Bit by Bit

Okay so hear me out: what single activity provides physical exercise, endorphin release, a space for introspection, flow state, exploration, thrill, calculated risk, danger?

I feel very lucky to call the mountains of western North Carolina home. We have some of the best mountain biking in the country and some of the most dedicated trail maintainers keeping our trails safe and fun.

I mountain biked as a kid in Florida but never understood what it really was until I started riding on a modern bike in some more elevation change. I got into it again recently in a time where work, kids, health, responsibilities were piling up and managing with stress became a necessity. The first few times, I could barely go 5 miles and my lungs would be on fire and my legs couldn’t spin anymore. I would have to push my bike up certain sections but the feeling of my breathing, a focus on my subconscious breathing rate, gave me a feeling of being aware of the present.

Climb And Descent

After a grueling 2000ft climb where I kept wanting to give up but pushed through the mental block, I arrive at the top of a 2 mile long, 700ft elevation change down hill section. Brakes would get hot, trail is next to the edge of the mountain, rocks scattered everywhere, and I’m expecting no wheels on the ground at a few points. This is a different feeling now. Assuming the risk, but mitigating it at the same time. Some parts are out of my control but it’s still my body connected to the bike so I’ll do my best to avoid injury while still feeling the wind and hearing the sound of my freewheel ticking.

Crashes

Then there are the crashes. An unavoidable part of mountain biking, it’s not a matter of if, but when. Besides physical pain and bodily damage, your confidence gets blasted when you have a bad crash. It can take you months to get back to your former level, or possibly, for some people, you’ll never ride the same again. But there’s something to the pain of an injury too. A reminder that you’re still alive and pain is real. Your body is required to move that brain around and it’s kind of important. I’m thankful for this time with a willing and able body.

More about the body

When you start doing longer, further, steeper rides, you learn how your body handles endurance. I’ve felt bonked before — where you don’t have enough carbs to keep the output going or you don’t stay hydrated — so I’ve learned the importance of eating the day before, the morning of. The perfect balance of when, what, how much. Side note, throw some toilet paper and a lightweight backpacking trowel in your backpack, you’ll thank me later.

Mountain biking truly is bigger than me. An activity to better myself mentally and physically. Something I’m very grateful to have participated in and hope to continue to do it for a long time.

Ride or Die