Why am I such a pansy?

TRock and I hit Vietnam the other day. We came across this nice little spot with the potential for a small double hit. The easy line offered a quick hop over at least one rock with a nice long run-out.

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...rpics/93da.jpg

I lined it up, remembering the glory days of big air on my BMX twenty years ago (and a few not-so glorious scars from Killington 10 years ago), clicked in, and shot for the first rock.

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...rpics/8ed4.jpg

Any apparent air in the above photo is deceiving. I chickened out and went to the left of the rock.

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...rpics/102b.jpg

So lame. Why am I such a pansy at mountain biking?

Because you think about falling... That's what has been keeping me from going more 5-6ft. I think it's more of a comfort thing than anything else. The more you ride and jump, the less you'll think about it.

I can visualize myself jumping off big stuff and landing. But I also tend to visualize myself wrecking, which isn't good so I haven't pushed it.

I'd blame it on your bike and the size of your nuts.

i suck more. trust me.

Eat some tacos. You'll feel much better.

You must look inside yourself to determine why. But in the meantime, I recommend baked goods.sally

http://www.freedsbakery.org/images/vday.jpg

It's because your stem is 3 feet long. Get a shorter stem and you'll instantly go huge.

I offer two explinations


Due to current stock prices among shareholders of Douche Technologies, you were not able to get the sand out of your vag and sack up in that tight skirt.

or

No matter how hard you ride the same trail over and over, there is always something out there to try next time. A line not taken, a obstacle not cleaned or cleared. That is what is great about the sport, there is always room for improvement and there are always fun ways to try and hurt ourselves. Enjoy the challeng, question yourself less, things will change in a hurry.

wax on......

mmmm....cupcakes....


that's pretty much all I got out of this thread....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crinkle

I offer two explinations


Due to current stock prices among shareholders of Douche Technologies, you were not able to get the sand out of your vag and sack up in that tight skirt.

or

No matter how hard you ride the same trail over and over, there is always something out there to try next time. A line not taken, a obstacle not cleaned or cleared. That is what is great about the sport, there is always room for improvement and there are always fun ways to try and hurt ourselves. Enjoy the challeng, question yourself less, things will change in a hurry.

wax on......

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All that? I was just gonna say the bike.

Seriously, I'd be afraid to take much air on that bike and its fork, cranks, etc.

Of course the angle of the pics makes all the difference, but from what i can tell the second hit looks undoable. It just doesn't look like there's enough room to land the bike on top of it.

I think fondigley and funken hit it dead on. I've had the bike since '97 and after getting a tune up earlier this year, the shop owner told me, "There sure aren't any cobwebs on it. Just don't put any more money into this thing and when it dies, lay it down wherever you might be and walk away from it."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JMO

I think fondigley and funken hit it dead on. I've had the bike since '97 and after getting a tune up earlier this year, the shop owner told me, "There sure aren't any cobwebs on it. Just don't put any more money into this thing and when it dies, lay it down wherever you might be and walk away from it."

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It's true. Bikes have come a long way, especially for that type of riding. I wouldn't try much of anything on that bike...

I believe we have come to the conclusion it is the bikes fault. I would only use that bike to commute around town if I were you. If you want to hit that line, get a new bike with some more squish and watch your nuts grow instantly and your pansiness will disappear.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fondigley

I believe we have come to the conclusion it is the bikes fault. I would only use that bike to commute around town if I were you. If you want to hit that line, get a new bike with some more squish and watch your nuts grow instantly and your pansiness will disappear.

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The geometry is way more important than the squish. That frame/stem/bar combo puts your way way to far forward for proper FRONJing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dromond

The geometry is way more important than the squish.

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Oh yeah, forgot to mention that, but most bikes now adays adjust all that when increasing the squish. Not that you need a full suspension, but more fork travel is defly needed.

One does not need suspension to jump... Seriously, it's all in your head, don't blame the bike.

http://www.hcor.net/gallery/album163/DSC6388.sized.jpg

Sanjay is the exception to all biking rules (so I'm told).

Dromond: Don't mix forums. It's bad form and nobody knows what you're talking about. :D

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Originally Posted by bagtagley

Sanjay is the exception to all biking rules (so I'm told).

Dromond: Don't mix forums. It's bad form and nobody knows what you're talking about. :D

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Whoops, you're right.

I'll go check my TGR etiquette handbook :eek:


For Everyone's Information: FRONJ = Free Riders Of New Jersey. FRONJ is a multipurpose noun, verb, adjective (FRONJy) to describe all things silly and hucker-like on a mountainbike. At least where I'm from.

jumping is definitely not like droping. I mean he could drop that line with the bike he has there, but it could be very bad. Lots of pain could be had. I mean it is doable, but you got to be dialed on a bike like that. Some new school bikes would leave you the extra room needed for error.

I know... I just think it's a little funny that some people think you need a 7"/7" bike to ride little stuff. I'm not saying any of you are that way, but imho, stuff like that is totally doable on his bike.

And to think us stupid people used to huck little stuff like that with solid forks....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by likwid

And to think us stupid people used to huck little stuff like that with solid forks....

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And (more shockingly) 130mm stems!

I can't believe that, for a time, I had a stem that long on a slalom frame. :cussing: That was so dumb.

So really, it has nothing to do with the bike. My suspicions all along. It's ok. There's always surfing.

Bump because I checked out a new bike today that I really like and it's a hardtail. And because that wipe out pic of me surfing is ridonculous.

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/...Disc_Blk_l.jpg