There are always opportunities to look on the bright side!

Think 'Traction'. Yep, more weight over the wheels gives you better
traction. I'm constantly reminded of this over the winter as these
big Ford trucks lumber through the snow while little sports cars just
spin their wheels.

There is also the 'padding' factor but this doesn't really help you
win a race, it just makes wrecking less painful :>)

I guess at 5'11 I should be around 145 and like most of you have not
seen that since I was 18. I also remember looking like a Ethiopian
refugee at that weight. I'm thinking that 160-165 (I'm 172) is a
little more reasonable since I don't see a pro contract anywhere in
the future.

Also keep in mind that 'technical ability' makes a bigger difference
in mountain biking than it does in road. Road has so much to do with
optimal weight and body position in order to shave seconds off your
time. What is great about mountain biking is that you can make up
those seconds through better execution.

--- In yorkareamountainbikers@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Plowright
<paulpf700@y...>" <paulpf700@y...> wrote:
> This talk of weight depresses me... I'm a gargantuan 185 lbs which
> means I am pushing an extra 40lbs or so over you little guys...
>
> Still, at 6'4" there isn't much room for improvement weight-wise,
> short of amputation.
>
> Guess I will have to live with being slow up those climbs... which
I
> too am disturbingly drawn to.
> Paul :)