# @arielleshipe on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CDHAGnkpwF0
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/18646161-arielleshipe-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/8d3dca5654.jpg
- **Posted:** 2020-07-26T14:55:14.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Arielle Shipe | Outdoor Adventure + Motherhood (@arielleshipe) — https://gondola.cc/arielleshipe

## Caption

One of the biggest reasons I waited so long to start downhill mountain biking was fear. Everyone kept telling me that I would love it… that it was like snowboarding in the summer… that it was so fun… but I was scared. I was scared of going over the handlebars… Even though I was used to speed on my snowboard, the idea of weaving myself through the trees on a bike was super intimidating. This sounds almost ridiculous to admit out loud, but I was also scared to start anything that would take me away from my other summer activities like climbing and hiking. And then I tried it…
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Truthfully, the fear was still there on that first ride earlier this summer but there was also this little spark of childlike joy. On my first day in the park here in aspensnowmass we took three laps. My quads were completely burnt out and I could barely open my hands up. Even after being in some of the best shape of my life, I was sore the next day. I was sore… but all I wanted to do was go again the next day. I went 5 days my first week and have squeezed in as many laps as my schedule allows since then. I think it’s safe to say that I have enjoyed making space in my life for this new passion.
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The faster I start to go the more that reality that I may take a good fall lingers over me, so I have upgraded my biking gear a bit to keep me as safe as possible. The biggest (and most important) upgrade was to a full-face helmet. My brain is worth the investment! After browsing the options on backcountry I found a POC helmet in my favorite color and opted for matching goggles to keep the dust out of my eyes. I also added some knee pads to my kit and have some elbow pads on the way.
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The most common questions I get are about all my gear so I will add links in my stories today to everything in my downhill kit including my bike. I know that getting into a new activity can be expensive so if there’s anything that you are looking at on backcountry that isn’t already on sale feel free to use my code “ARIELLE15” for 15% off (*some exclusions apply*).
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Anyone else overcoming some fears and learning something new this summer? #findyourbackcountry

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## Tags

findyourbackcountry

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