How Mountain Biking is Like Going to the Eye Doctor

Colorado, Leadville 100, mountain biking | UltraRob | Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 at 7:03 am

I’ve worn glasses or contacts since I was in 4th grade. Without them I can’t even make out objects half-way across the room. I’ve had my eyes test many times by the eye doctor. Sometimes mountain biking is like going to the eye doctor.

When you go to the eye doctor, they ask you if you can see better with #1 or #2 as they flip lenses back and forth. There are times when mountain biking also offers choices. Below are 2 choices I had on one of my rides in the San Juan mountains which was on the Lost Trail Creek Trail. Which of the 2 ways looks like a better way to cross the creek, #1 or #2?

#1 has plenty of logs bobbing in the snow run-off. #2 has logs well above the water with a rope to hang on to but one of the logs has already cracked.

Below are 2 choices that I’ll have in another month at the Leadville 100 mountain bike race. Go through the bushes and over a slippery plank or blast through the water.

Other times you have the choice of going for it or turning back. Some of my friends say I have poor judgment and don’t know when to turn back. Below is another picture from the Lost Trail Creek Trail. I tried finding a better place to cross but couldn’t find one. The water was mid-thigh and swift but I made it Ok.