Graysill Creek

#followcamfriday picking up where we left off last week on the Colorado Trail outside of Silverton, Colorado with Alex Petitdemange.

There is just something special that riding in the alpine surrounding Silverton that will never get old to me. Part of the reason I ride bicycles is to escape the crowds and the chaos of the path frequently traveled. I find solace in these remote backcountry routes that involve work to access. 

I do enjoy all types of cycling from dirt jumping, to road, to smashing laps on my DH rig in the park. That said, there is something a bit more rewarding somehow about accessing some of these hard to reach areas that just make you feel small and humble. These places give me a much needed reset and reminder of how pure and amazing riding bikes can be. Spending a couple of weeks in the San Juan was just the reset I was looking for to put everything back into perspective. 

Natural trail gaps never cease to put a smile on my face. Alex is the master of interpreting trail on the fly and knowing just where and when to jump over things. His background in gymnastics becomes evident quickly while chasing his wheel on trails that neither of us have ever ridden. A delicate balance of flow, agility and aggression and efficiency make riding with Alex and absolute pleasure. 

Graysill Creek has been recently worked on according to the internet, and judging by the photo above, the builders clearly have a sense of humor. If you carry a chainsaw all this way, you better have a sense of humor, and a strong back. Kudos to the locals, because this one is a gem. Just the right amount of flow without ruining the original nature of the trail. Many of the turns appeared to have been opened up, without changing the raw nature of the original trail. This is a delicate process and the builders have truly left this one rough and natural, while increasing the speed and feel. Kudos! An amazing bit of track. 

If you need me, I will be hanging out in the alpine, eating as many calories as I can jam down my pie-hole and riding my bike until my legs refuse to spin circles. As long as the moisture continues, it would basically be a crime to do anything less with my life currently. As the farmers say " make hay while the sun shines"