Seven Mountain Biking/Musician Principles

I love to mountain bike. This habit began some years ago while living in Northern California, arguably the birthplace of mountain biking.

There are certain principles you learn early on in this sport:

1. Crashes sometimes happen. Oddly, the more epic, the less they tend to hurt. The more mundane the spill, the more likely for serious loss of skin, broken bones, and even worse, broken bike components.

2. When riding in mountain lion country, you don't have to be faster than the lions, just faster than your slowest riding partner.

3. Lighter components are generally expensive. A fit/light rider plus a light bike equals speed. The average rider can save cash by having one less Sierra Nevada at the end of the ride and avoid that extra gram or two of bodily fat.

4. When the vultures start swarming overhead, you may want to hydrate, eat, and look for your missing riding partners.

5. The solution to navigating difficult terrain may be a matter of a little more speed.

6. Don't look at what you want to avoid- i.e. trees, cliffs, giant bone-crushing rocks.

7. When you get to the top of an epic climb, enjoy the view.

These principles apply to what we do as musicians. Let's consider the parallels:

1. Mistakes happen in performance. However, if you prepare to the best of your abilities, mundane mistakes are less likely to factor into your performance or psyche.

2. To succeed as a musician, you don't necessarily have to be the best. It is, however, beneficial to be better than some of your competition.

3. Having strong financial support, high quality instruments, and a great pedigree can help you achieve your career goals. However, self-discipline, perseverance, and dedication to your art is something everyone has access to, and more importantly, is free.

4. When things aren't going your way, evaluate what you are/aren't doing and correct the course. Seek advice if needed.

5. Over-analyzation, or "paralysis by analysis" can keep you from reaching your goals. If you've chosen the right path, keep going and enjoy the ride.

6. If you're hung up on what can go wrong, guess what... things probably will. Stay focused on the goal.

7. Take time to appreciate the simple fact you're lucky enough to be a musician and the accomplishments are plentiful.