Ilkley Moor MTB - Mindful challenge series - Ride somewhere completely new!

Today's edit is the first in a series of "Mindful Challenges" which we hope will become more ambitious as the channel grows.
So why Mindful challenges?
Well, because the oldest part of our human brain is always looking for the most efficient route to survival, but doesn't understand the issues this can cause for longevity and mental well being. Our modern, western lifestyle is crammed full of conveniences that are easy to over consume and are wrapping us in cotton wool whilst navigating us towards poor physical and metal health and very likely an early grave.
Challenges force us to confront and overcome the pain of physical and mental discomfort and in doing so actually re-writes the neural pathways in our brain so when faced with obstacles in future, our ability to endure and overcome are practiced meaning challenging situations become more tolerable, ultimately making us stronger. win, win!
Today's challenge is riding somewhere completely new.
For me, riding new tracks for the first time is a highly addictive experience and provides a very unique thrill when compared with riding trails you know implicitly. On new trails you are relying completely on your heightened senses and instinctive muscle memory tuned by years of riding. Every corner, feature and surface requires your complete focus as you attempt blind mastery over the track - Heaven.
There is also lots to be gained from navigating around a new destination despite this being very easy with the wonders of modern tech. I always notice that "perceived effort” is much higher when riding a new route or destination. We didn't clock big miles or high climbing stats on this ride but felt more tired during and after the ride that if we had done double the miles and climbing somewhere we know well.
This is possibly the brain demanding more calorific energy than when riding in familiar surroundings.
Ilkley Moor is beautiful, even on a dull day like today.
We followed a random route that I found on Trailforks and despite finding a few tracks that have been temporarily lost to the ferns, we found some absolute Gold, Hats off to the local trail fairies!
Obviously the locals will know which tracks are best ridden at what time of year and there were plenty of tracks spotted that we didn’t get chance to have look at so another visit is definitely on the cards.
Exploring doesn’t always bear immediate fruit and this is part of the friction necessary to build resilience and also enhances the enjoyment when you do find a great track. Be patient and enjoy the experience in its entirety. After all, the journey is part of the adventure is not not?
I hope this inspires you to get out and ride somewhere new and if so, I urge you to be mindful of the experience. Take notice of your thoughts and feelings as you explore and let us know in the comments how it goes and if its something you will try to do regularly.
The next in the "Mindful challenges” series will either be skill based focusing on technique or riding skills or endurance based with a higher than normal mileage/climbing target.
#ilkleymtb #ilkleymoormtb #ilkleymoor #mtb #adventure #mtblife #mtblifestyle #mountainbike #mountainbiking #ukmtb #mtblove #mtbiking #challenge #mountainbikechallenge #pushyourlimit #pushyourself #outdoors #outsideisfree #enduromtb #downhill #santacruznomad #santacruzbikes #vanlife #traildog #vizsla
#mentalhealthawareness #anxietyrelief #mentalwellness #itsokaytonotbeokay

[@LiamDavison118]

Looks ace I live not too far from ilkley but never been on the trails, what’s best way for me to get to the top of the descents

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Hi Liam. It’s a belter, well worth putting the time in to get to know it, we barely
Scratched the surface.
I reckon start on the gully track so park at wells road car park and climb up keighley road then onto the bridleway road from there. That’s a good start. Then I would climb back up the same way and head further across the moor to spot the other descents. Local knowledge would help, perhaps there’s a Facebook group that do rides.
Ps the choice of tracks will open up once the ferns die back a bit 👍

[@LiamDavison118]

@@MindfulTrailBiker cheers bud helped a lot, I’ll have to give it a go soon👍

[@DrFaroon]

There’s not a lot on TF there, just the Gully Run. Are the ‘dotted lines’ rideable? Worth going to Norwood, up the road?

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Not rode Norwood I’m afraid so not sure. Not sure if the dotted lines are rideable, best think to do is click on fully run and then click routes and it should identify some more DH tracks for you 👍

[@DrFaroon]

@@MindfulTrailBiker been using TF for years. Never thought to click routes in an area with ‘no trails’….. 🤦‍♂️