Mother’s Day Mountain Bike Ride

Jump to Comments

My Mother’s Day treat to myself today was a ride at Batchelor Street in Granby, MA. I road alone today, something I normally like to avoid since my crash in Granby 3 years ago. But I found the solitude extremely grounding as I reflected on a great many things while on the trail.

One of the qualities I so enjoy about mt biking is the paralells between the sport and life. Mt biking always seems to have a lesson to teach me, and today I learned a lot. Here are some metaphors I concluded upon while mediating on my trek today:

1.) Approach obstacles slowly, but with force, momentum, and clear intent.
2.) Learn to pick a line.
3.) Follow the line you pick.
4.) Understand that in the trail there will be obstacles that will never, ever yield to you. They will eat your bike. Find a path around these obstacles.
5.) Understand that in the trail there are obstacles that will shift under your surest of footing. They will throw you off your bike. Find your balance, and maintain awareness at all times.

I started my ride off rough, mostly because I’m in the road biking frame of mind which involves higher speeds. After I settled down and eased up–I did a lot better. I hiked-a-bike it often in the beginning, and as my confidence returned, not at all. And for the first time I descended a particularly treacherous portion of the main trail that I have never been able to descend without dismounting. I was pretty psyched about that.

All & all, it was a great way for this mom to have a little fun –Karen

2 Comments

Filed under Cycling, Mountain, Photography, Rides

Tags: batchelor street, biking, Cycling, granby, life, Mother's Day, mountain biking, mtb