Challenge is good. It’s how you improve. But unnecessary challenge is just naked risk. Should I challenge myself by trying something risky, or should I stay in an easy, comfortable environment and try to do more there?

I’ve been riding small parks lately, getting used to the jumps, doing boxes, and trying out the pipe. I’m comfortable with the jumps and boxes now, and I’m thinking: where next? How do I progress? My two choices are to continue in the easy bits for a few more days, or to try something steeper, longer, and scarier.

Fear is obviously a great motivator. I don’t like falling hard. Most of my falls are soft enough that I don’t even feel sore, but a hard injury (like a bruised tailbone) is annoying enough that it makes me not want to try anything risky for a few weeks. That’s what’s kept me out of the more difficult parks. Plus I could be doing more even in the beginner parks, like spins — I haven’t even done a 180 yet.

I did challenge myself a bit more today. Not much; just some boxes I had avoided before, mostly because I had to come at them with speed after already having hit a few jumps. There’s a semi-pipe in the park I rode in this morning and I tried that a bit.

Bleh. Really, the question is: should I push myself to do more in the comfy place, or go try someplace new and see what happens? I guess it really doesn’t matter where I go as long as I’m pushing myself, and learning something.

I’m off to go hit the park, then. Maybe 11 (Disco Park) then 12 (for some blue runs), or 7 (for a more difficult park). I’ll decide between here and the bus stop!