Location vs friends

[Pain Freak]

I've got a few friends who refuse to ride certain places, like the Loop or Turnbull (I think because they say it's to easy, but they really mean it's beneath them). I don't pay much attention to them and I ride where I like. But it's a question I was wondering about.

Would you go on a ride first because of the location or because of who was going?

I ride with a WIDE range of riders and I do admit that there are some people who are just more fun to ride with, but if there's a good location I don't care who's going. So my pick is location first.

 

[khai]

all my riding buds r the best ppl i ever met. so i chose location too. for example u know i am afraid of doing the upper and middle merrils, that i will pass. i ride any trail as long as it wont scare the crap out of me.

 

[dstepper]

After 3 years of riding, only within the last 3 months have I started going on group rides. I will drive for hours to get to a location, so to me it is all about the trail and riding someplace I have not been to before.

The people I started riding with do not have the spare time I have...they always wanted to ride the same local trails over and over again. I like my rides to be in the 4-6 hour range and explore new trials.

I like group rides as long as the riders are patient: leaves no one behind and don't push people to do things they are not comfortable with. That is why I chose the beginner rides to go on. If I am in the hammer mode, I will call my friend Simon who will take me out and hand my ass to me.

 

[Sprockethead]

As long as I'm riding, I'm happy on any trail. Although, I do prefer knarly, technical trails compared to fireroads. However, my friends don't like that to much so we end up riding the local parks. For me, it's riding with friends and sharing experiences together. I love the Loop! It's right by my house so I can just hop on my bike and ride without driving in traffic.

 

[jfromlv]

I believe that I have come full circle in my preferences. I started out riding because I loved the exercise, outdoors (not stuck in a gym), friends, and challenge. Then I started racing XC and it was all about training and climbing (about 20 lbs. ago). I then started to race DH, and it was very kickback, and I eventually fell in love with riding XC again. Now, I love to go riding with anyone and everyone, as long it's on dirt. I tried the road thing a few times, cars, or the drivers I should say, are just plain scary. Some rides and people are definitely more enjoyable than others, but I believe you can learn from anyone, or any trail, as long as you have the right attitude.

 

[i am dino]

Good question Mike.

For me, I'd say it is a bit of both. Any location can be a fun place if you are riding with friends. I live in Long Beach and I know that I wouldn't go ride Fullerton unless there was a big group thing going on, NEXT SUNDAY BY THE WAY. It doesn't make sense for me to drive all the way out there, I'd rather drive to El Moro or Del Cerro. When I worked in Garden Grove I'd go ride Fullerton by myself after work because it was near by. That isn't a trail I'd go out of my way to ride though.

I wish I had all the time that Steppie has, I'd love to check out some of those trails he rides, his pix always are amazing. The group rides are fun and I don't think we necessarily try to get people to do anything they wouldn't want to do. Most times we know the person is capable of doing some of the stuff, but just need a little encouragement.

 

[dstepper]

One man's encouragement is another man's OTB's.

 

[Von-Skipp]

One man's encouragement is another man's OTB's.

I agree.

 

[i am dino]

Not trying to open a can of worms, but I know there have been instances where I was hesitant to do something, some fellow riders told me they KNEW I could do the huck/roll/section and because they believed in me I went for it. I have progressed because of this and that is my point. Of course if someone isn't comfortable doing something then we aren't going to force them to do it.

Kinda like when riding and trying not to focus on the rut, if you look at it, and think about it, you will probably end up in it. If you think you can do the roll/huck/section and visualize yourself sticking it, then you will most likely prevail. The mental hurdle is sometimes the toughest one to get over in a lot of the hucks/rolls we do. Today, I ate sh*t twice on something that I'm capable of doing.

 

[TURNERob]

One man's encouragement is another man's OTB's.

Encouragement is a good thing as long as you know the rider well enough to know what they are/are not capable of. Take last week for instance, we were on T&A and Gonzo had never done the rock roll at the bottom. I gave a little "encouragement" speach by announcing to the group that we weren't leaving until Gonzo did the rock roll. He was already thinking of doing it, and I was confident he could do it and he pulled it off very easily. That type of stuff can really boost a riders confidence and is a good thing if you ask me. Now on the other hand if you encourage a guy to do a big drop/huck when you know they can't handle that then that's a different story.

 

[Von-Skipp]

Its true we've all been crashing quite a bit. Your bound to crash when trying to new and tougher things. But without riding with da guys you would have no motivation to try hucks and jumps. In the last couple months Ive learned soo much from riding with the guys. Ive crashed a few times but when you actually clean somethings its a pretty good feeling.

Location or Friends.... I cant pick one over another. Mountain biking is all about trails and your buddies. Its goes together just like peanut butter and jelly.

Von-Skipp

 

[dstepper]

I am old and brittle, the thought of injuring myself...again...outweighs everything. If I could not ride I would probably go back to work fulltime...now that is a scary thought.

Doctor told me after my shoulder separation that it happens easier from here on out.

 

[dukethenuke]

Its true we've all been crashing quite a bit. Your bound to crash when trying to new and tougher things. But without riding with da guys you would have no motivation to try hucks and jumps. In the last couple months Ive learned soo much from riding with the guys. Ive crashed a few times but when you actually clean somethings its a pretty good feeling.

Location or Friends.... I cant pick one over another. Mountain biking is all about trails and your buddies. Its goes together just like peanut butter and jelly.

Von-Skipp

I agree with with skippy.

As for falling, I have the luxury of still be young and I think falling is just part of the learning experience. When I fall I'll just continue trying untill I make it, and when I finally do then its an incredible feeling.

 

[Pain Freak]

Aaawwww youth. What a wonderful thing.

 

[ka0t1c07]

For me its 45/55 thing. I rather ride with a fun group and have a blast than go on a trail that I wont like and have a fu*k face all day. You see many funny and strange things on a group ride. But then, I guess I dont really care where I ride because most of the time, I lug a tank.

Tin

 

[PacMan]

I guess I'm more of a "friends" guy. I hate riding solos. Friends + any trail = good time to me.

 

[gurp13]

I'd be very inclined to ride a trail if I knew friends were going. One reason for me is that I just don't know that many trails around here. But, the idea of a new trail can be very alluring, too. F*ck it. I just wanna ride.

 

[SScheetz]

These days I try to hit group rides whenever and wherever I can. This year I decided to try being a racer boy and I spend way too much time riding (training?) alone. I’ve discovered this has taken some of the fun out of the sport. For me the heart and sole of mounting biking has been camaraderie followed by the trail. So, for me, the group trumps the trail.

 

[Skeeter]

Would you go on a ride first because of the location or because of who was going?

I think it depends on the goal of the ride for me.
If im trying to train and get faster i prefer to ride alone and the location is important to me.
But, if i want to have a good time, some good food afterward and meet some great people then its all about the people, not the location.

 

[Freaky franky]

uhm,
when i ride solo, the voices keep me company.
when i ride with friends, thoughts murmur on background.

in all, it depends whom I'm interested in listing to