to push or to pull back.
My wife says I'm on the spectrum with my bike obsessions
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