But, as you're well aware, that's a personal thing.
Some people are perfectly content, and have a brilliantly amazing time, riding at the same level for decades.
I'm with you to some extent, the rider I've described above isn't me, but I'm also not out heavily cross training. I'd rather just be riding - and I know I'd be a better mountain bike rider if I spent time in the gym, on the trainer, at Air Rec, and on a road bike. But I'd rather just be riding. I'm significantly WORSE at many aspect of riding compared to 15 years ago (basically, anything that isn't "pedaling"), but I'm having more FUN.
This desire to excel and exceed is evident in other aspects of your life too, Mr. Cr4w; you started your own business.
Some people want to go to work, leave work, and leave work at work.
And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
I would also argue, at the top... There's less fun. To excel at anything at a national or world level, you no longer do it for fun. Yes, hopefully you still ENJOY it, but its a job. You wake up, live, breath, eat, and think [insert sport] until bed. You do this in every aspect of your life, from the sport itself, to weights, cross training, and mental training. And then do it again the next day. You seek nothing but betterment. And that's not necessarily "fun". Its a job. Does Semenuk enjoy some of the time he rides bikes? Yes. Is it a full time job? Absolutely.
Feb. 28, 2018, 9:58 p.m. - Cooper Quinn
But, as you're well aware, that's a personal thing. Some people are perfectly content, and have a brilliantly amazing time, riding at the same level for decades. I'm with you to some extent, the rider I've described above isn't me, but I'm also not out heavily cross training. I'd rather just be riding - and I know I'd be a better mountain bike rider if I spent time in the gym, on the trainer, at Air Rec, and on a road bike. But I'd rather just be riding. I'm significantly WORSE at many aspect of riding compared to 15 years ago (basically, anything that isn't "pedaling"), but I'm having more FUN. This desire to excel and exceed is evident in other aspects of your life too, Mr. Cr4w; you started your own business. Some people want to go to work, leave work, and leave work at work. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I would also argue, at the top... There's less fun. To excel at anything at a national or world level, you no longer do it for fun. Yes, hopefully you still ENJOY it, but its a job. You wake up, live, breath, eat, and think [insert sport] until bed. You do this in every aspect of your life, from the sport itself, to weights, cross training, and mental training. And then do it again the next day. You seek nothing but betterment. And that's not necessarily "fun". Its a job. Does Semenuk enjoy some of the time he rides bikes? Yes. Is it a full time job? Absolutely.