Slow It Down
By Mike Sullivan

I’ve been doing the MTB thing for about three years now and the majority of that time has been a constant push to go bigger, faster and farther than ever before. My biggest difficulty however has been in the endurance department. I could bang out a steady 13 on tight tecky singletrack but only for about a quarter of a mile and then I was shot. I’ve spent countless dollars on energy gels, drinks, sports bars and power shots with nothing more than an upset stomach to show for it. I’ve also upgraded my bikes, dumping endless cash on lighter, faster, and flashier components trying to give myself that much needed edge during the epic rides. Sure these all gave me a flashier looking bike which, I guess helped keep me visible so I wouldn’t get run over by the cardio crew on the long runs, but I think that’s about the only advantage I gained for my trouble.

Starting about 3 months ago I started bringing my cousin out for rides with the singular intent of having someone to hold the video camera while I goofed off. The last such session was the video link of me suffering a textbook yard sale a few issues back. After that, cousin J didn’t much want to film me anymore with the correct assumption that the camera makes people do stupid things and he also didn’t want to have to show my wife how I died…. His lack of interest in continuing the filming did however transferred into a newfound addiction to the wonderful world of mountain biking itself.

This brings me full circle to my topic. Unless you’re a total ass, having a newb along (sorry J but you are) makes you slow down. Even if the only reason is so you can stay close enough to watch the new guy eat it on the tech sections. I never would have expected that slowing down from an average of 9.5 to 6.5-7 would have such a profound difference on my ride.

For starters it seems like I can ride forever! Usually I can hit our local trail for one lap, chill for an hour and accomplish a second lap with perhaps one or two breaks. At the newb pace I have hit 3 laps nearly consecutively and had the energy in reserve to go for more.

The second benefit is that when I reach the sketchy sections at the backside of the trail I have the energy to go big and hit it hard. Instead of struggling over the tough spots or just plain avoiding them, I am able to bomb through at full throttle…then turn around and watch the other guys struggle for a change.

Third, I have found a new shifting technique. At my former ride fast/fade fast speed I was flipping through the rear cogs like an old man with a TV remote. At the slightly slower speed I have found that I can pretty much stay in one gear in the rear for the majority of the trail and drop it down from the middle to bottom chain ring in the front for the steep climbs. I don’t know what the experts would say about this shifting technique but it has given me the ability to climb hills that I (and usually everyone else) had to walk up before while still giving me plenty of get up and go on the trails.

Lastly, by slowing down I have found that I really get a chance to enjoy the trails that I am riding. At break neck speed you might as well be riding some manmade stuff in a parking lot. Everything is moving by so fast that you really can’t enjoy your surroundings.

So in conclusion who could have known that slowing it down, enjoying the scenery could have been the missing link in my ability to go longer, hit harder, and climb better than ever before. Best of all this mod didn’t cost me a thing!

By the way, I welcome questions, comments or should you happen to be looking for more information about Florida mountain biking, drop me a line and I’ll see what I can do. I’m also available for product reviews. E-Mail