Oh Baby I Like It Raw

#followcamfriday with Randy Sooter on what may be the finest raw descent in Tucson. 

If I never ride another manicured, sanitized, sidewalk of a "mtb" "trail", I will die a happy man. This is mountain biking and why I get out of bed in the morning. If the"flow" trail you enjoy so much isn't full of huge booters, you may be wasting your time. All of the sharp things, trying to kill you, from the very top, to the very bottom. This is mountain biking.

So basically, this one is a sea of moving boulders, lined with cactus and other sharp plants. One slight mistake and you will bleed. Randy Sooter, Kyle Mears and myself were all dripping blood from one extremity or another after this one. Randy fell down, Kyle and I plowed cactus. All in a day's work I suppose. Wouldn't have it any other way. 

Agua Caliente is a 2700ft out and back. It is a hike a bike for most and probably not most people's idea of a "fun ride". If you do decide to carry your bike to the top of this one, make sure you bring a pick or some pliers for the Cholla. Randy was quick to remove these from my hand with 2 sticks. Randy is a ninja, and so the saying goes, " only a ninja can kill another ninja" Lesson learned, you cannot just pull them out with your hands. Blood everywhere, big smile. 

Randy Sooter is my hero. He is my spirit animal. Randy does not use social media, no IG, no FB, no Twitter or Tik tok. He will probably never watch this video or read these words. Randy owns a gymnastics studio in Tucson, prefers death metal, and enjoys the occasional glass of Tequila. Randy is living in the moment, free of the plague that social media is spreading. Oh the irony. I want to be Randy in my next life. For now, I'll just keep posting and feeding the algorithm. 

I have spent some time in the Chilean Andes and this one reminds me hugely of the terrain around Santiago, Chile. The anti-grip lives here too and is waiting to throw you on the floor in a hurry. For some reason, this style of raw riding always humbles me and puts a smile on my face. It is hard, sometimes it sucks. That is good for my ego. Much love.

If you do attempt this one, please don't hate me forever. Fair warning. This is not a feel-good trail, not a blue-bird powder day, but more of icy moguls in the rain, type ride. Character building situation. However, if you have the skill and the mental ability to shred in this environment, there will be nothing more rewarding. Time for cup of Mezcal. We earned it.