Congratulations. Even though a few people will give you a hard time about the bike, many of us started on something that others made fun of. I did. I went from an old POS bike to an entry level HT and was shocked at how much better it rode. I say ride it into the grave. Just beware that as you get better and ride more technical trails faster and harder that bike won't take the beating you give it. You don't want a catostrophic failure. Also realize that parts on that bike will start to break the more miles you get on the trail. I hate to say it, but it's a disposable bike. There really isn't much point in putting money into it. Put that $ toward an upgraded bike when you can.