The perfect storm! All of the best things in one neat little package, ready for human consumption. #followcamfriday from Hiline in Sedona with the all-star team. No squid, all squad. 

This one is gonna take a special team. Not everyone is up to the task. I am calling in the all-star squad for this one. Special ops. It has been raining... Levels are peaking... Stoke levels are approaching dangerous levels....  Overload imminent. Red velcro alert. 

The look on Jame's face speaks volumes. This grin eats shit. When you get this sideways look, things are about to get real. Fat kid in a candy store, real. Trails will be shredded, risks will be taken. Hopefully people are ready for the typhoon that is about to hit land. Sorry, I am being dramatic... It was a reasonably good day however.

When I can capture three riders in front of me in the same frame, we have a tight squad. This team is accustomed to riding really close together, trusting that the leader will do no wrong... Kyle Mears, James Weingarten, Jeff Kendall-Weed, always surround yourself with good people. I wouldn't be where I am today without my highly skilled and motivated friends. Showcasing their riding and getting you guys stoked is reasonably satisfying. My friends are rad.

Hiline is probably my favorite trail in Sedona. Perfect balance of tech, up and down, bonus lines, and risky maneuvers to keep my bean-brain engaged. Hucks to flat, yup. It has those. Sharp cactus to keep you in check? Yup, tick that box too.  

,JKW and myself and I have a very different technique for going uphill. I am more of a "spit on it and ram it in" type of guy. Jeff is more of a trials, hop, hop, stuff the dude behind you, kind of guy. Both styles work well to accomplish the same goal. I am a meathead masher, Jeff is a delicate sprightful butterfly. Sting like a butterfly, fly like a bee. As I write this, I find myself drinking an 8% kombucha... Do you enjoy my drunk keyboard pecking?
​But I digress. 

JKW JRA. Saving front tires, one wheelie at a time. He laid out the rules early on in this trip- When you see kids, do a wheelie. Simple really. Jeff is all about keeping the levels where they need to be. He is the nicest guy you could ever meet on the trail and makes every hiker and child smile at every opportunity. Well done Jeff. Be like Jeff. 

Go subscribe to Jeff candle weed's YouTube channel
If you are not a fan of unicycling and vlogs, go elsewhere. But if you are enjoying our situation, give hime some love on the interwebs. In the meantime, I'll be somewhere, riding on both of my wheels. 

#followcamfriday from one of the finest pieces of trail in the world. 

I had not been to Sedona for a couple of years, and as it currently snowing almost everywhere, AZ seemed like the logical choice for guaranteed shred. Even in the wet, Sedona rides well. The red dirt deals with the water exceptionally well as there isn't much clay in the soil. And when it dries just a bit, red velcro conditions occur.

You can go ahead and subscribe to Jeff's Youtube channel HERE. Unless you hate riding on one wheel, in which case, maybe don't.... #lovesbackwheel

In addition to JKW, we assembled an all-star squad to ride Hangover. James Weingarten, Lars Romig and Mason Bond, who interestingly enough rides a hardtail, doesn't care much for shirts, and has an affinity for bananas. This squad will surely do.

Ahhh.... the infamous Hangover saddle. After you take a few minutes to admire the view and have a snack, go ahead and nose-manual straight down into the depths of hell. JRA for James. If you are struggling for traction, consider using only one wheel. 

This is why the trail is called Hangover. Not because the people who created this masterpiece were drunks, but because you actually have to duck to ride this one. Fortunately for Jeff, he is short, like me, and just clears. I should be noted that you can't fall right.... Jeff did have one situation but fortunately, he swung on a branch and saved himself from certain injury. True story. 

Lars has lived in the Sedona area for his entire life and knows the rock better than anyone. When he isn't busy sprinting his brains out, or saving cats that are stuck in trees as a local fireman, he works closely with the local trail coalitions. Lars has been instrumental in building and keeping these trails open for you to ride. When you see Lars, make sure you thank him before he sprints away and tears you legs off. Mongo smash.

Mason doesn't give a shit about you wheel size or your suspension travel. Skills over springs all damn day. Be like Mason. Bonus points for pants and flannel kit. Living proof that you can't buy skills and nothing really matters but just riding your bike. 

#followcamfriday with James from my favorite trail in Denver. Stay smashy, Dakota Ridge. 

"Favorite trail in Denver" is a bold statement. Longhorn is sweet, Deer Creek, Chimney, Enchanted.... So many good descents. After careful consideration, I prefer Dakota Ridge. 

I like this trail because it is hard. It is not sanitized, not friendly, and not for the faint of heart. Going up, going down, any way you slice it, Dakota is a fist fight. If you can clean the uphill stairs, and then the uphill rock section onto the ridge, you are having a good day. This section kicked my ass for so many years, and cleaning it every once in a while is special to me somehow. Nothing worth doing is easy. 

The wind likes to present itself in the most inopportune times. James almost got blown off of this cliff. Fortunately, James is a ninja, and it takes a bit more than a 50mph cross wind to knock this man down. 

Bonus lines. Did I photoshop James into this picture or did he boost off of that 6ft tall rock? I had never seen anyone ride this line before and it looked out of place. 5 feet high, aiming in the wrong direction, looking down the trail at the road in the distance. Can't be real. James things. 

The newly opened Dakota Ridge "South" section is well-worth a couple of laps. This was our first time on the new addition and we were pleasantly surprised at the quality of trail that continues the theme of the original creation. Thanks Tyson, love your work. And, to top it off, the South section is bike only. Hikers don't bother me one bit, but it is nice having a few less people on the trail, being so close to the monstrosity that is Denver, and all. Kudos again Jefco. 

Textbook James right here. The more time spent on one wheel, the longer your tires last. James doesn't have time to change tires, because he is too busy riding bikes, so he tries his best to only use  only one wheel at a time. Strategy. 

So, next time you go out and ride Dakota Ridge, make sure you clean those uphill log stairs. Session them until you cramp, or vomit. Don't come home until victory is yours. If you are one of those people who thinks that the log stairs should be modified because you can't ride them, Green Mountain is right across the street and has what you are looking for. Dakota Ridge is hard. It makes me feel like I suck at times, and I truly appreciate that. Less pats on the back, more punches in the face. Character building. 

#followcamfriday riding the newly revamped Morrison Slide with James Weingarten

Happy New Year everybody! Join us for a rip on Morrison Slide in Golden, Colorado. This one is pretty interesting in both directions and I haven't actually decided which way I prefer to loop this. Do you have a preference? Either way you slice it, this is a great addition to the classic Dakota Ridge- Red Rocks loop. Just make sure you ride it when it is quiet, there are people everywhere. 

James and I filmed this a couple of weeks ago before the snow set in. Riding in short sleeves in December is always a novelty, so appreciate those days while you can. 

People keep asking me what my new year resolution is.... I resolve to not need to make resolutions by trying my hardest to live right, year-round. I'm not going to start cross-fit, or yoga, embark on a fad-diet, go vegan, or drinking less. I don't need a date to make changes for the better. I will just keep trying to be the best person I can be, every day. Maybe I should try and spend less time on the internet...

The expression "keep the single track single" has always made me chuckle. This section of trail is mostly used by hikers and is easily 30ft wide. I personally love it. The more line choices the better, the more eroded the better. Riding a perfectly smooth ribbon of singletrack is sweet and all but I am a man who is looking for some chunk. In 2019, I resolve to try and break more wheels on rocks. 

This section of "keep it single" is pretty hard to beat. You know, for not having any rocks on it.... The last bit before you get to the Mathews Winters parking lot is lit Throw in a tail wind, and you don't even need to sprint that hard. James probably has the KOM on this section, but I wouldn't know. For 2019 I resolve to keep not using Strava. 

James lost his dog Walter this week. Please send James some positive vibes and make sure you give the dogs in your life extra snacks, head pats, and snuggles. Man's best friend is impossible to replace. Sincere condolences from myself and Pete.