Christmas Riding thoughts

WHY DO I RIDE

The reasons I ride could probably fill a book but if I was to narrow it down to my top five I think I can keep it to a blog post

1. Freedom, no matter how difficult the section of trail I am on whether it is the worst rock garden I have ever traversed(Snake Creek Time Trial miles 29-33). Or the best section of downhill trail rolling into high banked sweeping turns that sling shot you through them I am there because I chose to be there. I had no financial requirement to climb on the bike and punish my body for hours at a time. No individual in a position of authority directing that this is where I had to be at a specific time for a preset duration. I chose to be there of my own free will I am riding simply for the love of the ride, enjoying everything from the most difficult of climbs to the best air catching, hanging off the back of the seat, Adrenalin pumping downhill section – and its all because I want to.

2. Seclusion, regardless of how big the group you ride with, whether you start a race or just out on a ride. Somewhere in that ride out there 12 miles from nowhere you can get lost in your own thoughts. Eventually you hit that section of trail where it is smooth and you go into autopilot just enjoying the scenery around you and the lack of anything resembling civilization in any direction you look

3. Simplicity, somewhere out on the trail whether your suffering up a climb, screaming down a hill, or rolling through some smooth single track the realization of how much enjoyment you can get out of the simple act of riding a bike hits you. Countless times I have found myself riding, wishing that somewhere along the lines of trying to grow up and be rich and famous how happy I would have been if I had just kept riding for the pure enjoyment of it.

4. Exploration, no matter how many times you ride a trail there is always a new aspect to be experienced. Whether it is riding the trail in the opposite direction or pushing yourself just that little bit harder to make it through the difficult section instead of taking the short cut.

5. Challenge, because what is life without a challenge. Climbing that impossible hill or navigating the scariest downhill, the sense of accomplishment when reaching the top or the bottom of either lets you know that your living your life not letting it pass you by.

Merry Christmas to Everyone and Keep the Rubber Side down!