Finding Zen

#followcamfriday finding Zen in St. George with Tito Tomasi. 

Zen- a state of calm attentiveness in which one's actions are guided by intuition rather than by conscious effort. 

As we are riding this for the first time, I feel that the definition is an appropriate description of what is happening here. Flow-state is what everyone is searching for when they ride in a new area. Getting your head around new terrain and learning to read the trail is an art form. Fortunately, Tito is an artist. 

I first met Tito at the legendary Andes Pacifico race in Chile. I remember doing a 3 hour transfer with Tito, climbing and carrying our bikes over 1000 meters on one of the hottest days on record in the region. Hot like 120 degrees hot. We became friends and suffer buddies on that day. Same program. Just out for a walk with our bikes while people were coming apart at the seams. Type 2 fun. 

I have not seen Tito since that race, 4 years ago. Fortunately there happens to be an event called Redbull Rampage going on this weekend. Maybe you have heard of it... Long story short, Tito and his wife are on an epic road trip across the US in a sweet van that I had dinner in last night. Since we just happened to be in town at the same time to spectate Rampage, it would have been a crime to not grab a few rides together and explore this amazing area. 

Tito has been a full-time adventurer and cyclist for the last 13 years. Living the life, traveling the world and appreciating his surroundings to the fullest. He is quite the artist and shares a passion for sketching and drawing, and has combined that with his love of cycling to create some inspiring work.

​Check out Tito's Youtube channel HERE

This is my first trip to Southern Utah and it will certainly not be my last. St. George is only about 5 hours from Moab and lacks the crowds and the chaos of what is becoming the norm in the mountain bike mecca. A welcome change from the hustle and bustle of Moab. The trails here are proving to be amazing. 

One day I will travel to France and ride Tito's home trails, and learn how to properly ride the most awkward of French switchbacks. Watching Tito ride speaks volumes of his home. Nose game on point. The French just have a different way of turning, a product of their environment, some of the tightest turns in the world. Turning a bike is art to this man. 

I can't even believe that I have been a professional cyclist for so long and never witnessed Rampage in person before. I may have a hard time sleeping tonight. I am nervous and excited and ready to feel the atmosphere that that only this event can provide. I am sipping a Tequila Ricky as I type these words and may have another. I am certain that tomorrow's spectacle will make me change my perspective and teach me what is possible. I hope to ride some of the "bab"y lines at the old venue this week. I'm pumped to see some history being made tomorrow. What an amazing time to ride bikes.