The Park Less Traveled

#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.