In every group of riding buddies, there’s at least one guy who can’t hang with everyone else. We all know someone who fits this description. He’s the guy you wish could leave at home, but he’s your buddy so you invite him anyway. In my circle of friends, I’m that guy.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a pretty decent rider. It’s just that after getting left so far behind on a recent night ride that I couldn’t even see the other guy’s lights, I came to a few realizations. First, I’ll never be able to catch my buddies. Second, no amount of "secret training" is ever going to change that. Third, I should just enjoy myself – even if that means pushing my bike through the woods, by myself.

Yet, slugging along through the woods (alone) the other night, I thought, "I can’t be the only person that feels this way." With this still on my mind the following day, I created a list of some simple ways to tell if you suck at mountain biking.

1. Your friends are always asking you if you’re ok.
2. You’re (really) only good at the downhills.
3. Your idea of a good carbo load is the three pieces of bread in the Big Mac you ate on way to the trail.
4. Somewhere in the back of your mind, you’re hoping for a crash (you or a friend) so that can have a chance to catch your breath.
5. You’re always suggesting a night ride, since you know that everyone will have to ride slower.
6. You get left behind on the night rides.
7. You’ve ever faked a flat tire near the end of a ride, just so you can "save time" and walk back to the car.
8. You’ve ever invited someone who REALLY sucks just so you can "hang back" with them to make sure they don’t get lost.
9. You always offer to drive – that way you know you’ll have a ride home.
10. You can't think of anyone that you ride with who fits the requirements of this list.