#followcamfriday I only ride park,  jank tour continues with a lesser known diamond in the rough. 

How had I made it this far in life and not ridden Pajarito before? It seems as though every trip to New Mexico somehow involves Angel Fire. And tacos, lots of tacos. It just so happens that Pajarito has some of the best raw riding I have ever seen, and some of the best tacos at the bottom of the access road that I have ever tasted. Win, win.  Put this park, and El Parasol on your short list. 

Los Alamos is known as the birthplace of the Atomic bomb. The security checkpoint on the way to the mountain was the first clue that things were a bit different here. When the guard asked me if the camera in my window was recording, I just smiled and turned it off. 

In today's trend of making everything easier and more accessible for the masses, Pajarito is a breath of fresh air. The lack of maintenance and prevalence of jank make this place legendary. You will fall down, you will break things, you will progress as a rider. If you can ride these DH tracks at speed, you can ride anywhere. It's like Angel Fire, just steeper, with less manicuring, and with less people. Much love. 

The vibe here is priceless. No ego, 25$ lift tickets, slow lifts and trails that are as rough as it gets. So very refreshing. I haven't been so out of control while chasing my friends in a very long time. The people here are amazing too. This was opening day for the season. Maybe 100 people showed up to ride, and most of them knew each other. Solid fam. 

Boop. 

These woods hold as much dated jank as I have witnessed, this side of the North Shore. If you don't like wooden things, it's because you suck at bikes. Or hate fun. Your choice. It has to be said that this is part of mtb history, and to not experience the jank first hand would just be rude. Teddy nose-pressed this log and landed on that stump. Bonus points. 

This is the smoothest and only part of the mountain devoid of rocks. Sort of looks like Colorado. While ripping through aspens never gets old, there is a certain feeling of accomplishment that one gains after making it down a steep chute with rolling boulders and chunder trying to break your wheels. To each their own, but I am looking for punches in the face, not pats on the back. 

So what does all this mean. Do yourself a favor and make it a point to ride here. You will get reduced, you will feel accomplished. You will grow as a rider. Riding smooth flow trails on your 10K carbon space ship is not exactly it's intended use. Do the right thing and blast that rig through the jank until you can't hang onto the bars any more. Now you have earned your tacos. Enjoy. 

It's a tough job but someone has to do it. Join Shawn Neer and I for some preseason laps in the Trestle Bike Park. #followcamfriday chairlift season. 

Ah yes, chairlift season is finally here in Colorado. A wet spring has left a bunch of snow in the alpine and made opening the bike parks a bit of a chore this year. Props to the trail crew in Winter Park for making this happen for opening day on Saturday, June 19th. These lads don't get enough credit for what they do so you can show up and blow up their work. 

It looks like Shawn Neer is about to die here, but I assure you this was intentional. Full nose manny all the way to the bottom like a champion. Shawn has a unique approach to riding, a perfect blend of creativity and speed. Shawn jumped on a plane after filming this and headed off it Italy for the first EWS round this weekend. You would be foolish to bet against him. Wish him luck. 

The infamous Banana Peel. It had been a long time since we had ridden this and it was nice to see some updates and improvements to the line in recent years. Keeping freeride alive, one jank bridge at a time. The bridges make squeeking sounds as you carve around them, but that just means they love you. A love ballad composed by rusty nails and weathered wood. Music to my ears. 

Another classic Winter Park feature that has endured the test of time. The sun has not been kind to the paint job on this puppy, but it rides just as good as it ever has. 

Little dangler for the people. 

So, come on out this weekend and smash some laps with the homies. See if you can hang onto your bike for 6 or 8 laps. Don't forget that beer dehydrates you, so maybe stick to water for optimum success. Enjoy!

My favorite time of year is upon us. Fat kid season in full swing with Chris Boice and Teddy "janker" Jaramillo. #followcamfriday laps with the lads.

There is just something special about running laps in the park on the big rig. I will go on record here and say that I have much love for brake bumps, holes, and rocks. The rougher the better. We have these amazing bikes with suspension after all, may as well use every inch of it. After years of racing at and visiting the Angel Fire Bike Park, this place will always be special to me somehow. 

We couldn't have timed the conditions any better. I have ridden in the snow a bunch of times over the years, battled dust and ball bearings, but this time was perfect. Moisture levels peeking. Riding in a dust-free train with the homies is what this sport is all about. Nothing better. 

Teddy Jaramillo is half my age. Chris Boice is old like me. Chris definitely influenced Teddy's riding when he was growing up, so it was honestly pretty special to see the similarities in their riding style. "Janker" as Teddy is affectionately known is absolutely pinned, and it is always a pleasure to see the kids getting loose and having fun. This gives me hope for the future. Yay bikes. 

After Chris retired from DH racing full-time, he started Rally Van. Chris' precision from the race track is carried over into his van builds. Like any good racer, attention to every single detail is mandatory, and these vans are a telling testament to that mentality. As dialed as they come. If you need a van and like to ride bikes, Chris Boice is your man. I may have just cost you a bunch of money, but trust me when I tell you that you can thank me later. 
Check out RALLY VAN HERE

In addition to being one of the most genuine and stoked people I have ever met, and being an absolute crusher on the bike, Teddy builds a ton of trail and has aspirations to make a career out of his craft. If you have ridden out at Glorietta in Santa Fe, you have tasted Janker's handywork. There is more fresh trail going in out there this summer, so if you are in the area, have a rip. If you are looking for someone to build you a proper track, get in touch, Teddy is your guy. 

Cheers to Angel Fire for keeping things raw and real. There is plenty of jump and flow, but this place has stayed true to its nature from day one. In today's constant trend of the sanitizing and dumbing down of trails, it's very refreshing to have someplace to shake some shocks. I broke a set of handlebars in a race run many years ago here. That is what we are dealing with, and I absolutely wouldn't have it any other way. Long live the jank!