Check out Off Grid Customs for Van needs 👉 offgridcustomsltd.com/ Also huge thanks to Republic Bikes who I completely forgot to mention 🤦♂️ 👉 riderepublic.com/
Classically there are things I've missed: - When I mentioned the last 3 sponsors in Giant, Shimano and Kenda, what I meant to include were that those marketing people really understood the value of what I was doing and how they would benefit. - I didn't thank Republic Bikes in Squamish and specifically Nate, that whenever they made a video with me (out of their comfort zone) it would end up being very popular
So, you got old and making MTB videos is not fun anymore. I hope you keep ridding for your self who is the person that matters. By the way your skill level is like 1000% better than mine 🤣
Dang bro, I've seen a couple of ur videos and I dont really remember them. But this video I won't forget. I watched this whole video because you laid it out there and got totally real. You shared yourself like most people can't, won't and shouldn't. That takes tremendous courage. Bravo, enjoying the journey is paramount.
Onward and upward! You've built something incredible from scratch and I have no doubt you'll keep building cool stuff! I'll always remember our ride on Mr. Toad's, one of the best ever!
I'm a complete loner with advanced riding skills. No friends or anything, I ride all over the country without speaking a word to anyone. You don't have to ride in a group, you don't have to lookout for others. Just do you. I couldn't be happier.
Same, I ride alone 95% of the time, and I love it! I'm an introvert, so I enjoy alone time anyway. It also allows you to really soak up the experience in nature a lot better than if you're with others. You can ride at your own pace, whether that's faster or slower, take breaks whenever, for however long, or go straight through with zero breaks if that's what you prefer.
@@weathdoneYeah, the “don’t look out for others” made me do a “Hugh?”. As a punter myself, I love the friendliness I’ve seen from fellow mountain bikers. Their skill level is way above my own, but they have been so supportive and polite about my lack of competence.
Change can be really hard and pretty scary. It takes a lot of courage to be able to embrace it, especially under your specific circumstances, so I say props to you my dude for having the awareness and not shying away from a change that surely sounds like has already made you happier. Cheers and thanks for the vids Paul!
Hey and maybe... In a few years you and Paul will make a redemption video when Paul decides that he misses mtn biking! (Only wrote this to hopefully make Paul smile and perhaps even laugh out loud)
So sorry you went through all that. I always really appreciated your honesty and the fact that you were not an elite mountain biker made your videos more relatable for me. Thanks for all the inspiration.
Your “lack of skills” is what attracted me to your channel in the first place, felt more relatable than others. Especially your videos learning new things with Tracy or Casper. Will miss your videos. But take care of your physical and mental health, more important than anything else!
Sorry to see you go..If Gerry Lopez, Mister Pipeline, can leave Hawaii for Oregon and go snowboarding, anybody can do anything and be happy. And people being so vicious these days...a few more straws on the camels back...The pressure of the relative fame is something I’ll never know. Look what it does to some very big stars. Things can always be worse, and looks like you are feeling better. I was forced to give up skiing and surfing, economics and geography, and found MTB’n. So you’ve found something and more peace of mind. Can’t do much better than that. Cheers and God Bless
You spoke a lot of truth once you got into the negatives. Most folks will never understand that side of it. Appreciate that level of realness from you. Best of luck on your journey.
Thanks for the advice you’ve given us from your knowledge and experience on the MTB UA-cam side! We wish you continued success with your golf channel. Maybe you can teach us how to golf, since we both know absolutely nothing about it and top golf is about to open here. So it would be fun to be able to go there with a little knowledge haha -April
I’m truly honored you mentioned me in your thanks! At the end of the day I think it’s best to focus on the positive aspects of what mountain biking did for you. I can understand the reasons you stated that made you lose interest. That’s totally ok. It’s your life. You should 100% do what makes you happy. And when it doesn’t make you happy. Stop. It’s pretty simple and it seems that you’ve got that figured out. That’s a perspective that a lot of people don’t have. It was fun riding, having beers, or chatting online and at the B1KER Bar. Late night drunken push-up contests were some good times. Either way, I’m stoked for you to move into the next chapter of your life and wish you the best. I would hope that if you are ever driving through Sacramento you don’t hesitate to hit me up. Whether you are a mountain biker or not, I’ll still call you a friend.
I literally had the same story happen to me this year. Lost passion. I hated that people kept saying it was burnout because it wasn't. I'm glad to hear your diagnosis and medication is helping you turn it around. Your passion will return at some point, mountain biking or not. Good luck in your endeavors.
The honesty and your personality is always what has made your videos entertaining to me, so best of luck on this next chapter. I think I found some peace realizing I'd never do that crazy stuff on a bike, despite having spent so many hours of my life on bikes. Now it is definitely about spending time with my dog or friends, and keeping my heart healthy.
Echoing this comment. Whatever the case know that you inspired some of us to get off our asses and get into a bit better shape. Looking forward to your future endeavors.
I've really enjoyed your down to earth style over the years. At 55 years old I am pretty reserved with my mountain biking. I go for mountain biking because it's fun and have no problem walking something if I'm just not feeling confident that day. For me riding has been a my mental health salvation. Thank you for the last 6 years. I wish you well.
I ride every morning with my dog Polly. I’m 75yo and still ride most of the trails here in Moab (cautiously). Like you I have no problem hopping off in some places.
56 and like you hiking or taking the easy line. I fell into the rut after racing for 25 years. I took computers off and rode shorter rides. I found it fun again. I like small groups or solo.
Paul, I'm happy you have come to this realization. So few people actually have that sort of enlightenment when they are doing something they think makes them happy. Mad respect for you sir. I started mountain biking when I was in my early 20's in the early 2k's. I got really into it and spent all my money on gear and was trying to get into competitive racing, etc. When I was 27 I had a bad crash and broke my wrist... distal radius fracture but in this one the bone had been severely damaged. I had to have surgery on it and had cadaver bone put in there along with 18 screws and 2 titanium plates. As I'm typing this the tips of my fingers are numb... side effects from the wrist injury. I also had another crash on a downhill where the bike chain came off and my the back of my lover calve got pinned under the front chain ring. When I got up the chain ring had cut 2 inches deep into the back of my leg and my foot nearly bled out. It tore up my Achilles pretty good and I had nerve damage that lasted 9 months. Anyway, after those two injuries I too fell out of love with mountain biking. It just wasn't worth the risk anymore. I stayed off the bike for a decade but eventually got a new bike when my son was born. Its funny cuz I have a $5k Yeti and the vast majority of my riding is done around the neighborhood with my kid lol. Anyway, times change and so do people. Do what makes you happy. For me I got into long range shooting. I really enjoy it and for a while I had a channel on UA-cam with a few thousand subs. The comment sections were full of douchebags of course. Most people don't realize how much work and $ is involved in making a video. Anyway, I took my page down cuz again it wasn't worthwhile. I was happier just doing what I loved when time and money permitted. So in short, you're not the only one who's ever gone through some sort of change like this so keep your head up and do what makes you happy. Again, much respect to you sir and for being true to yourself. Good luck in your future endeavors!
Thanks for all the cool vids and pointers. You really where an inspiration to all of us and showed that anyone with dedication can achieve alot in MTB. It will be sad to see you go, but happy that you're moving on to other projects and not stopping due to injury etc.
Mad respect brother. Not everyone can be this honest about anything that they are doing in their lives and walk away. I enjoyed watching all of your videos. I wish you the best and enjoy your new adventures brother.
I used to own a recording studio and have travelled all over the world working with bands, making records. Long story short, I left that life about 8 years ago and it has made a significant impact on my sense of wellbeing and happiness. I have hobbies now (mountain biking, hiking) that I never used to have time for. Most importantly, I have time with my family now. I totally understand where you're coming from and wish you the best in the future. I'll miss your biking videos but I feel so happy for you that you're going to be able to make such an impactful shift in your life the way I did. Cheers Punter!
Paul thank you for all the content you’ve delivered over the years to your fans, it will be missed! Your candour is appreciated and refreshing. The world of social media can be so toxic and I’m sorry it has impacted you so. I started mountain biking pre-internet and the reasons I still ride have not changed - connecting with nature, having adventures and hopefully experiencing those things with some good friends. Maybe one day you’ll go for a ride again without the camera and find these things too. Good luck and Godspeed!
Goodluck on another journey Paul! I gotta say you did inspire me to create my own mountain biking Channel! And im just learning new a skill with each Upload! Once again thanks!
Thx for the channel and content. You've been entertaining and I appreciate you contribution to the sport. The singing while riding downhill to make you better was one of the best moments on UA-cam in history IMO. Thank you and Cheers!
What an incredible journey you've had! Your progression, your growth in all that you do...fantastic. Wishing you success and happiness in all your future endeavors. Thanks for your content.
Thanks for sharing, Paul. I really appreciate your honesty throughout the video. It was really disappointing to hear about your bad experiences at 19:00 though. I've never understood that part of mountain bike culture and it's sad to see things escalate to that point.
Thank you Paul. Thank you for making content that I really connected with and appreciated because you were different and more relatable than most others. I really looked forward to seeing what you were up to. I am sorry it became a struggle. I was wondering what was up and I really appreciate you taking the time to express yourself and open up about the reasons. I wish you the best and I look forward to seeing what you create in the future but I will miss seeing you. You are one of the few YTers I hoped to run into on the trails somewhere. Take good care.
For the last 14 years I used to produce electronic music. It used to be my passion, but the later years I ended up making less and less and feeling bad about it. Then I just learned to move on and my new passion since 2020 is mountain biking. It's an eternal cycle for us passionates.
Sometimes the music... just devolves into gear acquisition. It's almost a sickness. I have finally stepped away from the part and just enjoy composing. I get someone else to mix/master. I don't want to even get down that rabbit hole. But mtb? I'm not knowledgable enough to want more bikes. I have a nice bike... and that's that.
I guess it's a passion for some people and life for others. I can't even fathom "quitting" cycling. It would be like quitting walking. Doesn't even make sense for me.
Shit, Im on the same boat. But trying not to quit music production though. I guess when you start doing your hobby as a job or push to hard this might happen.
Thank you so much for sharing this honest and whole hearted reflection. It's a brave and worthy end to a chapter. I've had much joy and inspiration following your work over the years - because you didn't come at it from an angle of an elitist or "core" (if you will), which was relatable for a mid 30's casual weekend warrior without ambitions of realising every inch of potential. And for that, your perspective and contribution will be missed. I wish you all the best in what ever the future holds for you! Cheers!
Always loved your videos! Thank you so much for your honesty talking to us. It's a great reminder that we are always changing, to seek interest everywhere in life, and that everyone is on their own path. I'm really glad for you that your journey is on a track with more joy and happiness.
Thank you for keeping it 100 with hs paul you have inspired so so many of us and continue to do so! We will always support you no matter where your adventures take you 🤙
Paul! It's so good to hear from you and simultaneously so sad, that you have lost the passion for what probably most of us would consider the most amazing thing. Whatever the future may hold, whatever your next chapter, I hope it will fullfil you and I hope this won't be the last we've heard from you. And of course I hope that one day you'll rediscover mountain biking for yourself as a fun recreational activity that doesn't come with an external pressure of any kind.
Paul, I can honestly say I’ve loved your vids. The down to earth and “Everyman” journey is what brought me to your channel and I can totally relate. Good luck with everything in the future and let us know if you have a new channel on the new hobby 👍👏🏼
Thank you for all the killer mtb adventures. You and several other youtubers have entertained me, and inspired me. Much luck and happiness in your new ventures
Best of luck on your new adventures! I see you as a positive light on UA-cam and glad you’re doing something that interests you more and I’m sure you’ll excel! Cheers!!
I certainly get where you're coming from as a 52 year old who picked up MTB 5 years ago. I also know a lot of people who've had back, shoulder, wrist and knee surgeries from golf and other "safe" sports. Good luck on your next adventure!
Love it mate, and lots of love from Australia. So many people out there think it’s so easy what you guys do but despite the gloss it’s great to get some frankness that it’s not all sunshine and lollipops. Think of all the positives when you get back out on the trails in 5 days 5 weeks 5 years or whenever that may be. You have smashed it and have produced so many high quality & honest videos over the years you should be proud. Hats off and keep being honest with yourself and your most important fan. You. 😊
Thanks for the update. I really enjoyed the video's you made. I will miss your down to earth and keeping it real style. You unpacked a lot of stuff in this video and put a lot of thought into your decision. I wish you all the best on your next chapter in life.
Hey, not usually one to comment but I feel sort of compelled to. I've been getting in to mountain biking in the last few years and it's been an awesome vehicle to get outside more with my friends and challenge myself. Channels like yours and Kara Beal's have been so valuable to me to see people who aren't pros or the best of the best. I find it really important to see people trying and failing and getting better gradually and having fun while doing it. I really resonate with the idea of falling out of love with a sport and the top of those industries not seeing value in grassroots participation in the sport- climbing is super guilty of causing animosity towards "noobs" or "gumbies". At the end of the day, most of us are out here trying to have a good time and we know we're not going to be the world's best but we are still the ones making up a large share of their revenue. I really appreciate all the videos you have made and there will be plenty more new riders who find them in years to come. Wishing you all the best!
I've only just found your videos and been loving the honest cornering tutoring as the reality of learning these skills is not as easy as it is portrayed in most MTB videos, especially if you are in your 40's as I am! Just watching this and again I am struck by your genuine, open explanation on a difficult decision. I hope you find happiness and you can still find some enjoyment from riding a bike in the future without the pressure of doing it as a way to fit in. All the best!
This is so sad to hear! I've forever grateful for your friendship and what you've done for me and others with your platform. I hope you continue to do what you love and discovering new things! You always have a buddy down in AZ when you come down to golf :) Cheers Paul!
its good to have a variety of hobbies, ive found if you focus on just one its easy to burn out, especially if you're obsessed with progression. best of luck
Best of luck on your future endeavors! I always point people to your van build when I talk about the custom rig I want to build. Thanks for the good content. In the end, we are all responsible for our own happiness. I'm glad you got diagnosed and are moving on to new adventures! Don't let the haters get you down. There will always be the people that go and "do" and those that barely try and aren't happy doing the same thing, but tearing others down somehow makes them feel better. Self realization is powerful! Go be happy! I just wish if you are making content for something else, you maybe share a blurb...many of us probably have other hobbies as well.
Thank you Paul for the vid, the honesty, and I wish you the absolute best in the future. Definitely took bravery to put yourself out there like this, and I applaud it 100%. Cheers!
As someone with ADHD who only got diagnosed and medicated in the last few years, you're change of hart probably has something to do with no longer needing mountain biking to maintain a "flow state", which may have been part of what got you into it to begin with. I always used to need something like that to actually focus on anything and even getting just an hour of that real focus while riding made my whole day better. I used to compulsively video game for the same reason before I got into MTB, but with medication, you can reach that state doing just about anything (like a normal person) and some of those old hobbies just kind of fade away. In my case I got more into mountain biking (because I'd actually have the focus/patience to train), but I can see how in your life it just wasn't something you needed anymore and you moved on. All that said, don't sell all your bikes! Keep one! You don't have to be hardcore to enjoy going out for a casual ride with friends. And I think that MTB culture varies a lot depending on where you go, but I can see Squamish and the top tier riding areas being pretty toxic. Riding around our local trails here in Kansas City (which are probably better than you expect but still no BC or anything) everyone is extremely supportive and friendly with just the occasional dickhead. Anyway I hope you enjoy whatever comes next, I really enjoyed the videos when I was getting started and am genuinely happy for you.
I'm sure it's my ADHD that keeps me mountain biking. I need to feel that adrenaline even on meds. i to was diagnosed only a few years ago and I'm 58. I still feel the need to ride and race here in the PNW. I'm a little better at just going out to ride for fun with friends but I still feel the need for adrenaline.
Have to disagree with you about Squamish being toxic. I moved to Squamish a few years ago and took up biking here, I can honestly say its the opposite from toxic. Everyone is very supportive and if you decide a feature is outside your ability then people will support that and not tell you to just send it. People here are very happy to chat about features with tourists and how to get down them.
I was diagnosed AuDHD this year at 36. A lot of things make more sense now. Although I’m “inattentive type” I feel like I’ve been self medicating my whole life with sports and caffeine. I did triathlon for a few years and it was so addictive. Being able to check workouts off a training schedule and see results was such a dopamine hit! I still think there’s a need to learn new and master skills in adhd. There are plenty in MTB and golf, and golf is easier in the body.
Thank you Paul! It's been great to watch you learn & develop whilst helping me also get better riding at the same time. Best of luck with future endeavours
I started MTB in 2017 ish and have been following the channel since then . Even bought the T shirt:) Thank you so much for everything you have provided the MTB community. It was always refreshing to watch videos from someone I could relate to. I used to push hard on the bike seal out bigger features but ever since I watched a close friend break his neck I have had to dial it back and change my relationship to the sport.
I'm 54 and I get it. In 1984 I stopped moto cold turkey and right when things were on the verge of taking off for me professionally. I've self examined why I made that decision for decades and still can't come up with the answer.... I just fell out of love with it I guess. I've been riding some form of 2 wheels since before I can even remember existing and it is still a part of me, and always will be. You're a young dude and if I had to bet, you'll be riding your MTB again, but it will just be different. You'll do it for your health, you'll do it on fun flowy trails and you'll do it alone with just your thoughts each ride to help keep you sane. You won't give 2 shits about strava times, how fast you used to be, or how gnarly the gnar is that you are riding compared to YT videos... You'll just ride and have fun. How do I know? 1st hand experience. Good luck in whatever you do Paul.
as soon as u think about strava utube IG FB and all the other BS these morons made up over past 20yrs or so just ruins shit... just go and ride.. i ride only when i want and only for fun.. i def use strava and like to see Koms and cups but at end of day i don't get paid for them so i could give two shits LOL... some people and i know a few of them .. are waaaay to serious about there strava.. LMFAO.. i have a guy that bad mouths me on strava and says i cut trails.. all because i took some of his KOMS.. he literally wants to fight over this crap LMAO and SMH.. LOL
Sorry to see you go but wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors. I’ve really enjoyed watching your content over the past few years! ✌🏼❤️
Class act. We always enjoyed your videos and your self depreciating authenticity. Thanks for making this video as opposed to just vanishing from UA-cam. We agree with all you've said here and it's another reminder to us to keep mountain biking fun and not take unnecessary risks. And, when it isn't fun it's time to move on. You will be missed. Best wishes on your future endeavors. Cheers - Karl, Brenda & Pepper.
Thanks for the vid. Enjoy all the golf. As a bike UA-camr there are a lot of echoes. We aren’t athletes in the gravel/bikepacking space and are constantly passed over for any brand support. The bike industry is just stuck in its ways in throwing money at athletes and events thinking that is the only effective way to reach people which is asinine in 2022. Thankfully we’ve been able to grow the Patreon. I feel you on the skill caste/system culture. There is def lots of trickle down from road racing into gravel and even touring. Anyway. Have enjoyed your vids even though we don’t mountain bike. And good for you for moving on!
Mountain bike industry values skill and progression more than youtube creators that would otherwise make them more profit. I truly believe that's how it should be. Great riders who train hard to push the limits of what's possible on a bike deserve support more than youtube guys that are scared of straight airing a 20ft jump even after 10 years of riding. Thats my opinion, no hate to anyone. peace out.
If your blonde and pretty they throw sponsorship at you even some who have only ridden for 6 months. Us who try hard get nothing. It sucks. And half the community is toxic.
That sucks I've used your channel for advice on parts heaps of times despite being from the mtb side because like probably most people, I'm not an athlete, I just like like riding. Oddly comfort, riding position enc other things seem ignored in the mtb space but yourselves and other great commuting /bike packing channels fill that void. I will end up with a steel frame one day and it will be partly your 'fault' sir.
I remember playing music for 8 years in 3 different bands, listening for +20 years, wondering what would be the next step...strangely the next would be growing tired of it, without any apparent reason, then I moved back to my first love which was mountain biking. People change, life change, it's really weird stop doing something you did for such a long time, but it's necessary to grow as a person, do what is meaningful to you at the moment and good luck in everything Paul, best regards
Hey Paul, Glad to have been along for the journey while it lasted. Your channel has provided great advice that still goes through my head every time I am out on the trails as I will forever be a novice. Best of luck for the future!
Paul, your comments about injury hit home with me. Was riding once and came across a guy who hit a drop he didn't know was there and broke his neck. His life is forever changed now. As we were waiting for 911to get there I was holding my phone for him as he called his wife. Tough conversation to listen to. And then last summer took a bad OTB and messed up my neck, 17 months later and its finally feeling OK. I have to tell myself to relax and enjoy the ride now, its not a race. PR's don't really matter, what matters is I make it home after each ride. Good luck in your future endeavors!
Hey man. So I’m 50, my first mtb was in 1990, and I walked away from the sport for about 15 years, so I’ll tell you a little bit of my story and I hope you can take it for what it’s worth and take anything from it that you may. Mtbed from 1990 to 1998 or 99?(the exact date is lost in a fog in my brain). Loved it. Was totally into it. Raced amateur races. Tinkered with bikes. Etc. Had a bad accident and compound fractured my forearm but still came back. But late 90s I was in law school (graduated 99), was living with my then girlfriend now wife, and was getting involved seriously with Rugby. And mtbing was becoming, quite frankly, a pain in the butt. Getting geared up, loading the bike, having to drive to a trail, and then all that in reverse. My wife didn’t do it (well she would come along once in a while on a mellow ride just being a good significant other and supporting me, but it really wasn’t her thing) and every ride was time away from her. And I was really starting to get into Rugby and enjoying that more, which also took up a lot of my time. Finally my bike got stolen and that was it- I didn’t mtb (or ride a bike for that matter as I’ve never been a cyclist, just an mtber) for 15 years. Between my marriage and home life and job as a lawyer which I was always trying to take the next step in my career in, and now Rugby being my primary recreational activity, mtbing just didnt fit in. Well fast forward 15 years and Rugby was coming to an end. I bought a cheap dept store mtb like object- a Diamondback and I have to say for what it was it went above and beyond- simply so I could stop running one offseason of Rugby in order to heal an Achilles injury but stay in shape, and guess what? The bug bit me again. Yup, I was full on loving mtbing, just as I was going through what you just talked about in this vid with Rugby. So after maybe a year or two of doing both, I finally hung up the Rugby boots and got back into mtbing full time. First got a (what seemed to me like a stupid expensive) XC hardtail, pushed that to its limits, started realizing that I still ride like I’m that 15 yo bmx kid I was at one point in my life and needed a bike better suited to that style riding so spent a year demoing bikes and finally bought my current rig, and am still loving it to this day. But here’s the thing- my outlook on it now had changed. It was purely recreational now. I mean sure I still love talking about the technical aspects of our bikes, and talking about trails etc with people, but that whole mtb world thing I just wasn’t into and didn’t care about. I wasn’t interested in massive group rides. I wasn’t interested in progressing anymore other than what I personally wanted to do. I put a limiter on myself for the first time in my life and was totally content with it. I’m not working my way up to massive jumps or drops anymore. I wanted to progress to be able to do the typical stuff we find on typical trails- the 2-5 foot drops and jumps, wanted to be able to hit the steeper lipped jumps (not the huge ones mind you) that we find at parks that I like to go to a few times a year, but that was it. I wanted to progress to the point that it made riding fun because I could handle the typical stuff on trails, but wasn’t interested in seeking out those trails with crazy insane stuff. When it came to rides, I wanted tk ride solo much more, as it is a much more personal enjoyment, mind clearing thing now. If I do ride, I want to ride with maybe one or two close friends; I’m nit interested with big group rides now for the most part. Mtbing like that can become a bit like social media- you have a huge number of “friends” but none of them are real friends. When ai do ride with my close friends, it’s more about being together and hanging out while doing something we enjoy. We’re often all at different levels but it doesn’t matter, we stop and wait for each other, we’ll limit what we ride to the lest skilled rider (or maybe hit a trail alone and then meet up again a few mins later), and, while we encourage each other, we also walk stuff we don’t feel like we can do. And that limiter thing I was talking about- it’s not just about progression. Sometimes on a ride there is a feature I have hit before and can do, but that day maybe Im just not feeling it. Or I have a jury trial starting the next day or in a few days. And you know what I do, I walk or ride around it. And it doesn’t bother me. I don’t worry about. Because ultimately I’m just out to have fun and decompress, and that is not dependent on whether I hit some feature, or have some KOM, or whatever that day. What gives me the fun and the mental destressing is simply the being on the bike, on a trail. The freedom it gives me. The pleasure of whipping down a trail (again whether it is actually fast or just seems fast to me doesnt mater, it’s the feeling of speed I love). The being out in nature (as I’ll sometimes tell my friend I ride with that I am quite a bit faster than- don’t worry about me stopping and waiting for you, bc when I am I am just enjoying being in a woods). The feel when the bike leaves our planet Earth, even just for a few seconds, and the silence as the hum of the tires stop while they rotate through the air. And finally the mental freedom I get of not thinking about anything else- when we’re on our steeds zipping down some trail we have to be totally focused. There is no time for my mind ti wander about work, or my financial portfolio, or personal or family issues. It is just focus on the task at hand, and that task is giving me joy. And the last thing I’ll talk about are your comments about the risk, and the wondering if the risk is worth it, and the watching other people go beyond their skill level into risky behavior. First, it is why I shy away from big festivals and gatherings. I just dont want to get wrapped up into that mentality that other people are in. And second, welcome to getting older!! Lol you do start to think about this stuff more as you get older. We have more responsibility and more people that are dependent on us. So it would be irresponsible to not consider those things and those people. Plus, I think as we get older we have more experience when we look at something of understanding how it could go wrong and our brain says to us- hey you made it this long why don’t you skip this so you can make it a while longer. Lol. They say kids are fearless and this is often why- ignorance is sometimes bliss and it is sometimes easier to send it when you don’t really know the consequences. In sum, mtbing is no longer a sport to me, but rather a personal hobby that clears my mind and helps keep me fit. I dont pay attention to a lot of the “sport of mtbing” stuff- you know- the blingiest components, the commercialization and consumerism of it, the festivals, the pro race results, the biggest sends. If I don’t want to ride, I don’t and I dont worry about it. My little channel is for me and a way to pay it back- basically just try to provide vid footage of trails so people that want to ride it but check it out first can, and then some vids on things I think might help others in the same spot I was in. But I dont look at the stats of my channel, and I dont care if a vid gets 1 view or 1 million. It’s for me, just like my riding. So don’t fret it. Do what you feel. You might come back to it, you might not. But if you do feel that urge, or maybe swing a leg over a bike some time and get bit by that bug, don’t fret over that either. It’s ok. You can come back to it. And you can do it on different terms, and on your terms. So go live, enjoy all aspects of life, enjoy having the ADHD recognized and controlled (my son has it so I somewhat understand) but also know that your vids have helped a lot of people and that it’s always there if you find your way back to it. Just do me one favor- if you’re hiking on the trail and I come along and ring my bell, like do, and then call out like I do if I don’t see a response to my bell, and then slow down to a courteous speed like I do, don’t do the exaggerated production of leaping off the trail in fear as if I was just about to run you over. Please, please, don’t be one of them. Lol. 🤙 and good luck my man.
I think you summed it up pretty well. I think a lot of males especially have an inborn desire to push limits, achieve, progress. But that desire fades, the sports we obsess over aren't our battle fields anymore, they are our playgrounds. Our worlds become bigger and our priorities change from the less trivial moments of glory to long lasting happiness. Hey, it happens, it's okay.
@@growlith6969 yup. I think it was really great of Paul open up like he did and provide the explanation. Sure there’ll be the bro dudes who will call him a wuss or quitter and those that will say it was because he turned it into a job. But that was part of why I wanted to tell my story too- because it’s not unique. While his story and my story obviously won’t apply to everyone, I think like you say it happens to a lot of people, especially men. As the progression plateaus, maybe one’s skills drop a bit, maybe one starts to question the risks a bit because of responsibilities, and maybe other interests come along and work takes up more time, priorities and pleasures change. Nothing wrong with that. And then they change again, and maybe you come back to something you stopped doing long ago. All is good. I think key is not to force something, or do something for others, or to please others, or to show something to other people. Do it for you and your close family, and if you do then it will be right for you and you will enjoy in. Btw- nice name- hope you keep having adventures!! 🤙
Mate your experience truly speaks to me. I’ve been a prop for many years. Had to quit playing rugby due to the amount of injuries, unjustifiable at my (very low) level. Discovered mtb very recently and love it but this is all just something I do for fun. No reason to get hurt or worse just to “send it”. I don’t need to push my limits, it’s my way to decompress so there’s no reason to add a level of stress to it 😅
@@vitotigani hey blood brother. Flanker here (open side was primary position) but played just about every other position by time I retired. Lol. Played for Baltimore-Chesapeake and then an old boys club called the Poltroons. Finally got to the point that the days of pain outweighed the joy, and it was time to hang em up. Toughest thing I ever walked away from. I still can’t bring my kit if I go see a match cause I’ll suit up. Lol. Luckily mtbing helped fill the void and provides a lot of the same mud, fun and camaraderie thing , but man I really miss breaking off the scrum and laying out a Flyhalf. Lol
Thank you for all of the videos you have posted over the years. I am a middle of the road type rider. I find myself at times, riding above my abilities. Or rather pushing myself too far. I have a trip coming up this weekend (and future rides) and due to this video I will definitely check myself before I do something I will regret. I hope your future is as bright as you've made ours.
Cheers to you Paul! Thank you for your candor and taking the time to put this together. I think you have a great attitude about the entire thing, and that's going to be the catalyst for a very happy, and meaningful life. Your comments about the mtb community hit home for me, and I've seen it both on the most popular forum, and out on the local trails. Even down to what a person rides, and what they wear. The cult locally are out at night, building double jumps on the hiking trails. The jumps are steep and dangerous, span the width of the trails so riders have to ride over them, whether good enough to jump or not, and the jumps literally pop up over night. So a person may think they know a trail, and know where they can ride faster, etc, and the next time they ride, SURPRISE, there's a set of jumps. On top of that, these are trails that have been for walking/hiking/running for decades. Suddenly the local cult comes through, and "nope, these are for us, and we ride double blue to double black." I ride solo everywhere, because I don't want to be a part of any of it.
Good luck with your future pursuits! I can really understand where you are coming from. I am in my mid 60s and have a dirt bike background but nothing extreme. I started mountain biking when I retired and soon got an electric mountain bike. I enjoy the sport but realized pretty quickly that my skill set was limited and that it would be very easy to get hurt badly if I was not really careful. I know people my age who have broken a lot of bones, and I really want to avoid that. The tough part is resisting the group mind to try and ride stuff I do not have the skill set to do safely. So far so good as I have no problem just walking the bike no matter what, but that "send it" attitude can be deadly. I also spent some years doing track days on very fast sport bikes. That also was tons of fun, but of all the sports I have done the most intimidating one is mountain biking. Doing a challenging trail on a day when things are not clicking is no fun at all. I can see where making a living doing something that you no longer enjoy would be an unpleasant grind. The good thing is that you have choices about your future. Many people are just stuck in a horrible job with a family and bills and no way out. Hope you keep the channel going and find a new outlet for your interests!
I'm 40 and admittedly ride a lotta sketchy stuff. Mostly bike parks, and I'm pretty good cause I pushed myself. A few months ago at Snowshoe in WV I had a pretty bad wreck, and since then I've looked at riding a lot differently. If it's sketchy, I don't ride it. If I'm tired, I stop. No longer do I feel the need to prove anything to myself, and tbh it's been a weight off my shoulders. Maybe I won't progress anymore, but I'm perfectly fine with that. It's about being outside, having fun and getting a little exercise.
I'm happy you made the videos you did, I've enjoyed them. I'm also happy you've found something new you're passionate about and that's bringing you happiness. I'm sad that you had such a different experience with MTB and MTB culture than I have. I may just be lucky, but the community has been very inclusive and supportive of all levels of skill in my personal experience. I hope you have a great time going forward with whatever you choose to do!
I have missed your videos for a while now and wondered what happened to you. I appreciate the fact that you took time to make this video to explain yourself. It was not necessary but I appreciate you opening up to us like this. You will be missed and I wish you all the best.
This must feel like weight off your chest. Congrats on getting through the mental hurdles up til this point. Glad you are able to share your story. You are not alone. Biking became my affair to my long wedded winter sports career.
Thanks for all the great vids over the years Paul. As others have said there is no point doing something for fun if you don’t enjoy it, find whatever makes you happy & enjoy your life.
good for you Paul. im happy to see you first found success with your talent, and then the selfawarness to continue your path beyond biking, wherever it may lead. also thank you for calling attention to some unspoken rough edges in this sport.
Second: thank you for addressing the carelessness and disregard for safety that as a community became lost in the shuffle of “fun.” I miss riding my bike for fun, but I feel trails are built for the purpose of building skill and I’d like some that are just fun and I don’t have to worry about keeping friends or kids safe - hard to come by here in GJ. The progression of skill can keep you safe on the trails, but some features are simply a gamble every time.
With social media too, I feel like a lot of us get caught up in trying to check off the sketchy features on our local trails. For me it lead to a bad crash and a lot of anxiety afterwards - now I just like enjoying the trail and riding stuff within my comfort. Happy to skip anything that makes me nervous
@@hootie_owl2771 absolutely. I think adding UA-cam to the mix of this concept doesn’t help. But even the Crashing Dad (it’s in the name) made some of his biggest videos off of really dangerous features, but what you don’t see is the progression that lead him there and that he doesn’t do anything if he feels he doesn’t have the skill.
This made me really sad as I experienced a similar loss of interest with lacrosse. I played for years growing up but when I got to play on a college team (my dream growing up) I totally fell out of love with the sport and I haven’t really played since. Best of luck to you Paul. I’ve always enjoyed your content and the energy you bring.
"Comparison is the thief of joy". I hope you find a pickup game of cool funny guys and just play your balls off without even keeping score. That's how you get the love back. Its a game, its supposed to be fun!
Thanks Paul. I was wondering why you hadn’t posted in a while. I’ll miss your videos. Thanks for providing content that was real and relatable to me, a rider that struggles on rides. Enjoy whatever it is that makes you happy. Cheers!
I can see you're having a real struggle. I recognize that quitting energy in you. I've had it myself and some of it has to do with whether I'm good enough or not, whether I matter or not, whether I'm honest with myself or not. Whatever you are fighting with yourself about, maybe make a resolution to be a peace. If you say the ADHD drugs are working to mellow out your mind then that's good. The best part of your videos is when you let go and I really just having fun and not thinking so much about everything else. Good luck with whatever you choose in the future. Be brave and strong with yourself and honest.
Man, diagnosed at 37. It was enlightening at first. After a couple years of the meds, things got worse than they were without. Hope your stuff keeps working, and do whatever you want. Peace
Hello Paul, I just wanted to say I loved your videos and really missed them over the last few months. Thanks for all the great content and good luck with your next chapter!
MATEEEEEEEEEEEE, I was wondering earlier this week how I haven't seen you in ages! Whatever makes you happy and gets you going, I will really miss your videos and personality. You've done something that many of us dream of doing and you made a lot of people happy with your videos something I hope one day, I can emulate. Big Love PTP
Enjoyed your videos because you had not the urge to be sick and all of that. I saw you as someone who just loves doing. Your tutorial videos were just great. Wish you all the best for the future!
I recognize a lot of issues you mention here. I started riding when I moved to Canada in 2020. I wanted to be on my bike constantly, even hitting my local trails nearly every day. I don’t feel that anymore for sure, and sometimes get huge mental blocks with features of moves even if I have done them before. But I do ride with a good group of friends; all of which are better than I am. Maybe I’ll catch up someday, maybe I won’t. But I have no issues riding around something I don’t like the look of. I think I like the riding part of biking the least of the whole culture- the bikes, being outside, being with friends- I think I value more. Best of luck to you.
What you’ve done by stepping away takes an ultimate level of self awareness! Well done for everything you achieved with your channel, good luck with the next chapter 👏
You know you brought up a really good point about UA-camrs bringing people into the sport. I for one really don’t watch pro biking at all, but on UA-cam I watch a lot of the guys you mentioned, because I can relate to them, UA-camrs are bringing a lot more people into the sport then sponsors think. Biking in particular over traditional sports, tennis, golf, basketball, football, etc. there getting prime time coverage, but biking doesn’t and while it’s fun to watch pros do crazy jumps, i myself won’t do it, it’s just to dangerous and I think that’s the appeal to watching average joes on UA-cam.
Be well Paul. Thank you for your videos, they were always some of my favorites. As many stated before, your videos were relatable. I learned from them. Good luck with your next adventure and again, thank you .
Really amazing to see you opening up like this, I loved watching your videos because of you and your personality and would happily watch all of your videos. but as someone who has gone through many of the same thoughts with mountain biking you are not alone, stay strong and I hope to see more from you in whatever you are doing!
Sometimes we just fall out of sports and that’s kinda just that. It happened to me with parkour, I got pretty good at it, doing it for 9 years and even getting paid to teach. Then I found MTB and slowly stopped wanting to do flips. And it’s a crappy feeling, like I’m so good at this and it use to be fun and now I don’t want to do it at all. All that work and effort to get better, all the friends I barely see anymore cause I’m not training. It took over a year to just accept I don’t want to do it anymore and I just wanna ride bikes, and that’s okay. Maybe sometime a new hobby will come and take over MTB, but now I know it’s okay to give up on a hobby if I really just rather do something new.
@Steven St. Gelais in my twenties I could honestly never envisage a time when I wouldn't smoke dope socially. I haven't had a smoke for nearly a decade now, I got bored of it and don't really miss it, even though I have friends that still smoke. The point is that we change, it's not a bad thing. You may well still be mountain biking when you're seventy, or you may get into something else in five years time and leave the mountain bike behind. You never know until it's happening.
@@scotti_wan_kenobi I've been biking since I was 3 years old and I'm 24 now. I enjoy it now more than ever, but there's been days where I didn't care to ride. I consider it an investment into my physical health because that's my favourite way to get a workout. I can't say I've ever really gotten sick of it. Just days where I don't have time or don't want to ride. But I don't sell all my bikes because of it
The exact same thing happened with me and airsoft. Was totally into it for over 10 years, but then had a shift in my thinking and values. It never was the same after that.
I just happen to be wearing my Team Slow and Awkward shirt today. I fully understand and support your decision and really commend you for your bravery in opening up to us. I have had many passions over the years and have gone through similar realizations that I was doing something because I thought I should rather than because I wanted to. As an older, not super skilled rider I have really enjoyed your content over the years and wish you all the best in whatever you chose to do in the future.
I applaud you and respect you for putting you happiness and mental health first. Good luck with your future endeavours and I hope whatever you're doing instead makes you incredibly happy. It's been a pleasure to follow along this part of your journey.
Paul, you have placed some great content out there and it will always be there. You showed determination and courage and made the impossible possible. Good luck on your new path.
Paul, I really enjoyed all your videos , I enjoyed your humour in your videos. But most importantly I am glad you found something that you love to do and am happy to do it. Ill miss your videos and remember all the great ones. Enjoy and thank you.
Hi Paul, just wanted you to know that your van conversion at VanGo now Off Grid Customs, was a big reason and inspiration for moving forward and doing our own van conversion with Off Grid. We have done some very fun trips and look forward to much more. I watched your van conversion to the end and was very impressed. I'm sure your next inspiration will be just as epic as the last. Take care and good luck!
Classically there are things I've missed:
- When I mentioned the last 3 sponsors in Giant, Shimano and Kenda, what I meant to include were that those marketing people really understood the value of what I was doing and how they would benefit.
- I didn't thank Republic Bikes in Squamish and specifically Nate, that whenever they made a video with me (out of their comfort zone) it would end up being very popular
So, you got old and making MTB videos is not fun anymore. I hope you keep ridding for your self who is the person that matters. By the way your skill level is like 1000% better than mine 🤣
Dang bro, I've seen a couple of ur videos and I dont really remember them. But this video I won't forget.
I watched this whole video because you laid it out there and got totally real. You shared yourself like most people can't, won't and shouldn't. That takes tremendous courage. Bravo, enjoying the journey is paramount.
Thanks for the great content, so entertaining. Good luck with the next phase of your life. Nice one mate. 👍
Good you should've never started! Get back on the road real men wear lyric and ride road bikes!!!!
Have you ever broke a good bone from mtb?
Onward and upward! You've built something incredible from scratch and I have no doubt you'll keep building cool stuff! I'll always remember our ride on Mr. Toad's, one of the best ever!
Worst video ever. There’s enough whining going on in the world without purposefully seeking it out
@@AlexeiPavlov haha
I’m positive I have ADHD but Paul’s video makes me want to avoid meds!!
I'm a complete loner with advanced riding skills. No friends or anything, I ride all over the country without speaking a word to anyone. You don't have to ride in a group, you don't have to lookout for others. Just do you. I couldn't be happier.
Same, I ride alone 95% of the time, and I love it! I'm an introvert, so I enjoy alone time anyway. It also allows you to really soak up the experience in nature a lot better than if you're with others. You can ride at your own pace, whether that's faster or slower, take breaks whenever, for however long, or go straight through with zero breaks if that's what you prefer.
don't look out for others? SMH really... no friends? yea that's the way to go man!!! SMH wtf is wrong with this world nowadays man...
@@weathdone I'm sure what he meant to say is that there is no added responsibility if you are alone.
@@andrec.136 true .. my bad
@@weathdoneYeah, the “don’t look out for others” made me do a “Hugh?”. As a punter myself, I love the friendliness I’ve seen from fellow mountain bikers. Their skill level is way above my own, but they have been so supportive and polite about my lack of competence.
Change can be really hard and pretty scary. It takes a lot of courage to be able to embrace it, especially under your specific circumstances, so I say props to you my dude for having the awareness and not shying away from a change that surely sounds like has already made you happier. Cheers and thanks for the vids Paul!
Hey and maybe... In a few years you and Paul will make a redemption video when Paul decides that he misses mtn biking! (Only wrote this to hopefully make Paul smile and perhaps even laugh out loud)
So sorry you went through all that. I always really appreciated your honesty and the fact that you were not an elite mountain biker made your videos more relatable for me. Thanks for all the inspiration.
Your “lack of skills” is what attracted me to your channel in the first place, felt more relatable than others. Especially your videos learning new things with Tracy or Casper. Will miss your videos. But take care of your physical and mental health, more important than anything else!
Exactly, I love he has a similar skill level as I have. Sombody to look up to like an older brother.
That’s why I like BKXC. He’s good at tech like me but his jumping skills suck as do mine. 😅
Sorry to see you go..If Gerry Lopez, Mister Pipeline, can leave Hawaii for Oregon and go snowboarding, anybody can do anything and be happy. And people being so vicious these days...a few more straws on the camels back...The pressure of the relative fame is something I’ll never know. Look what it does to some very big stars. Things can always be worse, and looks like you are feeling better. I was forced to give up skiing and surfing, economics and geography, and found MTB’n. So you’ve found something and more peace of mind. Can’t do much better than that.
Cheers and God Bless
What?!? This guy had no lack of skills!! Just a pro retiring. Good luck on you next adventure!
All that I can say is I like you. I liked you from the first and I like you now.
Love ya buddy! Can’t believe our next colab is gonna be on a golf course 🤘
Woo!🤘
Help Paul get SWOL💪
Golf sucks and isnt a real sport
Thank you Paul. For the effort, honesty and entertainment you have provided us all with. Best of luck in your next chapter!
You spoke a lot of truth once you got into the negatives. Most folks will never understand that side of it. Appreciate that level of realness from you. Best of luck on your journey.
Thanks for the advice you’ve given us from your knowledge and experience on the MTB UA-cam side! We wish you continued success with your golf channel. Maybe you can teach us how to golf, since we both know absolutely nothing about it and top golf is about to open here. So it would be fun to be able to go there with a little knowledge haha
-April
Go check out Napoleon Dynamite at the Egyptian tomorrow night. My friend from Newtown, Scott, is hosting it.
Hi Kyle & April: Please don’t leave MTB if you do take up golf.
@@brianmackie9647 haha
I’m truly honored you mentioned me in your thanks! At the end of the day I think it’s best to focus on the positive aspects of what mountain biking did for you. I can understand the reasons you stated that made you lose interest. That’s totally ok. It’s your life. You should 100% do what makes you happy. And when it doesn’t make you happy. Stop. It’s pretty simple and it seems that you’ve got that figured out. That’s a perspective that a lot of people don’t have. It was fun riding, having beers, or chatting online and at the B1KER Bar. Late night drunken push-up contests were some good times. Either way, I’m stoked for you to move into the next chapter of your life and wish you the best. I would hope that if you are ever driving through Sacramento you don’t hesitate to hit me up. Whether you are a mountain biker or not, I’ll still call you a friend.
Good Stuff. Our first duty is self care. 2nd is to care for others.
I literally had the same story happen to me this year. Lost passion. I hated that people kept saying it was burnout because it wasn't. I'm glad to hear your diagnosis and medication is helping you turn it around. Your passion will return at some point, mountain biking or not. Good luck in your endeavors.
The honesty and your personality is always what has made your videos entertaining to me, so best of luck on this next chapter. I think I found some peace realizing I'd never do that crazy stuff on a bike, despite having spent so many hours of my life on bikes. Now it is definitely about spending time with my dog or friends, and keeping my heart healthy.
Do what makes you happy Paul! Life is too short to do anything that doesn't truly bring you joy anymore. Thanks for the years of entertainment.
Echoing this comment.
Whatever the case know that you inspired some of us to get off our asses and get into a bit better shape. Looking forward to your future endeavors.
I've really enjoyed your down to earth style over the years. At 55 years old I am pretty reserved with my mountain biking. I go for mountain biking because it's fun and have no problem walking something if I'm just not feeling confident that day. For me riding has been a my mental health salvation. Thank you for the last 6 years. I wish you well.
I ride every morning with my dog Polly. I’m 75yo and still ride most of the trails here in Moab (cautiously). Like you I have no problem hopping off in some places.
@@tedecker3792 Nice! Happy for you and to know that I have many years of riding left.
It’s a life long thing you don’t give up for those reasons…it doesn’t have to be extreme or a race
@@chrisvig123 yup. I plan to keep going for another couple of decades.
56 and like you hiking or taking the easy line. I fell into the rut after racing for 25 years. I took computers off and rode shorter rides. I found it fun again. I like small groups or solo.
Paul, I'm happy you have come to this realization. So few people actually have that sort of enlightenment when they are doing something they think makes them happy. Mad respect for you sir. I started mountain biking when I was in my early 20's in the early 2k's. I got really into it and spent all my money on gear and was trying to get into competitive racing, etc. When I was 27 I had a bad crash and broke my wrist... distal radius fracture but in this one the bone had been severely damaged. I had to have surgery on it and had cadaver bone put in there along with 18 screws and 2 titanium plates. As I'm typing this the tips of my fingers are numb... side effects from the wrist injury. I also had another crash on a downhill where the bike chain came off and my the back of my lover calve got pinned under the front chain ring. When I got up the chain ring had cut 2 inches deep into the back of my leg and my foot nearly bled out. It tore up my Achilles pretty good and I had nerve damage that lasted 9 months. Anyway, after those two injuries I too fell out of love with mountain biking. It just wasn't worth the risk anymore. I stayed off the bike for a decade but eventually got a new bike when my son was born. Its funny cuz I have a $5k Yeti and the vast majority of my riding is done around the neighborhood with my kid lol.
Anyway, times change and so do people. Do what makes you happy. For me I got into long range shooting. I really enjoy it and for a while I had a channel on UA-cam with a few thousand subs. The comment sections were full of douchebags of course. Most people don't realize how much work and $ is involved in making a video. Anyway, I took my page down cuz again it wasn't worthwhile. I was happier just doing what I loved when time and money permitted. So in short, you're not the only one who's ever gone through some sort of change like this so keep your head up and do what makes you happy. Again, much respect to you sir and for being true to yourself. Good luck in your future endeavors!
Why not switch to XC trails after the big injuries?
Thanks for all the cool vids and pointers. You really where an inspiration to all of us and showed that anyone with dedication can achieve alot in MTB. It will be sad to see you go, but happy that you're moving on to other projects and not stopping due to injury etc.
Mad respect brother. Not everyone can be this honest about anything that they are doing in their lives and walk away. I enjoyed watching all of your videos. I wish you the best and enjoy your new adventures brother.
I used to own a recording studio and have travelled all over the world working with bands, making records. Long story short, I left that life about 8 years ago and it has made a significant impact on my sense of wellbeing and happiness. I have hobbies now (mountain biking, hiking) that I never used to have time for. Most importantly, I have time with my family now. I totally understand where you're coming from and wish you the best in the future. I'll miss your biking videos but I feel so happy for you that you're going to be able to make such an impactful shift in your life the way I did. Cheers Punter!
Paul thank you for all the content you’ve delivered over the years to your fans, it will be missed! Your candour is appreciated and refreshing. The world of social media can be so toxic and I’m sorry it has impacted you so. I started mountain biking pre-internet and the reasons I still ride have not changed - connecting with nature, having adventures and hopefully experiencing those things with some good friends. Maybe one day you’ll go for a ride again without the camera and find these things too. Good luck and Godspeed!
I loved your channel because of your relationship with your fellow riders and your personality. Thank you for everything Paul, I’ll miss your videos!
Good luck with your future endeavours and thanks for the mtb content you provided over the years 👍
Goodluck on another journey Paul! I gotta say you did inspire me to create my own mountain biking Channel! And im just learning new a skill with each Upload! Once again thanks!
Thx for the channel and content. You've been entertaining and I appreciate you contribution to the sport.
The singing while riding downhill to make you better was one of the best moments on UA-cam in history IMO.
Thank you and Cheers!
What an incredible journey you've had! Your progression, your growth in all that you do...fantastic. Wishing you success and happiness in all your future endeavors. Thanks for your content.
Thanks for sharing, Paul. I really appreciate your honesty throughout the video. It was really disappointing to hear about your bad experiences at 19:00 though. I've never understood that part of mountain bike culture and it's sad to see things escalate to that point.
Thanks for taking the time to tell us what’s up. Thanks for all the great info over the years. Good luck in your next adventure
Thank you Paul. Thank you for making content that I really connected with and appreciated because you were different and more relatable than most others. I really looked forward to seeing what you were up to. I am sorry it became a struggle. I was wondering what was up and I really appreciate you taking the time to express yourself and open up about the reasons. I wish you the best and I look forward to seeing what you create in the future but I will miss seeing you. You are one of the few YTers I hoped to run into on the trails somewhere. Take good care.
For the last 14 years I used to produce electronic music. It used to be my passion, but the later years I ended up making less and less and feeling bad about it. Then I just learned to move on and my new passion since 2020 is mountain biking. It's an eternal cycle for us passionates.
Sometimes the music... just devolves into gear acquisition. It's almost a sickness. I have finally stepped away from the part and just enjoy composing. I get someone else to mix/master. I don't want to even get down that rabbit hole. But mtb? I'm not knowledgable enough to want more bikes. I have a nice bike... and that's that.
I guess it's a passion for some people and life for others. I can't even fathom "quitting" cycling. It would be like quitting walking. Doesn't even make sense for me.
Shit, Im on the same boat. But trying not to quit music production though. I guess when you start doing your hobby as a job or push to hard this might happen.
20 yrs djing house and techno parties now I just want to build trails and bike.
I need to have both in my life, DJing and Riding, if I get overwhelmed, form one I got the other one
Please don't delete your awesome mountain biking videos Paul. All the best for you! #thankyoupaulthepunter
Thank you so much for sharing this honest and whole hearted reflection. It's a brave and worthy end to a chapter. I've had much joy and inspiration following your work over the years - because you didn't come at it from an angle of an elitist or "core" (if you will), which was relatable for a mid 30's casual weekend warrior without ambitions of realising every inch of potential. And for that, your perspective and contribution will be missed. I wish you all the best in what ever the future holds for you! Cheers!
Always loved your videos! Thank you so much for your honesty talking to us. It's a great reminder that we are always changing, to seek interest everywhere in life, and that everyone is on their own path. I'm really glad for you that your journey is on a track with more joy and happiness.
Thank you for keeping it 100 with hs paul you have inspired so so many of us and continue to do so! We will always support you no matter where your adventures take you 🤙
Paul! It's so good to hear from you and simultaneously so sad, that you have lost the passion for what probably most of us would consider the most amazing thing. Whatever the future may hold, whatever your next chapter, I hope it will fullfil you and I hope this won't be the last we've heard from you. And of course I hope that one day you'll rediscover mountain biking for yourself as a fun recreational activity that doesn't come with an external pressure of any kind.
Paul, I can honestly say I’ve loved your vids. The down to earth and “Everyman” journey is what brought me to your channel and I can totally relate. Good luck with everything in the future and let us know if you have a new channel on the new hobby 👍👏🏼
Thank you for all the killer mtb adventures. You and several other youtubers have entertained me, and inspired me. Much luck and happiness in your new ventures
Best of luck on your new adventures! I see you as a positive light on UA-cam and glad you’re doing something that interests you more and I’m sure you’ll excel! Cheers!!
Hope you enjoy whatever you do next Paul. Its been fun watching your content. Keep smiling 🙂
I certainly get where you're coming from as a 52 year old who picked up MTB 5 years ago. I also know a lot of people who've had back, shoulder, wrist and knee surgeries from golf and other "safe" sports. Good luck on your next adventure!
Love it mate, and lots of love from Australia. So many people out there think it’s so easy what you guys do but despite the gloss it’s great to get some frankness that it’s not all sunshine and lollipops. Think of all the positives when you get back out on the trails in 5 days 5 weeks 5 years or whenever that may be. You have smashed it and have produced so many high quality & honest videos over the years you should be proud. Hats off and keep being honest with yourself and your most important fan. You. 😊
Thanks for the update. I really enjoyed the video's you made. I will miss your down to earth and keeping it real style. You unpacked a lot of stuff in this video and put a lot of thought into your decision. I wish you all the best on your next chapter in life.
Cheers buddy!! Thanks for being you.
Hey, not usually one to comment but I feel sort of compelled to. I've been getting in to mountain biking in the last few years and it's been an awesome vehicle to get outside more with my friends and challenge myself. Channels like yours and Kara Beal's have been so valuable to me to see people who aren't pros or the best of the best. I find it really important to see people trying and failing and getting better gradually and having fun while doing it. I really resonate with the idea of falling out of love with a sport and the top of those industries not seeing value in grassroots participation in the sport- climbing is super guilty of causing animosity towards "noobs" or "gumbies". At the end of the day, most of us are out here trying to have a good time and we know we're not going to be the world's best but we are still the ones making up a large share of their revenue. I really appreciate all the videos you have made and there will be plenty more new riders who find them in years to come. Wishing you all the best!
What's a gumbie?
I've only just found your videos and been loving the honest cornering tutoring as the reality of learning these skills is not as easy as it is portrayed in most MTB videos, especially if you are in your 40's as I am!
Just watching this and again I am struck by your genuine, open explanation on a difficult decision. I hope you find happiness and you can still find some enjoyment from riding a bike in the future without the pressure of doing it as a way to fit in.
All the best!
This is so sad to hear! I've forever grateful for your friendship and what you've done for me and others with your platform. I hope you continue to do what you love and discovering new things! You always have a buddy down in AZ when you come down to golf :) Cheers Paul!
its good to have a variety of hobbies, ive found if you focus on just one its easy to burn out, especially if you're obsessed with progression. best of luck
Best of luck on your future endeavors! I always point people to your van build when I talk about the custom rig I want to build. Thanks for the good content. In the end, we are all responsible for our own happiness. I'm glad you got diagnosed and are moving on to new adventures! Don't let the haters get you down. There will always be the people that go and "do" and those that barely try and aren't happy doing the same thing, but tearing others down somehow makes them feel better.
Self realization is powerful! Go be happy! I just wish if you are making content for something else, you maybe share a blurb...many of us probably have other hobbies as well.
Much love Paul!! Thank you for all the great videos and laughs along the way. I hope life once again brings your enjoyment.
Thank you Paul for the vid, the honesty, and I wish you the absolute best in the future. Definitely took bravery to put yourself out there like this, and I applaud it 100%. Cheers!
Thank you Paul for the reverse mention at 16:55, it has been a pleasure getting to know you over the years. Best of luck in the future.
As someone with ADHD who only got diagnosed and medicated in the last few years, you're change of hart probably has something to do with no longer needing mountain biking to maintain a "flow state", which may have been part of what got you into it to begin with. I always used to need something like that to actually focus on anything and even getting just an hour of that real focus while riding made my whole day better. I used to compulsively video game for the same reason before I got into MTB, but with medication, you can reach that state doing just about anything (like a normal person) and some of those old hobbies just kind of fade away.
In my case I got more into mountain biking (because I'd actually have the focus/patience to train), but I can see how in your life it just wasn't something you needed anymore and you moved on. All that said, don't sell all your bikes! Keep one! You don't have to be hardcore to enjoy going out for a casual ride with friends.
And I think that MTB culture varies a lot depending on where you go, but I can see Squamish and the top tier riding areas being pretty toxic. Riding around our local trails here in Kansas City (which are probably better than you expect but still no BC or anything) everyone is extremely supportive and friendly with just the occasional dickhead.
Anyway I hope you enjoy whatever comes next, I really enjoyed the videos when I was getting started and am genuinely happy for you.
I'm sure it's my ADHD that keeps me mountain biking. I need to feel that adrenaline even on meds. i to was diagnosed only a few years ago and I'm 58. I still feel the need to ride and race here in the PNW. I'm a little better at just going out to ride for fun with friends but I still feel the need for adrenaline.
Well said!
Have to disagree with you about Squamish being toxic. I moved to Squamish a few years ago and took up biking here, I can honestly say its the opposite from toxic. Everyone is very supportive and if you decide a feature is outside your ability then people will support that and not tell you to just send it. People here are very happy to chat about features with tourists and how to get down them.
I was diagnosed AuDHD this year at 36. A lot of things make more sense now. Although I’m “inattentive type” I feel like I’ve been self medicating my whole life with sports and caffeine. I did triathlon for a few years and it was so addictive. Being able to check workouts off a training schedule and see results was such a dopamine hit!
I still think there’s a need to learn new and master skills in adhd. There are plenty in MTB and golf, and golf is easier in the body.
Omega 3 fatty acids.... pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20868469/
Thank you Paul! It's been great to watch you learn & develop whilst helping me also get better riding at the same time. Best of luck with future endeavours
I started MTB in 2017 ish and have been following the channel since then . Even bought the T shirt:) Thank you so much for everything you have provided the MTB community. It was always refreshing to watch videos from someone I could relate to.
I used to push hard on the bike seal out bigger features but ever since I watched a close friend break his neck I have had to dial it back and change my relationship to the sport.
I'm 54 and I get it. In 1984 I stopped moto cold turkey and right when things were on the verge of taking off for me professionally. I've self examined why I made that decision for decades and still can't come up with the answer.... I just fell out of love with it I guess. I've been riding some form of 2 wheels since before I can even remember existing and it is still a part of me, and always will be. You're a young dude and if I had to bet, you'll be riding your MTB again, but it will just be different. You'll do it for your health, you'll do it on fun flowy trails and you'll do it alone with just your thoughts each ride to help keep you sane. You won't give 2 shits about strava times, how fast you used to be, or how gnarly the gnar is that you are riding compared to YT videos... You'll just ride and have fun. How do I know? 1st hand experience. Good luck in whatever you do Paul.
as soon as u think about strava utube IG FB and all the other BS these morons made up over past 20yrs or so just ruins shit... just go and ride.. i ride only when i want and only for fun.. i def use strava and like to see Koms and cups but at end of day i don't get paid for them so i could give two shits LOL... some people and i know a few of them .. are waaaay to serious about there strava.. LMFAO.. i have a guy that bad mouths me on strava and says i cut trails.. all because i took some of his KOMS.. he literally wants to fight over this crap LMAO and SMH.. LOL
Sorry to see you go but wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors. I’ve really enjoyed watching your content over the past few years! ✌🏼❤️
Class act. We always enjoyed your videos and your self depreciating authenticity. Thanks for making this video as opposed to just vanishing from UA-cam. We agree with all you've said here and it's another reminder to us to keep mountain biking fun and not take unnecessary risks. And, when it isn't fun it's time to move on. You will be missed. Best wishes on your future endeavors. Cheers - Karl, Brenda & Pepper.
Thanks for the vid. Enjoy all the golf. As a bike UA-camr there are a lot of echoes. We aren’t athletes in the gravel/bikepacking space and are constantly passed over for any brand support. The bike industry is just stuck in its ways in throwing money at athletes and events thinking that is the only effective way to reach people which is asinine in 2022. Thankfully we’ve been able to grow the Patreon. I feel you on the skill caste/system culture. There is def lots of trickle down from road racing into gravel and even touring. Anyway. Have enjoyed your vids even though we don’t mountain bike. And good for you for moving on!
Mountain bike industry values skill and progression more than youtube creators that would otherwise make them more profit.
I truly believe that's how it should be.
Great riders who train hard to push the limits of what's possible on a bike deserve support more than youtube guys that are scared of straight airing a 20ft jump even after 10 years of riding.
Thats my opinion, no hate to anyone.
peace out.
If your blonde and pretty they throw sponsorship at you even some who have only ridden for 6 months. Us who try hard get nothing. It sucks. And half the community is toxic.
@@BOTG_Adventures throw a backflip to prove your point.
That sucks I've used your channel for advice on parts heaps of times despite being from the mtb side because like probably most people, I'm not an athlete, I just like like riding. Oddly comfort, riding position enc other things seem ignored in the mtb space but yourselves and other great commuting /bike packing channels fill that void. I will end up with a steel frame one day and it will be partly your 'fault' sir.
I remember playing music for 8 years in 3 different bands, listening for +20 years, wondering what would be the next step...strangely the next would be growing tired of it, without any apparent reason, then I moved back to my first love which was mountain biking. People change, life change, it's really weird stop doing something you did for such a long time, but it's necessary to grow as a person, do what is meaningful to you at the moment and good luck in everything Paul, best regards
Hey Paul, Glad to have been along for the journey while it lasted. Your channel has provided great advice that still goes through my head every time I am out on the trails as I will forever be a novice. Best of luck for the future!
Respect! Good luck on your next life chapter. Thank you for sharing and being down to earth in your approach to videos and MTB.
Paul, your comments about injury hit home with me. Was riding once and came across a guy who hit a drop he didn't know was there and broke his neck. His life is forever changed now. As we were waiting for 911to get there I was holding my phone for him as he called his wife. Tough conversation to listen to. And then last summer took a bad OTB and messed up my neck, 17 months later and its finally feeling OK. I have to tell myself to relax and enjoy the ride now, its not a race. PR's don't really matter, what matters is I make it home after each ride. Good luck in your future endeavors!
Hey man. So I’m 50, my first mtb was in 1990, and I walked away from the sport for about 15 years, so I’ll tell you a little bit of my story and I hope you can take it for what it’s worth and take anything from it that you may.
Mtbed from 1990 to 1998 or 99?(the exact date is lost in a fog in my brain). Loved it. Was totally into it. Raced amateur races. Tinkered with bikes. Etc. Had a bad accident and compound fractured my forearm but still came back.
But late 90s I was in law school (graduated 99), was living with my then girlfriend now wife, and was getting involved seriously with Rugby. And mtbing was becoming, quite frankly, a pain in the butt. Getting geared up, loading the bike, having to drive to a trail, and then all that in reverse. My wife didn’t do it (well she would come along once in a while on a mellow ride just being a good significant other and supporting me, but it really wasn’t her thing) and every ride was time away from her. And I was really starting to get into Rugby and enjoying that more, which also took up a lot of my time. Finally my bike got stolen and that was it- I didn’t mtb (or ride a bike for that matter as I’ve never been a cyclist, just an mtber) for 15 years. Between my marriage and home life and job as a lawyer which I was always trying to take the next step in my career in, and now Rugby being my primary recreational activity, mtbing just didnt fit in.
Well fast forward 15 years and Rugby was coming to an end. I bought a cheap dept store mtb like object- a Diamondback and I have to say for what it was it went above and beyond- simply so I could stop running one offseason of Rugby in order to heal an Achilles injury but stay in shape, and guess what? The bug bit me again. Yup, I was full on loving mtbing, just as I was going through what you just talked about in this vid with Rugby. So after maybe a year or two of doing both, I finally hung up the Rugby boots and got back into mtbing full time. First got a (what seemed to me like a stupid expensive) XC hardtail, pushed that to its limits, started realizing that I still ride like I’m that 15 yo bmx kid I was at one point in my life and needed a bike better suited to that style riding so spent a year demoing bikes and finally bought my current rig, and am still loving it to this day.
But here’s the thing- my outlook on it now had changed. It was purely recreational now. I mean sure I still love talking about the technical aspects of our bikes, and talking about trails etc with people, but that whole mtb world thing I just wasn’t into and didn’t care about. I wasn’t interested in massive group rides. I wasn’t interested in progressing anymore other than what I personally wanted to do. I put a limiter on myself for the first time in my life and was totally content with it. I’m not working my way up to massive jumps or drops anymore. I wanted to progress to be able to do the typical stuff we find on typical trails- the 2-5 foot drops and jumps, wanted to be able to hit the steeper lipped jumps (not the huge ones mind you) that we find at parks that I like to go to a few times a year, but that was it. I wanted to progress to the point that it made riding fun because I could handle the typical stuff on trails, but wasn’t interested in seeking out those trails with crazy insane stuff. When it came to rides, I wanted tk ride solo much more, as it is a much more personal enjoyment, mind clearing thing now. If I do ride, I want to ride with maybe one or two close friends; I’m nit interested with big group rides now for the most part. Mtbing like that can become a bit like social media- you have a huge number of “friends” but none of them are real friends. When ai do ride with my close friends, it’s more about being together and hanging out while doing something we enjoy. We’re often all at different levels but it doesn’t matter, we stop and wait for each other, we’ll limit what we ride to the lest skilled rider (or maybe hit a trail alone and then meet up again a few mins later), and, while we encourage each other, we also walk stuff we don’t feel like we can do. And that limiter thing I was talking about- it’s not just about progression. Sometimes on a ride there is a feature I have hit before and can do, but that day maybe Im just not feeling it. Or I have a jury trial starting the next day or in a few days. And you know what I do, I walk or ride around it. And it doesn’t bother me. I don’t worry about. Because ultimately I’m just out to have fun and decompress, and that is not dependent on whether I hit some feature, or have some KOM, or whatever that day. What gives me the fun and the mental destressing is simply the being on the bike, on a trail. The freedom it gives me. The pleasure of whipping down a trail (again whether it is actually fast or just seems fast to me doesnt mater, it’s the feeling of speed I love). The being out in nature (as I’ll sometimes tell my friend I ride with that I am quite a bit faster than- don’t worry about me stopping and waiting for you, bc when I am I am just enjoying being in a woods). The feel when the bike leaves our planet Earth, even just for a few seconds, and the silence as the hum of the tires stop while they rotate through the air. And finally the mental freedom I get of not thinking about anything else- when we’re on our steeds zipping down some trail we have to be totally focused. There is no time for my mind ti wander about work, or my financial portfolio, or personal or family issues. It is just focus on the task at hand, and that task is giving me joy.
And the last thing I’ll talk about are your comments about the risk, and the wondering if the risk is worth it, and the watching other people go beyond their skill level into risky behavior. First, it is why I shy away from big festivals and gatherings. I just dont want to get wrapped up into that mentality that other people are in. And second, welcome to getting older!! Lol you do start to think about this stuff more as you get older. We have more responsibility and more people that are dependent on us. So it would be irresponsible to not consider those things and those people. Plus, I think as we get older we have more experience when we look at something of understanding how it could go wrong and our brain says to us- hey you made it this long why don’t you skip this so you can make it a while longer. Lol. They say kids are fearless and this is often why- ignorance is sometimes bliss and it is sometimes easier to send it when you don’t really know the consequences.
In sum, mtbing is no longer a sport to me, but rather a personal hobby that clears my mind and helps keep me fit. I dont pay attention to a lot of the “sport of mtbing” stuff- you know- the blingiest components, the commercialization and consumerism of it, the festivals, the pro race results, the biggest sends. If I don’t want to ride, I don’t and I dont worry about it. My little channel is for me and a way to pay it back- basically just try to provide vid footage of trails so people that want to ride it but check it out first can, and then some vids on things I think might help others in the same spot I was in. But I dont look at the stats of my channel, and I dont care if a vid gets 1 view or 1 million. It’s for me, just like my riding.
So don’t fret it. Do what you feel. You might come back to it, you might not. But if you do feel that urge, or maybe swing a leg over a bike some time and get bit by that bug, don’t fret over that either. It’s ok. You can come back to it. And you can do it on different terms, and on your terms. So go live, enjoy all aspects of life, enjoy having the ADHD recognized and controlled (my son has it so I somewhat understand) but also know that your vids have helped a lot of people and that it’s always there if you find your way back to it. Just do me one favor- if you’re hiking on the trail and I come along and ring my bell, like do, and then call out like I do if I don’t see a response to my bell, and then slow down to a courteous speed like I do, don’t do the exaggerated production of leaping off the trail in fear as if I was just about to run you over. Please, please, don’t be one of them. Lol. 🤙 and good luck my man.
I think you summed it up pretty well. I think a lot of males especially have an inborn desire to push limits, achieve, progress. But that desire fades, the sports we obsess over aren't our battle fields anymore, they are our playgrounds. Our worlds become bigger and our priorities change from the less trivial moments of glory to long lasting happiness. Hey, it happens, it's okay.
@@growlith6969 yup. I think it was really great of Paul open up like he did and provide the explanation. Sure there’ll be the bro dudes who will call him a wuss or quitter and those that will say it was because he turned it into a job. But that was part of why I wanted to tell my story too- because it’s not unique. While his story and my story obviously won’t apply to everyone, I think like you say it happens to a lot of people, especially men. As the progression plateaus, maybe one’s skills drop a bit, maybe one starts to question the risks a bit because of responsibilities, and maybe other interests come along and work takes up more time, priorities and pleasures change. Nothing wrong with that. And then they change again, and maybe you come back to something you stopped doing long ago. All is good. I think key is not to force something, or do something for others, or to please others, or to show something to other people. Do it for you and your close family, and if you do then it will be right for you and you will enjoy in. Btw- nice name- hope you keep having adventures!! 🤙
Mate your experience truly speaks to me. I’ve been a prop for many years. Had to quit playing rugby due to the amount of injuries, unjustifiable at my (very low) level. Discovered mtb very recently and love it but this is all just something I do for fun. No reason to get hurt or worse just to “send it”. I don’t need to push my limits, it’s my way to decompress so there’s no reason to add a level of stress to it 😅
@@vitotigani hey blood brother. Flanker here (open side was primary position) but played just about every other position by time I retired. Lol. Played for Baltimore-Chesapeake and then an old boys club called the Poltroons. Finally got to the point that the days of pain outweighed the joy, and it was time to hang em up. Toughest thing I ever walked away from. I still can’t bring my kit if I go see a match cause I’ll suit up. Lol. Luckily mtbing helped fill the void and provides a lot of the same mud, fun and camaraderie thing , but man I really miss breaking off the scrum and laying out a Flyhalf. Lol
@@dadventuretv2538 thanks mate I still miss playing rugby from time to time, one thing for sure mtb requires more cardio I have ever done 😅
Thank you so much for all the great videos you have given us Paul! All the best for the next stage of your life!!
Thank you for all of the videos you have posted over the years. I am a middle of the road type rider. I find myself at times, riding above my abilities. Or rather pushing myself too far. I have a trip coming up this weekend (and future rides) and due to this video I will definitely check myself before I do something I will regret. I hope your future is as bright as you've made ours.
Cheers to you Paul! Thank you for your candor and taking the time to put this together. I think you have a great attitude about the entire thing, and that's going to be the catalyst for a very happy, and meaningful life. Your comments about the mtb community hit home for me, and I've seen it both on the most popular forum, and out on the local trails. Even down to what a person rides, and what they wear. The cult locally are out at night, building double jumps on the hiking trails. The jumps are steep and dangerous, span the width of the trails so riders have to ride over them, whether good enough to jump or not, and the jumps literally pop up over night. So a person may think they know a trail, and know where they can ride faster, etc, and the next time they ride, SURPRISE, there's a set of jumps. On top of that, these are trails that have been for walking/hiking/running for decades. Suddenly the local cult comes through, and "nope, these are for us, and we ride double blue to double black." I ride solo everywhere, because I don't want to be a part of any of it.
Good luck with your future pursuits! I can really understand where you are coming from. I am in my mid 60s and have a dirt bike background but nothing extreme. I started mountain biking when I retired and soon got an electric mountain bike. I enjoy the sport but realized pretty quickly that my skill set was limited and that it would be very easy to get hurt badly if I was not really careful. I know people my age who have broken a lot of bones, and I really want to avoid that. The tough part is resisting the group mind to try and ride stuff I do not have the skill set to do safely. So far so good as I have no problem just walking the bike no matter what, but that "send it" attitude can be deadly. I also spent some years doing track days on very fast sport bikes. That also was tons of fun, but of all the sports I have done the most intimidating one is mountain biking. Doing a challenging trail on a day when things are not clicking is no fun at all. I can see where making a living doing something that you no longer enjoy would be an unpleasant grind. The good thing is that you have choices about your future. Many people are just stuck in a horrible job with a family and bills and no way out. Hope you keep the channel going and find a new outlet for your interests!
I'm 40 and admittedly ride a lotta sketchy stuff. Mostly bike parks, and I'm pretty good cause I pushed myself. A few months ago at Snowshoe in WV I had a pretty bad wreck, and since then I've looked at riding a lot differently. If it's sketchy, I don't ride it. If I'm tired, I stop. No longer do I feel the need to prove anything to myself, and tbh it's been a weight off my shoulders. Maybe I won't progress anymore, but I'm perfectly fine with that. It's about being outside, having fun and getting a little exercise.
I'm happy you made the videos you did, I've enjoyed them. I'm also happy you've found something new you're passionate about and that's bringing you happiness. I'm sad that you had such a different experience with MTB and MTB culture than I have. I may just be lucky, but the community has been very inclusive and supportive of all levels of skill in my personal experience. I hope you have a great time going forward with whatever you choose to do!
I have missed your videos for a while now and wondered what happened to you. I appreciate the fact that you took time to make this video to explain yourself. It was not necessary but I appreciate you opening up to us like this. You will be missed and I wish you all the best.
Honestly you where one of the reasons my family got into mountain biking. Sad to see you leave!😢But good luck in the future.
This must feel like weight off your chest. Congrats on getting through the mental hurdles up til this point. Glad you are able to share your story. You are not alone. Biking became my affair to my long wedded winter sports career.
Thanks for all the great vids over the years Paul. As others have said there is no point doing something for fun if you don’t enjoy it, find whatever makes you happy & enjoy your life.
good for you Paul. im happy to see you first found success with your talent, and then the selfawarness to continue your path beyond biking, wherever it may lead. also thank you for calling attention to some unspoken rough edges in this sport.
Second: thank you for addressing the carelessness and disregard for safety that as a community became lost in the shuffle of “fun.” I miss riding my bike for fun, but I feel trails are built for the purpose of building skill and I’d like some that are just fun and I don’t have to worry about keeping friends or kids safe - hard to come by here in GJ. The progression of skill can keep you safe on the trails, but some features are simply a gamble every time.
With social media too, I feel like a lot of us get caught up in trying to check off the sketchy features on our local trails. For me it lead to a bad crash and a lot of anxiety afterwards - now I just like enjoying the trail and riding stuff within my comfort. Happy to skip anything that makes me nervous
@@hootie_owl2771 absolutely. I think adding UA-cam to the mix of this concept doesn’t help. But even the Crashing Dad (it’s in the name) made some of his biggest videos off of really dangerous features, but what you don’t see is the progression that lead him there and that he doesn’t do anything if he feels he doesn’t have the skill.
@@hootie_owl2771 also, sorry about your crash. I hope you healed up ok
@@dazholi thankfully no injuries but it was enough to scare me into riding more conservatively
Agreed - I have a mortgage and a family so I prefer to stick to challenging Blue trails and not anything sketchier than that.
This made me really sad as I experienced a similar loss of interest with lacrosse. I played for years growing up but when I got to play on a college team (my dream growing up) I totally fell out of love with the sport and I haven’t really played since. Best of luck to you Paul. I’ve always enjoyed your content and the energy you bring.
"Comparison is the thief of joy". I hope you find a pickup game of cool funny guys and just play your balls off without even keeping score. That's how you get the love back. Its a game, its supposed to be fun!
Thanks Paul. I was wondering why you hadn’t posted in a while. I’ll miss your videos. Thanks for providing content that was real and relatable to me, a rider that struggles on rides. Enjoy whatever it is that makes you happy. Cheers!
Thank you Paul for all you have done and good luck in whatever your future brings!
I can see you're having a real struggle. I recognize that quitting energy in you. I've had it myself and some of it has to do with whether I'm good enough or not, whether I matter or not, whether I'm honest with myself or not. Whatever you are fighting with yourself about, maybe make a resolution to be a peace. If you say the ADHD drugs are working to mellow out your mind then that's good. The best part of your videos is when you let go and I really just having fun and not thinking so much about everything else. Good luck with whatever you choose in the future. Be brave and strong with yourself and honest.
Man, diagnosed at 37. It was enlightening at first. After a couple years of the meds, things got worse than they were without. Hope your stuff keeps working, and do whatever you want. Peace
Diagnosed at 21, same here regarding meds. Just got to find what works for us and keep doing it.
Hello Paul, I just wanted to say I loved your videos and really missed them over the last few months. Thanks for all the great content and good luck with your next chapter!
MATEEEEEEEEEEEE, I was wondering earlier this week how I haven't seen you in ages! Whatever makes you happy and gets you going, I will really miss your videos and personality. You've done something that many of us dream of doing and you made a lot of people happy with your videos something I hope one day, I can emulate. Big Love PTP
First: thank you for your description of adhd. Thank you for normalizing something that has the potential to improve a lot of people’s lives❤
Bye Paul, thanks for all the content. Wishing you all the best in the future
Thanks for all the great content over the years! I can't believe you're leaving the sport but sounds like it's what's best for you at this stage
Enjoyed your videos because you had not the urge to be sick and all of that. I saw you as someone who just loves doing. Your tutorial videos were just great. Wish you all the best for the future!
Sorry to see you leave the sport, glad you found something you like to do.
I recognize a lot of issues you mention here. I started riding when I moved to Canada in 2020. I wanted to be on my bike constantly, even hitting my local trails nearly every day. I don’t feel that anymore for sure, and sometimes get huge mental blocks with features of moves even if I have done them before. But I do ride with a good group of friends; all of which are better than I am. Maybe I’ll catch up someday, maybe I won’t. But I have no issues riding around something I don’t like the look of. I think I like the riding part of biking the least of the whole culture- the bikes, being outside, being with friends- I think I value more. Best of luck to you.
Good luck to you with everything going forward. Thank you for inspiring so many of us!
Thanks for all the content Paul!
As a complete amateur it felt great to watch someone that I could relate to.
Go do what you love!
What you’ve done by stepping away takes an ultimate level of self awareness!
Well done for everything you achieved with your channel, good luck with the next chapter 👏
You know you brought up a really good point about UA-camrs bringing people into the sport. I for one really don’t watch pro biking at all, but on UA-cam I watch a lot of the guys you mentioned, because I can relate to them, UA-camrs are bringing a lot more people into the sport then sponsors think. Biking in particular over traditional sports, tennis, golf, basketball, football, etc. there getting prime time coverage, but biking doesn’t and while it’s fun to watch pros do crazy jumps, i myself won’t do it, it’s just to dangerous and I think that’s the appeal to watching average joes on UA-cam.
Be well Paul. Thank you for your videos, they were always some of my favorites. As many stated before, your videos were relatable. I learned from them. Good luck with your next adventure and again, thank you .
Really amazing to see you opening up like this, I loved watching your videos because of you and your personality and would happily watch all of your videos. but as someone who has gone through many of the same thoughts with mountain biking you are not alone, stay strong and I hope to see more from you in whatever you are doing!
Sometimes we just fall out of sports and that’s kinda just that. It happened to me with parkour, I got pretty good at it, doing it for 9 years and even getting paid to teach. Then I found MTB and slowly stopped wanting to do flips. And it’s a crappy feeling, like I’m so good at this and it use to be fun and now I don’t want to do it at all. All that work and effort to get better, all the friends I barely see anymore cause I’m not training. It took over a year to just accept I don’t want to do it anymore and I just wanna ride bikes, and that’s okay. Maybe sometime a new hobby will come and take over MTB, but now I know it’s okay to give up on a hobby if I really just rather do something new.
i honestly cant imagine ever wanting to not own a mountain bike
@Steven St. Gelais in my twenties I could honestly never envisage a time when I wouldn't smoke dope socially.
I haven't had a smoke for nearly a decade now, I got bored of it and don't really miss it, even though I have friends that still smoke.
The point is that we change, it's not a bad thing. You may well still be mountain biking when you're seventy, or you may get into something else in five years time and leave the mountain bike behind. You never know until it's happening.
@@scotti_wan_kenobi I've been biking since I was 3 years old and I'm 24 now. I enjoy it now more than ever, but there's been days where I didn't care to ride. I consider it an investment into my physical health because that's my favourite way to get a workout. I can't say I've ever really gotten sick of it. Just days where I don't have time or don't want to ride. But I don't sell all my bikes because of it
The exact same thing happened with me and airsoft. Was totally into it for over 10 years, but then had a shift in my thinking and values. It never was the same after that.
I just happen to be wearing my Team Slow and Awkward shirt today. I fully understand and support your decision and really commend you for your bravery in opening up to us. I have had many passions over the years and have gone through similar realizations that I was doing something because I thought I should rather than because I wanted to. As an older, not super skilled rider I have really enjoyed your content over the years and wish you all the best in whatever you chose to do in the future.
I applaud you and respect you for putting you happiness and mental health first. Good luck with your future endeavours and I hope whatever you're doing instead makes you incredibly happy. It's been a pleasure to follow along this part of your journey.
Paul, you have placed some great content out there and it will always be there. You showed determination and courage and made the impossible possible. Good luck on your new path.
Life's too short to not enjoy things you do, if you can make a change for the better then fair play to you! 👏🏼
Im 60 ill never quit mt bike tell I die
Paul, I really enjoyed all your videos , I enjoyed your humour in your videos. But most importantly I am glad you found something that you love to do and am happy to do it. Ill miss your videos and remember all the great ones. Enjoy and thank you.
Hi Paul, just wanted you to know that your van conversion at VanGo now Off Grid Customs, was a big reason and inspiration for moving forward and doing our own van conversion with Off Grid. We have done some very fun trips and look forward to much more. I watched your van conversion to the end and was very impressed. I'm sure your next inspiration will be just as epic as the last. Take care and good luck!