Originally Posted by
Papa Wheelie
I don't consider myself a "techincal" rider because of my mindset. I am a competitive off-road motorcycle racer, and my mind still operates as if I am on a motorcycle: AVOID THE THINGS THAT WILL WIPE YOU OUT!
One of my younger friends races motocross. Talk about your bike handling skills. I have him on endurance because I ride pedal-bikes more than he does, but whenever the trail tilts downwards he just flies like a bat out of hell. What is terrifyingly fast to me is a slow walk in the park to him. His BMX and motocross backgrounds combine to let him have a rocking good time descending at speeds that I can't even begin to approach.
As I go down the trail, I am looking for the smoothest, fastest, SAFEST line.
I'm sure we all do a lot of that to an extent. Sometimes I'll experiment with a new line once I get really comfortable with a given obstacle. I suppose I see riding a trail like riding my way through a puzzle. Somehow I've got to unlock each obstacle. Often there are several keys, and I just need to find the one that works for me, and then link everything together.
...I do recognize the benfit though, and DO try to ride any and all trails.
Exactly. You try. No one is saying you have to go out of your way to hit the hardest and most dangerous lines. But at least you don't just walk away.