Riding surface and state of mind

As the expression goes, It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken.

I am quick to admit that I have been scared a lot of times kite bugging on Ivanpah, particularly when I start getting going 40+ mph. That is nothing compared to how I feel closer to 50 mph. I will follow up on this thread to let folks how I feel going 50+ when I get there again (PB 48.8 mph)!

Point is, I do not feel any of this nervousness on grass or sand. Yes, I have not gone quite that fast on those surfaces, but the fact remains that my feelings of anxiety are totally different depending on where I ride. I am curious if I would feel better on the more talcan surface of Alvord. I felt totally comfortable on snow too.

Mind you, my love of kite bugging on Ivanpah far outweighs my anxieties, but it remains that I am often taking breaks on Ivanpah to get a break from my nerves more than any sort of fatigue, etc.

Has anybody else had this sort of thing going on? I would be interested in hearing about how people react emotionally in different conditions, surfaces, etc.

Thanks!

Reaction to riding on different surfaces

Quote: Originally posted by B-Roc

I think that is probably normal?.?. I've gone 52 mph on skis and that felt very comfortable given the conditions but I'm way more conservative jumping on skis on frozen ice than I am landboarding on the sand of a beach and I'm way more comfortable doing a bomb run with a kite on a beach than longboarding 25+ mph on a hill (and I'm a pretty competent longboarder). Surface matters. We don't bounce like we did when we were kids. Pain is pain and cushion is cushion. Streets and dry lake beds don't offer much cushion and full leathers probably aren't comfortable in a desert.

Full leather on the playa would be a slippery mess of sweat most days of the year. At least during the dry season. Plastic Courage is more the rule as I model here (note the pinky of my right hand; I'm a classy guy):


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I've only ridden Ivanpah once but it scared me ( also reached 48mph ) Became complacent and forgetting where I was, I kicked out the rear. :o. Luckily I didn't go over, but my heart was in my mouth. Only wearing a T-shirt ( + trousers and shoes of course :D ) and no armour.

Dry grass is scary for the same reasons. Riding with Old_Guy on the grass during the summer months, he broke his wrist while sitting stationary. The kite had pulled him sideways tipping the bug up and over.

Its the lack of slide that gets me. Too much grip is dangerous. I envy your riding location but also appreciate that it takes a lot of courage to ride those lakes at speed. Now imagine being Brian Holgate. :o