Reading other comments here, I can echo the feelings of many about slowing down the pace/riding more precisely instead of trying to go flat out fast everywhere.
The recent crashes I've had were stupid low-speed mistakes or distractions, so now I am riding more consciously than ever. Even on easy sections, I oblige myself to be "there" in the moment. I also slowed down my pace and tried to get back to the more "contemplative" mtb experience. Like stopping some places that I find interesting, to take pictures of nice spots (even if I never look at them), or just sitting down a few seconds at the top of a hill with a nice view. I've found out that I am feeling more precise, and most of the time, it ends up being just as fast, but in a much more controlled manner. And it's more fun. Since getting my concentration back, I don't recall crashing and I didn't have to spend time off the bike.
I've been riding for more than 25 years now and recently I also started to tell myself "In the grand scheme of things, who is going to care if I shaved 10 seconds of that trail or if I did that drop or not?" I'm not racing, my girlfriend doesn't care, my friends (who ride or not) could not care less, Greg Minaar wouldn't give a shit to know that, and Commencal won't pick me up as a sponsored rider for their DH team (at all!). So if my goal is to enjoy my time in the woods, and if I want to enjoy it for as long as I can, slowing down a bit seems like a good idea for my long-term life enjoyment.
There is a "racing mindset" culture here in Quebec and in some trail centres it just feels like there is a pressure like if we're attending a race when meeting other riders at the top of a hill or while riding. That's another thing that I've crossed off : I don't get that vibe so I don't ride those spots anymore.
Everyone has their own view and goals when riding, but I feel like the hardest part is convincing my own ego that I'm not getting younger and that it's okay if I don't go as fast as I possibly can all the time. Having said that, I'm not going to sell my full-suspension bike yet though : )
June 9, 2022, 9:24 p.m. - Martin
Reading other comments here, I can echo the feelings of many about slowing down the pace/riding more precisely instead of trying to go flat out fast everywhere. The recent crashes I've had were stupid low-speed mistakes or distractions, so now I am riding more consciously than ever. Even on easy sections, I oblige myself to be "there" in the moment. I also slowed down my pace and tried to get back to the more "contemplative" mtb experience. Like stopping some places that I find interesting, to take pictures of nice spots (even if I never look at them), or just sitting down a few seconds at the top of a hill with a nice view. I've found out that I am feeling more precise, and most of the time, it ends up being just as fast, but in a much more controlled manner. And it's more fun. Since getting my concentration back, I don't recall crashing and I didn't have to spend time off the bike. I've been riding for more than 25 years now and recently I also started to tell myself "In the grand scheme of things, who is going to care if I shaved 10 seconds of that trail or if I did that drop or not?" I'm not racing, my girlfriend doesn't care, my friends (who ride or not) could not care less, Greg Minaar wouldn't give a shit to know that, and Commencal won't pick me up as a sponsored rider for their DH team (at all!). So if my goal is to enjoy my time in the woods, and if I want to enjoy it for as long as I can, slowing down a bit seems like a good idea for my long-term life enjoyment. There is a "racing mindset" culture here in Quebec and in some trail centres it just feels like there is a pressure like if we're attending a race when meeting other riders at the top of a hill or while riding. That's another thing that I've crossed off : I don't get that vibe so I don't ride those spots anymore. Everyone has their own view and goals when riding, but I feel like the hardest part is convincing my own ego that I'm not getting younger and that it's okay if I don't go as fast as I possibly can all the time. Having said that, I'm not going to sell my full-suspension bike yet though : )