Elbow Explains
  • Leigh Bowe
  • Explanations
  • Media
  • Gallery
  • Partners

A Quintessential Meltdown: how to grow and learn from an ugly trailside temper tantrum

4/28/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
Going for it post-meltdown
I remember very clearly my first public, trail-temper tantrum. I was riding with Juan Grande and Brian on a semi-secret trail in the lush loam of the PNW outside of Tacoma, Washington. It was an overcast day, and the air was crisp and smelled of wet dirt and moss. Juan Grande will always be the guy who mentored me into mountain biking. He has decades of experience on the the trail and is a mechanical wizard.  Brian is somewhat of a prodigy; amazing riding skills and fitness, humble, nonchalant attitude, and all with just one arm.  This first meltdown in the history of many meltdowns, was over a flat tire. It was way back in the pre-tubeless era of mountain biking. Although I was a beginner, I had changed many a flat at that point, having recently moved there from El Paso, Texas, (land of many prickly pears). My new bike was a Cannondale Prophet and I loved everything about it. Especially the lefty fork. Most of my flats happened on the front wheel, so rarely would I have to take off or put on a wheel to fix a flat. Well this day was a rear-wheel flat. So I had to change the tube, in front of these two dudes that I really wanted to impress. And I was probably hangry at this point in the ride, which never helps my mood. I'm sure that John and Brian would have happily pit-crewed and fixed it in no time flat (not punny, I know). But that would have ruined the whole independent-strong-mountain-biker-chic vibe I was trying to exemplify. So I fussed and fumed and struggled. With cold, slippery, wet finger tips and my stomach growling. After 15 minutes of this, poor Brian tried to offer some helpful advice and I snapped. I gave him a piece of my grouchy, feminist mind. A cold chilly shadow befell our ride. 
Luckily, my mentor and champion, Juan Grande, piped in with an opportune quip of some sort, equally teasing myself and Brian, just as I got my rear wheel to re-enter its home in the drive train, and I was able to see what an ass I was making of myself rather than flinging the wheel up into a tree branch. 
Disaster was averted. Fist fight did not ensue. And we all had a blast riding the secret dirt berms down a wicked section of DH that the fellas fondly referred to as "No Brakes trail." Juan Grande's sense of humor and the delightful terrain were just what I needed to completely forget about my embarrassing trail meltdown. Back at the parking lot it was high fives, smiles and deciding where to go for post-ride pizza and beer. 

After years of reflection, I realize I learned a lot more than how to change a rear wheel flat that day. I learned to pay attention to my fueling and what it does to my mood. I learned that mechanicals happen and there is nothing wrong with accepting help and friendly advice from my more experienced riding buddies, regardless of their gender. I learned that after a meltdown, its best to apologize and move on. Like mechanicals, meltdowns happen. I shouldn't dwell on them or let them ruin an otherwise awesome ride. I should learn from them and do my best to be a Juan Grande instead of a Nitwit Leigh. 
Picture
Back in the day with my beloved Prophet
Fast forward to April, 2015, last weekend in Moab, Utah. I am enjoying a pleasant ride with the husband when I get a random thought that it just might be the day I finally have the nerve to go for the Super8 drop, which has been on my wish list for over a year now. I mention it to the spouse, who happily gives me the encouraging green light. Needless to say, I make an ape of myself spending a good chunk of sunlight staring at the drop. And a meltdown ensues. Because I have years of experience now, I know exactly how to handle myself in these situations and I proceed to cry and pout like a toddler. No, really, that's what I did. But then I ate a snack, collected my thoughts, rolled back to the drop and I sent it. Next step, apologize to husband, and finish an amazing ride.
Picture
Cheerful moment after the tears dried up
So maybe I haven't completely learned the lesson. At least I can recover from a meltdown without Juan Grande being there to save the day. And more importantly, I'm able to reflect on the darker moments and escape from them to enjoy the ride.
1 Comment

The Anatomically Correct Group Ride

4/13/2015

2 Comments

 
Picture
Group rides can be super intimidating, especially if you are new to mountain biking. Will I be strong enough? Is my bike too crappy? I don't want to hold everybody up. What if I commit some faux pas? These are some common concerns that I've experienced and heard from others.  
Knowing the anatomical parts of a group ride, might help you find your groove. If nothing else, it will be a fun game to play in your head, assigning all the parts during your next group ride.
So without further ado, lets get this anatomy lesson underway.
The Skin- The Skin holds everything together and connects us all. She is unashamedly extroverted. Everyone knows the Skin and the Skin knows everyone. The Skin knows the importance of applying protection (SPF and knee pads) pre-ride.
Picture
The Skin is a welcome presence to any group ride.
PictureThe Backbone, launching off a spine.
The Backbone- The Backbone is fearless. Sometimes to a fault. She  tends to ride at speeds that are ill-advised and launch off of features that he has never looked at. Sometimes this does not end well for the Backbone, but somehow, it always works out (so far).

The Muscle- The Muscle makes us all feel weak. This part of the group powers through the climbs, with his steel single speed, carrying a 30 lb hydration pack and barely breaking a sweat. Then, she flies down the descents, ahead of the rest of the group to a) snap pictures or b) make the rest of us feel weak.
Picture
My best attempt at being the Muscle, rigid SS and all.
 The Heart- The Heart is essential to the emotional well-being of the group ride. She often rolls with a Jammy pack and insists on multiple photo-ops, preferably a jump shot at a scenic vista. The Heart also is keen on passing around a whiskey flask, cookies or other assorted trail side goodies. He is typically fashion-savvy in the saddle and tends to spread high-fives along with high-spirits. 

Picture
Some Heart must have negotiated a jump shot
PictureThe Brain sometimes bullies her friends into less-than-ideal ride conditions.
The Brain- The Brain is not necessarily a natural born leader, but she may be assigned this role based on local-status or by default of having the most riding experience or maybe he is just the keeper of the map/smart phone with the best trail-beta app (GuidePro). 

The Dick- Watch out for the Dick. He is the "Debbie-Downer" of the group and has the potential to turn a casual group ride into an epic suffer-fest. Her bike is never working well enough, the trail is always too crowded for him and the Dick is never just happy to be out riding with friends. The Dick's pessimism is without rival and his love for mountain biking is debatable.
Picture
Don't be a Dick!
At some point, I have personally been each and every part of a group ride. On every group ride, someone is always going to be the slowest. There is almost always at least 1 mechanical, regardless of how many top-of-the-line, carbon trail bikes show up.  And when cycling social mores are broken, well that's the stuff of great memories.
- The truth is that when you ride with a group of stronger riders, you'll get stronger.
- If you're not sure of the rules of the trail, riding with more experienced riders is a great way to learn them. 

- Try to remember that everyone was a new guy at some point. 

And then delight in the fact that mountain biking is a fun experience that is almost always more delightful when shared with friends.
Picture
2 Comments

    Leigh Bowe

    Rides bikes, a lot. Heals people. Fond of thinking and knitting. 

    Past prose

    March 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    August 2018
    July 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.