Thinking on my... pedals

This morning, as I was mountain biking I passed a group of hikers who kindly stepped to the side of the trail as we exchanged greetings. One of them said “Can we get a ride with you?” I answered: “Yes, but only two passengers and it's gonna cost you...” It's really hard to let your mind wander, let alone think deliberately when you're riding a mountain bike. All is concentration, concentration, period. So it's hard to think on your feet and joke around when you are always fighting to keep up while dodging rocks, stumps and overhanging bushes.

Sometimes it happens as it did today, but that must be pure luck... As I've said before, that kind of riding isn't unlike skiing; you must pay serious attention or else! The good thing about riding your mountain bike is that your feet and your head aren't alone doing the work; your arms are the one doing the steering and after a long ski season it takes some time to trust them to get that important job done.