It kinda makes me chuckle at times though, because we have a very wide range of riders in our lunch-time group. Some are SUPER FAST up the hill, but usually the last guy in the line going down. Or SUPER FAST going down, but could not care less about how long it takes to get up.

One of the guys that I like to follow is about as creative as it gets regarding jumping off stuff. Most of the trails around here have a "go around" if there is an obstacle in the trail. THAT is where my eyes first take me, but if I am forcing myself to follow his line, we are going up and over EVERYTHING that is possibly available, and then some.

Stuff that I would NEVER see, he is doing "kick outs" over.

Regarding "carry over" of bike skills, I am a firm believer that ANY time on a two-wheeled machine will benefit your abilities on any and all other two-wheeled machines. Riding my mtn bike FORCES me to account for every rock, ledge, rain rut, root and drop that may be in the trail. On my moto, I am really only looking for the "bigger" stuff that can take me out. Aside from those obstacles, I rely on the suspension of the bike, the gyro of the wheels, and the throttle to get me through.

When I get off the mtn bike, and on to the moto, my eyes are tuned-in to SO MUCH MORE of the trail. The physical conditioning/endurance that is gained through mtn biking DIRECTLY benefits the lower body on the moto.

Going downhill, I am amazed at how similar it is to riding a moto. You can pretty much go as fast as your heart desires, and line choice and body positioning are eerily similar. When you are "in the zone" on either one, you tune out everything else, and your focus is totally consumed with the task at hand.