Bridges
I am going to be honest, riding bridges freaks me out. Years
ago, I was on climbing and biking trip in Squamish and Whistler. My friend was
new to riding, we found ourselves on trail with lots of bridges that were close
to the ground. Most bridges I walked. I think as the day went on I walked more
and more. I regressed in my bridge fear. I get in my head about certain
features, such as bridges or creek crossings. When I see a bridge my gut reaction
is negative. When I do ride a bridge today, I ALWAYS think don’t fall off or it
is going to really bad. There are too many bridges in the Tetons, which is
mostly good. The downside, it is skill that I can ignore. Over the years I have
gotten a bit better, I ride many bridges but I am still freaked out. Shark’s
Belly trail has a few bridges. There are two bridges that are easy and the third
is long split log bridge (which is sketchy to walk). Last summer I told myself
I would work on riding the bridges. I made up silly excuses not work on my goal such as I am working a backpacking
trip in 4 weeks, I can’t get hurt. I never really tried to ride these. Last
week, I rode Shark’s Belly for the first time this season. I approached the
split log bridge, felt great, and rode with confidence! I hooted and hollered
at the end. I rode the other two bridges
fine! The small yet steep and muddy creek crossing I walked, progress.
What I have
learned, I am working on the negative voices in my head. Keep working on
visualizing me riding. Be compassionate with myself, it is ok to be a work in
progress as long I am working. We all have strength and growth points it is
good to acknowledge both. I am good and enjoy long rides. I am working on
riding bridges without freaking out. Riding the bridges on Shark’s Belly is
step in my progress and with that I celebrate the progress that I made.
