Perhaps the best part about mountain biking is the nearly even distribution of uphill battles and the subsequent downhill payoff.  No other sport compares.

Going in, you know you’ll pedal your butt off uphill, struggling to breath, legs going limp. At some point, you top off.  You’re impressed with the amount of work you just put in.  You’re warmed up, heart pounding, nimble in the saddle.

The downhill portion is a flash.  What took you an hour to climb is over in 15 minutes. All that hard work for such a quick thrill ride.  And absolutely worth the effort.

Sound a little like life?