Riding during holidays?

[mtbgal]

Does anyone want to go for a ride next week? I'm back from the island on the 27th, and I heard through the grapevine that Ramirifika is getting her new bike that day...i think a ride on the Shore is in order!
The office is closed that week; anyone else able to go for a cold, wet ride? Lemme know!

[lets ride]

oooooooo pick me pick me...I am planning on returning from snowmobiling that day. Give me a call with the details.

Denise

[Fluid]

At the risk of sounding foolish, can I ask you ladies all something about riding with people you've never ridden with before?

To set the stage, I would put myself at a solid Intermediate level of riding for women, but compared to some of the guys I know it's more like Beginner-Intermediate to them!

I'm often conflicted when I find an opportunity to ride with other women who I know to be MUCH better than I am. I can't help but feel worried that they will feel that I am holding them back or making their ride less fun in comparison to what they would be able to do if I weren't there to hold them back. Even though I personally would never think about that when taking other women out for a ride who are at a lower level than myself, I can never shake these insecurities when the opportunity presents itself to me.

I know it's ridiculous to think this way, but I can't help it. And I've confirmed with a few other female riders I know that they have felt this way many times as well.

Can anyone offer any words of wisdom?

How do you personally feel about taking people out who are at a lower level than you?

(I think I already know what the answer will be...but I just had to ask!)

Thanks!

[cheryl@nsmb.com]

Well I love riding with anyone who is stoked. I think once you've been riding for a while you don't need every ride to be a ripper and just getting out there is fun. I hate it when people are worried or self conscious though, no need to be, riding is for fun, there is nothing to prove.
If you ever come to Kamloops you can hook up with myself and a bunch of amazing girls that rip but are as sweet as pie.

[Fluid]

I am always super stoked every single time I get out on a ride. :D
I just don't think it's even possible to be negative once you're on the trails on your bike!

And I've been much better about the whole insecurity about my abilities thing with regards to better riders. I guess I just needed to hear it from someone firsthand to finally squash those ridiculous thoughts once and for all :)

I do plan on coming out to Kamloops next summer some time and would LOVE to hook up for a ride with you guys :)

Happy Holidays!

[cheryl@nsmb.com]

Oh ya, I think people that love riding just love being out. I totally understand the insecurity of being a female rider if you don't get to be around female riders very often. Since I have moved to Kamloops those feeling are gone, all the girls who ride here are super rad and fun and would never care how good you were, as long as you were having fun.
Can't wait for you to come out! You'll never want to leave.

[Sharon]

If you're riding with a group of people you don't know, its best not to expect anything and go with the flow.

When I first start riding with a new group I usually hang in the back and the natural order figures itself out.

Best not to worry and just ride.

If there is a shore riding happening next week and the weather stays warm I'd be into a ride!

[lets ride]

Don't ever worry about holding anybody up. I have heard this from women I ride with and if they only knew how many breaks I take when I ride they would realize they have nothing to worry about.
On the other hand I also get anxious about riding with a new group and on new trails but after the cranks start to move everything is good!!

[mtbgal]

Merry Christmas!!!


I really worry about holding people up too!! Going with women I usually feel pretty comfortable especially on the shore, because if we've all ridden and know the trails, chances are we are all about the same level. But even if someone hasn't had a lot of biking experience, I don't think too many people mind waiting, because we all had to learn at one point and have people wait for us - and chances are that we can all find a new riding buddy!!! It's also nice to ride with all different levels because you always learn something or feed off eachothers new accomplishments!
and going for a ride is NOT a race. It's about having a good time, sharing an experience with other people and hopefully getting to know some new people! Let's plan a ride for this week for sure!!!

[Sharon]

Lee and I just finished a road ride almost to Horsheshoe Bay.

He's just getting over a cold so we cut it short and this was one of the few times he was trying to keep up to me! I'm over the cold...

[mtbgal]

Nice!

Is anyone available for a ride on Wednesday or Thursday during the day? We could do a climb up Fromme, or a run on Seymour...either way we should meet at Lazy Bay or at Tommy's for a hot bevvy before AND after! I honestly don't know of any trail conditions right now, I've been sticking to the XC trails lately (if any trails). I'm really stoked to ride with some new people!!!
Danika, if you haven't received your bike by then, I have one with your name on it that you can use that day. It comes with a manual, but not a bunny hop...:)

[Sharon]

we're checking out the skiing this week...

We rode Severed last Friday, it was in good shape. I hear 7th is good right now too!

[Ramirifika]

John and I are riding the woodlot today at noon. And tomorrow I can do a quickie in the am B4 I have to drop off my loaner demo bike and pick up a different smaller demo (and then go to work). So I can ride thursday for sure mtbgal . . .
anyone interested just lemme know!

[mtbgal]

k, were meeting at 11:30 at Lazy Bay...

[cheryl@nsmb.com]

Wow! Riding has been put on hold here with some crazy rain!