Teenagers flew by me as I cried. Why was I mountain biking again?

But with persistence, practice – and a few lessons – I started to progress. I got to some of the most challenging sections: rock drops, tight switchbacks, and super steep terrain.

Then, just before Christmas, I went over the bars down a steep, rocky drop. Somehow, I broke my big toe but, even worse, I shattered my confidence. Not to mention the enforced six-week recovery period with no riding.

So it was back to square one in February 2022. Real back-to-basics stuff. Not only could I not face the technical terrain, but I also found myself unable to ride even the easy sections. I knew I had the skills, but my head was getting in the way. I was closer than I’d ever been to giving up. Had Elevation finally beaten me? Maybe I wasn’t good enough, after all. Maybe I should leave it to the “real” mountain bike riders. So when the snow started falling in May this year, I thought I’d missed my chance again.

But between the storms, I rode when I could and, in mid-July, I headed out to ride Elevation in its entirety.

Bingo – after 18 months of working at it, I finally conquered the trail I consider my nemesis. From the steep, rooty section at the top that makes my heart race just thinking about it, to the rocky drop where I broke my toe, through the teeth-rattling roots, and onto the super tight and technical switchbacks near the bottom – I did it all.

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I was elated (but mentally exhausted) after my first run. I’d finally shaken off the beast.

Parts of that trail still scare the hell out of me, but I’m becoming better at ignoring my brain screaming at me to bail. My husband calls that confidence. I just call it survival mode.

This project might sound like an overblown hobby to some. But the journey to reach this point has meant a lot more to me. It’s really challenging to throw yourself into something difficult again and again (especially when that thing is a literal mountain). I’ve proved to myself that I can set a goal, work towards it and achieve it. I’ve proved to myself that I am actually a decent mountain-biker (that darn imposter syndrome won’t let me go so far as to say ‘good’).

I’ve proved to myself that it’s possible to take up something new, and excel at it, in your mid-30s. And, most importantly, I’ve shown my daughter that hard work does pay off, that it’s okay to take time for yourself, and that women can – and should – do absolutely anything they want.

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