Anyone else ever bottle out of a ride? Went to LLanrwst to ride the Marin Trail but didn't like the look of the greasy slippery climb with lots of nasty looking rocks straight out of the car park. I actually pushed the bike back down to the car park (seriously).

Am I now too old (43)? Should I buy a road bike? I'm more of a trail rider than a mountain biker but I did the Marin trail three years ago with no problems (twice round in 4 hours). What's happened?

no such thing as too old

were you with friends? if so, get them to encourage you more!

Are you on a different bike? Is it set up differently?

Build up your confidence by riding more?

Ride with friends who don't take the piss (much) and like Mike says encourage you.

Relax.

Your never too old.

It happens to us all, even me, I've driven into the forest got the bike of, went 100yards decided head wasn't in the game, so rather than risk a injury I went home.


Trust your Gut, maybe you'd of stacked badly, you'll never know.

Whether you are 13 or 63 it is all about doing it for enjoyment.

If your confidence has really gone, mine did BIG style after the most innocuous fall in Delamere (I'm 46)then take your time and ride easier trails (like Llandegla) until you feel ready to step up. You are obviously pretty fit so it is obviously not apathy.

Don't get drawn to the dark side and become a tarmac jockey. I would rather hit a tree than be hit from behind by a truck. On the trails you breathe air, on the road you breathe shit.

Yep stick to Trails, your life is in your own hands not some truck drivers.

You think you're too old ?!?!?

check out where these guys have been riding !!

The thread poster is 54 and his mate looks older.

I ride with a 43 yr old and he just keeps getting fitter, so go for it.

Was it wet? Marin is a diferent beast according to the weather, dry good, wet more extreme!

Extreme weather is a good thing, much more rewarding ;-)

I agree extreme good! you could also start higher up at the tin mine to build confidence.

Guys, thanks for the replies and the encouragement. Dave, yes it was wet, the whole forest was sopping wet in fact. The last time I rode it was in summer. To be honest, if it had been dry I probably could have coped. I seem to remember being nervous last time but 2nd time around I settled right into it. Guess I need to go mountain biking more often.

your not alone, i have a mental block on one particularly large root (half a tree), anywhere else on my usual route no probs, i would bunny over it. But its very off camber and the trail is very narrow with a large lake on the right. I bottle it every time :(

No problems with ot doing something - having seen a few nasty accidents, abeit skiing ones - if my mind isn't on the job then I happily sit out a section - eg for me if the corksrcew in Crowthorne/Swinley is v wet then I just wait for the others to do it - even if on the same ride I do something more diff

Trail sense = knowing when to say no and thereby not end up bothering the A&E Dept!!

I've got this dip with rocks big slabs ones I never ride, first ride I nearly went over the bars, so still can't ride them, even if there is really no reason.

Steve, where are you based? If you're in North Wales fancy an outing in the Clwyds this w/e?

I have bottled sections but BOTTLED AN ENTIRE RIDE. NEVER!!! Of course there are days when yer mojo isnt there and you dont try the difficult stuff, but i love biking too much to turn around and go home.

Surprised you didnt just walk the difficult sections and enjoy a nice chilled out ride rather than go home.

It's survival instinct don't worry about it.

We were wandering around Gourette today when a couple of downhillers pushed past. 888s, Saint etc. It's normally a 32/24 climb but they were pushing despite having granny rings. I spent about five minutes explaining how to get to the start of the run and they pushed on like kids dragging their satchels to school. Another five minutes later they flashed past coming back down the access trail and I just heard a shouted 'trop loin' from behind the full-face helmet.

We all get it, just don't dwell on it.

WylieCoyote, thanks for the offer but I can't ride at weekends (family duties).

The littlest Hobo, fair comment, but my heart just wasn't in it that day. I didn't go home, rode to Trefriw and rode up the tarmac road to Llyn Cowlyd then descended rode to Tal y Bont and did the climb to Llyn Eiagu. Tarmac, yeah, but spectacular scenery all the same with some off road up to the reservoirs. The Llyn Cowlyd road is worth doing even though it's on tarmac. 1400 feet of ascent in just 2 miles is very challenging but well worth it for the descent. Give it a go, I didn't put a foot down.

Exactly, you went for a different ride. Best way of dealing with lack of mojo :-)