Posted by: Ddean
^Yup
And once you hit that realization, the "reward" from doing those things disappears too. Ive been hurt bad enough and it hasnt impacted me professionally; I came to the realization that it was just a matter of time, and thats not an acceptable outcome to me. I now have no shame in skipping stuff because in the bigger picture, my family has bills and Im the only one with a job!
So now I get (and seek) my rewards elsewhere - great rides alone or with great people - specific features mean nothing to me and whether or not I clean something sketchy or that I havent cleaned before is almost irrelevant to me unless its a critical part of a trail that otherwise provides a great experience.
People who get their rush from progression have a different approach, or perhaps havent yet reached the personal situation where things matter more than progression.
The weird thing is that people think that by doing outrageous stuff that it will somehow change their future. It wont! People will high five you that day and call you a hero on the gram, but none of it matters. It might matter to you that day you cleaned something wicked but at some point in the future you too will forget.
True. And I really know what you are talking about.
But that motivation is still there, somehow. I simply do not want to leave this life in old age, knowing that I could have cleaned this or that. And for me, it is not about the rush of progression, but rather showing myself that I am strong and confident enought to do this, hope this makes sense. Riders who are in it for the rush of progression are not really in for the ride, if you know what I mean. Not to slag anyone, but....