Mount Elden, Flagstaff AZ

#followcamfriday setting the forest on fire with Mason Bond in Flagstaff.

Just what the hell have I been doing with my life... I just spent three months in Sedona and only made it up to flag for a few days. Well, there was that whole "shelter in place" thing going on, so there's that. Flagstaff is probably less than 20 miles from Sedona as the crow flies, but I was trying to obey the local restrictions and travel ban. So I guess that is my excuse. 

I rode here once, 7 years ago, but had never tasted the pleasure of Sunset before. The dirt was basically as good as things get here in flag. Most of this area was decimated by fire last year and riding through the burned out woods feels reasonable surreal. Hopefully all of the trail can be reclaimed. Hopefully the hillside doesn't slide into town. 

Pete the dog has spent his fair share of time at the dirt jumps. At home, I have him well trained to stay on the starting ramp and wait for our return to the top of the line. It took him a few laps to figure out the lay of the land and stay put on the starting ramp. Good boy. Thanks for not taking anyone out. Pete enjoys a proper train as much as the next guy. Can you blame him? Fort Tuthill Bike Park is definitely worth a rip. I can't tell you how many times I have driven right by this place, without knowing it was there on my way to Sedona. Again, what have I been doing with my life??

I have been riding and racing with Mason for many years now. Mason rides bikes for the right reasons. Fun first, whips and skids, flowered shirts and trail side libations. Never a man to take things too seriously, but undoubtedly a man who will absolutely smoke you on a race track. Be like Mason. It's just bike riding, after all. May as well enjoy it. 

If a tree prevents you from leaning your bike into a turn, up and out is your answer. Always pull up into the high line for a proper entrance. As the homie Krunk Shox used to say, "pull up, not out". Words to live by. 

Sunset is amazing. It didn't hurt that the lower parking lot was closed, preventing the normal circus of hikers that are wondering uphill on this one. This particular section with a clear track is unreal. My favorite type of trail. High speed, natural gaps, line choice for days. A thinking-man's track. I am thinking about pulling up. Mason just sent 30ft off of a water bar and landed on some roots. Checkmate. 

Yeah, surreal. Fire is one of the few things in this world that scares me. The power, the devastation, the chaos. Let's all hope that monsoon season turns this place green again and the trails get back to normal. When a small community loses some of its most valuable resources, it is always gut-wrenching. Especially now, what with all of the other things happening currently. We need these places for out mental-health, more than ever. From the ashes come the brightest light.