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I went out today with a bunch of fast experienced guys (8 of them, I believe) and we were on some really nasty, rocks, ledgey(?) terrain. About the worst it can get, I believe- at least that's what they said.
Unreal stuff- nothing I am/was used to and this was my first real ride in 25 years and I should not have been there!
The ledge took about a pound of aluminum out of my swingarm, a nice chunk out of my rear brake switch, I broke my front brake lever, ripped off the handguard, and my front tire was losing air.
I rode terribly, the bike looks like crap & my shoulders are freaking killing me!

Well... those experienced riders should have had you sit that one out. It sounds like they were wanting to see a train wreck.

I took it pretty easy for my first 5 outings after being off for several years. This builds confidence, technique and get's you familar with the bike and how it handles and performs.

Must be tough, bein old and everything

They told me to take it slow, and I did, but the trails we were on were like nothing I ever (ever) experienced. And once you were in the middle of it- there was nowhere to go- I mean shear rock and boulder stuff- I couldn't even walk the damn thing.
My fault- just disappointed, I guess.
I knew I could not stay with them, but I had hoped I could have handled the terrain- even at a slow pace.

Hey 'nuts;

You were maybe expecting too much of yourself? Takin on very tough terrain before you were ready, physically, mentally.......before the 'ol instincts were up to speed?

When I returned to riding I went out alone and rode at whatever speed felt right to me, without external 'pressure'. You were trying to keep up to experienced riders who are familiar with techniques, terrain and their mounts.

For heavens sake, give yourself some time to build experience. If not, you run the risk of injury - both emotional and physical. Neither being 'good'!

Your instincts will return as the saddle hours accumulate. But it's hard to learn much when you're hangin on for dear life and way-way out of your comfort zone!

Even with the 'issues' with today's ride, the next time, it'll go better.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?

The only way you grow is by extending past your comfort zone. You had 8 guys to carry your carcass out in case of any serious trouble, so this was as good an opportunity as you can get. Next time, relax and don't worry about how bad you are. Instead think positive and aggressive. Holding back, mind fear and self-defeating thoughts that you are not up to the task is going to reflect itself in your riding. You can do it you know; you just witnessed 8 other riders do it and you can't be worse than the least of them; only less experienced.

Have fun growing in your skills as a rider!!

Above all else enjoy yourself, 'nuts . . . that's the whole idea!

You'll best be served to that end if you spend at least some time within your comfort zone. Nothing wrong with pushing things to get better, just don't make yourself miserable or put yourself in a position to have to be air-evacuated from some remote hillside.

Welcome to the world of "gettin' back into it" !!

Hey nutz I know how you feel. I started racing enduros again this year. This is something i haven't done since I was a kid. The last one was in 1989. I tried to practice before i tried to take it easy and ride my own pace, what I got for my efforts was my ass handed to me. Instead of riding slow by myself I have found that my speed has picked-up dramatically since I have been riding and training with some faster riders. Yeah they laugh and poke fun sometimes but they also are willing to help me out. I agree with Skipro you don't want to be out there riding WAY over your head, but pushing the outer edge of your ability is the way that you get better. Of course the speed won't come until basic bike control and such are second nature. I tell my daughter all the time "when you get to where you don't even think about all the basics that's when it gets fun". Those 8 fast dudes you rode with are at that point and I'm sure you will be soon.

I definately ride faster with my friends. I dont know if I'm trying to keep up or impress but either way its much more fun

One of the guys I rode with Saturday emailed me today.
He said he hoped I wasn't discouraged, which I was, and I'm sure he figured that.
He said that a few of the riders were "A" riders and he was having a tough time himself (he was just being nice!). He mentioned that these guys are incredibly fast and experienced. As I mentioned, I had no intention or desire to stay with them, but to do better than I did.
Patience is not one of my virtues, I guess.
Thanks for the encouraging words.

Sounds like my rides....all of them. The only people I can find to ride with are A riders. Half of them have been or are going to the ISDE and have been racing for years. Another guy I ride with is a semi-pro woods/desert racer and he is racing the pro class in the Baja 1000 this year...

Riding with them is incredible. I'm constantly pushing myself to keep within sight of them and I learn real quick where my weaknesses are. It's cool to be followed by the AA rider because when he stops he tells me exactly what I should be working on. It's been a huge help and I feel more confident every ride.

I'd give a lot to spend a day with some A riders. You learned more than you realize right now. Stay friends with them and ride with them as often as they let you. Before long, it will all be so much fun.

I got into my skiing seriously this way; I became an instructor. Soon, I was in clinics with some of the same guys you see in Warren Miller movies. These guys wouldn't tell me where we were going, just to stay close. I can now ski anything anytime. Maybe it won't be pretty, and some won't even call it skiing, but I'm up there on the Palisades and skiing the finger shoots not more than 8 feet wide and more than 50 degree slopes. It puckers me just to think about it since it's been a season since I've gone.

If you truly don't have the heart to excel in your dirt bike riding and just want to trail ride leisurely and casually, then there's nothing wrong with that. At least you had the experience and the opportunity to intelligently make that decision.

skipro3 wrote:I can now ski anything anytime. Maybe it won't be pretty, and some won't even call it skiing, but I'm up there on the Palisades and skiing the finger shoots not more than 8 feet wide and more than 50 degree slopes. It puckers me just to think about it since it's been a season since I've gone. .

Sounds like AVALANCE country - with narrow finger shoots and 50 degree slopes - better not bobble. Sorry for the thread hijack.

At the risk of sounding like one of those Dr. Phil-psycho babble types, keep this in mind.

If you think you suck, then you will!

You have to get those negative thoughts out of your mind.

The best rides I've ever had were the ones when I felt like I was on top of my game (even if I really wasn't). The worst rides were the ones where I was unsure of myself and was just riding to not get hurt. Tentative riding will get you hurt. You don't have to be WFO, but don't ride scared!

And another thing, have lots of safety gear on you! Everyone crashes; even Juha Salminen injured his shoulder this year during the WEC. If he can crash , you can too!

If you want to get better, ride with people who are better riders than you. You will get there. Don't quit!

I started riding again after a 15 year lay off at 40 and averaged hitting the ground or tree every 5 miles it was a long 35 mile trip but I made it. Now I find it hard to find some one to ride at my speed that doesn't race.

When I first started riding with Carvr, there were times when I wondered if I'd survive the day. He and Uncle Marty would take me places I'd never dream of and as soon as I'd finally catch up to them for a little break, they'd take off again right as I approached them. I rode with numb hands and arms most of the time! At times it felt more like WORK than FUN

I'm still not a great rider, I'm slow, hate hill climbs and and really hate steep downhills! But I like riding very technical single track, especially on my KDX! It's old and looks like crap but that lil motor has some amazing lowend

At our last Poker Run I was an "A" Sweep. Sure did not feel like I was qualified to do so but I rode the entire "A" course

My usual riding partner was forced into the expert classes during races at 15 years old. The officials wanted to give the other people in the lower classes a chance. He wasn't really the fastest person in the race, but he was always consistent and could keep his momentum up when others were grabbing for the brakes or blowing past corners. He always rode smooth.

He stressed that it is not always how fast you can go, but how consistent you are. I learned a lot eating his dust over the years.