It's time for a little bit of time travel. Close your eyes, and picture yourself in 2005. That's the year New World Disorder VI and the Collective were on endless repeat in shops around the world, and the freeride era was still in full swing, with the overbuilt bikes and precarious stunts to go with it. It was a time of distinct rider categories, largely dictated by the type of bike you rode. You could choose to be a freerider, downhill racer, or cross-country rider, which left a large segment of the riding population in limbo, waiting to be classified by whatever clever marketer came up with the terms “trail” and “all-mountain.” Enduro was still a strange French activity that hadn't yet made the leap into the limelight.
Do you remember the bike you were riding at that time? How about your favorite trails? Fast forward to the present era and do the same exercise. More than likely, that heavy freeride bike has been traded in for a lighter, but still just as capable steed, one that you no longer need to push up the hill in order to access those rowdy trails hidden deep in the woods. Your riding style has no doubt evolved as well, and while stair gaps and hucks to flat may have been left behind, a decade of accumulated mountain biking experience will have resulted in a solid set of technical skills that won't soon be forgotten. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that the overall skill level of today's mountain biking population is at an all time high, the result of improved bike technology, combined with the increased number of bike parks around the world and easy access to the thousands of hours of online mountain bike videos.
Riding and trail building styles continue to evolve as the past is left behind.
Mountain bike trails themselves have evolved, and although in some areas there has been an unfortunate trend towards a smoother and flowier style of building, there are also more trails than ever with well built jumps and drops that have been approved by the landowner. Rickety, plywood contraptions covered in chicken wire, complete with nails jutting out in all directions, are less common than they once were, a testament to the higher level of trail building proficiency that has arisen in many areas. Mountain biking is an ever evolving sport, awash in a sea of new products and constantly changing styles of riding - there's no telling what the next ten years will bring.
That brings us to this week's poll question: How has your riding style changed over the years? If you weren't riding in 2005, think back to when you first began mountain biking.
This poll is closed
Choose as many options as apply.
Now when I hop on my DH or Freeride bike I find myself wanting for some gnarl. We have turned into a world of intermediate trail building or a smooth trail full of jumps.
Maybe some of us have more well rounded dreams for our life. Please don't have kids, it dosent seem to be a priority thought. And that's ok....enjoy YOUR dreams
Sorry if I don't care about having a lot of stuff. My idea of well rounded has more to do with learning, loving, and having fun than it does owning stuff. Not very 'merican of me I know.
I don't know what is so alluring about not doing anything, personally. Id blow my brains out if I didn't feel like I was contributing to something or wasn't striving toward something.
Whatever...enjoy your trailhead. I hope your kids grow up and work on Wall St.
You can't work towards things in a camper? I am working on a second degree (teaching) and revising my book while looking for a publisher.
Nothing wrong with working for yourself or having ambition, or even having a nice home. I ran a small business for s while and may do so again some day. I just believe most people aren't pursuing happiness, just a cultural ideal of success. If my kids are happy flipping burgers I am happy. If they wanna work wall street I can live with that too.
I should not that I don't live in a camper but I could happily do so. My wife maybe not so much. Not yet. I'm working on her.
I started at 5:30 this morning- just got done at 9:30 tonight. F-that!
But, had a quick deadline, so..
i just think the camper thing hits too close to home. Probably cuz I was homeless for a bit in my early 20 ' s and it seems one step removed from that, for me anyway.
I still remember how goddamn cold that was and how you couldn't even really sleep.
I guess, now that I'm thinking about it, it's why I really don't care for camping, either.
Weird....it took me 24 years to figure that out just now.
Thanks!
That said, most of my local riding is on the same trails as ever, on a bike that I can pedal to the top on, which wasn't true 10 years ago. That means trails that had too many annoying ups for a freeride bike get ridden more now.
The biggest difference I've noticed? Lots less people thinking XC is MTB, & everything else is crazy hooliganism. The majority of MTB riders want to ride actual terrain now, 10 years ago buying something with more than 100mm of travel was the exception outside of the PNW.
I guess my message is aging does not necessarily mean gentler riding. A bit of fitness and having mates around that help you gain these skill sets will keep you edging the gnar bar up.
Pretty well whatever @cool3 said, just longer.
Life is about to get a lot faster and dirtier. YES!
But... I'm riding more now in the shitty January weather than I have done in the past 18 months! Why? Because it has a massive impact on my mental state and I hated being the guy at the back of the pack in the few times that I did get out last year.
My advice; just make time for biking, no matter what. The house will still be there when you get back and your work can survive without you (unless you're self-employed - tougher situation). You can't afford not to look after your physical and mental health.
Get after it bro. Stop looking at bike p0rn on Pinkbike and go ride. You’ll feel better for it!
Good luck.
2015? I've just been out on my road bike for an hour, climbing steep hills (which also means lots of tasty, high speed descents).
Tomorrow? I go out on my trail bike to get some dirt under the wheels.
Short on time, but I can always find a good hour or two for a local ride.
Really enjoy riding both road bikes and mountain bikes, its a great contrast and I've probably never been fitter.
For people short on time, I'd recommend getting a good road bike, its all riding and its great for developing a good level of fitness which really helps your mountain biking become more fun.
I got old too, and felt thankful I enjoyed a solid decade of extreme riding, but it was time to call time on that, and enjoy more regular riding.
We also lost many good riding spots in the South-East, which was making it harder and harder to justify owning a big travel bike
Got one a couple of monts ago. Been out on it 4 times and use it on the turbo 1-2 time a week. Is that what happens when you start getting older?
But martino, I totally agree with your earlier statement, F..k work, F..k the house as that will still be there, just get out and ride. Me, I started this mtd thing back 7-8 years ago as a means to shed weight and get fit. Now, ive turned 50 and my skill level is higher, im fitter and lighter and mountain biking is like a drug to me. I used to like my cars and worked as much overtime as I could then worked on the cars. Now, cant work on cars due to all the computer control, so now enjoy working on the bikes. Dont work much overtime now, esp weekends as I just have to be out on the bikes, fresh air, birds & bees, trees and exercise. Life is now to short, time to enjoy life!!
This week has been shit weather wise though, and I do try to cycle 50 miles each week. Not going to cover this this week, just wish I had room in the garage to set up a turbo trainer!!
Oh, ye, and you know when you 50 when the NHS sends you a letter about health!!!!!
GET OUT AND RIDE ;-)
Sounds like you need a better saddle.
Regardless, I know there are others that drive as badly as I do on the road - truly scary.
I'm lucky to live at the base of some of the steepest road hills in London, including the notorious 'swains lane' which has max gradient of 18%. I also have good xc trails only 2 km from my house.
On the road bike I have a wicked ride called 'nine hills'. Takes just over an hour, absolutely punishing steep climbs and scary descents, all done at race speed. 2 of the descents take you to 60mph if you have the balls, 1 has speed bumps to prehop for added fun!
Would love to show you guys what road biking can be. Its also great going on lazy Sunday road rides with my wife; she just bought a Giant Propel Advanced to add to her bike stable.
I'm live dangerously close to poserville
I ride less but have way better bikes
I ride bigger stuff and tougher terrain on bikes that make the trails less difficult then 15 years ago
I get more out of a ride today then I ever have before
The friends I have today are the friends I ride with every week
Wasn't until I turned 30 that I thought I could finally afford to go full sus. I went with a do-it-all Reign X. Now I can do drop offs and jumps without buckling my wheels! I'd now describe my riding as 'Enduro' - though I know people love to hate that word. I ride to the top like I used to in my XC days but now with 170mm of travel front and back, I can smash it all the way back down like the DH guys. There's just no excuse for pushing or driving your bike to the top of the mountain these days. I like to "ride" my bike...not walk it up and freewheel it down.
I got old, had a kid, got injured AND I ride more, faster, farther, better and braver than in 2005. Yay me! Knolly Endorphin and Podium have replaced my beloved Yetis. Oh yeah, and my job requires that I work at least 60 hours per week. Double yay me! I am fortunate. Time will catch up...and soon.
Obviously the progression in bike tech has had an impact on how I can ride, but I think I'd still have enjoyed the last 10 years nearly as much if I'd kept riding my 04 Giant XTC
Then i started searching proper terrain and building stuff, theresince i havent stopped digging and building what I've been inspired by or what i have on my mind. I am keep riding and building even right now when I am in Luxembourg(I ride an build alone, which is a bit crappy) The
Ah yes, the picture in mtb action, with Tomac leading the pack, riding where all behind him were carrying the bikes, influenced my life a lot. Thx JT
I love my seasons at whistler and now i suck at getting air, i find it more challenging and fun than i used to.
All these slightly negative points are balanced by the fact that now in my 30's i can pedal uphill all day and love to! I find riding uphill more rewarding than any DH riding i have ever done!
I know why, married with responsibilities i can't afford to have a big off and miss work, so when i ride DH i worry too much, its all about risk homeostasis!
My old man in his 60's now regularly whoops me on DH runs with his hardtail just because he has reached an age where he doesn't give a s*it about safety anymore!
i.imgur.com/9IfZiOO.png
to urban assault hucking,
to technical street riding,
to fixed gear racing (with a bit of XC and DH every now and then),
since 2003.
This takes the fun out of racing?