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Skills you don’t use continually get rusty.
As humbling as it may be, if you don’t do something for a while, you’re probably going to have to take a few steps backwards, initially.
- Sometimes you might need to ask for help.
This is an area I’m continually struggling with. I love to give help but I’m not good at asking for it. The fact is, sometimes you just can’t do it al by yourself.
- You’re going to get messy.
If you hope to get anywhere worth going to, you’re going to get a little messy. At least sweaty from the effort, but more than likely a little mud too.
- It’s important to dance.
Fighting against the bike does nothing but make you tired. Allowing it to dance under you; relaxing, and dancing with it, gets you were you want to go.
- If you don’t face your fear, you’re going nowhere.
Ride within your ability but remember that you can do more than you give yourself credit for. Sometimes you don’t realize that until you find yourself smack dab in the middle of what you didn’t think you could do…
- You can’t only specialize in the things that you’re good at.
As much as you like climbing up hills, at some point, you ARE going to have to come down.
- Prepare for what you can but remember that a lot is out of your control.
Every now and again, you are going to run over a sharp rock or a slippery root. It will happen and there’s nothing you can do about it.
- Once you pick a line, commit to it 100%.
Changing your mind mid-rut is incredibly difficult and indecision is dangerous. Pick one line – stick to that one until you get to the top.
- Look ahead, and plan for the nearest obstacles, but don’t look TOO far ahead.
It’s also important to watch those who have gone before you but make your own decisions.
- Sometimes you’ve just got to say F*& it and grab some throttle!
85% of the time, acceleration is the right answer. 10% of the time, it’s using your clutch and changing gears; only 5% of the time, is the correct answer to squeeze your brake.
