I've been riding the MTB trails in my new community for a few weeks and this last weekend was the first time I got to ride w/ other people! A few of these guys are exceptionally strong riders. This was also the first weekend that I did not enjoy MTB at all, it felt like freaking boot camp when trying to ride hard and keep up w/them. The guys were really nice, never rushed me, gave advice/encouragement, but just trying to keep up w/ them seemed beyond my ability most of the time. By no question to the obvious, I am in much pain today, lol. The repeated advice for getting better is to keep hitting the trails, keep riding, which seems to be of course the obvious. The trails we ride are very technical. Riding with these other riders made me push myself like I never have before, but also gave me a realization of where I stand as a new comer to MTB in regards to skill and over strength.

Im sure i've been given the best and most logical advice (keep riding), but does anyone have additional suggestions, personal testimonies to your first time... LOL, it just feels like I am the slowest rider in the country right now, and being fast like these other guys seems unrealistic for me to achieve...

Your input and/or personal stories/experiences would be appreciated, thanks.

jR