|   Autopilot | JFR
Jul 15, 2002 4:18 PM | | Reminiscing about the downhill from Tahoe Rim to Toads and then down Toads, I can't stop thinking about how amazing it feels when you're really on your game. When you just flow like water down everything, hit every jump just right, and rail the heck out of every berm and turn.
Sometimes, when I'm really in the groove, it's almost like being on autopilot. The bike and my reflexes do all the work, all I need to do is just look where I want to go and it all just happens.
I tried explaining it to Lisa... and to a co-worker, but I kept coming off like I was bragging. Oooo look at me, I'm so great I don't even have to try. But it's weird. When you're really on your game, you DON'T have to try... and it's those amazing moments that I can't seem to explain.
Maybe I should also tell these people about the times when I'm not on my game. When I'm wrestling with my bike, dabing everywhere, casing jumps, and hitting sweet berms pathetically slow.
I think "autopilot" might be similar to how some musicians describe music as just pooring out of them, hands and guitar being one and the music just happening. Our bikes are instruments too, right?
Tell me YOU understand... that you too are sometimes on your game and go on autopilot and clean crazy trails without really "trying".
How would you describe it? |
| Too funny. I just described riding the upper part of Toads... | Biking Viking
Jul 15, 2002 4:36 PM | | ...to one of my co-workers. I explained the thrill of approaching rocky, steep sections that scares the shit out of you then get your butt over the rear wheel and let the bike do its thing before you spend too much time thinking about all the things that could possibly go wrong.
"You LIKE that? I would like that as much as picking trash on the shoulder of a freeway with cars buzzing by me at 80mph."
I told him, it's different because you are in control - or at least you think you are. It's a kind of gambling, but with much better odds.
BV |
| It is bragging. | Zonic Man
Jul 15, 2002 4:44 PM | | LOL.
Some call it "in the zone". |
| Yeah, "In the zone" | JFR
Jul 16, 2002 10:02 AM | | I guess that's what I'm talking about. It's so hard to adequately describe. |
| Not really trying? | Fast Eddy
Jul 15, 2002 4:57 PM | | I was working my ass off to not quite keep up with you, and you weren't even trying? I was definitly feeling in the zone. I find it's too much fun to really remember. I just have to keep doing it over and over.
We need to get a helmet cam and a helicopter and have you shoot a Toad's video at race pace, when you're not beat from climbing it. It would be scarey. |
| Makes sense to me. | wg
Jul 15, 2002 9:01 PM | | Autopilot is a great word for the feeling.
Now, as FastEddy mentioned, if you hit Toads without the abuse we went through, how fast would that have been ridden? For some of the ride I a least got to see dust settle from your passage. |
| me, me, me! | celly
Jul 16, 2002 4:37 AM | | j/k
It is nice to get in that zone now and again. It ain't bragging unless you're BV (j/k again).
Savour it.
celly |
| It's like this | Roger
Jul 16, 2002 6:24 AM | | it's 100 degree's out, the garage is open, bikes are leaning against each other, while an extension cord drapes across their shiny top tubes leading to a skill saw and jig saw layered with fresh sawdust. Past the garage at the house, a 30 something man wedges his hip against a piece of slat siding, ensuring that it stays set and level, while with a hammer and a mouth full of nails, he beats his frustration into the head of each nail, murmering to himself about a bunch of lucky SOB's riding in the Sierra's on "Autopilot!" |
| Sorry Roger | JFR
Jul 16, 2002 11:12 AM | | I was wondering where you were. |
| I'm just begining to get that feeling on an MTB..... | Battman42
Jul 16, 2002 6:39 AM | | Part of it is now having the equipment that can handle what I know I can do.... from past years on M/C, and getting fit enough to endure more than a few minutes of "Zone".
The place and time I felt this the most was Skyline Blvd or Hwy 1 in Marin on a rather modified Yamaha cafe' bike.....
And it is just as you describe.... one with the machine....
I have felt this one time also Bringing down my powerplant... It was awesome to manipulate $80 million worth of machine and 3 miles of steamline with a mouse and keyboard.... not quite the Enterprise but a rush none the less...
Tim(chasing the zone) |
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