I just got back from a ride at Sals and I'm feeling as high as a kite right now. I just need to write this out. Today was one of those days where I had a long day at school and felt kind of sluggish when I got back to my apartment. It was one of those days that I had to force myself to get out and ride. Well, turns out that forcing myself to ride was the best thing I could have done.
I'm not sure if it is my new bike, being sick of being scared to ride technical stuff, or new motivation because I have new people to ride with (I want to be up to par with them) -- but I was able to totally take on about 90% of upper spanky (or whatever the red trail is called that starts up at the top of Constitution and goes all the way down to the bottom parking lot). Something just clicked and I was able to ride over some of the more technical stuff at the top of that trail (where it is covered in big rocks). Once I got over that, I was able to ride all the way down without having to unclip at all (save for going around sharp switch-backs, a big log roll, and several bikers going up the trail). I was able to trust my bike and, most importantly, myself. It felt GREAT! I just kept my eyes ahead and went. I now have a whole new confidence level for riding Sals (not surprisingly, those trails are so much more fun now).
Needless to say, my riding is far from perfect but that is mainly because I need to really build up my fitness (I've got about 30 pounds I'm willing to donate to anyone who wants it..hahahaha). Going uphill on technical stuff is much much harder than going downhill so I tend to lose my momentum on the uphills and need to hike my bike. But going downhill on rocky stuff is a breeze now (and a crap load of fun!!).
I can't wait to get out to Sals again and keep getting better. Anyway, if you've read this far you have the patience of a rock (which I can now ride over..hahaha). I just felt like expressing my great joy at my new accomplishment today.