Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Singletrack Deprived

Do you ever get sick of mountain biking? Is getting out on the bike and putting in more miles sometimes the last thing you want to do, even though you know you should?

That’s where I’m at right now. I know I should get out and ride because the weather is going to turn nasty tomorrow, but I just can’t seem to make myself do it.


I’m not sure what the issue is. Maybe I just need to spend some time waking up, putzing around the house, and then I’ll be ready to ride. But maybe not…

Sometimes I feel like all I do is mountain bike. Honestly, I get bored with it at times, and I want a change. The simple solution would be to focus on cross training more, but since biking is normally so much fun, I tend to get obsessive and just pedal all the time.

Hmm, let me think about all the rides I’ve done in the past two weeks…

After thinking about it, I don’t think I’ve actually been on singletrack in over two weeks. Maybe that’s the issue! Maybe I’m not bored with mountain biking, I’m bored with grinding around on bland gravel roads.

I am a singletrack addict first and foremost. Singletrack is challenging, entertaining, surprising--everything a forest road is not. Singletrack keeps me coming back for more. Everything is better when the trail is nice and narrow and the rocks and roots abound.

Road bikers: you can keep your smooth pavement, wide lanes, and smoggy traffic! Give me singletrack any day of the week!

In reality, I’m probably not bored with biking in general, I’m simply singletrack deprived. Hmm… I wonder if it’s possible to get bored of singletrack too?

Do you ever get bored with biking? Why or why not?

8 comments:

eastwood,  December 29, 2010 at 10:55 AM  

It's got to be singletrack depravity that is going on. I'm with you on that one. If my only choice for a ride is going to be some fire roads/doubletrack stuff, it can be hard at times to go pack everything up and drive out for a ride like that... But when my option is singletrack, I don't feel a hesitation ever. And I don't mind the drive to the trail either. What keeps me going is continually switching up my rides. I haven't fallen into pattern of riding the same couple of trails over and over, I always keep it varied - thus keeping the trails fresh for me. That's part of the lure of riding singletrack - not knowing what the next challenge is, but just riding and tackling it as it comes.
As the weather keeps us from riding I do try to push myself back into the gym with concerted effort, and that in itself can take on a whole new life as you frame it as prep for next season - and a means to reaching your goals for the next season.

Don't worry Greg, mountain biking will never let you go.

funride December 29, 2010 at 10:55 AM  

Same here... I believe you solved my problem though. I have also been away from bikes lately and now I`m seeing why. I`m going to start 2011 trying to ride singletracks and enjoy some great downhills` I ain`t visit a long time :)

Now that I know it will be easier to decide about my treatment... singletracks here I go!!! :D

Thanks Greg, you just saved my mental health! eheheh

AirborneGuy December 29, 2010 at 10:57 AM  

I know how you feel! But just think about it. At least you have singletrack to go to that's close! I don't have anything down here. I'm excited to be a part of putting trails in here in the county, but it's still going to be flat. I've gotten bored with riding down here b/c its all roads and urban type riding. I have nothing against urban, but the same stuff gets boring! I think we're both singletrack deprived. I'd even be happy with a forest road right now, ha. Hang in there. I'm sure the excitement will come back!

Anonymous,  December 29, 2010 at 1:42 PM  

Dude get yourselve a light system and ride at night. It opens up a while new riding world. My Gem of a wife got me a new system after my old one kicked the bucket. Get one and we can sneak onto Chicapee and have some real fun. LOL

Laxson OUT

Greg Heil December 29, 2010 at 4:29 PM  

@eastwood, thanks for the support man. Riding new trails really keeps things fresh for me as well... I guess I'll just have to make a concerted effort to drive to more trails over the winter.

@funride, glad I saved you from the institution with a little bit of mtb inspiration!

@AirborneGuy, I'm glad that you guys will FINALLY be getting some trails down that way! I do feel your pain though for not having anything available at the moment. I'm tellin' ya though, you need to check FATS out!

@Laxson, I really want a light system, but a nice one is pretty $$. Maybe I can get one in to review...

Also, I really need to get down to Chicopee. Been a long time since I've been out on that singletrack, it may be just what I need!

Jeremy (GoldenGoose),  December 30, 2010 at 8:00 PM  

Greg, lets check out Dawson Forest. Gotta be some singletrack there. Right in between the two of us as well.

Greg Heil December 30, 2010 at 11:14 PM  

@Jeremy, Dude, I'm definitely down for that. It's been a couple years since I've been there, not sure why it's been so long.

How's the weather down in Georgia been? Are the trails dried out?

Jeremy (GoldenGoose),  January 2, 2011 at 10:10 PM  

It just rained a little yesterday, Saturday, so things may be damp for a few days. It was dry and sunny today so hopefully most of that will evaporate before the next freeze/thaw cycle. Looks like temps will be in the low 50's during the daytime until next Sunday so trails should certainly be rideable soon. Most of the heavily traveled spots like Blankets Creek and Chicopee are still closed but Dawson Forest doesn't have the same traffic issues so it may be rideable. LEt me know if you might want to get together Thursday or Friday for a ride.

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Greg Heil is the Editor in Chief for Singletracks.com. He's been writing and publishing online since before blogging existed.

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