10/02/2025
You only progress when you are uncomfortable.
Think back to the first time you went out mountain biking on a proper trail, if you can remember it. How gnarly did it look?! How slow did you go? How many times did you fall off?
You probably remember another mountain biker flying past you down the trail at warp speed and having your mind blown. "HOW is that possible at THAT speed?!"
When you first start riding, EVERYTHING you do is uncomfortable. You struggle on the climbs. You struggle to corner. You struggle to balance in slippy conditions. You sometimes even struggle to get on and off the bike.
As you ride more though, you get better.
As your skills improve, you start to get more comfortable.
You can now ride that 'difficult' trail at the same speed as the rider who flew past you on your first day.
What was once uncomfortable. Is now comfortable.
If you cling to that feeling of comfort now you are a better rider, if you ride climbs at the same pace. Ride the same descents that you know like the back of your hand. Ride the same distances. Then you will stop progressing. You will plateau.
To progress further on the bike with your fitness and skills, you have to get used to feeling uncomfortable again.
You can start training hard in the gym or doing resistance workouts at home.
You can start hammering interval sessions a couple of times a week.
You can practice that skill you really struggle with on the bike.
Get out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself and you will find you break that plateau and start progressing again.
Thousands of riders train with my MTB Fit app to progress their fitness and 'get uncomfortable again'. Join them here : https://mtb.fitness/products/mtb-fit-the-app
📷: Noelle Funk