First inaugural #followcamfriday winter edition. Disclaimer- there is no MTB in this video. If you hate snow, keep scrolling. 

Sometimes I go skiing. If I am being honest, I love skiing just as much a riding bikes and could have happily gone in that direction as a career choice. Thankfully I didn't, and ski for fun, without sponsor obligation or much of an agenda. Riding bikes pays the bills. Skiing keeps me sane.  

Japan has been on my bucket list for a very long time. The skiing, the food, the culture. There is nothing not to like about Japan. I had the best ramen and sushi of my life on this trip, by far. No question. I had better sushi off of a conveyor belt than I had ever tasted previously in my life. For $28. True story. 

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I have been so busy riding bikes and shooting videos , and answering questions about bikes, that I almost forgot how much I love to ski. Correction- need to ski, to be happy. Skiing is in my blood. My mind and body need a reset from the constant bike situation that I have created around myself. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the situation I have created, each and every day, but at times, I need another focus in life. When it is time to ride bikes again, I will be fresh and stoked, not burnt  and tired. Balance is key to most things in life. Skiing gives me balance. 

So yeah, Joey Schusler, Thomas Woodson, Blake Gordon (who took this photo above) and myself, skied our brains out for 9 days, drank sake, and ate fish. We submitted 3 volcanoes and skied balls-deep pow, the rest of the time. We all work in the outdoor film industry, take photos for a living, and travel the world doing so. This was a solid squad and the goal was to basically NOT work. We all work hard, year round. This trip was for skiing. Yes, photos were taken and obviously I made a video, but there was no agenda. Just ski.  

When traveling the world with these cats, it is never a bad idea to bring a head lamp. The tour will always be longer, we will always run out of food and water, and get lost more than once. Some people are looking for a relaxing vacation to chill out and get some rest. These are not those people. That said, we did spend our fair share in the onsen after skiing every day. Would be rude not to. It is important to keep those hygiene levels in check while ski touring for 7 hours a day. 

 Mount Yotei is the classic Hokkaido volcano ski line. The skiable crater at the top offers 360 degree pow lines. We were fortunate to get a clear day to make the 6K climb to the summit. After banging laps in the crater for a couple of hours, we decided to circumnavigate the rim, before descending into the sunset in the valley below. That day will go down as one of the most memorable ski days of my life. Very fortunate. 8 hours later, we were at 7 Eleven, panic eating fried chicken and ice cream. 

I would never be caught dead at a 7 Eleven in my country. Not a chance. The 7 Eleven's in Japan however, are top-notch. We started and ended every day here. Snacks, Sake, and the best damn fried chicken a man could ask for. Seriously. I was apprehensive at first, but am now missing this place at home. This was where second breakfast, and first dinner went down each day. 

The gas in this photo is reasonably poisonous. It burned my lungs for a bit, but I think it somehow gave me superpowers. Science says different, but who listens to "science" these days anyway? The gasses that escape from the earth smell like eggs, just like the gasses that escape from me. Coincidence? I think not. 

I haven't ridden my bike in almost a month and I am very okay with that. It's not like I am just sitting on the couch, eating cheeseburgers, I am just taking a little break. When I walk into my garage and look at my bikes, I am almost getting the urge to ride one. Almost... There is still some skiing to do in Colorado. The longer I can abstain from cycling, the better my return will feel. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. 

#followcamfriday getting our XC on at Blue Diamond in Las Vegas, Nevada

Normally when I am traveling with my bike, the last thing I am looking for is XC trails. I am usually trying to find the rougest, jankiest, most unfriendly trails to ride my bicycle down. Every once in a while though, I just slam a protein shake and giver. 

Merrick and Kevin are both clearly into fitness. Merrick basically made me cry-breathe on every "descent" . Merrick is a giant man, and once that giant man is up to pace, it is all I can do to hold his wheel. I feel like a Prius, chasing a freight train. Clearly I need to harden up. 

Once again, I am in Vegas, without feeling the pull of the strip. I have bicycles to ride, after all. While I could spend thousands on hookers, drugs, and booze, this is definitely a better use of my time and energy. 

Big night out for Pete. He was getting some much needed down-time after sending it at the club all night. He just doesn't have the stamina of a young pup anymore. 

Every ride should end with a tube ride. The Whole Enchilada ends like this. Get pitted.

Merrick knows the first rule of riding bikes. Always pull up. Never not. I am still in Japan skiing pow, until further notice. 

#followcamfriday ticking off red-rock classics with Lars and Alex. 

As I type these words, I am in the mountains of Hokkaido, Japan, skiing powder. It occured to me that I had not taken a non-bike related "vacation" in about 5 years. I love mountain bikes, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I just need a break. I am definitely not complaining, I love my job and feel fortunate to be able to travel and ride almost every day, but sometimes, I just need a change of perspective. A reset, if you will. 

Yes, a change of perspective. I have ridden Sedona many times over the years and filmed all of the classics, more than once. Hangover and Hiline are two of my favorites, without question.  My new drone is definitely allowing me to be creative in a different way and show the beauty of Sedona from a different angle. Same friends, same trails, same lightbro, just from a different perspective that had not previously been possible. 

I am currently hanging out at backcountry touring lodge and hot spring situation with some close friends. We are ski-touring every day, eating sushi and staying away from the internet and work, as much as possible. It is increasingly hard to remove myself from grip of my iPhone and the constant white-noise that is my social media. This trip is refreshing and a much needed reminder of how much I love traveling in the mountains with close friends. The connection that people form in these bonding situations is just not possible on a phone or a computer. I call this "real life", and I need more of it in my life. 

So about Sedona. It is hard for me to even focus on typing words that are related to mountain bikes as I stare out the window of our ski lodge, as the peaks are just about to lose the orange afternoon light. My mind drifts to the day we just experienced, and what adventures are on the books tomorrow.  But the content machine must keep being fed. It is ravenous. So here is the most cinematic shit that I have ever produced, thanks to my new toy. I hope you enjoy the visuals. 

So what keeps calling me back to Sedona? I guess the answer is real experiences with my close friends. We push each other, feed off of the energy and progress together.  The trails are fun, the scenery is unmatched, but the people, that is why I do all of this at the end of the day. Without my friends, I would have nothing. Go out and get weird with your friends in the mountains this weekend. I don't care if you ski, or you ride, or you hike, or whatever. Just leave your phone in airplane mode and live that "real life" that looks so sweet on the internet. 

#followcamfriday putting the new Skydio 2 drone to the test in Sedona with Lars Romig. 

What a time to be alive. If you had told me 10 years ago that a drone that follows you around is coming, I would have laughed in your face. Well, now I have seen everything. Whatever your stance on drones is, you have to admit that this is a pretty amazing bit of tech. The possibilities are endless. Sky's the limit. 

So you are saying that this drone follows the #followcam??? Yup. That is correct. The Skydio 2 is autonomous. This is certainly a tool that will come in very handy for my current style of filming. This thing has subject tracking and obstacle avoidance, so basically, you just launch it, lock it onto a subject and ride. Mind melted. 

This is a tool that will keep things fresh and breath new life into trails that I have filmed several times. Like the infamous "white line" . If you ask me, it's easy and has certainly been done to death on the internet. I still have full respect for this line and while it does require full-focus, it's been done before and isn't exactly revolutionary. This drone will allow me to show this sort of thing in a different way, from a different perspective. Fresh. 

And about getting bored of "white line" ....... Well, Lars and I decided to try and ride some lines above the traditional route, just to keep things fresh. Linking this from almost the top of the ridge, through the normal descent, and all the way to Chicken Point is actually a reasonable chunk of "trail". The upper part is steep and exposed, proceed with caution. Lars is the man for the job, no one has more experience riding the steep red rock slabs of Sedona. 

I compare riding exposed lines like this to ski mountaineering. The aesthetic is important. This is a beautiful line, etched into the side of a dramatic landscape in an iconic location. Much like some of the greatest ski descents in the world. The beauty of the mountain and challenge to overcome fear is enticing. Intoxicating even. The natural beauty is humbling. None of this is for the camera, just to be clear. This is for us, to feed out need. Without risk, you have nothing, are nothing, and will accomplish very little in life. 

Happy New Year! I am not a fan of resolutions, because I try to always live correctly and don't need a certain date to make a change for the better, or an excuse for that matter. My resolution is to keep riding my bike, keep loving my friends, and keep exercising my dog every day, and to keep drinking gin. Cheers to 2020. Thanks for the ride. 

Viva smash Vegas. #followcamfriday on two of the better descents I have ridden, with MTB Jesus, Merrick Golz

So get this. Las Vegas has mountain biking. News to me. When I think of Vegas, other things pop into my mind first. Mostly, how much money will I spend and what bad things will I do to my body.... Well, I guess there is a better way to see the city. As it turns out, the mountain biking is amazing, and a bit less toxic than the strip. 

Merry Christmas from Pete the dog. Pete left me some presents on my carpet the other night. Presents of the brown variety. Pete is getting older by the second, glad to see his bowels are still functioning. Pete doesn't celebrate Christmas or give a shit if you do, he just wants to wish you Merry Christmas.  

Rocks. Sweet, sweet, abrasive rocks. Much like the surface at Bootleg, this is a bad place to lay your body down. Staying upright is highly recommended in this area. Here, Kevin Dixon skillfully bobs and weaves through a maze of coral reef- like rock chunks. Very sharp, not soft. 

If the rocks don't get you, the cactus will. Everything sharp, nothing soft. No loam, no ferns, no grass. Just anger and hate. Exactly what I am looking for in a riding area. Less congratulatory pats on the back for mediocrity, more punches in the jugular.  Each and every mistake is rewarded with a kick in the nuts. Maybe a trip to the ER. As it should be. 

Some call Merrick "MTB Jesus" Merrick was a hair farmer until just recently when he traded his lifetime of hair growth for a freshly shaven exterior. Merrick did mention that "gymnast girls like short hair" Fair play friend, fair play. He still rides like Jesus, despite his helmet not really fitting properly anymore. Jesus doesn't crash, so Jesus actually doesn't need a helmet. Merrick walks of fucking water. 

Well, if you made it this far, you may be dumber. However, I may have just saved you some money, the next time you head to Vegas. Instead of hookers and blow, you can go and break things off of your bike at the Cowboy Trails. Legend has it that wild burros roam the trails, looking for injured mountain bikers to take advantage of. Stay off the ground and you won't find out. If you make it through the day without breaking something, you got lucky. Try harder. 

#followcamfriday testing my new Yeti in some of the roughest terrain in the US with Merrick Golz. Legend, that Merrick. 

It's been about 6 years since I have owned a proper DH rig. My last one was the last year of the 303. That bike was sick, even with those tiny little wheels. After racing DH for 8 years, there will always be a special place in my heart for big bikes. If I am being honest, DH is still favorite discipline of cycling. Trail bikes have gotten amazingly capable over the last few years and the places they take me are inspiring, to say the least. But, there is nothing that compares to smashing laps on a DH bike. 

It is worth noting that Merrick Golz is not riding a DH bike in this video. Far from it. This is actually his XC bike. Merrick is a crazy person, and that is why I love him. It should also be noted that he got a haircut, after being a hair farmer for most of his adult life. As it turns out, he has not lost any of his super-powers and seems exactly the same, despite having short hair. It's science. 

You can watch my build video here. Pete the dog does a wonderful job in getting this thing ready for Bootleg. Without his help, the fork probably would have fallen off. Pete will be far more famous than me on the internet, soon enough. He is planning to open a bike shop in the near future and already has people lining up for service. Man's best friend, indeed. It should be noted that Pete works for fish, so come ready. 

So yeah, about Bootleg.... This is my first time riding here on the proper DH tracks. I cannot think of a better place to test a DH bike. These trails are some of the roughest in the US, no doubt. One mistake will surely result in a trip to the ER. The ground basically resembles a cheese-grater. Holes in elbows, hips, knees, and carbon frames. Aluminum will also be destroyed. Nothing is safe from the wrath of Bootleg. I consider myself lucky. 

So did my new bike live up to the expectations? You bet. I did manage to go through a set of tires in 2 days of shuttle laps, but it was worth it. My 165 made quick work of the nastiest terrain that Bootleg had to offer. If you ever go there to ride, and I recommend that you do, make sure that you do a lap on "Ginger" You can thank me, or punch me in the face, later. Enjoy. 

#followcamfriday clear the road gap or slap. These things don't jump themselves. 

Last time I was here riding with Tito, I somehow didn't have the pleasure of riding the proper Grafton DH. We rode all of the trails that are above this on the mesa, as well as most of the trails on Gooseberry. The DH section of Grafton is the crown jewel of the area for sure. This is basically Hurricane's version of "Portal" in Moab. The resemblance is uncanny. I would classify Gooseberry as "flow". It's fun for sure, but it's easy to make sense of. This one is pure jank. Loud sounds coming from wheels, jank. My happy place. 

Those views though. If you ride this one in the morning, which I recommend that you do, you will be rewarded with all of the views into Zion. If there is a more stunning backdrop for this type of DH trail, I haven't seen it with my own eyes. It is worth noting that viewing these views at speed is highly dangerous, so keep your eyes on the task at hand kids. James is not distracted easily. 

James fiftied this thing, the first time he hit it. Fortunately, James is a ninja and stayed on his rig. James went first, James is a champion. I will be the first to tell you that is is far easier to do something, after you see someone else do it. Guinea pigging this thing, without ever seeing it jumped in person, takes a special kind of skill. Next time you jump a tabletop, remember that you aren't actually getting better at sending scary big jumps, you are just taking the safe option, which doesn't prepare you for this sort of thing, in the least. Got A-Line on lock? Best of luck with this one. You can come up short on a table, not so much here. James is the man, so much respect. James also takes a proper photo. 

We did this one as an out and back. It takes longer to shuttle than hike to the top. Plus, not having ridden this one, it was a good way to have a look at the track so that we could send it without stopping. Jank can be hard to work out on the fly. This one is as jank as they come. Making flow of the jank is another skill that James possesses. I heard someone later that day say that they "hated" this descent. That is exactly what I am looking for! Less smooth trail, more death gaps, nothing worth doing is easy. I vote that all tabletops get replaced with crocodiles and punji sticks in the middle. 

Make the most of your weekend! Put down your phone and enjoy the company of your friends and your bicycle. The internet will always be there. #irony

Welcome to #followcamfriday Season 5

I almost quit. Almost. Guess I just needed a week off. Last friday was the first Friday that I have missed in 3.5 years. That is some Casey Neistat shit right there. Keeping the streak alive. But yes, I needed a day off. The internet is still here, as it turns out. The algorithms are pissed off, but fuck the algorithms. Bikes. 

From the start, FollowCamFriday has been all about motivating people to get outside and ride their bicycles. In this age of digital narcissism, the more time we spend on our bikes, and less time we spend with our phones, the better. I realize the irony in this statement, as you read these words on your iPhone. But please, set that thing down for a minute and go outside! Take a walk, go fishing, whatever! 

I almost quit. If I am being honest, this is the hardest and most time consuming job I have ever had. I am certainly not complaining, I get to ride my bike more than I want to, in sweet locations with some of my best and dearest friends. I am very fortunate and privileged and never take this for granted. But sometimes, I just need a day off. Sometimes you just need to take a step back to really appreciate what you have. 

So why do I keep making episodes. Well, I guess I feel the need to motivate people to live this healthy lifestyle. When people send me messages and tell me that they started riding again after an injury, or bought their first bike because of my videos, I am successful in my goal. If I can motivate a few more people to get out there and enjoy the outdoors with friends, then I will die a happy man. Nothing more. 

I want to extend a genuine "thank you" for everyone that has supported me over the last 4 seasons. Fans, sponsors, friends. Without being surrounded by excellent people, I would be in the ditch. Hell, I'm almost in the ditch, even with all the support. Love my friends. Thanks for being part of the ride. Here's to another season of shenanigans. 

​Cheers!

#followcamfriday giving you those mellow singletrack cruisin' feels all up in your snot box with all of the #lightbro and side portion of back wheel love, courtesy of Mr. James Weingarten

This episode marks the end of Followcamfriday, Season 4. My what a journey it has been. 206 episodes in total. I have missed two Friday's in 4 years. This was due to the fact that I was in the Bolivian Andes with Joey Schusler on a bikepacking trip. Internet was not an option. How refreshing.

I am very thankful to be able to travel the world with my bicycle, riding some of the best bits of trail, but more importantly, experiencing different cultures and areas that are seldom seen, and meeting passionate people along the way. If I am being honest, all of the friends that I hang with and keep in touch with are from mountain biking. I owe my friends everything. Without skilled riders to film, FCF wouldn't be FCF. If I can give anyone a piece of advice, it's to always surround yourself with good people. I am very fortunate there. My community of friends is amazing. 

When I began this project 4 years ago, I never intended to make much of it. Basically, I would go ride with Kyle in Moab and just film the ride. Nothing was ever set up or rehearsed or thought out, it was just what we would normally be doing when we go out for a ride. After Kyle and I completed our ride, we would watch the footage while drinking beer and laugh for an hour at the ridiculousness of our lines and how the day unfolded. As it turns out, this formula somehow resonated with people. I started making edits and the rest is history. I sincerely hope I have stayed true to that original model and not changed things up too much. It's still all about the riding. 

I hate being called a "YouTuber" I don't even know what that means. I am a professional mountain biker. I reach an audience through YouTube, Instagram and the like. At the end of the day, I ride bikes, first. These are just platforms to share my adventures and motivate people. There are many people that have jumped on the Youtube MTB scene, since I began 4 years ago, being recreational cyclists and thinking that they can make a quick buck on the platform. That approach is very different. Those people are "YouTubers". More power to anyone making content, that gets people motivated, but our philosophies are very different. I tend to question the motivation there. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Youtube doesn't actually pay very well unless you are Casey Neistat. End rant. 

So, where do we go from here? If I am being honest, I haven't had a day off for 4 years. Filming, producing, and launching a weekly video is more time consuming than you could ever imagine. People frequently tell me how lucky I am to "just ride my bike everyday", I just smile. I've never worked mor,  or harder in my life. I am certainly not complaining, I could never work a 9-5 job and be happy, but don't think for a second that this is "easy" . Nothing worth doing is easy. What motivates me to keep this rolling is when people tell me that my videos motivated them to start riding, or just simply go out for a ride. That is the end goal. That is what feels good. If I can inspire a hand-full of people to spend some more time outside with their friends, and lead a healthy lifestyle, than I can sleep at night. Job done. 

I struggle slightly with the irony of my circumstances. My goal is to get people on bikes, away from their phones and away from this digital world that is becoming increasingly prevalent. People consume my content on these devices, without them, I wouldn't be able to reach these people. As humans, we desperately need to find that connection to nature to live fulfilling lives. I spend as much time on Instagram as anyone but, I hope that after reading this sentence, you go out to the garage, put some air and your tires, and go ride your bike! 
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A sincere thank-you everyone who reads my ramblings, my friends, and my wonderful partners in the mountain bike industry. None of this would be possible without you. 

#followcamfriday Laps on Laps on Laps with the Kiwi contingent, Megan Rose and Nelly the dog. 

Take me to the top, magical shuttle truck. I don't have an eBike, so I need to get up there somehow... haha. Sometimes you just need to bang some laps.  I was digging through the hard drives this week and somehow overlooked this gem of a day from July. My Canadian tour was a complete whirlwind that I am finally catching up with and absorbing. 

Fortunately, Megan Rose was kind enough to let us rally in her truck. Owner\ lady-boss of the TransBC, and absolute shredder, lives in town and gave us a proper tour of the local DH trails. Boondock Mountain has some of the finest steep riding in the area. 

Tom Kiwi Bradshaw is an absolute legend. Looser than a prom date with a shot and a beer. Like throwing a hot dog down a hallway, loose. Fortunately, loose is fast and Tom gets lucky more often than not. Legend. When I follow Tom, I can't help but yell and swear from top to bottom. Tom brings out the best in me. Top Bloke. 

Commitment is a scary thing for most people. Weather in relationships or on the bike. Most will avoid it like the plague. Not Tom. Death grip till you hit the deck, love at first Tinder date. Be like Bradshaw.  

Nigel McDowell was in town to race TransBC and was all about ripping some loam filled, party laps with the crew. I mean, it would be rude not to. This Kiwi legend is pinned on the bike and has been known to ride in sweet as jandals bru. Kiwi's have sticky feet. 

Nelly the dog, affectionately named after the famous rapper, is a hot mess. I am not certain how she is still alive after witnessing several near-death close calls, on trail.  If you listen ever so closely in the video, you can hear her panting at my heels, at full pace, just inches from my rear wheel. Nelly is a ninja. Pete the dog would not have lasted 3 turns. Canadian dogs are just a little bit more hardy. A diet consisting of mostly bacon and maple syrup seems to be working out. 

I hope you have enjoyed flashbackfriday as much as we have. Sometimes things slip through the cracks, but eventually, must see the light of day. I just bought a new hard drive to try and make order from the chaos. Shooting 4K video for the last four years has placed a reasonable demand on my storage situation. As I type these works, my Macbook is burning my legs, about to catch fire, fans running full speed. Apple recently sent me a recall notice, as my battery is apparently known to catch fire. I am "supposed" to send it back for a free replacement. Ain't nobody got time for that. I also don't have time to do "basic" maintenance on my bike. Just run everything till it explodes.  I only have so many fucks to give. They need to be appropriated properly. Someone needs to type this shit. Go ride your bike this weekend!