Why do you ride mountain bikes?

There are plenty of things to love about mountain biking, and we want to know which aspect is the most important to you.
A mountain biker with sunglasses and a colorful jersey navigates a rocky trail in a wooded area, focused on maintaining balance as he rides downhill. The ground is covered with leaves and scattered rocks, while trees and greenery surround the path. Farlow Gap mountain bike trail.
File photo: Jeff Barber.

There are a lot of reasons to ride mountain bikes, obviously. Still, for most of us, there’s one reason we ride that’s above all others, and without it, we just might find ourselves drifting to another activity.

What is the primary reason you ride mountain bikes?

Is the primary reason you ride today the same as it was when you started mountain biking in the first place? Tell us in the comments below!