I spent the weekend in beautiful, wonderful Ithaca, NY visiting my family. Highlights of the weekend definitely included a trip to the Ithaca Farmer's Market and Maxie's Supper Club, two of my favorite Ithaca places. I made the mistake of visiting the Cayuga Ski and Cyclery to test ride a few road bikes. Of course, the $1,199 middle-of-the-road Felt racing bike was my favorite. I've never ridden a true road bike before, and it definitely took time to get used to the handlebars, shifters and brakes. I learned all sorts about levels of componentry and fitting a road bike. I didn't walk out with one, mostly due to budgetary constraints, but at least now I know what I'm looking at!
I decided to meet Nina (@daisie981) at the Philadelphia Rock Gym in Oaks, PA on the way home. PRG Oaks is a boulderer's paradise. Half the gym is devoted to a large bouldering wall, and the route setters are both creative and artistic. By the end of the night, I'd ticked off a handful of V3's, which was extremely exciting. I remember starting bouldering this winter and finding V1's difficult! Last night, I could walk up to a V3, look at it, and get it after a few tries. I definitely need to work more overhanging problems; the footwork is harder and I keep shying away from them.
I concluded the night with a bit of an epiphany - I will take more risks bouldering than I ever would on a rope. I'm much more likely to try a move I might fall on when I'm using my own power rather than relying on a rope to catch me. It makes no intellectual sense, really. Why would I be more willing take a risk when I could actually hit the ground, as opposed to being roped in? I'm protected, I'm safe, the system works, so, why?
I decided to meet Nina (@daisie981) at the Philadelphia Rock Gym in Oaks, PA on the way home. PRG Oaks is a boulderer's paradise. Half the gym is devoted to a large bouldering wall, and the route setters are both creative and artistic. By the end of the night, I'd ticked off a handful of V3's, which was extremely exciting. I remember starting bouldering this winter and finding V1's difficult! Last night, I could walk up to a V3, look at it, and get it after a few tries. I definitely need to work more overhanging problems; the footwork is harder and I keep shying away from them.
I concluded the night with a bit of an epiphany - I will take more risks bouldering than I ever would on a rope. I'm much more likely to try a move I might fall on when I'm using my own power rather than relying on a rope to catch me. It makes no intellectual sense, really. Why would I be more willing take a risk when I could actually hit the ground, as opposed to being roped in? I'm protected, I'm safe, the system works, so, why?
- My first theory involves heights - being ten feet off the ground unroped and taking a fall seems much less scary to me than taking a fall the same distance 40 feet off the ground roped.
- My second theory involves self-reliance - I trust myself and my abilities, but when you add in a belayer, placing complete trust in them is something I'm still getting used to.
- My third theory involves preference - I really like bouldering. Of course, I love all forms of climbing, but for some reason, I've taken to bouldering quite well recently. You don't need a ton of equipment to do it outside, and you can do it alone.
- My fourth theory involves the length of the climb - it's a lot easier for me to take risks when I know I only have six or seven moves to complete, as opposed to an entire route, which essentially makes me feel like it's an excuse of laziness.
My theories aside, does anyone else experience something similar?