older? smarter?

Over the last couple of years I have noticed I have become slower on singletrack and downhills. Why is that? When I first got into MTBing that was my strongpoint. Now I catch myself hitting the brakes everywhere, which just creates this vicious cycle of bad lines and more hitting the brakes! It's easy to use the old "I have to make it to work to pay the bills" excuse. But that really is just a lame ass excuse. I hate crashing but I think in a way finding that edge is sometimes what keeps it new and fun. So my goal from now on is not to crash but ride like water....flow! Pick good lines. Smile. Feel like a kid. Do not worry about going to work and paying bills. Maybe even pop a couple of wheelies along the way!!!