I used to think pedalling in the small chainring was for weaklings. I used to think that off-days from cycling or training were restricted to lazy people. That was back in my earliest days of road cycling. I also used to think that motorsports were sacrilegoius. Then, I learned better.
The off-season is in full swing ladies and gentlemen. I set my Orbea Orca bicycle aside for a day and kitted up to rev up my engine (which for the first time ever was not my own cardio-vascular system) and kick up some dirt.
Riding motocross is useful for bike handling skills, pushing the limits of stability and technique, and gaining confidence in ...wiping out.
I did wipe out a few times. It was actually fun. Part of the challenge was heaving the heavy bike up off of the ground. Getting back on my feet and the machine back on its wheels was rather satisfying. As was going faster and faster on the trails, and higher and higher on the bumps that intimidated me the first times around.
Nothing can replace the thrill of pumping my own pistons to crank the pedals around the bottom bracket pivot of a bicycle to reach crazy speeds on the asphalt, or manouvering through tight single tracks and up and down rocky, rooty pitches. But, motocross my friends, is a mighty fine compliment to my favorite sport. Phewf, good thing that I'm not naïve anymore.
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