Change Is In The Air

The mountains are ablaze with the colors of fall. Their vibrancy hits me like a blaring siren. Screaming that winter is just around the bend. As the fall’s flashing colors send my head spinning I think back on my summer months….

First there was the “Big Thaw”.  A month long Road trip down HWY 1 in which surf, Redwoods, and the simplicity of beach life helped lay the foundation for a full recovery after a long winter.

Then bikes…. The first activity that I was able to get back to. And was I ready to get back!!!

Then there were the Hikes… Such a simple form of getting out in the mountains and so rewarding.

And then more bikes… Why? well they are just too damn fun!!!

While the summer has been a time of rejuvenation for mind, body, and soul.

The season of anticipation is upon us.

It is a time when we dream big, but often have sleepless nights due to the endless flow of eager energy circulating through our beings.

Will this be another La Nina season of record breaking proportion? Are you gonna be ready when mother nature calls?

Yes the colors blare

and dare us to dream big,

train hard,

and get ready

for that blanket of white freedom!!!!

Back in The Saddle Again

It has been almost 4 months to the day since I had a new ACL put in my knee…. So I decided it was time to get back on the big bike and have some fun DH style

Openning Day at DV

Bikes, Beaches, Beer, and Even a Movie Premier: An Epic Solo Road Trip From Colorado To LA

The onset of fall is a time when I become antsy. It’s a time when my summer obsession with biking begins to battle my mind and heart’s attention and tries to hold on while my winter passion for skiing rapidly takes over. The only cure I have found for this seasonal and obsessive shift… hit the road!

There is something about being on the road that some how makes these two opposing sports at peace. Maybe it is because they both feel attended to while I ‘m behind the wheel. That, at any turn, I may hit a snowy peak or a slick rock trail and pull my bike or my skis out of my truck and begin to play. On the road anything can happen, all adventures are fair game, and my skis and my bike live harmoniously.

The past few weeks I have traveled to Moab, back to Park City, then to Golden and Boulder, CO., Then back through Park City, and then to LA.

You might have picked up on the fact that this wasn’t the most direct or logical itinerary, but then again, when you are hitting the road for the sake of adventure there is no need for rationality.

At any rate, My first adventure was impromptu. I was looking for something to do, I was in PC, essentially unemployed, and bored. When I expressed my antsy feelings to my good friend and rad photographer Re Wikstrom she invited me to tag along with her to Moab for her friend, Liz’s birthday weekend. Thrilled to have an excuse and a crew to travel, I jumped on the opportunity.

We hit the road in Liz’s Element, which was loaded beyond with all of our bikes and camping gear and headed off to meet up with the rest of the crew who had already set up camp. We got there and instantly threw tents into place, switched out clothes, and hit the practice loop for a couple quick laps before we lost the sun to the horizon.

The next morning we grabbed the 8:30am shuttle up to Hazard County and began our 20 something mile decent hitting all the infamous Moab trails. UPS, LPS, and Porcupine to name a few. It was my virgin Porcupine experience, and lucky for me Connie Misket, a long time DH pro, ever so kindly slowed her roll so that I could follow her line. Thank you Connie for spoon feeding me the best 4hrs. of my life!

The following day we packed up camp headed over to Amasaback and started the hot (probably too late 10:45am) climb. It was a particularly painful experience for me, as I decided the night before, that when sitting around a campfire it is essential to pass around a bottle of Whiskey, unfortunately for me I was one of the two that had partaken in my declared ritual. Thus, the hour climb up the exposed slick rock left me feeling quite beaten, however no longer hungover.

The decent was fun; However, I got served a serious piece of humble pie while trying to hit this double drop. Note to self: when you tell your friend that you are suffering from line choice A.D.D. and you keep finding yourself in “no mans land” that is not the time to try an exceptionally technical line.

Live and learn.

Fortunately, we made it back in one piece (maybe a bit more colorful with bruises and blood, but in one piece none the less.)

I was back in PC for a few days, doing laundry, packing up my truck, and getting some life organized before I was off to Golden, CO for the premier of the Freeheel Life 2: Hippies Punx & Misfits.

The Freeheel Life 2: Hippies Punx & Misfits\” Official Trailer

The trip started early, as I was intent on getting a quick bike ride in before hitting up the premier and the Bent Gate’s Winter Welcome party at 6pm. I pulled into Golden around 3pm and thumbed threw my Mountain Biking Colorado Guide and found a great ride in the White Ranch Open Space.

I only scratched the surface of the what the trail system had to offer, but after sitting in my truck for 8hrs and downing copious amounts of Red Bull and caffeine, my cardiovascular conditioning was less than ideal. None the less the ride was great and allowed me to get a good stretch and sweat in before the nights festivities began.

I rolled into the Winter Welcome party around 5:30pm. Immediately, I transitioned into my skier self. There was Andy from BCA , Chris from Scarpa, Jax from Hestra, and Josh Madsen from Telemark Skier Magazine among many other reps from all the major players in the backcountry ski world.

The energy was a buzz and so were most of the people in attendance. Within the first hour the ski expo and the film were sold out, leaving a few late comers vying for entry. Alas, the place was packed, reps. were swarmed and the anticipation for the film was growing. After an hour of drooling of the newest gear and an epic raffle of skis, packs, and bindings it was time for the film.

The film was well received and left us feeling the need to continue the party. After a late night and a delicious breakfast it was off to Boulder.

Josh, Charlotte, and I went off to one of my favorite places, Chautauqua open space. We hiked to the top of the third Flatiron where the beautiful scenery and fall colors put on an incredible display.

After the beautiful hike, Josh and Charlotte went on there way and I headed over to one of my best friend’s house for the rest of the weekend.

As to be expected, when reuniting with a long time friend, we partied hard and celebrated our reunion in style.

By the time Monday morning rolled around the lack of clean clothes, the endless social endeavors, and the general feeling of exhaustion made Park City my next destination.

Home felt good, but not good enough to keep my anxious soul from hitting the road once more. With my dog and a swim suit in tow, I headed out once more to the Pacific coast. It took 12 hours, but I made it to LA to meet up with my family. This was the therapeutic terminus of a few weeks of partying hard and playing even harder.

Three days of California bliss rejuvenated my soul. The weather was perfect, my dog had his first ocean experience, and I experienced my first acupuncture needle and Qi Gong class. That coupled with the warmth that only a family can bring sent me back home soaring.

Now, back in Park City, I am at peace. My biker self has found resolve in the fact that the snow is coming and it is time to let the skier emerge.