Rocky rides in the west

Going from the flat trails of Florida to the red rocks of Nevada, almost every detail of mountain biking changed dramatically. In the forests of Florida, my ADHD helped me focus on maintaining traction over wet roots and slippery branches. In Nevada, however, I had to focus on loose, dusty rocks and deep sand pits instead.

Although this may not sound like a major difference, it completely changed the way I rode. When riding over wet roots and branches, I have to rely heavily on balance and traction control. On dusty, loose rocks, I often need to dodge obstacles, which requires more quick decision-making and visual focus. This challenged my ADHD in a different way because I had to constantly scan the trail ahead and react quickly.

My parents and I were fortunate enough to ride Trek Rail+ bikes, which are Class 1 pedal-assist electric mountain bikes. These bikes made an incredible difference and allowed us to tackle trails that would have been extremely difficult without electric assistance. The added speed and power created a new challenge for me. Because I could go much faster, my ADHD was tested even more. I had to stay focused, pay attention farther down the trail, and make decisions more quickly because there was much less room for mistakes.

This experience showed me how different environments can completely change the skills needed for mountain biking. It also taught me how to adapt my focus and riding style when facing new challenges.