The Gnome Knows Best: Getting my biking mojo back post-Bitterbrush

There's something about falling multiple times on one ride that can destroy your confidence on the trail. I ride with the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance Gurlz Ride on Thursdays when I can, and a little over a week ago we did the Bitterbrush side of Hall Ranch. I had thought I was ready for it. I had thought I had the technical skills to do at least part of it. I was able to do much less of it than I expected.

Now, to be fair, it was one of those off days we all have every once in awhile. When your balance feels off and every rock feels like it's twice as big as it really is. And every time you fail going over one rock - it rocks your confidence for the next one. This happens. One positive from the ride: I learned I need to buy full-fingered gloves. I tore a (very) small part of my fingernail off on one of my falls. It got caught on a rock. Go figure.

I did complete the rock garden, even if most of it entailed walking my bike. As with golf, I have to start somewhere!

So the other day I went and rode Picture Rock Trail, which is near Hall Ranch in Boulder County. It's a newer trail. I have only ridden part of it a couple of times. Last year it felt much much rockier. I had heard that they smoothed it out this year, and it certainly felt that way. For sure there were some spots where I bounced around a lot, but all in all, it felt like it flowed much better. And even more importantly, my confidence on the rocks was much better. I pushed myself through some of the tough spots, and walked over maybe two short spots.

What's most important: I enjoyed it. It was a fun ride. And the sun setting toward the end of the ride was icing on the cake.