Keeping up with the pace!

As the years progress on and advances of geometry and the sophistication of suspension increase the real riders hold steady. From the first like Joe Breeze and Gary Fischer all the way to the new names today. Keeping up with the pace of the now is simple in some aspects. It is ever evolving and taking new shape. Youre either the rider that relies on their wallet to get you to be better or the rider that has to go it on their own. Either way it really is just you vs the clock. You may say that the guy in 1st place is better than you and you have to knock your self esteem down a few notches.... OR you can tel yourself that he isnt better and today was just another stepping stone to beating him. Racing is not a hobby and shouldnt be by any means. When you look at other riders your first thought should be that they would make some great friends after the day has ended. I dont recommend thinking about how you can beat them or they can beat you. It is never a race against them in Downhill, Enduro, or slopestyle. It is you against the odds, against the course, against time, against yourself! So prepare your heart, mind, and body to under go rigorous challenges.

Realistically you are on a never ending learning path with the lines always changing. You cant ever have the same line.. thats like expecting sissy riders not to hit the brakes through a turn and create a shitty ass brake jack wash out. You need to adapt to the ever changing conditions. For example when Sam Hill (my idol) had the narliest mud track in Champery history and still pulled the most amazing run off. He stayed focused and didnt let weather, talk, or even nerves break him. Now he didnt take 1st but he finished! He learned that day that he needs to adapt to what has changed, mentally prepare, and keep on his toes. The line he had chosen was set and he stuck it! You can do the same in your race runs.

That is what anyone must do. Keep their head in the game and finish. Do what you came here to do. Keep up with the pace and never let it go. Youre only as good as you want to be.. if you dont want the gold or top of the podium it wont ever come to you!