Growing up I hated anything to do with a bike. PIcture Charlie Brown with his kite.. my bike would attack me, throw me around, and leave me bleeding on the ground, and that was just in the parking lot getting to the bike trail
Did not enjoy any part of biking.
Fast forward to now being married and moving to Calgary, "the gateway to the Rocky Mountains". I learned how to snowboard pretty quickly in the first season and loved it. In the summer I longed to still be out in the mountains and fresh air, but sometimes hiking takes too long. My hubby has been BMXing, MTBing, dirt biking since he could walk and of course the whole try mountain biking thing came up. I bought my first real bike summer of 2006 a Specialized women's Hardrock Disc, and what a difference that bike made... I fell in love! It fit properly, comfortable, no more low end bikes for me.
Now we could ride all over the place, Banff, Jasper, Kananaskis, and it was comfortable and I actually liked to be on my bike. In summer of 2007 we upgraded to FS, and now I ride a Stumpjumper. Funny how hubby had no problems with spending $$ on a bike that would be comfortable for me!
My hubby has been super supportive the whole time, he knows when to push me (especially on the last few km of a ride) and when to just wait quietly at the top of a hill! He thinks bike scars are sexy (I've gotten a few) and the concerned look on his face when I bail are endearing (though I rather not bail at all!)
We also tried a little downhill at Kicking Horse Resort and decided that we also needed downhill bikes and voila I now own two bikes!! Amazing, and I'm going to bike camp this year! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would look forward to doing 30 km bike rides! Our two vacation trips this year are going to be bike holidays and I need to step up the skills. I am just a beginner but in the last two seasons, I am proud to say I do love biking...
Having someone that is supportive has made MTBing enjoyable for me, I would have never tried if it wasn't for his support, but the confidence you get from biking comes from within yourself!
Mountain biking has given me the opportunity to see beautiful scenery, spend time with my loving hubby, and stay healthy. This is my 30th year of being alive, and this is definately the year to rock out!! :rockon: