stewyh
Likes Dirt
Today I got "The Fear" while out riding. I'm not talking about normal apprehension one gets when facing a steep descent or tricky terrain. This was a full blown choke.
Was riding my Djer on a dh run and lining up a smallish gap jump I've cleared several times in the past, thinking I'd keep up some pace and try some of the bigger jumps further down the trail. Nup. Every attempt I panicked and grabbed a handful of brake just before the kicker.
Kept telling myself I'd cleared it before without issue but something kept me from attempting it. Brain says no! Once I realized I wasn't gonna have at it I got pretty upset with myself. This is honestly one of the worst feelings I've ever had while riding. Even crashing, burning legs, exhaustion, being left behind by fitter riders, none of that even compares because at least I'd given it a crack!
I'm wondering... does your confidence/bravery diminish with age?
Not sure. I'm generally riding & cornering quicker than I ever have before...
I'm 41 and been mtbing for about 4 years. I'm trying to get better at jumping as it's one skill I've yet to become proficient at. I'm reasonably happy with my riding skills/fitness otherwise. Even medium sized drops are fine. But there's something about a gap jump with a lander... I can fly off a 1m drop on a hardtail without thinking about it... and half the jumps I was shitting myself about, I'd do in a heartbeat if there was just flat ground after the launch. It sounds silly as technically jumping is supposed to be much easier with an angled lander but there's something psychologically fecking with me whenever there's a bloody gap involved!
Any veteran Djers/downhillers care to weigh in? How do I conquer the gap fear?? :der:
Was riding my Djer on a dh run and lining up a smallish gap jump I've cleared several times in the past, thinking I'd keep up some pace and try some of the bigger jumps further down the trail. Nup. Every attempt I panicked and grabbed a handful of brake just before the kicker.
Kept telling myself I'd cleared it before without issue but something kept me from attempting it. Brain says no! Once I realized I wasn't gonna have at it I got pretty upset with myself. This is honestly one of the worst feelings I've ever had while riding. Even crashing, burning legs, exhaustion, being left behind by fitter riders, none of that even compares because at least I'd given it a crack!
I'm wondering... does your confidence/bravery diminish with age?
Not sure. I'm generally riding & cornering quicker than I ever have before...
I'm 41 and been mtbing for about 4 years. I'm trying to get better at jumping as it's one skill I've yet to become proficient at. I'm reasonably happy with my riding skills/fitness otherwise. Even medium sized drops are fine. But there's something about a gap jump with a lander... I can fly off a 1m drop on a hardtail without thinking about it... and half the jumps I was shitting myself about, I'd do in a heartbeat if there was just flat ground after the launch. It sounds silly as technically jumping is supposed to be much easier with an angled lander but there's something psychologically fecking with me whenever there's a bloody gap involved!
Any veteran Djers/downhillers care to weigh in? How do I conquer the gap fear?? :der: