Breathe Magazine

On my wedding day, I got a very unique gift.  The card said, “don’t lose these”, and I looked at my beloved and said, “what the heck are you talking about?” In the card was a set of cleats.  Only after taking me outside did I realize what my present was— a brand new mountain bike!!  At the time, I was already an experienced “roadie” and had no inclinations to cross over to the dirt.

Lesson one with hubby included (in no particular order) tears, curse words, tense moments and  frustration in about the first fifteen minutes of the ride.  Needless to say, these first experiences were a complete TURN OFF for me to ride mountain bikes. Now, years later, I mostly use that bike for bike commuting with the kids in tow…but there’s always been that wonder and maybe a little desire to learn to ride on dirt, properly.

Thankfully, I have one amazing workout buddy.  Penny, who just happens to be a Former National Downhill Champion and who has spent a number of years racing bikes professionally.  If you can imagine talking volleyball lessons from Gabby Reece, then a lesson with Penny would be of the same caliber.  We’ve ridden many times over the years but never on dirt and never on single track- ’cause I’m a complete ROOKIE and maybe a bit of a chicken.

Lesson 1 and the Plan:

Improve my skills and comfort level on each consecutive lap which is one and one quarter mile long.

“Momentum is your friend!”, “Lower air pressure and seat height for better traction on dirt”, “Full finger clothes are highly recommended for mountain biking”, and ” Look ahead, not down!”.

1st Lap -And, I’m still smiling!

Thoughts on lap one:  I have a lot to learn here.  There were times when I’d think, “I can’t do that” and then guess what? I wouldn’t do it. By focusing on my front wheel,  I become entangled with worrying about hitting big rocks- but when I focused on looking where I want to go, I was able to remain upright and moving forward.  Why am I so scared? What’s the worst that could happen?

Lap two: I stink at left-hand turns!  Every time I’d get to a turn I thought I couldn’t do, I’d clip out.  Ugh. Penny is making me do the turns again and again and again. Dang it!  Then, I fell down turning while trying to turn my bike around.  Got some nice bruises from that one.

Lap three: Go faster and be more confident. Goal: do not clip out. According to Penny, this single track trail is a “FREEWAY” and she was bored, so she made me ride side by side.  Yikes, Rachel, this is plenty wide for both of us and I can control my bike. Ok.  I really started to fly on the descent of the last lap and was feeling more comfortable even when we were passing people on the trail.

Made it!

This lesson was like my first dip in a very big lake.  So much out there, and so much to try.  I’m excited to continue learning how to mountain bike and I’ve already tested my mettle today at a local park. And, I’d be riding along, thinking, Penny would make me go up that and that and that.  Then, I’d try it.  Sometimes, I’d have to bully myself — you can do that.

And, sometimes, I knew I could do it.

Fit Mommy blogs at Fitness for Mommies, is the mother of two young boys, and is passionate cycling, running, and yoga.