…i differentiate by using the explanation of road cycling being more of a zen state of riding…i’ve found that by relaxing & centering my focus, i can finesse a lot of power & my body just flows w/ the bike…
…to me, it’s a more “pure” form of cycling…

…on the dirt, where i prefer a cross bike to an mtb, (which ups the stakes) i’m looking more for the centered physical balance of my body & bike together & working them to flow over the terrain’s variables…it’s like a form of yoga…
…riding in the dirt, adds a “natural purity” not found on the road…

…recognizing body tension on a bike is key because means it can be utilized to help or at least relaxed so that it’s not a hindrance to riding…

…& as a kid, none of this matters cuz ya just go out & do stuff & have a great time…

I’d say yeah, that’s part of it; we learn about what ought to count as unnecessary discomfort as we spend time with others. Habit is totally apt, also referred to as social habitus: that “nonreflective’ process of bodily self-regulation” composed of the “dispositions of a social class or group due to their common codes of conduct and the similar patterns of their upbringing” (Pierre Bourdieu).

The other part is hyper awareness of bodily states. Road riding – at least in my experience where there is really not a ton to be concerned with other than my effort – is a practice where we are very focussed on our bodies rhythm and feedback. In contrast, mountain biking demands much of our attention be spent on handling the bike. Children tend to enter flow states much more readily than adults. We hear about these states all the time when athletes talk about being ‘in the zone’ or ‘being in the moment.’ In flow states, we are not caught up evaluating our bio-feedbacks; we simply do what we are doing. Kids don’t tend to be phased by snow and their boots etc, because they are absorbed in their activity. They are not self-reflexive in the way we are as adults.

Recall, riding your bike is usually about both past rides and future ones. We compare our present against past ones as we ride (especially on the road). I find that letting all that go, diverting my attention away from my speed , and attending to the feel of the road and what is up ahead helps me ride better when I am suffering. Take language (discursive thinking) out of the game and you’ll be able to ride better.

…but the funny thing is, as kids we’d go out in the middle of winter w/ snow down our necks & in the tops of our mitts & just happily play for hours on end, half frozen to the core…
…habit development perchance ???…