Geronimo

#followcamfriday smashing and banging with Lars Romig for your viewing pleasure.

A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of riding Geronimo on South Mountain with Lars. This is regarded as the best DH track in the area, and for good reason. This beautiful piece of trail is an absolute fist-fight, top to bottom. Absence of flow makes Nate a happy boy. The sound of wheels hitting rocks makes me smile. Big mood. 

Here in Arizona, life feels eerily normal right now. Restaurants and bars and gyms are closed, but most businesses and public parks and recreation remain open.  The trailheads are reasonably crowded, as they always are at this time of year, but it almost feels normal. I would estimate that all of this will change, very soon. If people can't respect social distancing protocol, all of this will be closed. It's coming. Mark my words. 

We all need our daily dose of vitamin D, conveniently provided by the sun. Thank you sun. These dogs are just soaking it up. Since our time in Phoenix, we have been avoiding crowded outdoor/ popular areas. It is a tough balance. Everyone wants to be outside, many are out of work, with plenty of free time. We just need to keep away from each other right now. I witnessed a wedding party congregating at one of the most popular trailheads in Sedona yesterday. How sad. Their marriage is more important than public health. I don't think I can recall anything more selfish. 

On a brighter note, there are plenty of places to get away from the crowds. Lars and myself have been exploring new lines and finding new trails to ride. The social distancing initiative has actually eased trail user tension. Hikers now dive in the bushes and hide from us, instead of playing the awkward, yield, no you go, no you go, game. Fear of infection is easing the tension. I hope people can remember how to act after the fear has subsided and the virus has passed. It's pretty easy, just don't be a dick, and everything works out. Virus or no virus. 

So yeah, I will keep trying to post a weekly video and blog for now. I have a bit of content that I was saving for a rainy day, or an injury, or a virus I suppose. People always think that everything they see on the internet is in real time, but I am fortunate to have some content in the bag. I can't wait to field the comments about us risking injury right now. To be very clear, it is never a good time to get injured and the goal is quite the opposite, despite how things may look to you on a computer screen. Judging our "risk" or danger level from watching a video is reasonably short-sighted. Risk is relative, and you can't really tell what is happening in my video anyway. We are honestly just riding along, well within our comfort level. JRA

Those city vibes though... So many people, so close to the trails. I would say that this place is the last place you should go to avoid people. We lucked out a few weeks back and did Geronimo as an out and back before the road opened. The road through the park is closed till 10 on Sunday's. Can you say road biking heaven? 

Be safe out there friends. Keep the spirits up and get out for some fresh air, away from people, when appropriate. Until next week.