I just ride for fun (inc messing about with mates too) and progression - riding does keep me relatively fit and heathly, especially compared to my non riding mates but to me thats a bonus! I do care about how my bike rides too - because you set it up 'how it is good for you and your style' but that ain't the reason why i ride. I think everyone wants to be good anyway and everyone wants to get better, thats obivious, but some people are more fussed about being the best than others, but thats how world champions are made! Yeah I have riding goals and aims, some are just I wanna be able hook, do that gap, etc by next summer or whenever and some i just think 'wouldn't be cool if i could do that' (these are normally just random tricks though...hahaha I do think sometimes trials riders are too harsh and get too stressed, because one night they can't do a gap or can tap49" instead of 51" or whatever. take a step back and do a different line, move, techniques and come back and try it a different day. mike