8 Pieces of MTB Advice I Wish I Could Give to My Younger Self

Any mountain biker, at some point – on the trail, in the car on the way to the trail, while twirling wrenches, over a post-ride beer – will say to themselves, “Jeez, I wish I’d known that!” “Connecting the dots” is a part of getting better at anything, but sometimes wisdom is a long time …

Old timers on a break at Coldwater Mountain, AL. Photo: Chris Callahan
Old timers on a break at Coldwater Mountain, AL. Photo: Chris Callahan

Any mountain biker, at some point – on the trail, in the car on the way to the trail, while twirling wrenches, over a post-ride beer – will say to themselves, “Jeez, I wish I’d known that!”

“Connecting the dots” is a part of getting better at anything, but sometimes wisdom is a long time coming.  As I look back at over 33 years of mountain biking, I can see myself holding to stupid theories, illogical setups, or clinging to equipment that was long past its expiration date.  Like a lot of my knobby-addled brethren, I got too concerned with confirming my biases, rather than overcoming them.

As that life of the party, Søren Kierkegaard said, “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”

If only I could get inside my head as a 32-year-old, with the knowledge I’ve gained over a generation-span of mountain biking.

Here are eight (sometimes contradictory) gems that I would have shouted, persuaded, cajoled or otherwise imparted to that brash beginner:

1. Set a Goal

Use tools like a cyclocomputer to capture what -- and how -- you're doing.
Use tools like a cyclocomputer to capture what — and how — you’re doing.

A race, an epic ride, a faster lap time, miles per week, a longer duration, just outriding your buddy… any of these will suffice.  The operative thought here is to set up a way to measure your rides, so that you can compare your performance over time.  Use your mileage, your max speed, total calories burned, race finish position – something that will let you track your progress toward a goal.  I used racing as a goal, but didn’t start that until I was over 50.  My best season was when I finished second in my class state-wide.  Think of what I might have done had I started tracking toward a goal in my thirties.

What I would tell my 32-year-old self:  “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.”

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2. Mix it Up

Looking through and past the switchback in Salida, Colorado. Photo: Greg Heil
New bike means a “new trail.”  Photo: Greg Heil

Get out of the rut of riding the same trail in the same direction, or riding with the same riders, or even riding the same bike.  The broader your riding experience, the better rider you’ll become.  A trail ridden on an FS trail bike becomes a totally different experience on a fat bike.  You have to adapt – different lines, capturing momentum, adjusting your pace.  Your skill set will blossom if you take the opportunity to do something different from time to time.

Caveat:  the key concept here is “from time to time.”  If you change it up with every ride, your rate of variation will exceed your rate of improvement.

What I would tell my 32-year-old self:  “Learn from every new encounter, and make sure you have new encounters.”

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3. Upgrade as You Can

Upgrades keep you current, focused, fast, comfortable.
Upgrades keep you current, focused, fast, comfortable. Photo: Aaron Chamberlain

As your skills improve, make sure your equipment continues to challenge you.  I’m not talking about a new bike, necessarily.  New tires, grips, handlebars, a new seat, hydration pack, shorts, jerseys, helmets – the list is almost inexhaustible.  Use upgrades to improve your comfort, your stamina, or your speed.  If you have the opportunity and budget for a new bike, buy one that is conceptually 180° away from your current ride.  If you’re riding a XC hardtail, buy a long travel trail bike.  If you’re already on an FS bike, go full rigid.  You get the idea.  This will expand your primary skills that you can then apply to new, more challenging situations.

What I would tell my 32-year-old self:  “Don’t let inertia limit your improvement; if it ain’t broke, break it.”

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4. Race More

Racing puts you in situations you won't encounter merely riding. Photo: Chris Callahan
Racing puts you in situations you won’t encounter merely riding. Photo: Chris Callahan

I waited 14 years before I entered my first race.  All that time, I was a fledgling rider who struggled with “flow.”  I crashed a lot.  I struggled with clipless pedals.  I focused on the people I was riding with rather than my own experience, the trail, or my bike handling.  “Racing improves the breed” is a tried-and-true aphorism.

When I started racing, I still crashed a lot.  However, over time my bike handling skills began to supersede my fitness level, which had always been my competitive advantage.  Now, at 65, my bike handling skills are what keep me riding safely – again, think of what I might have accomplished earlier had some Bell V1-helmeted sage had taken me aside and dispensed this insight.

What I would tell my 32-year-old self:  “If you want to excel in the woods, get thee to the starting line.”

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5. Slow Down

Going slow puts you in touch with the Tao of bike and trail.
Going slow puts you in touch with the Tao of bike and trail. Photo:  Chris Callahan

There’s a lot to be said for speed on the trail.  There’s also a lot to be said for The Mellow Ride.  For starters, going slow allows you to absorb the scenery better; part of not riding on the road is enjoying the trees, fresh air, desert vistas or just being away.  Secondly, by going slow you can focus on what your bike’s doing.  How are the tires hooking up at this psi?  Does the rebound in the fork work well in this terrain?  Does the shock need more preload?  By monitoring how your bike responds at lower speeds, you can tweak your setup to be the optimum when you start to hammer.

The scenery is just a bonus.

What I would tell my 32-year-old self:  “Find the Tao in your ride, but remember that your bike has a Tao of its own.”

6. Train on the Road

Training on the road offers immediate access to intervals, sprints, climbs...and fitness. Photo: Chris Callahan
Training on the road offers immediate access to intervals, sprints, climbs…and fitness. Photo: Chris Callahan

While the trail is preferred, playing “roadie” has distinct advantages.  For me, access is as close as the end of my driveway; in contrast, my nearest challenging trail is a 45-minute drive away.  Riding on the road develops a foundation of fitness that provides an extra margin of oomph when on singletrack.  When I was racing consistently, I did 90% of my training on the road.  Hills, intervals, long slow rides, sprints – on the road, you are in control of your training.  Off the road, the singletrack you’re riding will itself define the level and duration of your cardio work.  Relying on trail riding for all of your training will build your high-intensity/short duration ability, but you won’t get that reliable “base” needed to finish strong.

What I would tell my 32-year-old self:  “To excel in the woods, skinny tires are your friend.”

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7. Pamper Yourself

Buttering up means more comfort for more hours in the saddle.
Buttering up means more comfort for more hours in the saddle.

Life chafes enough, and there’s no need to add to the suffering.  Think chamois butter.  Use sunscreen.  Chamois butter will make your post-ride beer that much more refreshing, if only because it will enable you to sit down.  Sunscreen will help you avoid having pieces of your face removed by CO2-wielding dermatologists when you are on Medicare.  You’ve indulged yourself with the best kit and equipment… don’t skimp on doing things that will extend your riding lifespan.

What I would tell my 32-year-old self:  “Slather up before you suit up.”

8. Take a Weekend Off

Get off the bike once in a while. Variety keeps you fresh. Photo: Chris Callahan
Get off the bike once in a while. Variety keeps you fresh. Photo: Chris Callahan

Deeply enjoying being on a mountain bike relies on recognizing what it means to be off a mountain bike.  In areas of the country where the riding season is short, this might be all too obvious.  Locations where riding year-round is a given require a more Zen-like approach to the sport.

Once a month, take a hike, jump in a kayak, hit the gym, or even belly up to the bar.  Perform some much-needed maintenance on your bike – check tires, chain, chainrings, brakes, cassettes, bearings.  Wash your bike.  Skipping a ride keeps you fresh, engaged, and passionate.

What I would tell my 32-year-old self:  “Breathe.  If you want to keep mountain biking in your life, don’t make your life about mountain biking.”

Everyone’s experiences are different; these eight observations come from years of riding woods, deserts, bike trails, Western vistas, rooty New England singletrack, and Swedish lake footpaths.  Pick just one or incorporate all eight into your own deal – I guarantee more smiles and better rides.