MTB ALAN'S AIR HORN

Success is a good feeling. Trying to be A SUCCESS can drain your soul. Today I talk about my approach to the concept of success and where it can lead. I have a particular view of success that might not be terribly popular...let me know your thoughts on this.

CHANNEL NEWS

Group ride coming up February 29th with The Path Bike Shop at Laguna!

Starting at the bottom of Willow (Willow Staging Area)

Details coming soon.

STOKE OF THE WEEK

Meeting  Van Girl Yuka  and  BCPOV  and riding with them and  The Outsider MTB  was really rad!

The Path Bike Shop Ambassador

https://www.thepathbikeshop.com/

Yeah, I'm gonna talk about Santa Cruz's first eMTB, The Heckler. But we're also getting philosophical about the benefits of the "noob brain" (a.k.a. the beginner's mind) and how I go about trying to get into the noob brain.

My general thoughts about The Heckler is really less about the bike and more about our response to the fact that Santa Cruz made an eMTB and how so many had the impression that they'd never do it. I also talk about the price being relatively normal for this kind of bike.

I find it interesting how we have these internet-fed opinions when the internet can also be the source of revisiting our opinions and maybe adding some information to, I dunno, maybe inform our opinions.

CHANNEL NEWS

I am now recording RAW VLOGS on Thursday mornings to reduce the level of stress involved in trying to record, render, and publish these things all before getting to work in the morning. The RAW VLOGs will continue to be raw and unedited, and you still get them Friday mornings. The change means two things: 1. that my Friday mornings will be less stressful and 2. we may be able to make these things a little longer. And actually maybe three things...the third thing being that maybe I won't feel the need to talk so fast to fit a bunch of stuff into less than 15 minutes.

STOKE OF THE WEEK

My hand has shown zero increase in strength for some time and just recently, I started gaining strength. I dunno what the difference has been, but it feels good to be making progress in the strength department.

MAIN SUBJECT : Being an Uncool Noob

The main thing in the way of knew knowledge is often the knowledge we already have. And the main things in the way of forming new habits are the habits we already have. Being a noob is a good thing to be because it's the place from which we can learn things. The problem is that as we learn things, we become less of a noob. And this is good, but it can also lead to stale and static thought. And emotionally, this can lead to resistance and frustration when facing information, situations, events that don't square with our existing experience, habits, and knowledge...things that just don't make sense or seem ridiculous.

My stance is that by retaining some of the "noob brain", we retain the ability to see things in different ways. And we also retain a sense of curiosity about what we experience...especially when those things seem weird, ridiculous, or just don't make sense.

I'm sort of drawn to these things...to new and novel things. But that's just me. I'm not suggesting being like me. I only suggest reducing the stress of WTF moments (or spans of your life) by retaining curiosity, slowing down , and keeping it goofy.

With any luck, this might helpful or just entertaining for you. I hope you dig it!

The Path Bike Shop Ambassador

https://www.thepathbikeshop.com/

Storytime about how back in 2007, I got into mountain biking and why I quit shortly thereafter. We start by remembering the first ride I can recall which was a 32 mile night ride with about 3200 feet of climbing and the next morning another 12 miles and 2500 feet of climbing. And this was actually NOT why I quit.

I gave up mountain biking because of a bad crash that resulted from being impatient on the wrong bike with a total lack of skill. And with a torn up face and dislocated finger, I limped my way down.

I didn't even like looking at the bike after that. And I quit.

Fortunately, I was coaxed back into mountain biking by the prospect of getting out into the forest. I'm stoked to be back in mountain biking and more closely connected to our rad community!

The Path Bike Shop Ambassador

https://www.thepathbikeshop.com/

I have been guilty of being judgmental and overly picky about who I would ride with. And today, I unpack this and investigate how it's a dumb to be this way. I also talk about how Katy is progressing and how coaching her has helped me get a little better at riding.

Main message is to chill out, check yourself, and enjoy sharing the stoke with your fellow riders.

We finally get to the caption "contest". Congrats to Drews Enthused for winning the caption contest.

Drew's channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5_RAQl6S6Bav3ExjjlXpDA

The Path Bike Shop Ambassador

https://www.thepathbikeshop.com/

HOLY CRAP! I totally space featuring your comments from the caption "contest" from last week's post in the community tab. 🤦🏾‍♂️But we still discuss how I was a jerk and acted selfishly. I also open up about getting "fat", what led to it, and what I am doing about it.

Some updates include getting the new Media Mod from YouTube. Once again I forget to let you know that your views are paying for that through ad revenue. Stoke on that!

Really today, we discuss making good choices and how to get back to good choices when you fall off.

The Path Bike Shop Ambassador

https://www.thepathbikeshop.com/

Am I a snob? I did a recent group ride and learned the answer to this question. Also, I am refocusing myself and the channel back on what is important and healthy. I'm stoked on your feedback on the "Oh Sh*t" graphic. I'm planning to make stickers and apparel with this concept. I review stuff I forgot, namely the poll on your favorite trail at Greer Ranch.

QUESTIONS

wade cox

If you could build your dream bike with dream components what would it be and what would it have on it? Brakes, tires, wheels, frame, bars etc

r tw0

Who has the right of way going up or going down?

Bryan Anthony

What made you choose the Bronson over the nomad.

The Path Bike Shop Ambassador

https://www.thepathbikeshop.com/

UPDATE: Check Nathan's pinned comment below for Sedona Mountain Bike Festival tips. 👍🏽

This week I'm stoked or Katy who did some rad progression last weekend. I answer viewer questions. And I tell you five of my favorite things about mountain biking.

QUESTIONS FROM INSTAGRAM (https://www.instagram.com/mtb_alan)

robby_everhart_00

What are your favorite places to ride

owenhobson72

Should I buy from my local bike shop or buy direct from a company 

drewsenthused

Wet shave or dry? If wet, Disposable razors or double edge? Single edge?

sandbox2099

What was your biggest obstacle during your recent injury?

rich_on_two_wheels

Do prefer a back pack hydration pack or a wait pack and why?

We all get annoyed by stuff that happens on the trail while mountain biking. I share three things that annoy me. I also share how I deal with it and work to overcome it. I know stuff annoys you too, so please let me know about it in the comments!

Please know if you feel like you've done any of the things I am talking about, I'm fully guilty of all these things, and I know it. And as such, I'm not asking for you to change. 😆

Today we discuss how age affects one's approach to mountain biking. Our point of curiosity concerns the question of how much bike is too much bike. I express gratitude for the level of fitness I have. And I generally ramble like usual.

Andy's question:

"I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on aging in mtb. I’m 48 and I’m struggling to reassess how I ride. A big crash, injury can have a profound impact. How do older riders evaluate themselves and adjust as we get older?"

https://www.instagram.com/ginther.andy/

Thanks for watching this RAW VLOG! Today we discuss 

CHANNEL NEWS

My 2019 CRASHmas Special vid comes out Monday.

There's a new rad way to support the channel: APPLAUSE.

POINT OF CURIOSITY

We follow up on possibly why Santa Cruz Bicycles doesn't produce an eMTB.

POINT OF GRATITUDE

it's rad to have a wife that not only supports me in my adventures but also mountain bikes with me!

MAIN TOPIC

I answer all of your quick-fire questions and talk about cougars, mullets, dream bikes, etc.

The Joey Mountain Bike Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA5RmnGxnPfJcsv11rHA9zg