8 replies to this topic

[Andrew Meddings]

I went for a trail ride today with my son & about 3o other riders. the day started out ok through the fire trails . then the tracks started getting tighter & more technical. i managed to stay upright going over the logs blocking the track & the first few creek crossings . then it all went to shit. the tight slow single line tracks started getting very steep. then had huge rock drop off's into rutted creeks with logs in the water. i was dropping the bike every few minutes. in the end one of the other riders jumped on my bike with me on the back to see how far he could get. we got part way up a really steep rutted hill before we couldn't get traction. four of the blokes carried me up to the top of the hill. my gear shifter was damaged so i decided it was wise to ride the fire trail back to the utes. its not often i admit to being out of my depth but today i have to concede defeat. im feeling sore all over but its it will make a great story for all involved.
ps some of the boys had helmet cams so i hope to get some footage

[wheeliebear75]

So you were doing this with a hand-bike? Have you gone over ROUGH terrain with this particular unit before? If you hadn't done those ROUGH TRAILS before & only cruising along...that could explain a LOT. Going over long distances or rough terrain is something you need to "train for" so if you hadn't done too much of that...that could be part of why you had so much trouble. Don't be too hard on yourself.....if you got 1/2 way than next time you can get yourself 3/5 of the way before you need help.

[Andrew Meddings]

wheeliebear75, on 02 January 2012 - 07:21 AM, said:

So you were doing this with a hand-bike? Have you gone over ROUGH terrain with this particular unit before? If you hadn't done those ROUGH TRAILS before & only cruising along...that could explain a LOT. Going over long distances or rough terrain is something you need to "train for" so if you hadn't done too much of that...that could be part of why you had so much trouble. Don't be too hard on yourself.....if you got 1/2 way than next time you can get yourself 3/5 of the way before you need help.

no it was on a motorbike. when i stop i need a tree close by or i end up lying on the track & the boys pick me up & point me in the right direction then i go again. it was extremely harsh of the group of 3o only 9 could get through without help but they had the luxury of putting there feet down

[wheeliebear75]

Andrew Meddings, on 02 January 2012 - 08:30 AM, said:

wheeliebear75, on 02 January 2012 - 07:21 AM, said:

So you were doing this with a hand-bike? Have you gone over ROUGH terrain with this particular unit before? If you hadn't done those ROUGH TRAILS before & only cruising along...that could explain a LOT. Going over long distances or rough terrain is something you need to "train for" so if you hadn't done too much of that...that could be part of why you had so much trouble. Don't be too hard on yourself.....if you got 1/2 way than next time you can get yourself 3/5 of the way before you need help.

no it was on a motorbike. when i stop i need a tree close by or i end up lying on the track & the boys pick me up & point me in the right direction then i go again. it was extremely harsh of the group of 3o only 9 could get through without help but they had the luxury of putting there feet down

So lemme get this strait....

Out of 30 riders; you were the only one "non-AB", & ONLY 9 made it without help? Don't beat yourself up...pat yourself on the back & take a bow!

[edlee]

The big thing is,, did you enjoy it?? Don't worry about the rest. Think of it in terms of golf,,, if it was easy,, noone would bother,,, but since it is,, the real enjoyment comes from getting better at it.

Keep riding AM,,, it inspires the rest of us to extend our "ambitions". too.
ed

[Andrew Meddings]

edlee, on 02 January 2012 - 10:23 PM, said:

The big thing is,, did you enjoy it?? Don't worry about the rest. Think of it in terms of golf,,, if it was easy,, noone would bother,,, but since it is,, the real enjoyment comes from getting better at it.

Keep riding AM,,, it inspires the rest of us to extend our "ambitions". too.
ed

yeh edlee i loved it .im getting some realy good feedback & comments from fellow riders.they have invited me to go on a pub run which is a half day morning ride on mostly fire trails lunch at a remote pub then back . sounds much better than a crazy shit ride. im also also doing a 4 day charity ride next easter it should be a lot of fun

[isobar]

I know you wont quit right .......... they say getting started is the hardest part.

[edlee]

Now ain't that the truth!!!! Getting started,,, fear of failure,,, exposing our "disability".

I sometimes think that we,, all humans,, have these fears and it prevents so many from finding out where their REAL limits are,,, or if they really have any.

I would love to trail ride again,,, for me,, it's a mixture of the above items,,, plus common sense ( I'm 65 and obese,, not a good combination ),, so I set my limits a bit lower than Andrew. That doesn't mean I don't both admire and envy him.
ed

[Andrew Meddings]

isobar, on 03 January 2012 - 08:13 PM, said:

I know you wont quit right .......... they say getting started is the hardest part.

no quitting here but ive been there & done that. i will ride a bit more within my comfort zone. most riding i do is on a property or track if not i usually check out the route on a quad or 4wd