First off-road ride in about 14 years
 

I realized I'm 14 years older and it's been a long time, but it seems to me that what used to be considered advanced is now considered intermediate. Is it because suspension is far more prevalent now and riders can easily ride what used to be quite difficult?

I've been on the road or off the bike for the last 14 years. What's different? Me, my skills, and memory, or is it the trails are now harder and I'm not imagining it.

For anyone in my local area I rode up SFU and down the trails. I can't remember the name of the trails, but I'm told what's an advanced trail at SFU or a black, would be considered intermediate on the North Shore. I can believe that as some of that North Shore riding is pretty crazy.

I used to ride SFU in the early 90's and back then I didn't have a bike with suspension. It was a hardtail with a rigid fork, so I can't imagine I was riding these trails w/o suspension back then. I'm thinking the trails are now different and much harder.

Comments?

I returned to riding after a similar lay off. The legs, lungs and instincts will come back pretty quickly. I too started with a Rigid bike, got a couple of HTs and now am riding a barcalounger.

The skill level of the industry is higher than the 90s so some trails may be truely butt kicking rides. For the most part though you will adapt and your body will get strong. Give it a couple of months.

Just thought i would attach this picture to show off. 15 months ago a ride to Starbucks wore me out. And to the rest of the posters @ here, I didn't truck it there.

Watchdog, for one thing you are smack in the middle of the epicenter of mountain biking progression worldwide.

Secondly, ya, a lot of things with bikes have changed in the years you've been absent and not only the advance of suspension. Even hardtails have undergone a subtle metamorphosis since the '90s - - with changes in geometry, wheelbase, manipulated tubesets for more standover clearance, etc. Most everything is geared toward a more aggressive style of riding than was the norm before.

Yeah, that's what I thought. The trails seemed so much more aggressive than I remember.

It's almost like I'm starting out as a beginner again.

Componetry has changed and a few designs but the body is the same......well, other than like you said, older! Several rides and you will get your legs and lungs back on track. Recovery time is longer I find as I get older but that is okay. I still find myself going by 20 somethings on the trail from time to time because they fit into two catergories: 1- Being out of shape thinking they are in shape or 2- trying to go up the side of a mountain like a jackrabbit on a first date!

Either way, go at your own pace and enjoy. If your like me, you have nothing to prove anymore. Let those who think they do go into cardiac arrest, you, stop and smell the smells of the woods and enjoy the scenery. The others will be life flighted off the side of a mountain! Or at least that is how it is here from time to time in western NC. MAMA stays busy with weekend warriors trying to do things they should not.