Worth it.

photo by Mule Creative

It's a feeling you get on certain trails, when you're reacting like you and your machine are just one thing. It's the feel of physical exertion and speed and technique all wrapped into one.

Mountain biking helps people become environmentalists. A mountain bike is a vehicle to appreciate the backcountry.

 ~Ned Overend

MTB Commandments

1. If you shave you legs (male) you have to be faster than your hairy legged counterparts.
2. If you wear Lycra, you have to be faster than your baggy clothed counterparts and then only used in XC.
3. Road bikes are for training.
4. Camelbaks are exclusively for MTB riding.
5. Camelbaks and food are only useful for serious(1) days.
6. A water bottle in its cage, and spare tube, levers, c02 and multi-tool stored in jersey pockets. If your jersey doesn't have pockets, get a new jersey. These are all the components that's required for non-serious days.
7. Buy up when you can man up. If you ride a MTB worth more than 5k, you'd be better be fast(er).
8. Socks. No longer than base of the calf and ankle socks are too short.
9. In contrast to 7. and 2. No one gives a shit what you wear, if you're fast(er).
10. Sunglasses are necessary protection. Those who have ridden overgrown singletrack can attest. When not on the face, they should be in the helmet vents.
11. Helmet visors are redundant in lieu of 10.
12. XC - trail -all mountain - free ride - downhill. The bike you choose determines your skill set, and what others expect your skill set to be. There are always exceptions
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZmJtYaUTa0
13. Granny gear is bullshit. Push the pedals harder.
14. In contrast to 12. Everyone gives a shit what you ride if you're fast(er).
15. No tri stickers on helmets. Ever.
16. Take everything you need with you and back out. 
17. Training - "It doesn't get easier, you just go faster."~ Greg Lemond
18. Slower you go > chance of involuntary dismount
19. If you stack, let others tell of it (if it's worthy). If you stack with no witnesses, it can only be mentioned modestly if the damage done is noticed and commented on by another (self or bike).
20. Stopping to re-group should only be as long as necessary for the last rider to catch up and take 1 sip (2).
21. Mountain bike rides don't stop for bad weather.
22. If you have to drive to a trail, ensure the following formula: total riding time => total driving time.
23. Assess. Commit. BUT "Don't listen to the pussy side of you when you make a decision. People gravitate towards being a pussy. Remove the pussy, son." ~shitmydadsays
24. 'Ride your bike, ride your bike, ride your bike' ~Fausto Coppi
25. Maintenance is necessary, and should be a source of pride. Preventable mechanicals are an immense source of shame and ridicule compulsory.
26. Never blame bike, components or conditions. The engine of the machine is the weakest link. See 25.
27. Be polite on the trail and if coming across a stricken rider help out. We're not roadies.
28. Armor is for downhillers and free riders only. Helmets are the only protection requirement for the rest.
29. All 29'er discussions are now redundant and should not be spoken of. They now have their place in the family of MTB.
30. Rubber side down.
31. Every ride starts on time.
32. Single speed bikes have their place. Said place is TBC.
33. Facial hair on men is compulsory.
34. Conversation, parts of the human anatomy, and chains move better when lubricated.
35. Between your mechanical abilities and your multi-tool, you should be able to fix most on trail issues. See 25. 
    

Priorities

“To be a cyclist is to be a student of pain. Sure the sport is fun with its seamless pacelines and secret singletrack, its post-ride pig-outs and soft muscles grown wonderfully hard. But at cycling’s core lies pain, hard and bitter as the pit inside a juicy peach. It doesn’t matter if you’re sprinting for an Olympic gold medal, a town sign, a trailhead, of the rest stop with the homemade brownies. If you never confront pain, you’re missing the essence of the sport.”

-Scott Martin


(1) 80+kms and/or 2000m of elevation with no water/support sources.
(2) Darwin's theory of Evolution