I too did a lot of mountain biking back in the days; mt wilson, redbox, santa monica, turnbull, chileo(I think I spelled that wrong).........local stuff. I noticed after each ride I/we wanted more of a thrill and we would usually find it. However, one day I took a spill on a switchback and landed a few feet from the edge of the mountain, the only reason my bike didn't go over was because the spokes from the tire got caught in a shrub. Now I fish with the sharks but I don't carry a loaded weapon
Congrats on an awesome kayak, I might upgrade to one of those this year.