I present to you, the lunch ride.  #followcamfriday foregoing eating to ride my bike with the Yeti Squad and the boss man. Just don't call Chris "boss" at lunch. 

"Lunch Ride" Nope, it's not marketing hype to sell bikes. It's an actual THING. An activity. Almost a requirement, a right of passage if you are employed by Yeti Cycles. If you don't love to ride your bike, this job may not be your cup of tea.... As it turns out, when people that actually love to ride bikes, make bikes, good things happen. Completing the circle. 

If you look closely at the desk behind this dog, you will notice that it is empty. That is because between the hours of 11 and 12:30, Yeti is closed for lunch, so that the employees can smash out a quick lap on neighboring Apex. If you do show up at this time of day, you can pat this dog until they reopen for business. There are worse ways to spend your time.... Bring treats. 

Yeti recently made a "Lunch Ride" spec for their SB130. A bit more travel. A bit more confidence. The employees prefered weapon of choice for the local trails that exist on Apex. Just a short pedal from the office lies some of the best riding in the Denver / Golden area. Such good riding in fact, that Yeti has purposely chosen this location for its headquarters due to its easy access to the trail. Eating can wait. 

Chris Conroy is the President of Yeti Cycles. In addition to Chris, our squad consists of employees of all skill sets and positions in the company. All are welcome, all are equal. Chris does not like being called "boss" on the trail. We are all just people enjoying our bike ride together. Nothing more. All of the work-day is left at the office, shit is talked, bikes are ridden. I can't think of another employment situation where the coworkers of all levels get together at lunch to do something that they all have a deep passion for. It's an inspiring way to run a company. Happy employees are good employees. There is a reason that Yeti makes some of the finest bicycles in all of the world. 

This dog will also gladly accept head-scratches until Yeti reopens for business at 12:30. Again, do the right thing and bring treats. 

Yes, Yeti has beer on tap. There is Kombucha too, but we won't go into that. According to Dacre, who gave me the official " tour", beer-thirty is 4:30, unless it is Friday and then it is 4:00. Well since today is Friday, you can feel good about starting a little bit early. Those bikes aren't going to build themselves after all. Let's keep those wrenches lubricated. 

My how far we have come. This rig offers some wonderful perspective into how good we have it these days. I mean, cantilever brakes were sweet and all, but man it's a good time to be a mountain biker. Next time someone complains about their wheel size, consider this bike and its limitations. We have it so good. I have a hard time imagining how things can get much better. They just will. Those elevated chainstays though... 

Not having any fun at all. Next time you are in Golden and have some time to kill, join these guys for a "lunch ride" For $40, you can demo a Yeti and ride the local trails. That 40$ goes directly to the local trails. Wu-Tang is for the children. Kudos Yeti. And if you are lucky, Dacre will give you a factory tour and you can pat some dogs. And, if it's after 4:30, you can have a beer, unless its Friday, in which case you can start early. 

#followcamfriday continuing the opening weekend tour with a stop at the Angel Fire Bike Park to ride with the man, the myth, the legend, Chris Boice. 

I only ride park. On opening weekends.... It's all blown out after that. Powder days are hard to come by anymore, so get out there while the getting is good. It only gets dryer from here. Dustbowl. 

This photo represents the dustiest turn of the weekend. Chris did just blow this thing up and all, but the dust factor was minimal, as compared to last year when I actually rode with a dust mask to prevent black lung. True story. Hide your berms kids, Chris is looking for holes to smash. Interestingly enough, the park was in such good shape that the holes were hard to find. #searchingforholes

Mr. Chris Boice is an absolute legend. Few people alive turn a bike like Chris. Races are won in the turns and Chris has won a lot of races. Now he mostly races RC cars, converts Sprinters into tiny homes,  and climbs rocks, but he is still unbelievably pinned, off of the couch. Pinned like I am hanging on by a thread pinned.... Chris Boice things. 

My Bike for AF
SPEC HERE

I couldn't be more stoked on my new rig. This is the perfect setup for crushing park laps and DH trails, despite being reasonable capable on the uphill... Not that I am trying to ride any uphill this weekend. She is build for smashing into things and giving less fucks. My kind of girl. 

I have been visiting Angel Fire for the better part of 15 years, racing and riding, and it is nice to see the place growing and evolving into a modern bike park. The builders have done an amazing job over the last handful of years, turning this place into what it is today. Good work squad. The trails are unbelievably fun to ride. Now if we could just fix the food scene in town. I will still drive to Taos for a proper taco until conditions improve. 

What park should I visit next? I am running out of opening weekends, but there is still a ton of snow in the high country to keep the alpine parks from opening on time. Any moisture is good moisture, and as a general rule, we need more of it. Always. I am interested to see when, or should I say "if" the alpine opens this season. Time will tell. Until then, I will be smashing low laps with the boys. 

#followcamfriday is never one to miss a party. Whistler Bike Park opening weekend mega-train shenanigans. 

If you follow my ramblings, surely you know that Whistler is one of my favorite places in the world to ride my bike. If this is your first time here, I'll try and break this down for you. Best bike park in the world, 100 of your closest friends, bikes, and trains for days. Oh, and partying every night. This sums up life in Whistler. Vegas of MTB.

A-Line may be the most videoed trail in the world. That definitely isn't going to stop me from riding this beauty over and over and over again. 50 person trains, all damn day son. I mean after all, Dirt Merchant was closed, so what is a squad supposed to do?? Laps. That's what. It really never gets old. 

Whistler is the Vegas of MTB. Basically, if you are here with industry folks, on an event weekend, it is generally rude to not go out and party.  Bad form. And so the cycle goes. Ride, party, find yourself underground, repeat. It would be rude not to. Oh yeah, and eat at Sushi Village 5 times. #whistlerlife done correctly. As long as you can balance the fish levels with the alcohol levels, you are sure to feel chipper the next day when you get out of bed at noon. Don't worry, the chair turns till 8. Repeat. 

Moisture levels were on point. Day 1 was reasonably moist. Moist like I can't tell who you are, or what kind of bike you are riding. Day 2 brought hero traction. I'll save you the loam-brown-pow chatter, but rest assured, things were perfect.  When your friend leaves tracks each time he rips a turn in front of you, things are prime. 

Dumped as. Billy Lewis doing his best Cody Kelly.  Pull up, not out people. Jumps are for boosting. Quit riding so fast everyone. 

The goal here is to get as many people in the air together as possible. You aren't doing it until things get sketchy. This train had one rule. The man in the lead cannot pedal. Sketch pass fest 2019 begin. That's what friends are for. 

Crank It Up isn't actually fun, but if you ride it 3 wide, insiding your friends the entire way down,  it may have been the most memorable run of the weekend. All the sketch. Mark is even riding with a 20KG camera bag to keep things honest. Seemed to be making him ride faster. 

So yeah, I'm out. Stay classy Canada. I'll be back soon, but for now, I am headed to New Mexico for some bike racing. Got to offset all of that poison I put in my body somehow. If you see me sweating on a transfer in Santa Fe, give me a high five. Yay bikes. 

This one made an impression on me. #followcamfriday reminding you to live life to the fullest, appreciate what you have and surround yourself with good people. 

My friend Daniel Soller sustained a spinal cord injury seven months ago while doing what he loves most in life. If you are reading this, chances are that you also live for riding. Just like Dan. To have everything you know change in the blink of an eye is difficult to quantify or comprehend. One thing is certain however, Dan is making the best of an unfathomable situation. 

,As mountain bikers, we all take risk. The sense of adventure is what is attractive about the sport. The rush, the feel, the connection with nature, and friends to share the experience with. This sport is dangerous. In my mind, most things worth doing involve some sort of risk and commitment. Getting out of your comfort zone is mandatory for growth. If I am being honest, I should probably have died long ago. I am very thankful that I have not been seriously injured or killed along the way. Broken bones are easy, and I've had my share. 

The worst injury I have sustained has been a broken ankle. I was non-weight bearing for three months. At the time, the thought of not walking or driving for a few months was hard on me mentally. When I compare that injury to the doctor telling Dan that he will probably never walk again, it seems pretty insignificant. I can't even imagine hearing those words. The mental strength that Danimal has, to keep a positive attitude in light of this situation is inspiring. Legend. 

Dan is stoked. I have raced and ridden with him for many years and he has always lived for bikes. Dan raced a klunker at the GJ Offroad last year. Yeah, no suspension, some of the roughest trails in the country, that is how much Dan loves bikes. Danimal is crazy. That is why we love Dan. And ultimately, why I sincerely believe, he will walk again. Until that day, he is going to stay positive and make lemons out of lemonade. Perhaps with some tequila mixed in. I haven't heard Dan complain once. Next time you complain about your wheel size, or the weather, or your morning coffee that wasn't perfectly prepared to your discriminating standards, think about Dan. Dan's legs don't move. Your first-world problems don't seem so important now, do they? Perspective on what actually matters in life. I am very fortunate. 

This is heavy shit. Riding with Dan, making this video, processing all of the emotion. I've been crying a bit. Heavy. I truly am thankful for my health and my friends. Dan is very fortunate to be surrounded by amazing people that help him do this sort of thing and help him to feel normal every day. Without that support structure, things would be very different. Without my friends, I would be nothing. My entire current situation is because I have surrounded myself with amazing people. I am very fortunate. 

When I asked Danimal if he wanted to shoot a FCF episode, I had the idea to do a fundraiser to help him with the unforeseen costs associated with this sort of thing. When I mentioned this to Dan, he basically told me that his financial needs were sorted and that we should donate to the organizations that helped him get through this, and be able to help others. This is a testament to Dan's character. Dan can't walk, and all he wants to do is help others that are struggling with similar injuries. Inspiring. 

So, here is the deal. Craig Hospital and the High Fives Foundation have helped Dan get through this injury and basically make it possible for people with spinal injuries to get back to "normal" life and give them the tools and support to succeed. If you are interested in making a donation, the links are below. If Dan can inspire anyone with a spinal injury to get back out there and live life to the fullest, it would mean the world to him. And to me. 

High Fives Foundation
Craig Hospital

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If you can't see the cliff you are riding on, does it actually exist? Sedona's most notorious in the dark. #followcamfriday

Riding and filming the infamous White Line has been done to death. Mountain biking is evolving rapidly and this sort of thing is becoming more common. Not that I am suggesting you go ride it however... This line is spooky, to say the least. I am all about pushing boundaries, both mental and physical, so adding some darkness into the equation seemed like the logical choice. Can you really fear what you cannot see?

l have ridden this more than 50 times. Maybe 100. I still never take it for granted, because if I am being honest, you actually can die, but let's just say that I have become all too comfortable with this sort of thing. I enjoy exposure. Not for the camera, but for my mental state. Somehow cheating death is pleasing and stimulating to me. My adrenals have been used to the max for many years, and honestly, it takes this sort of thing to get me fired-up anymore. That fact in itself, is a scary prospect.  

The classic sky line from chicken point. Gaping area of many slack-jawed tourists as their Pink Jeep tour guide tells them that people ride their bikes on that formation. We are those people. I feel like a tourist attraction at times up there with 50 people gawking at us as we risk our lives for our own amusement. But the night. The night is different. Darkness and silence replace the chaos found during the day. 

Lars went first. This was a 77 second exposure taken from below. It's reasonably sharp as I was holding my breath for most of it. It's stressful to watch your best friend and his headlamp on the cliff above you. Never have I felt so helpless in the moment. This must be how the tourists feel. Now I understand. 

Fucking surreal. Not sure that there is an eloquently written sentence that can do this feeling more justice. I'll just leave it at that. 

Look closely. Yup, that is a javelina running willy-nilly down the middle of the trail,  mere inches from Lars' front tire. I guess there is a first time for everything. The creatures come out at night, as the saying goes. Interestingly enough, when I think about this night, I remember the pig sighting more than riding the White Line. Somehow it just meant more. Over the course of the evening my emotional state went from terror, to relief, to pure excitement for our encounter with nature. Emotional rollercoaster, to put it lightly.

And then we went to Lars' house and drank wine. Lots of wine. Some people drink to forget, we drink to celebrate a life full of surreal experiences that most will never have the privilege or motivation to experience. This isn't everyone's cup of tea after all. But for Lars and I, this night will never be forgotten. Oh the places my bicycle takes me. I am very fortunate. 
​In case you wondered, we had bacon for breakfast. 

If you have a hangover at night, you have perhaps taken things a bit too deep. #followcamfriday finding the limit in Sedona with Lars Romig

When was the last time you were hungover? As a man who appreciates a cup or three of red wine, I definitely can relate to waking up feeling slightly worse than when my head hit the pillow the night before. If you are hungover in the evening, it may be time to reevaluate your priorities. Or, just get after that hair of the dog, and keep the party rolling.  

As I learned on this ride, if you have lights, you don't actually need to race daylight. Not that we were riding slow, but the imminent threat of getting darked on is somehow diminished when you have 3000 lumens strapped to your bike. Usually the beauty of sunset is contrasted by the need to get the fuck out of the woods. Not this time. 

Admittedly, night riding has never been that appealing to me. I guess when you ride for a living and days are planned around riding, I already get more miles than I can handle. I know, first world problems, right? But seriously, night is when I work, eat and sleep. And drink wine. This might cut into my wine drinking time... 

Would you just look at it! The twilight situation with the rock reflection is reasonably stunning. I was amazed watching the footage for the first time. For a man who spends quite a bit of time in the editing cave, it is not often that I am amazed. Pretty cool option for filming, moving forward. 

Why not choose Sedona's "hardest", most revered ride to film at night for a first go. Seems safe to me. If you can't actually see the cliff to the right, is it actually there? This may be an easier time for people to ride this if they are scared of heights. Or maybe, we are just telling ourselves that. Either way, it was rad. 

Lars is my danger-man when things need to get done. This definitely isn't for everyone, but I can always trust Lars to be up for my ridiculous ideas. Anything to up the levels and progress a bit. Mediocrity is boring.  

As I count, my bike currently has 8 batteries strapped to it. I didn't even bring water on this ride because I needed to cut weight. 8 batteries without being an e-bike. My how far we have come. I need an intern to manage my battery charging situation. Email me your resume. 

You win some, you lose some, and sometimes, your fancy new bike gets you in over your head. #followcamfriday all in the name of testing. 

The trails in Sedona are constantly changing. Sometimes a section gets sanitized, sometimes things get rougher. One thing remains a constant though, Schnebly Hill and Munds Wagon remain full of baby-heads and I really wouldn't have it any other way. If you enjoy trails that move as you ride them, there is none better in Sedona.

I guess it has turned into my job to follow people. Through the dust, through the tech, and through the loose sea of moving rocks that lie before my front wheel. If I am being honest, I would say I have been lucky, riding wheel to wheel on incredibly technical terrain, just a bike-length behind my friend, who is hopefully getting loose. This time however, my luck ran out.

Maybe I ran out of talent. However you choose to describe my situation, one thing is clear, when you are committed to a line and get roosted by baby-heads, nothing good usually occurs. I certainly don't blame Alex, he was just trying to stay upright too. I just happened to draw the short straw today. Oh well. I guess it's my turn to lay on the floor for a bit. 

Schnebly Hill is one of the only sustained downhills in Sedona. It is hard to get to, doesn't get ridded often, and has a distinctly different character than what Sedona is known for. Raw dog. Just how I like my trails. The ground is even a different color.... The views of cow pies and Hangover below contrast the white rock nicely. #shredthewhite. Just don't let it shred you! If I catch you removing baby-heads from this one, we are going to have issues. 

Check out my friends over at WorldWide Cyclery if you want to learn more about my new Yeti SB150 bike spec
HERE

Can you think of a better day than NEW BIKE DAY! #followcamfriday testing my new smash pony in Grand Junction with Cameron Joye. 

Mmmmm, that new bike smell. Nothing quite compares. The challenge of new bike day lies in mitigating the stoke. It is easy to froth too hard and explode. The dangers of being stoked. Fortunately, my new rig is unbelievably capable and saved my ass on several occasions. Smash Pony!

Peep my build video here. 
Check out my build spec HERE

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Enter Cameron Joye. Cameron, originally from So Cal, is going to school on Grand Junction and slaying trail. Look for him to be crushing it at the races this season as he makes the leap from U21 to Elite. Watch out big dogs, Cameron is on the hunt. Nose bonk game on lock. 

Classic end to Free Lunch rock pinch maneuver. If you made it all the way through the jank, this is one last chance to hook a bar and slap. Focus grasshopper. The rock in GJ burns flesh. Staying upright is the best policy. 

Bonk bonk bonk. Remember to have fun out there kiddos. Them rocks ain't gonna bonk themselves.  Show them some love. Most action this rock has seen in a long time. Rocks need love too. 

Man, how I've missed the desert. This time of year is always special. After skiing for the last month, and riding my gravel bike in the snow, I couldn't be more ready for spring. Birds chirping, flowers blooming, that sort of thing. Spring fever, combined with new bike day is about as good as it gets. And what of that new bike? Well, I am honestly blown away. 

My Yeti SB150 is an absolute beast. I can basically ride my new bike with great disregard for my personal safety, without feeling like I am even trying. Is that a good thing? This could end badly. But until it does, I will be holding it wide and letting it slide. This will catch up with me eventually, but until then, I am gonna enjoy the ride!

#followcamfriday chasing Frenchie in Sedona. If you hear any whimpering, it's just me back here trying. 

One thing is certain. After spending a few weeks in Sedona this past February, I came away a fitter man. It turns out that all of the sprinting I did to keep Alex in sight made me reasonably fit. Despite trying my best to offset this with wine and chocolate, I still came away net positive on the fitness thing.  I call that having my cake and eating it too. 

Sedona is not really known for its sustained downhills, and the Soldier Wash area is no exception. This area offers some of the more natural and less sanitized trails in the area, but make no mistake, you will earn every inch of it. By earn, I mean, cough up blood to make things interesting.... But, with effort, these trails become very interesting. These are the type of trails that are ho-hum if you are just cruising, but if you are sprinting like your life depends on it, shit gets real. Real quick. 

Speaking of sprinting, walking Pete these days is the opposite of sprinting. More meandering than anything. Pete is 12 and has lived the best life of any dog I know. He is still fit as a fiddle but I just can't bring myself to run him hard anymore. He will basically run till he explodes, so I have to exercise some restraint. We just cruise now. Pretty refreshing if you ask me. 

This is the look I get when Pete has had his walk and it is time for me to actually ride. He lays the guilt on hard, but I think he understands that I need to get my exercise too. A bowl of water, a bit of food, a couple of treats and it is nap time for Mr. Pete. If only my life were that simple. I have responsibilities, like typing this stupid blog and managing my Instagram account. I wish Pete could Instagram for me. 

So what were we doing? Oh yeah.... Sprinting. Alex is abnormally fit and holds most of the KOM's in the valley. Or Lars. Take your pick. I swear sometimes these two plan their schedules opposite so that when one gets tired, the other one has had a couple of days off and is ready to try and kill me. I think they are conspiring against me. Fresh Alex plus fresh Lars equals one very tired Nate. All in the name of training I suppose. 

This photo demonstrates the proper way to enter a turn. It's science, duh. If you haven't been paying attention, try turning the wrong way, just before you turn the right way. Got that? Poetry in motion. Nothing makes your bike fall into the turn better. Send Alex a dollar. He just taught you something. 

Alert AF
It is still snowing in Colorado as I type these words. Since returning from NZ, I have ridden my mountain bike once. I have been riding my gravel bike in the snow and skiing a bunch. And drinking wine. Lots of wine. It's almost time to get back on the road and make some magic for the people. Summer will be here before we know it. I guess I am ready. Road trip. 

#followcamfriday from the land of red rocks, vortexes, and sprinting. Finishing the day out correctly with Frenchie and Mongo. Pyramid, Scorpion, and Ridge Trail for your viewing pleasure. 

Chasing light. The life of a habitual procrastinator. Why did you wait until the last possible second to jump on your bike and put a mega ride together? Nothing keeps the pedals ticking over like imminent darkness. I like to film when the light is good, that is the real reason I "put things off to the last minute". This leaves less time for eating and drinking, but that is the price one pays for #lightbro I guess..... We will be up late, making up for lost time. 

This was filmed in early February, just before I departed for New Zealand. What is the best way to get ready for international travel and bike racing, you ask? Chase Lars and Alex around their local trails for a few weeks. All of the sprinting and cry-breathing was perfect race training, as it turns out. I felt like a million bucks down in NZ. Thanks for making me bleed out of my eyes, guys. That's what friends are for. 

Lars Romig is an absolute legend. Fireman, trail builder, father, photographer, gym rat, Keto diet fat glutton, consumer of the finest box wine. Lars' slowest day is your busiest. Lars' slowest ride is your fastest. Whenever I feel like my world is closing in and I have way too much on my plate, I think of what Lars does on the daily. Motivation for life, lived to its fullest. Pay attention kids. Go do something! Anything. Maybe go for a bike ride and eat bacon. 

It's getting dark now and my camera is struggling. Can you see the lightbro? This image is grainy, slightly out of focus ,underexposed, the sky is blown, and the chromatic aberration is next-level. Would you just look at it! But..... The lightbro on the crotch region, and the fact that I almost t-boned Alex in this turn, more than make up for my struggling GoPro screen grab. This is special to me somehow, despite being a "technical" disaster. 

Mr. GoPro still struggling to maintain detail in the sky. Dynamic range lacking. But would you just look at cactus tips... Just the tips... Lightbro game strong. As it just so happens, I pulled a cactus quill out of my leg, just a week ago. Sometimes they take a while to emerge to the surface. The human body, being the wonderful machine that is is, will eventually push and foreign bodies to the surface for ejection. I hope you enjoyed your travels for the last six weeks, freeloader quill. Thank you for leaving my body. #justthetip

Classic Sedona. #shredthered