Climbing...

Old&InTheWay said:
Climbing for the Win !! :)

Climbing will facilitate adult neurogenesis, the creation of new brain cells, in the Hippocampus and Striatum areas of the brain.
The Hippocampus is a brain area that is particularly important for cognitive functions such as learning and memory, and for emotions, mood, anxiety and stress response. The Striatum is known for its role in motor coordination and also has important roles in the regulation of reward, aversion, motivation and pleasure. It is recognized as a key structure in higher cognitive functions, particularly in " cognitive flexibility, " the ability to adapt behavioral goals in response to changing contextual demands. :thumbsup:
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You're blowing my mind! :)
 
rossage said:
I love mountain biking. The sport has saved my life many more times than it has tried to end it.
The aspect of the sport that allows me the most reflection is the climb. On the climb, I take my time, and meditate. I find that gear, that cadence, where my HR and breathing are stressed but not overly. I imagine circles as I seek a perfect rotation of the cranks. Never find it, but that's why I keep seeking.
I take my personal troubles and grind them into dust, packed down by my tire tracks and bear prints. I emerge from a sea of depression and anger and enter into a calm lagoon of thoughtfulness and caring.
"You're nuts!" You say. Climbing sucks! I shuttle. I only ride parks. E-bikers have call me "stupid" for climbing. Saddled with poor fitness and improper gear, these people refuse to accept the Tao of the climb.
So be it.
Like a surfer in a wave pool, you're doing something, but you're missing the point.
The point is not just having fun. The point is getting fit enough to enjoy the whole sport. The point is using your sport to better yourself and your relationships with the people around you. Can't do that bouncing off the jagged, exposed, rocks of Sunset trail.

Sure as shìt you can do it on the climb up there, though.
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^^^^^ testify!! This is it, very well said.
 
I like climbing, mostly after it is over, but I still like the sense of accomplishment. It’s a different type of accomplishment though, not the pat yourself on the back kind.. more like a feeling alive accomplishment and glad I did it rather than be lazy.

On the other hand, when I don’t ride (climb) I will get feelings of guilt and regret. Unless it is due to family time, of course.
 
Faust29 said:
I’m two tacos in!
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rossage said:
I love mountain biking. The sport has saved my life many more times than it has tried to end it.
The aspect of the sport that allows me the most reflection is the climb. On the climb, I take my time, and meditate. I find that gear, that cadence, where my HR and breathing are stressed but not overly. I imagine circles as I seek a perfect rotation of the cranks. Never find it, but that's why I keep seeking.
I take my personal troubles and grind them into dust, packed down by my tire tracks and bear prints. I emerge from a sea of depression and anger and enter into a calm lagoon of thoughtfulness and caring.
"You're nuts!" You say. Climbing sucks! I shuttle. I only ride parks. E-bikers have call me "stupid" for climbing. Saddled with poor fitness and improper gear, these people refuse to accept the Tao of the climb.
So be it.
Like a surfer in a wave pool, you're doing something, but you're missing the point.
The point is not just having fun. The point is getting fit enough to enjoy the whole sport. The point is using your sport to better yourself and your relationships with the people around you. Can't do that bouncing off the jagged, exposed, rocks of Sunset trail.

Sure as shìt you can do it on the climb up there, though.
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Well said. Love the Tao and the Idealism.
 
Faust29 said:
There is hope for humanity! It seems that even on Pinkbike most people think there should be balance in the mountain biking universe. :thumbsup:

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When I chimed in, the top three were roughly tied. I am surprised and almost elated to see that even Pinkbike readers (most of whom have a DH proclivity) endorse climbing as a part of the whole sport, by a 25% margin over the next highest answer "I don't mind climbing - but I only climb to get to the downs," which was my answer :oops:.
 
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This thread totally delivered. Nice expression, @rossage.

So going uphill most riders like. What about pushing the bike? How much HAB ya think you’ve done? Do you dread and avoid it at all cost? I think of them similarly – means to many ends, but also both laborious and rewarding ways to move in the BC. Could not begin to tally my HAB mileage. Century+?
 
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mike said:
Cranking up grades is kind of like running. It’s not that hard to do it for a long time once you break through the initial barriers. If you can run for 90 minutes, I say you can run a marathon. A standard equation: maximum running time is ~3x your training time (or distance).

Understandably, not everyone can or wants to put in the time to explore the far reaches of their ability. But, in some ways, it gets easier. Duration training will teach your body how to recover during, not just after, the activity. Once you kind of get in that zone, and dial in your prep and intake, you can go darn near indefinitely. That’s how these nuts do all the sick push and multi-day stuff that gets done.

No lie, some riders (or whatever activity) are better athletes than others. But the minds of individuals have been a far bigger impediment to achievement than genes. You can’t even believe what you can accomplish. Your survival instincts don’t want you to believe it.
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This, this, this. I came into mountain biking in what I thought was pretty good shape. In many ways I suppose I was, but those first few climbs were humbling to say the least. I happened to be listening to David Goggins' book Can't Hurt Me at about this same time, and the overriding theme for those that haven't checked it out is that the vast majority of us use only a small amount of our physical and mental potential, including those who think they are pushing themselves. It helped me push through some very uncomfortable moments on the bike, and I was surprised how easy it was to adapt. My brain was kind of like "WTF is this", then "this sh!t again?", to "fine, I guess this is what we do now".

I like the duality of MTB. The feeling of consistently pushing myself beyond what my brain tries to say I can do carries both a zen and discipline component that I have come to love. Then comes the adrenaline of the descent, and the mental hurdles of pushing myself in a different way. One without the other would be an incomplete experience for me.
 
buggravy said:
This, this, this. I came into mountain biking in what I thought was pretty good shape. In many ways I suppose I was, but those first few climbs were humbling to say the least. I happened to be listening to David Goggins' book Can't Hurt Me at about this same time, and the overriding theme for those that haven't checked it out is that the vast majority of us use only a small amount of our physical and mental potential, including those who think they are pushing themselves. It helped me push through some very uncomfortable moments on the bike, and I was surprised how easy it was to adapt. My brain was kind of like "WTF is this", then "this sh!t again?", to "fine, I guess this is what we do now".

I like the duality of MTB. The feeling of consistently pushing myself beyond what my brain tries to say I can do carries both a zen and discipline component that I have come to love. Then comes the adrenaline of the descent, and the mental hurdles of pushing myself in a different way. One without the other would be an incomplete experience for me.
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My God, the poetry flowing from you guys is amazing, profound and really, really enjoyable to read!
 
I’m definitely in the “climbing is part of the sport” crowd as long as the trails are built properly. We found plenty of that in Oregon this past week, especially at Post Canyon. Nearly 4K of climbing and you never felt crushed. I don’t need to feel like my heart is coming out of my chest and while I’m willing to do it (Mt Elwell comes to mind), I absolutely prefer not to HAB.

All the above being said, MTB’ing is about FUN for me and fitness is just a by-product of that. If it wasn’t fun, I wouldn’t be doing it for Tao or Zen or getting to a view. I don’t know anybody that parks at the top of a climb and shuttles down to ride back up to their car.
 
For me, there is nothing better than getting an edge and being able to lop off big chunks of bc travel by whatever means. MTB, rock climbing, etc. It’s badass when the sun comes up (or goes down) and you are still taking care of business. Size matters. No way to attain that mindset or conditioning without the cost of entry. Any aversion to “climbing” doesn’t work for that program.
 
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CarlS said:
Maybe "fun" is not the correct word. How about a sense of accomplishment. Climbing 4000 feet to the top of the mountain just so you can look out at the view, not just as a means so you can do the downhill. Much like a rock climber who has reached the summit. Mountain biking for me has always been about the adventure in the outdoors. Getting me to places I wouldn't have explored otherwise. Views from the summits I would not have visited otherwise. Downhill adrenaline is great and all, but not at all what attracted me to mountain biking.

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I read a quote once that said “fun doesn’t always have to be fun”. I got it right away! It’s about the accomplishment, the unknown, the adventure, the conquering and even the fear for me.
 
I’m one of those sick-o’s that thinks broken bones and scars are medals of honor. I think the same way about climbing. I STRAVA EVERYTHING... because I want my stats. I’m more interested in the elevation gain for the day than any other statistic! Climbing for me is earning the right to descend. I don’t mean to sound rigid, as this is only what I expect of myself. In the 30 years I have been a mountain biker, I have shuttled once in Santa Barbara to DH ride and it was ... okay. Even when we shuttle McGill we at least climb before the first drop.

If there is little to no climbing on any ride I feel I was cheated.
Climbing is strength, climbing is youth, climbing is health, but climbing for me is a friendly status, a recognition. I want to be known as a “Climber”.

But climbing for me can also be near spiritual and therapeutic. I have a bad day? No problem, I go to the Doctah! Dr. Ascent! I fire off a good climb and my descent is better. When I’m done with a ride and my legs are humming and I’m exhausted, I call that a GOOD kind of tired.

For me a solid climb is essential for a well rounded mountain bike adventure.

Best imtbtrails screen name? : @Earn Your View !
 
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Mikie said:
I’m one of those sick-o’s that thinks broken bones and scars are medals of honor. I think the same way about climbing. I STRAVA EVERYTHING... because I want my stats. I’m more interested in the elevation gain for the day than any other statistics! Climbing for me is earning the right to descend. I don’t mean to sound rigid, as this is only what I expect of myself. In the 30 years I have been a mountain biker, I have shuttled once in Santa Barbara to DH ride and it was ... okay. Even when we shuttle McGill we at least climb before the first drop.

If there is little to no climbing on any ride I feel I was cheated.
Climbing is strength, climbing is youth, climbing is health, but climbing for me is a friendly status, a recognition. I want to be known as climber.

But climbing for me can also be near spiritual and therapeutic. I have a bad day? No problem, I go to the Doctah! Dr. Ascent! I fire off a good climb and my descent is better.

For me a solid climb is essential for a well rounded mountain bike adventure.

Best imtbtrails screen name? : @Earn Your View !
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I feel similarly but I use Garmin Express instead to keep track of my stats. We have a some serious climbing in So Cal. My out of state buds are trippin' on our elevation gains.
 
Mikie said:
I’m one of those sick-o’s that thinks broken bones and scars are medals of honor. I think the same way about climbing. I STRAVA EVERYTHING... because I want my stats. I’m more interested in the elevation gain for the day than any other statistics! Climbing for me is earning the right to descend. I don’t mean to sound rigid, as this is only what I expect of myself. In the 30 years I have been a mountain biker, I have shuttled once in Santa Barbara to DH ride and it was ... okay. Even when we shuttle McGill we at least climb before the first drop.

If there is little to no climbing on any ride I feel I was cheated.
Climbing is strength, climbing is youth, climbing is health, but climbing for me is a friendly status, a recognition. I want to be known as climber.

But climbing for me can also be near spiritual and therapeutic. I have a bad day? No problem, I go to the Doctah! Dr. Ascent! I fire off a good climb and my descent is better.

For me a solid climb is essential for a well rounded mountain bike adventure.

Best imtbtrails screen name? : @Earn Your View !
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Preach it brother!! This is #truth :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
Mikie said:
....I STRAVA EVERYTHING... because I want my stats. I’m more interested in the elevation gain for the day than any other statistic!
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Oddly enough, altitude gained is also the only stat that really matters to me as well, though my view on climbing is more in line with @mtbMike. I have no qualms about spending a day riding the chairlift - it's a different sport. Very demanding physically.
 
Mikie said:
I’m one of those sick-o’s that thinks broken bones and scars are medals of honor. I think the same way about climbing. I STRAVA EVERYTHING... because I want my stats. I’m more interested in the elevation gain for the day than any other statistic! Climbing for me is earning the right to descend. I don’t mean to sound rigid, as this is only what I expect of myself. In the 30 years I have been a mountain biker, I have shuttled once in Santa Barbara to DH ride and it was ... okay. Even when we shuttle McGill we at least climb before the first drop.

If there is little to no climbing on any ride I feel I was cheated.
Climbing is strength, climbing is youth, climbing is health, but climbing for me is a friendly status, a recognition. I want to be known as a “Climber”.

But climbing for me can also be near spiritual and therapeutic. I have a bad day? No problem, I go to the Doctah! Dr. Ascent! I fire off a good climb and my descent is better. When I’m done with a ride and my legs are humming and I’m exhausted, I call that a GOOD kind of tired.

For me a solid climb is essential for a well rounded mountain bike adventure.

Best imtbtrails screen name? : @Earn Your View !
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I agree with all of this.....

To me climbing is as much about mountain biking as the bike is. It is not mountain biking without climbing. I take pride in the fact that I can climb...that I am a climber. No, it has not always come easy, but with some effort....I truely do enjoy it.

I like big ascents. I like technical ascents. Fighting the laws of gravity the whole time.

Climb on....and don't stop.
 
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[QUOTE="Mikie, post: 186365, member: 1”]In the 30 years I have been a mountain biker, I have shuttled once in Santa Barbara to DH ride and it was ... okay.

Best imtbtrails screen name? : @Earn Your View ![/QUOTE]

Thirty years and ONE shuttle?

Haven't you ridden Palm Canyon or the Cannell Plunge? How about the entire SART ride? I know there are some beasts/psychos that climb UP the roads to do those rides but they are the .001% of all people on those trails. The Whole Enchilada, The Whole Uncolada, ATCA in Oakridge are (3) I can think of that you probably won't be riding UP just for the Strava stats.

I agree though that there's a certain "feel good" aspect about some climbs especially when it's one that's destroyed you in the past but yet on this particular day, you feel like you could keep going.
 
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