What kind of rider do you "perceive" yourself as ?

[Kilham5]

Apologies now, if this has been done before.

Leading on from another thread, Gary made an interesting (and IMO valid) observation, rider or cyclist?
Come on guys, a challenge and be honest, how do you "perceive" yourself as a rider?

Some guys are true legends, we have all seen them in videos, and occasionally at bike parks.
But lets face it, and we all know a few, delusional, legends in their own lifetimes in all walks of life.

Most of us (I count myself here) merely enjoy being out on our bikes, be it on the road or on a trail.
(I don't give a stuff that I can't jump or manual as far as you, or anyone else )

And some will fall into the "all the gear, and no idea" camp. (will anyone admit to it)

Main thing is, IT DOSN'T MATTER, all that matters is that you enjoy what you do, at whatever level.

 

[Tim1023]

Seem to have lost my mojo after a couple of face plants. Even before that, the only air I could get was out of my tyres!

 

[The Hodge]

Legend of course ..then I wake up !

 

[andyb2]

Very much steady away fun, well aware of my inabilities, however I'm now at the stage of getting more confidence, without the skills to back it up, so I expect to start falling off more. I've started to look at the cost of padding

 

[Mteam]

wheres the "I'm gary" category above legend?

 

[steve_sordy]

I found that difficult to choose, none fit the bill.
I "exploit my handling skills" on most rides, but definitely not that of my bike!
I have more than a "modicum of skill", but I cannot wheelie.
And currently I am in the "steady away" category, but not through choice.

 

[steve_sordy]

Legend for sure. I mean I’m super humble and have been tested to perform in the top .001% of all males.
..............

Tested for being in the top 0.001% of males for being humble? That is quite a brag for someone so humble.

 

[smtkelly]

I ride for fun and my own enjoyment. I found trying to be the 'best' sucks the enjoyment out of things for me.

"Race car driving is like sex. All guys think they're good at it. Not necessarily true." -Jay Leno

 

[Hobo Mikey]

I think I would be in the rider section. Ever since I was a kid ( long time ago now ) and had a bike I was never happy just to ride along casually always had to be going up grass banks, off ledges etc. As I grew up into a bigger kid I still rode the same. My first what was classed as a mountain bike was a specialised hard rock and used to go up on Exmoor every weekend with friends who all had bikes with suspension, I used to whip their ass on the downhill sections. yes I took some tumbles but also had so much respect from them guys. I then got a full bouncer Cannondale super V500 spent hundreds on up grading it as thinks broke etc. That bike was glued to me, like putting in a favourite T shirt.
Then came my first EBike a cube race reaction 500, chosen because of budget and in an attempt to slow me down a bit, lasted two years and I was missing the bike park style riding. Sold it last year and bought the Whyte. A big birthday so I was going to treat myself. Love it, I am no pro rider but put myself in the rider section. Because I do push the limits on this bike and enjoy every minute of it. So from boy with toys to big boy with big toy. My old injury’s hurt, I am a lot older now but still smiling like a loon every time I get in my bike.

 

[Doomanic]

You need another option;

Crasher. Ambition often outweighs talent.

 

[Marley]

I ride predominately by myself and won't take chances of injury myself well off the beaten path.
Also enjoy nature and it's beauty so never in a hurry so rarely do I crash, rarely.

Excercise - nature - downright fun ?

 

[richysgc]

You need another option;

Crasher. Ambition often outweighs talent.

? this would be me aswel, but do it because its the best thing ive done for years and its not very often i come back from a day out and haven't enjoyed it. Only got my first e bike a couple weeks ago, cant wait to get it to hamsterley and get on some proper trails and tracks to really get the fee for it.

 

[stiv674]

None of the above really.

Just ride for fun and the social side of it, well I did until all this crazy shit happened.

Rarely do bike parks, find them a bit boring after a while to be honest, rather be out in the countryside exploring new routes, sometimes ride above my abilities resulting in @Zimmerframe's favourite activity, falling off ?

Guess I'm a cyclist rather than a rider...

 

[The Hodge]

Richy
You will love it Hamsters on the ebike ..I managed to get there between lockdowns and had a blast..?

 

[Zimmerframe]

I’d like to see where zimmerframe would test at

You need another option;

Crasher. Ambition often outweighs talent.

I'm probably closest to that one. I perceive myself as "Crap" . I'm literally the worst rider I know. But I aim to one day be better than I perceive myself to be

 

[richysgc]

Richy
You will love it Hamsters on the ebike ..I managed to get there between lockdowns and had a blast..?

I honestly cant wait, its been killing me not getting it out properly but ive found some decent little routes close to me that i would never have bothered with previously, also gonna try kielder at some point and up northumberland way if you fancy a ride out bud.

 

[Jackware]

What Bam didn't show us in his redacted copy;

 

[The Hodge]

Richy
More than happy to show you around some little known natural trails ..or even put together a mix up of the man made stuff if you are wanting more of a trail centre day ..once this shit is relaxed ..

 

[Jackware]

Richy
More than happy to show you around some little known natural trails ..or even put together a mix up of the man made stuff if you are wanting more of a trail centre day ..once this shit is relaxed ..

I think you'll be able to set up Hodge MTB tours as a new career, with a sideline if you've got room for a few tents.

 

[The Hodge]

We might be in a bit of trouble if everyone turns up at once..?
I just view it as good day out with like minded folks ..there's plenty to go at up here..

 

[Jackware]

Maybe @The EMF can run tours of the inland waterways?

 

[steve_sordy]

We might be in a bit of trouble if everyone turns up at once..?
I just view it as good day out with like minded folks ..there's plenty to go at up here..

If ever you do decide to do a guided ride, I have some learning points for you. They are taken from my own mistakes when guiding groups up to 19 (yes 19, don't do it!). All done for free of course.

 

[steve_sordy]

I think my humor went way over your head. Unfortunately you are showing to not test very well.
................

Oh I knew exactly what I was doing. The fact that you thought I was serious shows that my humour went way over your head.

 

[The Hodge]

If ever you do decide to do a guided ride, I have some learning points for you. They are taken from my own mistakes when guiding groups up to 19 (yes 19, don't do it!). All done for free of course.

Already too late for that Steve ..I've been the go -to man for our merry bunch of riders for years ..including stayovers in the Highlands & Islands
It's nothing new ..and yeah all done for free ?..
Edit ..before Zimm jumps on this looking for another freebie holiday ..I hasten to add that the organising was done for free..not the actual trip ..?

 

[The Hodge]

Maybe @The EMF can run tours of the inland waterways?

Shouldn't be a problem ( I'll ask ) ..but you will have to bring your own scuba gear & rudder for your bike ..

 

[richysgc]

Richy
More than happy to show you around some little known natural trails ..or even put together a mix up of the man made stuff if you are wanting more of a trail centre day ..once this shit is relaxed ..

? sounds good to me mate, ive got a habbit of falling off into any water that is nearby so get ya go-pro ready for youve been framed!

 

[steve_sordy]

The fact that you thought you were serious shows that my seriousness humor went even farther over your head.

that’s a second red mark on your test Steve. I’m sorry but perhaps it’s time to seek another forum member to toy with. I suggest zimmerframe!!!

We could keep going with this!
I have too much respect for the honoured Mr @Zimmerframe to toy with his affections in that way. harumph!

 

[R120]

I am legendary







For having all the gear and no idea

 

[flash]

I'm riding better now than I ever have. But I don't jump, wheelie or manual. I can lift a bike over a small obstacle easily but I have no interest in jumping outside my own safety needs or manualing down a carpark to impress my mates.. So I'm between categories, so I voted down. But I do push myself to get better. I think my category is *pretty shit but improving*....

Gordon

 

[Supratad]

I’m appalled at how much skill I’ve lost in 20 years off the bike, and how much nerve too. I was never a big jumper but very good at trialsy type stuff. Now I’m a fat old bloke getting off the bike for stuff I once would have hopped over.