Discovering A New Adventure Close To Home | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Discovering A New Adventure Close To Home

Riding a bike some place besides campus.

176
Discovering A New Adventure Close To Home
Jamie Ratley

What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear mountain biking?

Well, when I first heard of this term it was because a guy I liked was telling me about his hobbies. I smiled and pretended I was totally interested in learning. Before we ever went though, we just rode bikes on paved trails because I hadn't ridden a bike since I was 12. Not going to lie, it was really hard at first and I almost crashed just riding down the street. However, after several months of riding on paved trails, he took me on my first mountain bike trail.

Although we had talked about what it was going to be like multiple times, I was never actually prepared for what it really was. By the end of the short trail ride, I was completely red in the face and exhausted, but I had never done anything so exhilarating in my life. Naturally, I went out and bought a trek and have been a shredder ever since. So let me tell you what mountain biking is like!

This Is What It Looks Like

Sorry, riding your bike down the hill in your backyard doesn't count.


Not enough girls mountain bike!

Unless your family is big into mountain biking, chances are if you're a girl, you probably haven't been. It is all too common that girls only mountain bike because of their boyfriend.


Be prepared to fall... a lot...

Falling is just a part of it. No matter how much training or experience you have, chances are you're going to take a few spills. Crashes always make fun stories for your fellow riders though! Plus now you have some cool bruises to show everyone that you're hard core.

 

Being in shape will make mountain biking easier

Having some leg muscles and stamina isn't a bad idea. A 4 mile bike trail is pretty simple, but could easily wear you out if you're not in shape.

Danny MacAskill will become your idol

Swoon.


You will become a bike snob

Bike brands are like purse brands, i.e. Coach vs. Kate Spade. Except in this case it's Trek vs. Giant. (Come on, we all know it's Trek.) When you see a Walmart mountain bike you know they're a newbie.

You really only live for the downhill

Unfortunately, super awesome downhill flow trails require a fair amount of uphill work first. No shame if you walk it.

There are so many inspiring mountain bike stories

Watch this and tell me you're not inspired.


Although carbon fiber is healthier than cocaine, it is more expensive

Carbon fiber bike vs. non-carbon fiber bike... Carbon fiber frames and bike parts are the dream, but we're not all rich and sponsored.


Don't you want a furry mountain bike buddy?

You're lying if you don't.


Shredding...

Once someone calls you a total shredder, you've achieved the highest status.


It will bring you joy and the best people you'll meet

Everyone you meet on the trails are so friendly. Each time I go, I always have unforgettable experiences.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Gilmore Girls
Hypable

In honor of Mother’s Day, I have been thinking of all the things my mom does for my family and me. Although I couldn’t write nearly all of them, here are a few things that moms do for us.

They find that shirt that’s right in front of you, but just you can’t seem to find.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons To Thank Your Best Friend

Take the time to thank that one friend in your life you will never let go of.

3706
Thank You on wooden blocks

1. Thank you for being the one I can always count on to be honest.

A true friend will tell you if the shirt is ugly, or at least ask to borrow it and "accidentally" burn it.

2. Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

A best friend will love you regardless of the stale french fries you left on the floor of your car, or when you had lice in 8th grade and no one wanted to talk to you.

Keep Reading...Show less
sick student
StableDiffusion

Everybody gets sick once in a while, but getting sick while in college is the absolute worst. You're away from home and your mom who can take care of you and all you really want to do is just be in your own bed. You feel like you will have never-ending classwork to catch up on if you miss class, so you end up going sick and then it just takes longer to get better. Being sick in college is really tough and definitely not a fun experience. Here are the 15 stages that everyone ends up going through when they are sick at college.

Keep Reading...Show less
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments