M
Mike Vandeman
Guest
Here you have it unambiguously in black and white! They don't pay
attention while going uphill ... nor when going downhill. But that's
EVERYWHERE!
"on the descent, scenery becomes an unnoticed blur"
"When I'm climbing a singletrack that relentlessly
keeps going up, I totally zone out and my only focus
becomes turning the cranks and making the next pitch
and switchback coming ahead"
So much for "enjoying nature"!
Mike
From: J Cass <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 11:39:18 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Question of the Day
Many answers come to mind. However, two aspects of riding motivations
for me are maybe a bit more clear and obvious.
I enjoy climbing and looking carefully at the plants, rocks,
animals, streams, mountain peaks, clouds, etc. Pretty much soaking in
the countryside around me and letting thoughts drift around. A rare
opportunity for random, wide-ranging thinking. Or good conversation
with fellow riders if the slope isn't too steep for talking.
Then on the descent, scenery becomes an unnoticed blur. This is the
time for an adreneline rush that's incomparable to almost anything
else in life. A hyper focus on the trail before me also pushes aside
any other worries, stresses, etc. By the bottom of the descent it
seems like I always have an ear to ear grin that takes a long time to
dissipate.
And of course sharing the trails with the community of fellow bikers
is always a supreme joy.
JC
From: Mire Levy <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 00:07:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Question of the day...
When I started riding mountain bike 5 seasons ago, I
believe it was for the "rush" and "whoop" factors the
sport provided. But as my riding style changed over
the last 2 years or so, my primary reasons for riding
settled down...
1. To achieve "Zen" state of mind. Yes, seriously.
When I'm climbing a singletrack that relentlessly
keeps going up, I totally zone out and my only focus
becomes turning the cranks and making the next pitch
and switchback coming ahead. That moment of blank
state of mind, to me, is totally priceless.
2. To get to the top. Even if I'm totaly spent by the
time I get to the foot of a peak, if there is a trail
that leads up to the very top, I have to get up there.
Another priceless moment when you reach the top and
surrounded by mega vista...
My personal favorites are Basalt Ridge and Ranger Ck
with their endlessly switchbacking trails to
experience reason No. 1 and Miller and Sunrise peaks
for reason No. 2.
Mire
===
I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to
humans ("pure habitat"). Want to help? (I spent the previous 8
years fighting auto dependence and road construction.)
http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande
attention while going uphill ... nor when going downhill. But that's
EVERYWHERE!
"on the descent, scenery becomes an unnoticed blur"
"When I'm climbing a singletrack that relentlessly
keeps going up, I totally zone out and my only focus
becomes turning the cranks and making the next pitch
and switchback coming ahead"
So much for "enjoying nature"!
Mike
From: J Cass <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 11:39:18 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Question of the Day
Many answers come to mind. However, two aspects of riding motivations
for me are maybe a bit more clear and obvious.
I enjoy climbing and looking carefully at the plants, rocks,
animals, streams, mountain peaks, clouds, etc. Pretty much soaking in
the countryside around me and letting thoughts drift around. A rare
opportunity for random, wide-ranging thinking. Or good conversation
with fellow riders if the slope isn't too steep for talking.
Then on the descent, scenery becomes an unnoticed blur. This is the
time for an adreneline rush that's incomparable to almost anything
else in life. A hyper focus on the trail before me also pushes aside
any other worries, stresses, etc. By the bottom of the descent it
seems like I always have an ear to ear grin that takes a long time to
dissipate.
And of course sharing the trails with the community of fellow bikers
is always a supreme joy.
JC
From: Mire Levy <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 00:07:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Question of the day...
When I started riding mountain bike 5 seasons ago, I
believe it was for the "rush" and "whoop" factors the
sport provided. But as my riding style changed over
the last 2 years or so, my primary reasons for riding
settled down...
1. To achieve "Zen" state of mind. Yes, seriously.
When I'm climbing a singletrack that relentlessly
keeps going up, I totally zone out and my only focus
becomes turning the cranks and making the next pitch
and switchback coming ahead. That moment of blank
state of mind, to me, is totally priceless.
2. To get to the top. Even if I'm totaly spent by the
time I get to the foot of a peak, if there is a trail
that leads up to the very top, I have to get up there.
Another priceless moment when you reach the top and
surrounded by mega vista...
My personal favorites are Basalt Ridge and Ranger Ck
with their endlessly switchbacking trails to
experience reason No. 1 and Miller and Sunrise peaks
for reason No. 2.
Mire
===
I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to
humans ("pure habitat"). Want to help? (I spent the previous 8
years fighting auto dependence and road construction.)
http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande