Mountain Biking - 3 outta 4 ain't bad, is it??

Went to a local trail today for a ride...Almost at the end, there's a dropoff where there used to be a bridge...well, it washed away a few months back and I've been leery of riding thru the gulley for a while, since I hadn't tried anything like it...back in December, one of my friends wheelie-dropped it and although it looked painful, I felt now it could be done...since I had an idea of what to do...

Today was the first time back since Dec....I rode up to it, rolled it and out, no problem...it was kinda jerky cause it has busted culvert piece on the down side but I didn't crash...However, my adrenaline/bravery/ego/stupidity got the best of me as I thought, "what if I bunny hop that thing"...see, it's not about 2 feet tall, but it's the transition that is crazy...kinda flat, but realllly narrow...so I turned around crossed again, and went far enuf back to get a good run...

I rolled up...lifted and cleared, but my landing was kinda harsh...so again the a/b/e/s kicked in, "I can do it better if I land a lil' right"...so I turn around, cross and get another run...

As I lift, my head's thinking "you're just not right..."

and I wasn't...i landed, rolled six inches into the bank (the landing is about 8 inches wide max in order to roll out clean), and endo'd...Luckily, I landed on my head...

So now I'm both rattled, pissed (@ myself) and ready to go once more...so (now it may get religious), I started praying, "God, if I don't do this...I'm gonna beat myself down if I don't go again...If I crash, it'll hurt...but if I make it, man, it's gonna be cool, I need your help..."

The whole time I'm praying, I'm looking around: where do I need to land, what angle do I come in at, when do I lift, where will I go when I land, where does my butt need to be...Questions will all know the answer to, but don't always consider...

I go back to the bike, still praying & thinking "God, I want this to be cool...we can do it..."

I clip in one foot and start pumping...the other foot clicks in and I'm building speed...I watch my path and without anything in my head, I start reacting it seems..

I bunnyhop effortlessly, land in the middle and the whole time it feels as if I'm riding on air...just effortless, man...smooth jump, smooth landing...just plain cool...

Ain't it cool how things come together???

I know that exact feeling....like you dont really have to try...and it just carries itself out....very cool

You're on the right track, but don't get over confident. Over confidence hurts.

You're on the right track, but don't get over confident. Over confidence hurts.

True. Ive seen many examples of over-confidence riders where their confidence is higher than their skill (if that makes sense) and they've stacked it. Stacked it bad...

I've already learned from that mistake plenty...Biggest thing is just to keep your head in check, know your limits...but it's those times when you nudge on those limits that you begin to learn...

has it occured to you the GOD factor?when we know we are in His hands we do things a bit different with a peace that cannot be expressed with words.i do agree overconfidence can be a big problem,but so can underconfidence.how many crashes or injuries would not have happened were it not for running scared or chickening out past the point of no turning back?i know of plenty myself especailly the running scared part(not enough speed to make it thru/over).that is part of the thrill of this sport,stretching our limits and finding our ability.i know now stay off expert trail at pocahontas park after having my butt handed to me by a 69 year old man although i probably can come in at least last place now(i can finish a race over 5 miles).keep trying and the results just seem to come with time.great job pulling off your jump

God was as much a factor as me having the right speed/mindset/position...that was a major part of this post...Just when i thought I was gettin' whipped by this, I prayed and overcame it.