Mountain Biking... not a solitary sport!!
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For quite some time I have been thinking about the amount of solo and pair mountain bikers in the Grantham area. To me mountain biking should not be about just going as fast as one can over rough terrain but to have fun, what better way to have fun than to share it with other like minded people. Road cyclists have a club called "The Witham Wheelers" where as mountain bikers do not.

I love to get out riding, sometimes thrashing the trails, sometimes just to get some air into my lungs... Problem is, if you're not thrashing the trails it can get a little monotonous on your own..... I think that's one of the hardest things I find in mountain bikes, finding someone to ride and have a laugh with around here! If Grantham had a club like the Wheelers for mountain bikers,(or even just a group of like minded people that exchanged mobile numbers!) finding people to ride with wouldn't be a problem, and best of all you would know first hand your fitness and abilities.

On Sunday I have arranged to meet 'ithinkyoulfindimperry' to do the viking challenge route. I'm kinda looking forward to it, but I am very apprehensive about it too, we haven't ridden together before or even spoken, he has the total advantage over me as he knows kind of what to expect from my fitness levels from reading my blog and also knows what I look like...I have no clue as to whether or not he is just going to wipe the floor with me and leave me for dead...'Please be kind Perry.. :-{'

I have ridden with quite a few people in the past from one end of the spectrum to the other. Such as, riding with someone with less fitness and ability than myself to riding with someone that I cannot in a month Sundays keep up with! Obviously this can be quite embarrassing depending on what end of the spectrum we are talking about!

One way to over come this scenario is to build a group of like minded people for a Sunday morning ride. Or for someone with a bit of clout to build a club like the wheelers. I'm more for keeping it casual as everyone has commitments of one form or another and also different riding techniques and pleasures but if there is anyone out there who fancies getting together then let me know and we could see about arranging something whether it be on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis depending on what each individual is after...I'm even up for the kids coming along at times too if you think they will enjoy it!!!

I need a picture of a group of mountain bikers for this post, and yet I have not got one!!
09:32 | Posted in Category:

Comments

8 responses to "Mountain Biking... not a solitary sport!!"

  1. Funride On 13 August 2009 20:04

    I know what you mean... I also prefer to ride amongst friends and have fun while riding but to make this happen I have to drive (sometimes too much) to meet them. So if I want to stay in shape and save some money at the same time I must ride alone most of the times :/
    I tried those Sunday morning groups already but then in the end I feel like I didn´t rode enough or hard enough... perhaps it´s my fault but it´s not easy to find the right group. I have found mine but we all live far from each other :(

    Good luck finding your group ;)

     
  2. paul c walton On 14 August 2009 17:37

    Thanks Funride, it all comes good in the end!!

     
  3. Kate Burton On 27 August 2009 23:38

    Thanks for letting me know about the dropping issue. I'm not a mountain biker but the site is beautiful.

     
  4. Constantin On 27 August 2009 23:39

    My and my fellows ride together to climbing spots where we also climb together and have a lot of fun. I also believe that sharing the experience of sport is more important than the sport itself. Of course sport has its value but gaining friends while doing sport is more valuable.
    Cheers!

     
  5. Daphenne On 30 August 2009 05:08

    I mostly go out riding with my husband. But today at the bike store we were talking with the owner, about different techniques. I think riding in a group would be a great way to learn.
    I often see groups of riders out, when we are out for our rides but I have no idea how to approach them.

     
  6. Louise | UPrinting.com On 1 September 2009 08:08

    Sometimes, the best companions you could ever have for any hobby are the ones you've been with all these time. If you're friends are not into biking, then maybe you can persuade them. It's a healthy hobby anyway, so why would they refuse? Plus it's more fun to ride with people you actually like.

     
  7. Mountain Biking Guide On 17 September 2009 11:36

    Im the same, although most my friends are very lazy so they rarely go on bike rides, I do find myself biking alone most the time.

     
  8. mike737373 On 18 September 2009 13:00

    I'm lucky in having a group of us that regulary ride on a sunday and there is lots to learn from those riding at the front and back of the group, can train solo but the enjoyment comes from riding with friends. The group is open to newbies if anyone in RG18 are interested

     

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