I like this. It is a breath of fresh air in a sea of "look at the latest..." articles. Sorry guys, sometimes I could give a poop about O-Chain or whatever the industry is selling.
Mike, I would not be too harsh with any self criticism for the hubris of being wrong. Admitting you may have been wrong is suggestive that you are open to being fallible. If you agree with this then the concept of "little t" and "big T" truths becomes part of one's acceptable guiding philosophy. We each see through our own lenses and those lenses are changes and shaped with experience.
The end of the article is interesting. My answer to the problem of old dogs with new tricks is to focus on the most fundamental skills of our sport, cornering. So much can be learned from chasing the perfect technique with just the right amount of personal style and flare. Bike body separation, balance, line of sight, weighting the pedals and bars correctly will help keep everyone, including the old and infirm, upright. Preventing the dreaded OTB and riding safe into retirement is a huge benefit but the fun comes from maintaining speed and steeze while doing it.
I am 32 years old and have a fairly risk adverse tone to my self assessments. I see fundamentals as a way to constantly improve without getting hurt. I agree, corning with cones and performing drills on trail is boring. Physiotherapy is boring too. So is staying hydrated and eating healthy. Maintenance is not exciting but at least I can do it until I kick the bucket...reach the end of my rope...buy the farm...take my last dirt nap.
Until the retort, I'll be here, trying to corner like Bryn Atkinson.
P.S.
I could be wrong. Maybe I need to huck my meat more often and face mortality with less caution and more viking fatalism.
Dec. 1, 2022, 12:34 a.m. - Gage Wright
I like this. It is a breath of fresh air in a sea of "look at the latest..." articles. Sorry guys, sometimes I could give a poop about O-Chain or whatever the industry is selling. Mike, I would not be too harsh with any self criticism for the hubris of being wrong. Admitting you may have been wrong is suggestive that you are open to being fallible. If you agree with this then the concept of "little t" and "big T" truths becomes part of one's acceptable guiding philosophy. We each see through our own lenses and those lenses are changes and shaped with experience. The end of the article is interesting. My answer to the problem of old dogs with new tricks is to focus on the most fundamental skills of our sport, cornering. So much can be learned from chasing the perfect technique with just the right amount of personal style and flare. Bike body separation, balance, line of sight, weighting the pedals and bars correctly will help keep everyone, including the old and infirm, upright. Preventing the dreaded OTB and riding safe into retirement is a huge benefit but the fun comes from maintaining speed and steeze while doing it. I am 32 years old and have a fairly risk adverse tone to my self assessments. I see fundamentals as a way to constantly improve without getting hurt. I agree, corning with cones and performing drills on trail is boring. Physiotherapy is boring too. So is staying hydrated and eating healthy. Maintenance is not exciting but at least I can do it until I kick the bucket...reach the end of my rope...buy the farm...take my last dirt nap. Until the retort, I'll be here, trying to corner like Bryn Atkinson. P.S. I could be wrong. Maybe I need to huck my meat more often and face mortality with less caution and more viking fatalism.