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October 8, 2024My Mountain Biking Journey: From Accidental Ride to a New Passion
Disclaimer: I'm not a health professional, nor an expert mountain biker. I'm just a rookie living in the Midwest who stumbled into mountain biking—and now, I can't get enough of it!
It’s funny how my mountain biking journey started by accident. I was casually riding my bike down a road near my house, venturing into a small park. Well, it's more like a nature conservatory by the river. As I followed a path that veered off the main bike route, I noticed MTB (mountain biking) signs and directional arrows attached to trees. Curious, I kept riding for about 30 minutes, enjoying the challenge. By the time I got back to the main path, I thought, Wow, that was fun!
That weekend, I told my wife, Amber, about it. She suggested I try the path again. I looked it up online, found the trailhead, and completed the full 5-mile loop. I was wobbly, cautious, and felt the burn in my legs, neck, and shoulders, but I knew immediately that I loved it. The next day, I went back with Amber, and we completed the loop twice!
Fast forward a few months, and I've progressed from the local trail to more challenging ones across town. I even took a day off work to visit Detroit Mountain in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota—a ski resort that also has MTB trails. I biked 12 miles in a couple of hours, and while I wanted to keep going, dad duties called. The next day, I cruised through my local trail like a pro, and that’s when I realized just how much mountain biking has benefited me—both physically and mentally.
Mental Benefits of Mountain Biking
Mountain biking has also been great for my mental health. Being outdoors, exercising, and learning a new skill have been refreshing for my mind.
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Reaction Times: Navigating trails has improved my reaction times, sharpening the connection between my central and peripheral nervous systems.
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Endorphins & Serotonin: Like many forms of exercise, mountain biking releases endorphins and serotonin, boosting my mood and reducing stress.
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Better Sleep: The physical exertion helps me fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly, although I do wish I could bike more often!
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Brain Workout: MTB requires quick decision-making. As you speed up, you instinctively find the best lines, avoid obstacles, and stay in control without even realizing it.
Physical Benefits of Mountain Biking
Let me be upfront: I’m not a fan of traditional workouts. Gyms, home workouts, or even working out with my wife just don’t do it for me. I find them boring, like doing chores. But with mountain biking, it’s a different story. I push through the burning legs and empty tank because I know the reward is that thrilling ride downhill!
Here are a few physical advantages I’ve noticed:
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Full-body workout: Mountain biking engages your arms, upper body, and legs, providing both aerobic and anaerobic exercise.
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Cardio & Interval Training: The natural layout of trails requires bursts of energy on climbs followed by rest periods on downhills—just like interval training.
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Muscle Strength: Mountain biking helps build muscle strength in your legs, core, and upper body. You’re constantly maneuvering the bike, balancing, and powering through obstacles.
Next Steps in My MTB Journey
Now that I’m hooked, I want to level up my gear and skills. I’m already dreaming about a lighter, faster bike with hydraulic brakes and a dropper post. I’ve also started researching strength training workouts to improve my riding. Documenting and photographing my adventures is next on the list, and I plan to share them here.
This is my first season of mountain biking, and as I write this, it’s almost October—which means winter is coming to North Dakota. But I’ve got goals for next season:
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Tackle More Aggressive Trails: I plan to visit Duluth for a weekend to experience more challenging terrain.
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Upgrade My Bike: Right now, I’m riding a 2012 Trek Wahoo Gary Fisher 29er, but I’m ready to invest in a full-suspension, more modern ride. My tinkering brain is always looking for ways to upgrade!
That’s the story of how mountain biking became my unexpected passion. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next—both on the trails and beyond!
