When was the last time you did something for the first time?
A few weeks ago a few of us took a trip to Evolution Bike Park in Crested Butte, CO. It was the first time I had ever ridden “park.” I have ridden all sorts of terrain, I have ridden in other countries, I have never ridden park. I confess I was a bit nervous, I didn't know what I was getting into. I have ridden sketchy downhill before, but all the videos of people riding park had me concerned, I didn't know what I was getting into. Was I ready for this? Did I have the right bike? What if I can't ride that feature? Do I have the right vocabulary and clothes to ride this type of terrain?
I ended up having the best time ever, I only made one rookie mistake, which was putting my wristband on too tight. After the embarrassment and shame of having to get a new wristband ( I was informed this happens quite often with the 9 year old riders) I had a flawlessly fun and kick ass day, leaving behind only a few drops of blood and pieces of skin. Now I can't wait until the next time I can ride a chairlift to the top of a mountain and bomb down it all day long.
A few days ago we took a friend on a big ride, right here in Fruita, Colorado. He hadn't done it before. He had some reservations, but at the end of the day, in the parking lot drinking post ride frosty barley pops, he had the BEST RIDE EVER.
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Often we tend to get burnt out on our trails, on the the routine, on the same old same old. And yet the same people who are tired of doing the same thing over and over will quickly say “I've never ridden that trail,” “I've always wanted to try a race,” or “I wish I could wheelie.”
Well…go do it. “But what if I fail?” This is the little voice in all of us, and it often seems to be the loudest. Just think…..if everyone who ever lived listened to that voice that tells us “that can't be done” then we wouldn't have amazing things in our life today, like the Cronut.
Remember when you were a kid? You did stuff because you wanted to, you didn't give a damn what people thought, you went and did it because you wanted to do it. Be that kid again. The only way you can fail is if you don't try something you want to try. THAT is failure.
Have you ever wanted to race? Well pay the entry fee, show up, and race. If you come in dead last, you are still ahead of everyone who wanted to race and never did. Have you ever wanted to try that super gnarly techy move on that trail? Put on as much protection as you can and session that feature until you have it down. And if you never actually clean that gnarly section, so what? No one will care, and you will have more practice and be better than you were before. The fact is you tried it, you expanded your mind and body. And you will probably have had a super fun time trying it.
Try new stuff on your bike, and it will not only be cool and fun, it will re-stoke you on your bike, make it new again, re-kindle that flame that got you riding in the first place.
We sincerely hope you get a chance to come out and ride in Fruita. We hope while you are here you give a finger to that little voice that says “you can't do that,” and you do something for the first time. The pain is temporary, the glory lasts forever.
Come out and ride with us.