Sunset Ridge and Big Sister at Hawes

#followcamfriday riding Sunset Ridge and Big Sister at Hawes with Alex Petitdemange

Sunset Ridge is the absolute pinnacle of the Hawes tech-trail experience. This is one trail that seems to have an identity crisis. A DH bike would be more appropriate for a bunch of this, but there are a few punchy climbs and slow tech sections to leave you scratching your head. The jank factor is high, and I wouldn't have it any other way. This was my first and only run down this battlefield. Alex Petitdemange made quick work of the tech. 

It wasn't quite sunset when we rode this but the afternoon light was still amazing. Add in some down valley lake and mountain views and you have yourself an instant classic. This trail requires full focus, so maybe don't look at those views for too long. The jank will catch you out. 

I truly enjoy the kitty-litter riding surface that Hawes offers. If you turn hard enough, you can fill your shoes with tiny pebbles that will eventually drive you mad. Clearly Alex was carving turns too hard. 

Once you make it through the upper section minefield, the bottom begins to make a bit more sense. It is still a fistfight, but the lower section caters to more speed and better flow. Riding fresh-cut desert trail is a very special experience and is to be appreciated and treasured. 

When Alex and I filmed this at the end of 2021, the bottom of "Big Sister" was just being completed. This offers a completely different experience than Sunset Ridge. Big Sister is a machine cut flow trail, not something I can recall ever seeing in this desert landscape. Once this thing gets burned in a bit more, it will be amazingly fun. 

When combining these two trails from top to bottom, you basically get the best of everything that is fun about bikes. All of the styles represented. Hawes is breaking the mold here and I approve. Keep up the good work!
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