Viva smash Vegas. #followcamfriday on two of the better descents I have ridden, with MTB Jesus, Merrick Golz

So get this. Las Vegas has mountain biking. News to me. When I think of Vegas, other things pop into my mind first. Mostly, how much money will I spend and what bad things will I do to my body.... Well, I guess there is a better way to see the city. As it turns out, the mountain biking is amazing, and a bit less toxic than the strip. 

Merry Christmas from Pete the dog. Pete left me some presents on my carpet the other night. Presents of the brown variety. Pete is getting older by the second, glad to see his bowels are still functioning. Pete doesn't celebrate Christmas or give a shit if you do, he just wants to wish you Merry Christmas.  

Rocks. Sweet, sweet, abrasive rocks. Much like the surface at Bootleg, this is a bad place to lay your body down. Staying upright is highly recommended in this area. Here, Kevin Dixon skillfully bobs and weaves through a maze of coral reef- like rock chunks. Very sharp, not soft. 

If the rocks don't get you, the cactus will. Everything sharp, nothing soft. No loam, no ferns, no grass. Just anger and hate. Exactly what I am looking for in a riding area. Less congratulatory pats on the back for mediocrity, more punches in the jugular.  Each and every mistake is rewarded with a kick in the nuts. Maybe a trip to the ER. As it should be. 

Some call Merrick "MTB Jesus" Merrick was a hair farmer until just recently when he traded his lifetime of hair growth for a freshly shaven exterior. Merrick did mention that "gymnast girls like short hair" Fair play friend, fair play. He still rides like Jesus, despite his helmet not really fitting properly anymore. Jesus doesn't crash, so Jesus actually doesn't need a helmet. Merrick walks of fucking water. 

Well, if you made it this far, you may be dumber. However, I may have just saved you some money, the next time you head to Vegas. Instead of hookers and blow, you can go and break things off of your bike at the Cowboy Trails. Legend has it that wild burros roam the trails, looking for injured mountain bikers to take advantage of. Stay off the ground and you won't find out. If you make it through the day without breaking something, you got lucky. Try harder. 

#followcamfriday testing my new Yeti in some of the roughest terrain in the US with Merrick Golz. Legend, that Merrick. 

It's been about 6 years since I have owned a proper DH rig. My last one was the last year of the 303. That bike was sick, even with those tiny little wheels. After racing DH for 8 years, there will always be a special place in my heart for big bikes. If I am being honest, DH is still favorite discipline of cycling. Trail bikes have gotten amazingly capable over the last few years and the places they take me are inspiring, to say the least. But, there is nothing that compares to smashing laps on a DH bike. 

It is worth noting that Merrick Golz is not riding a DH bike in this video. Far from it. This is actually his XC bike. Merrick is a crazy person, and that is why I love him. It should also be noted that he got a haircut, after being a hair farmer for most of his adult life. As it turns out, he has not lost any of his super-powers and seems exactly the same, despite having short hair. It's science. 

You can watch my build video here. Pete the dog does a wonderful job in getting this thing ready for Bootleg. Without his help, the fork probably would have fallen off. Pete will be far more famous than me on the internet, soon enough. He is planning to open a bike shop in the near future and already has people lining up for service. Man's best friend, indeed. It should be noted that Pete works for fish, so come ready. 

So yeah, about Bootleg.... This is my first time riding here on the proper DH tracks. I cannot think of a better place to test a DH bike. These trails are some of the roughest in the US, no doubt. One mistake will surely result in a trip to the ER. The ground basically resembles a cheese-grater. Holes in elbows, hips, knees, and carbon frames. Aluminum will also be destroyed. Nothing is safe from the wrath of Bootleg. I consider myself lucky. 

So did my new bike live up to the expectations? You bet. I did manage to go through a set of tires in 2 days of shuttle laps, but it was worth it. My 165 made quick work of the nastiest terrain that Bootleg had to offer. If you ever go there to ride, and I recommend that you do, make sure that you do a lap on "Ginger" You can thank me, or punch me in the face, later. Enjoy. 

#followcamfriday clear the road gap or slap. These things don't jump themselves. 

Last time I was here riding with Tito, I somehow didn't have the pleasure of riding the proper Grafton DH. We rode all of the trails that are above this on the mesa, as well as most of the trails on Gooseberry. The DH section of Grafton is the crown jewel of the area for sure. This is basically Hurricane's version of "Portal" in Moab. The resemblance is uncanny. I would classify Gooseberry as "flow". It's fun for sure, but it's easy to make sense of. This one is pure jank. Loud sounds coming from wheels, jank. My happy place. 

Those views though. If you ride this one in the morning, which I recommend that you do, you will be rewarded with all of the views into Zion. If there is a more stunning backdrop for this type of DH trail, I haven't seen it with my own eyes. It is worth noting that viewing these views at speed is highly dangerous, so keep your eyes on the task at hand kids. James is not distracted easily. 

James fiftied this thing, the first time he hit it. Fortunately, James is a ninja and stayed on his rig. James went first, James is a champion. I will be the first to tell you that is is far easier to do something, after you see someone else do it. Guinea pigging this thing, without ever seeing it jumped in person, takes a special kind of skill. Next time you jump a tabletop, remember that you aren't actually getting better at sending scary big jumps, you are just taking the safe option, which doesn't prepare you for this sort of thing, in the least. Got A-Line on lock? Best of luck with this one. You can come up short on a table, not so much here. James is the man, so much respect. James also takes a proper photo. 

We did this one as an out and back. It takes longer to shuttle than hike to the top. Plus, not having ridden this one, it was a good way to have a look at the track so that we could send it without stopping. Jank can be hard to work out on the fly. This one is as jank as they come. Making flow of the jank is another skill that James possesses. I heard someone later that day say that they "hated" this descent. That is exactly what I am looking for! Less smooth trail, more death gaps, nothing worth doing is easy. I vote that all tabletops get replaced with crocodiles and punji sticks in the middle. 

Make the most of your weekend! Put down your phone and enjoy the company of your friends and your bicycle. The internet will always be there. #irony

Welcome to #followcamfriday Season 5

I almost quit. Almost. Guess I just needed a week off. Last friday was the first Friday that I have missed in 3.5 years. That is some Casey Neistat shit right there. Keeping the streak alive. But yes, I needed a day off. The internet is still here, as it turns out. The algorithms are pissed off, but fuck the algorithms. Bikes. 

From the start, FollowCamFriday has been all about motivating people to get outside and ride their bicycles. In this age of digital narcissism, the more time we spend on our bikes, and less time we spend with our phones, the better. I realize the irony in this statement, as you read these words on your iPhone. But please, set that thing down for a minute and go outside! Take a walk, go fishing, whatever! 

I almost quit. If I am being honest, this is the hardest and most time consuming job I have ever had. I am certainly not complaining, I get to ride my bike more than I want to, in sweet locations with some of my best and dearest friends. I am very fortunate and privileged and never take this for granted. But sometimes, I just need a day off. Sometimes you just need to take a step back to really appreciate what you have. 

So why do I keep making episodes. Well, I guess I feel the need to motivate people to live this healthy lifestyle. When people send me messages and tell me that they started riding again after an injury, or bought their first bike because of my videos, I am successful in my goal. If I can motivate a few more people to get out there and enjoy the outdoors with friends, then I will die a happy man. Nothing more. 

I want to extend a genuine "thank you" for everyone that has supported me over the last 4 seasons. Fans, sponsors, friends. Without being surrounded by excellent people, I would be in the ditch. Hell, I'm almost in the ditch, even with all the support. Love my friends. Thanks for being part of the ride. Here's to another season of shenanigans. 

​Cheers!