Dropping out of the game??

[usa_hucker]

Well, I realize that this post will most likely give me some amount of grief but here it goes.
Have any of you guys ever lost the bug for DH and freeriding? It seems lately that riding the big bike is just more trouble than it is worth. Always trying to set up shuttles, driving 8 hours to whistler, and sitting on my ass during free weekends when plans fall apart. Perhaps it would be different if I lived in N. van…but I don’t. All this talk about gimping yourself and eating through a straw for the rest of your life is starting to weigh pretty heavy on me.
My riding has gotten to the level that if I want to push myself I need to do the REALLY big stunts. The stunts that have very serious consequences. There was a time when the a-line drop used to make my palms sweat or I would stay up at night thinking about the air supply doubles. Now, it seems like I barely bat an eye at those things. What is somebody supposed to do when whistler gets ho hum? Ride down the chief in Squamish? Rebuild the wade gap and break my femur?

I have been seriously thinking about selling my trusty Bullit that I have spent soo much time pimping out and tuning up and buying a kite board. Am I making a mistake? Is this just a phase that all riders go through? Thanks for your thoughts.
Brian

[Jaysin]

Its a phase man, I went through it when I had my letoy....bad idea on selling that thing for $1200....you will regret it, I guarantee it, just stick it out, and wait a bit, if the feeling is still there that you wanna sell it, smack your head against a wall and snap out of it;)

[snortpickle]

Hrmm do what makes you happy. I've come to understand that there's two different types of riders out there. Adrenaline junkies..and people who ride for the love of riding. I'm not saying either one is better but for me riding down the block, or just coasting up to the next town brings joy. I just like to ride..I like to spend large amounts of time in the saddle just cruising in the woods. Most days I throw in alot of street trickery in my riding..others I just enjoy riding around. And I think that's a crucial difference between the rider and the extreme sports fanatic. For the rider riding is it in all it's forms. For the extreme sports fanatic riding is just another way of getting that rush. Sure riding provides me with that itch..that "holy crap I landed it" feeling..but at the end of the day I get the most joy out of feeling my bike interract with the surface it's rolling on..flowing through lines..being able to be so completely at one with a bike is what it's about for me. If you belong to the adrenaline junkie category and freeriding's not pushing the envelope for you anymore..then yeah maybe you should move on to something new. But if you're a rider..you'll never forgive yourself.

[LeeLau]

I love windsurfing and surfing. If I lived in Portland I would stick to xc - which you have so much of anyway. Gorgeous stuff too. I'd be hitting Lincoln Beach, Newport, the Gorge etc so much.

I think you're nuts if you drive up to Vancouver every weekend or even every month to get your fix when you have so much down there. Screw biking .. get the kiteboard or get into whitewater paddling or something. Or just go ride all the Post Canyon stuff with your seat up clipped in. That will get you sweating

[usa_hucker]

Originally posted by snortpickle
Hrmm do what makes you happy. I've come to understand that there's two different types of riders out there. Adrenaline junkies..and people who ride for the love of riding. I'm not saying either one is better but for me riding down the block, or just coasting up to the next town brings joy. I just like to ride..I like to spend large amounts of time in the saddle just cruising in the woods. Most days I throw in alot of street trickery in my riding..others I just enjoy riding around. And I think that's a crucial difference between the rider and the extreme sports fanatic. For the rider riding is it in all it's forms. For the extreme sports fanatic riding is just another way of getting that rush. Sure riding provides me with that itch..that "holy crap I landed it" feeling..but at the end of the day I get the most joy out of feeling my bike interract with the surface it's rolling on..flowing through lines..being able to be so completely at one with a bike is what it's about for me. If you belong to the adrenaline junkie category and freeriding's not pushing the envelope for you anymore..then yeah maybe you should move on to something new. But if you're a rider..you'll never forgive yourself.

When it comes down to it I'm a little of both. I love the sport and I'm keeping my DJ rig but I guess I'm having a hard time justifying the DH bike around here. If I go back to XC I'll boe myself silly.
Shit man, I dunno. Ant any rate, thanks for the thoughtfull input.

[Dude]

Bri..."get on the wagon" for a bit, sort of speak.

I think everyone gets that sometimes. For me, it's when planned obsolescence comes into play and my rig starts to fall apart...one repair after another, costing tons of cash. That's what pisses me off.

I'm in the same boat as you...looking at the biggies because the regular stunts don't add a rush anymore. When I get like this, I go back to old school. Cypress is the best for that. The level of difficulty is high because of the terrain, not the stunts. Steep rock faces, steep single track...stuff like that.

Also, I have a built in wagon I climb on every August / September: soccer season. Training and games suck up 4-5 days in the week, and leave me too knackered to ride. I end up parking the rig until November, when training gets cut back a couple of days / week. By then, I'm dying to ride.

[biggles604]

I love to ride. Endo of story. I am however getting a bit fed up with shuttling and Whistler, they make for a hollow experience, and I also found myself getting discouraged and almost bored with it. I got out of that rut by doing a really good climb on my FR rig. That really cleared it up for me.
You need to keep it diversified., I personally cannot understand all the people who ride whistler and Seymour exclusively, that would drive me nuts. Do an XC ride do some road riding, DJ, mellow trails, take in the scenery, that should help you relax and enjoy the sport more.

[sanrensho]

Originally posted by snortpickle
I've come to understand that there's two different types of riders out there. Adrenaline junkies..and people who ride for the love of riding.

Hmmm, interesting analysis. Maybe it would be closer to the mark to say that there are two different reasons why people ride: adrenaline and the pure love of riding.

Everyone I ride with has a healthy dose of the latter, so I can't comment on the adrenaline junkies. I suppose they're the ones who burn out quick and move on to the next adrenaline sport.

[bighitter]

after spending most of my 35 years behind bars(of one form or another), i've had my ups and downs.i found in the last 2-3 years riding has been the best that it's ever been.i have a job that keeps me from riding too much(i work at sea), but most importantly i've surrounded myself with people who have a constant thirst for riding.although there all of varying skill and age(18-60+).............not one of them turns down rides,bitchs about riding or has ego's that are out of wack.they put no pressure on me when things are going bad and make me feel good when things are going great.i've also found going to new places can replace the bordom that can happen riding the same trails over and over.

[norcokokanee01]

Try to stay as far away from anything to do with biking as you can for a few months without selling your bike. if you can do that, sell it.

[barry]

Originally posted by usa_hucker
Ride down the chief in Squamish?
It's been done.

[the bicycle boy]

it happened to me, i know what ya mean. you reach the point where messing up a wee bit when you're pushin yourself means a major injury. i went on my first trail ride since early last spring yeserday. wow, complete lack of skill, take a bit of a break, let the bike gather some dust, then break it out again. your skill level will have dropped a bit, and you get to re-progress.
also, do you jsut ride dh/freeride?
buy a cheep xc bike, try a bit of that, buy a single speed hardtail, go and [mocking voice] jib it up on the street with some hardcore urban assault riding [mocking voice]

[bruiser d]

i love riding and it's a passion for me.i have been riding ever since i 've been a kid.if you want to keep things fresh you need to mix things up by crosstraining with other sports like most peeps on this thread have said.if i lived in oregan i'd be down at the beach surfing/kiteboarding[to far to drive all the time}.i play soccer,hockey,weight train etc.doing different things just keeps the riding fresh and exciting.keep yer head up bud and enjoy it because it could be a hella lot worse.

[LeeLau]

Originally posted by bruiser d
.keep yer head up bud and enjoy it because it could be a hella lot worse.

You could live in Detroit You could live in Toronto...

[Neo]

ride some urban and suck it up. you wont quit. ive been there before and you might as well stop pussyfooting around and keep riding, whether its hardcore trail/xc.

[Lady Gravity]

Originally posted by bighitter
...but most importantly i've surrounded myself with people who have a constant thirst for riding.although there all of varying skill and age(18-60+).............not one of them turns down rides,bitchs about riding or has ego's that are out of wack.they put no pressure on me when things are going bad and make me feel good when things are going great.

:werd:
i love the people i ride with:
- the guys that are so fast i struggle to keep up, but offer me tons of helpful suggestions, and tell me when i'm actually doing something right :lol:
- the guys that are slower than me but make me realize how far i've come in skill
- the guys that are encouraging when i'm having an off day (which has been a lot lately :( )

if it's not fun anymore - then take a break

[gooch]

Originally posted by Lady Gravity
:werd:
i love the people i ride with:
- the guys that are so fast i struggle to keep up, but offer me tons of helpful suggestions, and tell me when i'm actually doing something right :lol:
- the guys that are slower than me but make me realize how far i've come in skill
- the guys that are encouraging when i'm having an off day (which has been a lot lately :( )

if it's not fun anymore - then take a break

Guys, guys, guys...I think we have figured out why you ride.:cougar:

[thedude]

I hear you Hucker,

There have been many very good suggestions made by people in this thread that you should try to take to heart. I honestly think that you will regret it if you sell the big sled.

I suggest mixing it up and try to ride at different venues or try and different genre of biking say........... BMX......who knows.

Personally I ride for the feeling I get of flowing a trail. I consider myself a strong intermediate rider but no expert or adrenaline junkie. If I ever get to that level, I will have gone too far.

My bit of advice is that people should recognize their limits before they step over them and be strong enough in character to say that, "I think that stunt (15 foot drop........ etc.) is over my head. I want to live to ride another day."

Later,

the dude

[bighitter]

Originally posted by Lady Gravity
:werd:
i love the people i ride with:
- the guys that are so fast i struggle to keep up, but offer me tons of helpful suggestions, and tell me when i'm actually doing something right :lol:
- the guys that are slower than me but make me realize how far i've come in skill
- the guys that are encouraging when i'm having an off day (which has been a lot lately :( )

if it's not fun anymore - then take a break
funny how you mention riding with guys.out of the 6-8 regulars i ride with 2 are women.one is new to the sport and progressing like a wild child.she's only truly been riding since december yet has achieved stuff some people would take years to do.her attitude towards new challenges is incredible.the other is a well seasoned rider who has being setting trends(i'm sure) in womens sports her whole life(although she wouldn't admit it).i'm in awe of both of them as there attitudes are so overwhelming that it just can't help but rub on you in a positive way.:beer: cheers to women riders

[WBC]

I realized I like XCish stuff, too :)

In fact, I enjoy riding an epic almost as much as riding like Cypress, etc. On top of that, I realized that (other than whistler) a ride doesn't feel complete if I haven't earned it. When I ride to the top, I ride better, I feel better and I am more content in the end. Just something about it.

Mix it up! If it's still got ya down, try something else! Biking isn't everything!

[243_ht]

I'd buy a bmx, it will allow you to progress in a more technical way. If you like you can take big risks on a bmx, or you can just be super technical. There are alot of possibilities.

[Lady Gravity]

Originally posted by gooch
Guys, guys, guys...I think we have figured out why you ride.:cougar:

:lol: you found me out ;)

seriously tho, I have (and do) ride with women (like bunny) but...

guys challenge me more for some reason - it's hard to explain, but when i ride with another gal, i'm more apt to back off from something, but if I ride with a guy then I try and go for it. maybe it's the embarassment factor..:lol:

[Captain Da]

Originally posted by Count Blah
Im pretty much skrewed for trail riding and I live in BC. I dont have my liscense so I have to drive with a parent, closest good riding is a good 45 min drive away. I havnt ridden a trail in Victoria since like May. Ive been to Whistler for 5 days during the summer. I just ride some urban, or ride my trials bike. There is stuff to do everywhere. I just wish I could ride trails like every day.

same. except that i get my N in a couple of weeks and i don't own a trials bike.

[EVRAC]

I think you're wrong if you thing kite-boarding is safer. I've heard it's pretty dangerous. Some of my friends have had some huge crashes and quit as a result. One friend of a friend was knocked unconscious and dragged a long way over rocks and barnacles. It tore him apart and he almost died.

There are risks in every sport that's exciting, so just use some discretion.
Go off when you're feeling on, and skip the hairy stuff when you're not so sure.

Don't give up.
As my friends and I joke:

Bike, bike, bike!

[SR!]

Originally posted by 243_ht
I'd buy a bmx

I agree..especially living in portland, there's enough to ride there that you'd be hard pressed to 'burn out'

[white ri0t]

I'm going back to road, and buying a XC enduro bike to start doing more epic ride. DH/FR is too dependant on vehicles for my liking, it is fun but you don't get the workout or the ability to fuck off for four hours in the backcountry or wherever.

[Cheese]

Suck it up princess.

[shayne]

you would probably have a different opinion about this like you said if you lived in bc. i think you should just stick it out i mean cant you just ride for the fun of it even if there is nothing that challenges you? isnt riding down a trail being able to ride everything on it part of the fun? you will definately regret selling your bike ONLY after you sell it of course. just my two cents though.


ps-where you up at whister around july 24-28 with your family?

[well ridden]

Originally posted by usa_hucker
Rebuild the wade gap and break my femur?
Brian

all ready being done for Super T. its a ladder now

[ES-OH-ES]

Just take a break from riding your DH bike, I didn't ride mine for a month, then one day it was fun and new again.

[Loopie]

Originally posted by snortpickle
Hrmm do what makes you happy. I've come to understand that there's two different types of riders out there. Adrenaline junkies..and people who ride for the love of riding.
I'm a little late to the thread and haven't read any of it......
but BINGO with this comment^^:)
If you're in it for adrenaline......you should just be saying "Next please!"

[switch]

Sometimes moderation is a good thing. :)

[Ewan]

well after breaking my neck in 4 vertebrae 11 days ago I find myself in the same situation as you. I'm a good rider and it has gotten to the point of going big to get the same buzz. I however have decided to start focusing on dh instead of just huckin. I did a few races this season and loved it so I think I'll try that and keep buidling trails for now.

[signature]

brian
this is a couple months late:rolleyes:
but keep your bike, atleast until next summer, remember the good times rather than concentrate on the bad times
i havent been riding in like 9 months but i kept my bike
(almoast sold it to a guy in seatak)
and just last night i went for a breakless urban ride.
i forgot how fun biking was, bar spin drops, 180s and just playing around. it was dark, rainy, and i was tired as a mofo but it was the best time i have had in a while.
jesse
call me or give me your number again b my phone is broken

[Incorrigible]

even as i sit here injured for another 5 months with my broken hand, i think it's a waste of time, i don't even want to ride again. then somebody asks what i'm going to be riding next year and without thinking, i'm into it again. you'll get over it. laugh at me all you want, you hardcores, but i can drop 3 feet max and want to drop higher but age has its limits. this keeps me going, not doing well in races.
you need to ride with other people nearer your home.

[drezy]

Wow, old thread makin' a comeback. I didn't ride for over a month this year (from the middle of Sept. until a couple of weeks ago) mostly because of work, but also because I was burnt out and needed a bit of a break. I spent tonnes of time up working on a trail during that time. The last couple of weeks have been awesome. I'm riding way better than before and having a blast doing it. Sometimes a break from anything helps you to come back stronger.

[pete]

Originally posted by LeeLau
I love windsurfing and surfing. If I lived in Portland I would stick to xc - which you have so much of anyway. Gorgeous stuff too. I'd be hitting Lincoln Beach, Newport, the Gorge etc so much.

I think you're nuts if you drive up to Vancouver every weekend or even every month to get your fix when you have so much down there. Screw biking .. get the kiteboard or get into whitewater paddling or something. Or just go ride all the Post Canyon stuff with your seat up clipped in. That will get you sweating

word. I rode clipped in with a 1.95 tire on seymour, two runs one without lights, one with a 10 watt. its great it gets you challanged again without having to do the big shit. you gotta mix it up a bit to keep on going.

keep the rubber side down.

[Jake the Trog]

bikes own kite boarding, especially in that cold shitty water

[m33p]

Try something new. I havent ridden in 2 months and Im not missing it much.

[Cheese]

Get a hardtail. Get better at dirt jumping or something, try no handering the air supply gaps ya know, add some variety.

[Sobot_FR]

Its definately a phase, Once, I didn't feel like biking for like 4 months, and then I got back to it, And I can't get away from it.

[Rat]

Keep the bullit save up and buy a kite. If I lived that close to the gorge I would definatly be into some windsports. Ski or Snowboard for the winter you will be craving the bike sooner than you think

[usa_hucker]

Well I'm sorry to admit that the Usahucker has sold his beloved bullit to a guy in seattle. Paid of some debts and bought two kites and a board.

The last straw was the fact that yet again I was all excited to go riding on a saturday and then two people bogged out (which meant no shuttle--you can't peddal the only cool DH trail here) and I just said to hell with it.)

It's not really the breaking up the body thing that really bummed me out it is the lack of trails here. Although, reading the red bull news I have to say, man this sport is a little fucked up, I mean the BEST riders are all broken up so badly they can't even ride. What other sport is like that.

You guys in BC don't realize how good you have it up there. My bro got arrested building trails here, yes arrested, vandallism and criminal tresspass in a national forest. That is a federal offense!!

Truth be told I'll probably buy another bike in the spring or something...shit man, what about Garbonzo!!?? But for now I'll have to make do with the rush I get from getting yanked around the water by my kite, boosting 20ft in the air..and landing in water.

Not to mention the chicks at the beach are nice!

Peace all.
Brian

[Dude]

Bri: buy my RM7. You'll need it for round 2 next summer.;) Garbonzo to Longhorn...last one there buys the bevies.

Cheers,

Dude.

[usa_hucker]

i'm sticking with Santa Cruz. Their bikes are rock solid and affordable for their quality.

I have a picture of a VP-free under my pillow....


BTW, anyone of you guys try kiteboarding? I have to say when your learning its more extreme than anything I've done on a bike. You can always just step off your bike when your done with a stunt or whatever. When your strapped into a kite and its blowing 35 kmh your ass is going to get worked until you A. get your shit together or B. get your ass to shore.

I'm telling you, the power of those kites is AWESOME!! there have been a couple times I was just a rag doll at the end of the lines. Make it stop god, make it stop!!

Good times!:P

[bunny]

kiteboarding is awesome. and definitely extreme. when i was learning on the beach the trip cord was set up wrong... hourglassed kite in the maximum power zone. :O i got dragged 2 miles down the beach before it snapped.
i didn't have much skin left on my upper body but it was still good times. :) and controlling that much power is an amazing rush.

[usa_hucker]

I definately hear ya. All the guys in the KB shop were all talking about kiteboarding being extreme. I pretty much scoffed at them as they have never ridden sick trails like air supply.

But as it seems you know. Smacking your face in the water, breathing in a bunch of water then getting lifted 10 feet in the air and traveling 100 yards while upside down is pretty extreme. I'm telling you guys, if you haven't checked it out its pretty damn cool.

Can't wait for more snow..i'm going to kite UP mt. hood :)

[Smoke]

Hey!!

Ever consider riding some REAL trails? Whistler is fun and all, but it's pretty easy riding. Try hitting up something real, like the Shore or the Woodlot.

That'll get yer juices flowin.

Put another way....

I rode something like 120 days this year, and only made it to Whistler twice. I still managed to get bored there tho.

[synchro]

Why ride extreme all the time? I don't understnad people that can't get satisfaction out of a lazy backcountry roll or epic XC ride like they do a rip down a stunt laden trail. Simply being on the bike with two wheels spinning below is good enough for me.

And yeah, I haven't tried it but heard about it from friends, kiteboarding sounds rad!

[usa_hucker]

Blah BLah Blah. Yeah, I've ridden your "real trails". Air supply, GMG, sex boy, I've hit up most of the trails on grouse and seymour. They are wicked fun but there is no place around where you can get more vertical drop in than whistler. Bang for the buck its the best thing going. It can get a little boring but there is plenty of stuff to keep you occupied there for sure.

If your soo bored perhaps you should try gaping the box or launching the DM drop from the begining of the rock (there is a small lip and it IS possible).

Why don't you fly down lower joy ride after a nice rain and then you can tell me how "easy" it was and how your yawning on the way down.



Originally posted by Smoke
Hey!!

Ever consider riding some REAL trails? Whistler is fun and all, but it's pretty easy riding. Try hitting up something real, like the Shore or the Woodlot.

That'll get yer juices flowin.

Put another way....

I rode something like 120 days this year, and only made it to Whistler twice. I still managed to get bored there tho.

[Smoke]

Been there, done that. It got boring. Then it got dangerous because after doing each of those trails a half dozen times you start to get lazy and not pay attention to detail. Have you ridden Godspeed? Or Arawana? Or Cakewalk, or DeBecks? How about Jamieson?

Ever consider hardtailing all of that?

Vertical isn't the only thing. 12 000' on Whistler is like 1200' on the Shore, or 6000' in the Okanagan. The thing is, it's a fake environment. It's training for real life. A crew of a dozen people to prepare a track, first aid within minutes, twenty bars and all the hookers good ole greenbacks can buy just steps from the chairlift. It's all a carnival ride. You go to Whistler to develop skills, but the real goods lie far from the resort.

I stand by my assessment. Whistler is EASY. I may puss out on a lot of stuff there, but it's for the same reason why you are bored. The risk isn't equal to the thrill. Why do you want to clear the box?

Is it because it's a rush?

Or is it because you want everyone watching from the lift to think you're supa cool?

If you're doing it for yourself then that's great, but I know from my own experieince that we all tend to go a bit harder than sometimes we should when we know people are looking.

I came to the same crux in my skiing years ago. I was charging huge lines where if you miss a turn you could die, and dropping sick cliff lines, and I realilzed that I wasn't getting off on on it anymore. Then I went back to the mellower terrain on tele gear and tried to put a lot more soul and feeling into my skiing, and that old smile came back.

Not to say that I don't take any risks (far from it). I just had to change it up to rediscover where the real joy stemmed from.

I get the luxury of riding with a lot of pro freeriders and you know what? They mostly hate doing the big lines. It's so dangerous and there's no flow. To a man, they prefer to hit the mellow lines with flow.

You wanna be Canadian? Ride for yourself and quit trying to impress the world.

[Phelonius]

:werd:

[usa_hucker]

Ever consider hardtailing all of that?

>>When will the "tuff guy" hartail phenom ever end?

Vertical isn't the only thing. 12 000' on Whistler is like 1200' on the Shore, or 6000' in the Okanagan. The thing is, it's a fake environment. It's training for real life. A crew of a dozen people to prepare a track, first aid within minutes, twenty bars and all the hookers good ole greenbacks can buy just steps from the chairlift. It's all a carnival ride. You go to Whistler to develop skills, but the real goods lie far from the resort.

>> I'll tell you what 12000' of vert, 20 bars, hookers, rich wives who want you to F**k them sensless, and greenbacks that go 30% farther sounds like a pretty good freakin time to me.

I stand by my assessment. Whistler is EASY. I may puss out on a lot of stuff there, but it's for the same reason why you are bored. The risk isn't equal to the thrill. Why do you want to clear the box?

Is it because it's a rush?

Or is it because you want everyone watching from the lift to think you're supa cool?

>> Simply because its there and I told myself that I could freakin gap that thing and if I did I would feel like I was on fire. Guess what...it did. I had the biggest damn smile plastered on my face for the rest of the day..AND my buddy bought me a pitcher when the day was done.

If you're doing it for yourself then that's great, but I know from my own experieince that we all tend to go a bit harder than sometimes we should when we know people are looking.

>>My riding bros push each other and wew all get better because of it. Are you "all above" the peer pressure or do you lack the testicles to step and try something that you might not clean?

Not to say that I don't take any risks (far from it). I just had to change it up to rediscover where the real joy stemmed from.

I get the luxury of riding with a lot of pro freeriders and you know what? They mostly hate doing the big lines. It's so dangerous and there's no flow. To a man, they prefer to hit the mellow lines with flow.

You wanna be Canadian? Ride for yourself and quit trying to impress the world. [/B][/QUOTE]


>> Ummm, I'll just ignore that one as you obviously don't know the first thing about me or why I ride. I posted a pretty damn elegant diotribe about why I (we) ride. Impressing people didn't even come to mind. Perhaps I could become more canadian by adopting the view that if you don't live on the shore you can't ride shit and you have no idea why "the real riders" are out there.
Funny thing is, and this may piss some people off but at least it gets them thinking. Most canadians I know are not soo proud of being canadian as they are more proud that they are not americans. That speaks volumes my friend.

[Ned]

Duuuuuude. Grab a vine...

http://www.4apes.com/photos/cage.jpg

[Smoke]

So to sum up....

I'm bored with this sport, but I refuse to change my attitude to keep it fresh.

You should try Rollerblading. It's pretty cool.

[Putty]

the NSMB freeChess team is always looking to spawnzor n00b players.

[Lady Gravity]

Originally posted by usa_hucker
I'll tell you what 12000' of vert, 20 bars, hookers, rich wives who want you to F**k them sensless, and greenbacks that go 30% farther sounds like a pretty good freakin time to me.

hmmmm
and how are your shots, all up to date? ;)
nothing like playing around in the VD capital of canada :lol:

[switch]

Yesterday a friend and I rode down to Woodlands and back. I didn't want to ride, but he said "yes you do", and he was right. I hate any kind of climbing (due to lack of fitness), but it still made me feel good to be out and riding. And the crisp, clean air not only felt good, but it made the view from the pier spectacular.

It's good to be alive. Being on a bike is icing on the cake.

[signature]

Originally posted by Smoke
Been there, done that. It got boring. Then it got dangerous because after doing each of those trails a half dozen times you start to get lazy and not pay attention to detail. Have you ridden Godspeed? Or Arawana? Or Cakewalk, or DeBecks? How about Jamieson?

Ever consider hardtailing all of that?

Vertical isn't the only thing. 12 000' on Whistler is like 1200' on the Shore, or 6000' in the Okanagan. The thing is, it's a fake environment. It's training for real life. A crew of a dozen people to prepare a track, first aid within minutes, twenty bars and all the hookers good ole greenbacks can buy just steps from the chairlift. It's all a carnival ride. You go to Whistler to develop skills, but the real goods lie far from the resort.

I stand by my assessment. Whistler is EASY. I may puss out on a lot of stuff there, but it's for the same reason why you are bored. The risk isn't equal to the thrill. Why do you want to clear the box?

Is it because it's a rush?

Or is it because you want everyone watching from the lift to think you're supa cool?

If you're doing it for yourself then that's great, but I know from my own experieince that we all tend to go a bit harder than sometimes we should when we know people are looking.

I came to the same crux in my skiing years ago. I was charging huge lines where if you miss a turn you could die, and dropping sick cliff lines, and I realilzed that I wasn't getting off on on it anymore. Then I went back to the mellower terrain on tele gear and tried to put a lot more soul and feeling into my skiing, and that old smile came back.

Not to say that I don't take any risks (far from it). I just had to change it up to rediscover where the real joy stemmed from.

I get the luxury of riding with a lot of pro freeriders and you know what? They mostly hate doing the big lines. It's so dangerous and there's no flow. To a man, they prefer to hit the mellow lines with flow.

You wanna be Canadian? Ride for yourself and quit trying to impress the world.
dude your just a bitch
brian is one of the better riders i know, and is down to ride any thing, you say all these local trails ( the whole im better than you bs.) um b has a hard tale and can rip it up on it too. and the one thing you mis understood is
i have never seen him
say he was riding better or worse than any one else, i have alwas seen him as a guy that rides for "himself"

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Originally posted by Lady Gravity
hmmmm
and how are your shots, all up to date? ;)
nothing like playing around in the VD capital of canada :lol: :lol: