#followcamfriday Season 4, Episode 2. Riding Khyber Pass to Babylon By Bike with Ariel Lindsley and Matty Ryan. 

Here we have what I would affectionately refer to as Whistler "side country". These are trails that are accessed from the bike park, but are not really in the bike park. There is a informative sign at the top that lets you know that you are definitely leaving the bike park. Only good things can lay behind these signs....  

This is akin to leaving the backcountry access gate from the ski area in the winter. In the summer, you don't need a shovel, probe, beacon, or the knowledge to properly use these tools. Instead,  you do need to know how to ride your bike and be ready for anything that might happen out there. Basically, manage your life. Personal responsibility is paramount. 

tIf you start seeing sketchy dilapidated wooden stunts, you are in the right place. As janky as this thing looks, it rides surprisingly well for a feature that has existed for at least 15 years. Lower Babylon feels like a history lesson. I have much to learn apparently.

Ariel and Matty are legends. There is a spicy drop below that is rarely ridden. By rarely, I mean never...  It is basically a 12 footer into a chute, which is hard to ride on it's own, complete with a sketchy run-in to start the line. The dirt needs to be absolutely perfect for this sort of thing. Traction is necessary to avoid death. Today was not our day. We will live to fight another. There used to be a rope to lower oneself into the chute, through the rocks, but a go-around was constructed to avoid the rope section. The go-around is really hard in itself, part of me misses the rope however... Jank. 

Janky wood, to nose-pick, to more janky wood. Oh Whistler, how I love you. This trail was constructed before the existence of the modern trail bike that we all have come to love these days. How in the hell is someone supposed to get around this one on a DH rig? Haha, so good. Man we have it good nowadays. Our forks don't hit our steerer tubes when we turn, but we still didn't clean this one... Matty did. Legend. 

This marmot tried to kill me. He fully charged and then stood on this rock and puffed his chest up at me. Everyone was laughing. I was scared. This dude meant business. Like I said, once you go past that boundary sign, you have to be prepared for anything. Manage you life friends. 

Whistler Bike Park delivering the goods. #followcamfriday with Ariel Lindsley, starting at the top and ending at the bar. 

Tour Du Wizzla continues as we ride Top Of The World for your viewing pleasure. Obviously, this is completely covered in snow as you read these words. We filmed this in August, under overcast skies and chilly temperatures. TOW is the crown jewel in the Whistler necklace. All the good rides start here. 

Is the red light blinking? Is this thing on? This episode is mostly filmed backwards, which means I cannot see my camera, which means I can't really see if I am filming or not... Fortunately Ariel has a keen eye for the blinking light of send. When you see the red light, pull up. Those are the rules. Ariel complies. 

If you look closely, Ariel is wearing pants and is actually riding a different bike here. We filmed this over 2 days, to get normal, and reverse POV, to offer some different perspectives. I think Ariel is faster in pants, on his wagon wheeler. But, that's just me. Ariel refers to the reverse cam as "shark cam", named after a video he saw on Youtube of a shark chasing a boat. Seems applicable. Maybe I should tie a fish to my ass. 

Have a look at Ariel's eyes here. He is looking through the turn. This is perfect form and execution. There is something to be learned here. Also to note, is his spacing behind me. If this appears close on a GoPro, he is almost touching my rear wheel. Commitment on fleek. 

Ever wonder what is happening behind you. If your friends are rad, they are taking bonus lines and hucking everything in sight. I present to you, example A. Unbeknownst to me, there is a spicy bonus line here. Always interesting to see other peoples interpretation of the trail. My job is rewarding in this way.  

If you use this rock as a jump, you can clear the no-hiking sign..... Extra bonus points and pints for Ariel. Remember the old arcade games, where you would gather coins? Remember the sound of the coins? Ding Ding Ding. That is the only thing going through my bean-brain as I look at this photo. Every "ding" represents one more pint that Ariel can have at the bar when we make it to the bottom. If we make it to the bottom...  Gather those coins friends. 

Well, that is a bold statement... #followcamfriday buckets of loam in Whistler situation with Ariel and Matty. 

I am not big on claiming best anything.... Best wheel size, best country, best tires for the front range....Best anything. The term "Best" is very subjective. People ask me all the time what the best ( insert thing) is, and I rarely know what to say. Which is the best Yeti??? Well, I have no idea.... They are all sweet. 

So, what makes the best day ever? It's a combo situation. The people, the bikes, the trails, the vibes. My "best day" can never be your "best day".  Again, highly subjective. Any time I am riding with Ariel Lindsley and Matty Ryan, the probability of BDE definitely exists. 

So, what made this day so special? This day was the perfect storm of squad, moisture levels, and trail selection. And how about the trail selection? We rode the Whistler classic "Kashmir", into a trail that didn't officially exist yet, and back into the park for some flow. Any time you get the privilege of being one of the first people down a fresh bit of trail, you are right where you want to be. When loam passes you as you descend, levels are on fleek. 

Loam is a drug. When people say "loam to the dome", they actually aren't riding loam, they are riding loose gravel in Colorado and spouting off about how epic it was. When organic material is hitting you in the back and passing you in the air, you are riding loam. When you are shaking at the bottom and all you want is another lap, you are an addict. Now you understand me better. 

I have been saving this one for the day when "Line Of Control" was made official. I am not in a position to be posting unsanctioned, hidden trails, so this one had to wait. Now that LOC is official, it will be ridden into the ground and undoubtedly be a pile of loamless dust by the middle of next summer. And the cycle continues. By the time I make it back to Whistler next summer, this one will be unrecognizable. But, I will forever remember, bouncing down the hill on the squishy carpet of green, and shaking and twitching at the bottom. I am a addict, check me into the clinic. 

Squad goals. Loam laps off of the chair. The only thing I can compare this to is a 3ft powder day. Except, you ski the same line all day and it doesn't really get skied out. Free refills. Double overhead loam barrels all day. The levels were right where they needed to be. Best day ever. 

#followcamfriday searching for dirt on Mt Joss in July with Tom Kiwi Bradshaw. It's winter up here eh.

Sometimes enthusiasm trumps common sense. Throw in some abnormal athleticism and you find yourself standing in the snow on the top of a mountain. With your bicycle... Where did I leave my skis..... 

Now while I am not condoning this sort of behavior, sometimes you make a bad call and find yourself in the alpine a bit too early. Truth be told, you can't really hurt the trail when you can't actually see the trail. Right? Interestingly enough, the 2 meter deep snow patches gave way to complete blown-out dust about half way down. Tom can be seen here testing the snow levels. 

When you get Tom and Ted together in one location, there can be no bad days. They are a team. A "squad" if you will. It is absolutely impossible to have a bad time when these boneheads are present. We should all be so lucky to have friends like this. 

Mount Joss, located near Revelstoke is a unique experience. We chose to do this as an out and back, totaling about 4000' of gain/ loss. Some have been known to access this by helicopter, we opted for the hard way. Tom had a flight to catch that afternoon, so we figured we had better try as hard as possible to make him miss said flight. 

Dogs make everything better. Tedd's dog #lovesbackpaw, just like dad. This black projectile is pinned, and will be the last thing in your way on the descent. 

When you have walked through so many patches of snow that you can't clip into your pedals any more... Or, just Tom being Tom. Why we love him. 

Green room. After doing battle on the icy tundra above, the trail eventually gave way to some authentic jungle riding. I saw a monkey. Next time I do this ride, I will be packing crampons and a machete. The contrast was amazing actually. Spring time in BC... Got to love it. Errr, July. 

So, if you are looking for a challenge and are in the area, give this one a rip. The views and alpine are unrivaled. Just maybe wait till August, so you don't have to giver skidoo. Eh. Oh, and Tom made his flight. What a bummer. Bye Tombo.  

. Truck shuttles are cool, chairlift laps are sweet. Helicopter rides? Next level! #followcamfriday take me to the top, magic bird in the sky. 7000' descent off of Mount Cartier in Revelstoke, BC. With 15 people. 

This is the second edit I have produced from a lap on the infamous Mount Cartier in Revelstoke. Last time we did this, it was so smoky that you could not see the valley floor below. As wild fires become part of the summer norm in the interior, we were lucky to fit this one in on on a crystal clear day in July. 

The descent off the top of Cartier is one of the finest I have ridden,  anywhere in the world. 7000' of amazing trail, beginning in the alpine, winding through classic BC pine forest, and finishing with a ripping fast section to the road below. This one has a bit of everything. 

When was the last time you did a proper euro-turn? Do you even nose-pick bro? I am not talking about the type of picking that you do when no one is looking or you are driving your car on the highway... Tight switchbacks require a bit of finesse. Ted has got this game on lock and can basically go around every tight turn on his front wheel. Set up high, grab a bunch of front brake, commit, swing that ass end around, giggle, repeat. Now do it 45 times and drink a beer. Win.

The second most important skill to learn is the elusive "frame surf". This technique is not recommended for off road applications but is very acceptable after a 7000' descent, once you reach the pavement. Bonus points if none of your friends are wearing shirts. Oncoming traffic.... More bonus points.

Yes, this is as steep as it looks. If one were to crash, the bike would go for a very long way before stopping, several hundred feet below. Seems like the perfect place to ride manuals. If you are Ted Morton, that is. No big deal, JRA. I personally wasn't even watching as I was distracted by the lake views below. Not sure which approach is more dangerous really. Stunts or lack of focus. Somehow, we made it. 

If you ever have a chance to ride in a helicopter, make it happen. It costs about 200$ but when you consider that you are riding a 10K carbon spaceship bike, this is a drop in the hat. It is basically an adult amusement park ride and is well worth the price of admission. And after said amusement park ride, you get to actually ride your bike down a mountain. Double win. 

Tom Kiwi Bradshaw is a fucking legend. Life of the party, wearer of jandals, Tom is a man who lifts the mood of any situation. Always stoked, always motivated, one of the finest humans I have met. Be like Tom. Wear a custom tailored flower shirt, pin it, and have a few laughs. Cycling done right. Cheers Bru! 

Hunting Grouse with James at sunset. #followcamfriday from August in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

What is this "lightbro" that everyone keeps talking about? It's the light, bro. You will know it when you see it.... There is something blindingly magical about riding off into the sunset in a dust cloud created by your friend's rear wheel. I really can't see a thing, but being our first run down this thing, it's definitely for the best. Trust James. 

Enter Grouse. The newest trail on Buffalo Pass in Steamboat Springs. Steamboat has made the claim to be "Bike Town USA", which besides being absolutely ridiculous, has always left me reasonably underwhelmed. If I am being honest, the riding in the Boat is a bit green for my taste. Not a destination I would travel to with my enduro bike. Well.... Grouse changes that notion for me. Add this to Fish Creek Falls and I could definitely see riding there for a weekend. 

If you are familiar with my riding style, I am a man who prefers breaking wheels on rocks to rolling singletrack. You can do that on Grouse. Don't misunderstand me, Steamboat is scenic and all, but I am looking for a trail that challenges me and could possible injure me. That is what gets me out of bed in the morning. Grouse delivered. Well, not the injury part, but it is at least possible. And that is a good thing. As bad as that sounds. 

Challenge? Yes please. I am not trying to feel good about myself when I ride. I am trying to find trails that make me feel like I suck. In this spoon-fed society of over-celebrated mediocrity, I like getting reduced. I like to suck. It builds character. Blue bird powder days? Nah, I'll take storm laps with my hood up. Visibility is overrated, face shots are hydrating. If you feel like a hero all of the time, you probably are far from it. Adversity builds progression, not pats on the back for 17 place at the pony show. 

And yes, I fully get it. We need easy trails to get people into the sport. It's why I have a job. I get it. This trail is not one of those trails. It is hard, and it will challenge you. We need these trails to offset the current trend of mass produced flow and  sanitization. Grouse has character. A steady diet of jank leaves Nate a happy boy. James concurs. 

So good work, "Bike Town USA" This one is sweet. You are still not "bike town usa", but we do really like this trail. This is a wonderful step in the right direction and is far more interesting in my mind than anything in the bike park. There is even a mellow climbing trail to access this thing. Again, good work. We shuttled.... but I like where your head is at. Steamboat. You feel less like the 90's to me now. Steamboat. 

This video was shot in August. Yesterday I went skiing for the first time of the year. As we transition into winter, I have been enjoying digging through the hard drive and remembering the fond times that summer has brought. Ah the memories. It is desert, dessert season now. Look for me eating gelato in a crowded place the locals call "Moab" soon. Honestly, I am looking forward to skiing this year. I know you hate skiing if you are reading these words, but I need the recharge. Powder does that. #offleasonfatkidlife

When James is not riding some sketchy rock face, on one wheel, without even looking at if first, he runs Float.org. In a nutshell, Float runs tee-shirt campaigns and donates 8$ from each sale to a different animal charity each week. You like animals right??? Well the holiday season is coming and I really can't think of a better way to spend your hard earned money. Give the gift that keeps on giving. I should be in marketing.... Quit spending all your money on new bike parts. Wait... 
FLOAT.ORG

Finding gelato from the source with Francesco Gozio. #followcamfriday abandoned Nato Base edition. 

It's almost Halloween, so here are some moody vibes to fit the spirit of the holiday and the spirit of enduro. I wish every run started in some abandoned, run-down building. Sharp metal objects, and crumbling concrete. Perfect. Exactly how I like my abandoned buildings. 

If I was a graffiti artist, this would be where I hang out. Since I ride bikes, I'll just ride through and appreciate the art. Oh, and try not to crash down the concrete steps and into a hole. 

They should really start serving espresso and gelato out of this building. I can't personally think of a better use. This is the top of the shuttle road used by hundreds of mountain bikers every day. Business opportunity missed. Francesco and I promise to buy 1 gelato and 1 espresso per lap. 

It's fog, dog. No, I can't actually see anything. Fortunately, Francesco knows the lines. Wet leaves on wet rocks with fogged-up glasses is very engaging. Wouldn't have it any enter way. 

The old-world charm of these foliage-lined corridors will never be lost on me. These corridors all lead back to the city and eventually to the gelato stand. It's like throwing a hot dog down a hallway. This hallway leads to dessert. 

Victory at last. We actually did two rides on this day and ate gelato three times. Proper ratios if you ask me. Keep it locked right here to see if I can still fit in the door of the plane when I leave Europe. 

#followcamfriday with Francesco Gozio in his home-town of Finale Ligure, Italy. I bet we can find some gelato here...

After spending a week in the alpine near Mont Blanc, Francesco and I headed to Finale Ligure to check out his home trails before the EWS arrived. Some would label this "secret practice" But, I wasn't here to race, I was leaving before the event. I came here to eat gelato. And since I was not racing, I ate gelato 3 times a day... Win Win.  #secretgelatopractice

The city, the food, the culture. How had I never visited before? This place absolutely melted my mind. Yes, the trails are world class, but the food.... Holy shit. I have been fortunate to have ridden my bicycle all over the world. What sticks in my mind anymore is the culture of the places I visit. Yes, the trails are fun, but this city won a special place in my heart. I will be back, no question. These are the experiences I remember at the end of the day. 

The old-world charm here is unmatched. Ancient architecture that overlooks the crustal-blue water below. Pure romance. Here is how my typical day went. Get up, have a light breakfast with several cappuccinos,  and then ride for 3-4 hours. Stop at some hole in the wall for lunch, that just happens to have the best food in the world... More espresso, maybe a glass of wine or two. Then it was back out for a few more hours of riding. Then dinner, again, at some unassuming family place that also happens to have some of the best food in the world. Maybe I would drink a bottle of wine. Oh and gelato. Insert one serving of gelato between every meal or activity. Unreal. 

Oh yeah, bike riding... I got distracted there. There is a reason that the EWS has been coming here since the series began. Finale has all types of terrain to keep anyone entertained for a week. Most of the EWS tracks from years' past still remain if you want a taste. Roller Coaster is basically a giant pump-track. Flat-track turn practice for days. The absence of a berm is a beautiful thing. Roller Coaster is one of the better "blue runs" anywhere. 

Francesco runs Ride Over Yonder guided tours. He is a fellow Yeti ambassador, trail shredder and one of the nicest people you could ever meet. If you want a proper experience in Finale, trail, food, culture, look no further, he is your guy. You can thank me later... You will gain weight from all the gelato and pasta, but you will ride for 6 hours a day, so I call it a wash. 

RIDE OVER YONDER Guided Tours

Beware of the local wildlife. This guy lives for ball, like I live for gelato. If you see this dude, you are about to jump in a shuttle. Your day will be amazing. Maybe throw the ball for this guy a couple of times. 
He will love you for it. 
Keep it locked right here to see how much weight I can gain in Italy. 

Will there be gelato at the bottom of this 4500' descent. One can only hope. Francesco Gozio and myself on the hunt in Italy. #followcamfriday

After last week's episode, everyone should be comfortable with riding on the edge of a cliff. You, me, Francesco, everyone.... When gelato is the reward, men will do things that they otherwise may not. The brain works in strange ways at elevation when the gelato reserves become dangerously low. 

After spending the previous night at the Refuge Walter Bonatti, we were greeted with a 3000' climb to begin the day. After a fair bit of hike a bike, we found ourselves perched atop the Tete De La Tronche, a classic overlook on the Tour Du Mont Blanc route. There were easier ways to get to the gelato stand from where we slept, but that just wouldn't be very interesting, now would it...

The descent from the top of the Tete would begin as an exposed ridge-ride in the alpine, before steepening up sharply as we approached tree line. We were treated to epic views in every direction. If I am being honest,  my concentration may have been broken once or twice by the managing figure of Mont Blanc, looming in the distance. Once entering the trees, we were served some of the smoothest and fastest sections of singletrack I had ever seen. 

The lower third of the descent became steep and technical, giving us a taste of fall colors and slippery dirt, before ending on the paved road to Courmayeur. 

Surely there would be gelato where we were headed. 

This cafe did not have gelato. We did however eat a ridiculous amount of pasta and sandwiches. And espresso... Don't forget the coffee. Everyone looks at me funny when I order coffee before my meal. I have one after too... Never to much. Never not. 
So, about that gelato... As it turns out, the gelato shop in town is closed, much to our dismay. I almost quit right there. The feelings I was experiencing were almost too much to handle. This was only the first half or our day. We still had one climb to go to get to the next refuge on our tour. What were we to do without gelato? I hope we make it.
​ 
The hunt continues.... Iv'e been in Europe for three days and have yet to have proper gelato. Punch my face. 

If you are looking for a guide in Italy, my man Francesco Gozio is your guy. He may not be able to find gelato, but I can assure you that he has the trails on lock. Hell of a guy, he gets my strong endorsement, gelato aside. 
Check out RIDE OVER YONDER

This one takes me back to the #followcamfriday roots. Don't fall left, don't fall right, maybe just don't fall. Riding in the Alps with Francesco Gozio on our new Yeti SB130's

This trip has left an impression on me, to say the least. Interestingly enough, this was my first trip to Europe and definitely won't be my last. I was sent here for a Yeti project, photographed by the legend that is Dan Milner. Fellow Yeti ambassador and Italian guide, Francesco Gozio joined us as the other "athlete". I guess we are "adventure athletes". Is that a thing? 

This project will see the light of day on the Yeti site in the spring of 19, showcasing the ability of our newly built SB130's, in their preferred habitat. In between "getting the shot" with Dan, I strapped on the trusty camera and filmed some of the more interesting descents in the Alps. I mean, how could I not. This place is unreal. 

Mont Blanc is looming in the background. Always there with her imposing presence, whenever the clouds parted. A good reminder to be humble, and good perspective of how small we truly are. 

Some would say that riding in this terrain is risky, even careless. I personally live for this sort of thing, fully accepting the responsibility and acknowledging the danger. The risk vs reward thing is an interesting debate. Most say that this isn't worth the risk. I have never done this sort of thing for a camera, only for myself. I was riding my bicycle along the edge of a cliff, long before there was social media, or YouTube, for that matter. It truly makes me feel alive and fills me with positive energy. That is my reward. Typing this sentence on my computer is not exciting to me. This is. 

Francesco Gozio was an amazing partner to have on this project. I had never met Dan or Francesco before I showed up on Dans's doorstep in Chamonix. Dan is s legendary ski and bike photographer and is regarded as one of the best and most experienced in the industry. I mean, he just got the cover of Bike mag this month, one of many. Dan's ability to tell a story with a single photo is unmatched. Both of these gentlemen have no problem going that extra mile to make something better. It shows in their character and in their work. These are the people that I enjoy surrounding myself with. Highly motivated, humble, bad asses. Good folks. 

If you need a guide in Italy, Francesco is your guy. You can thank me later.
RIDE OVER YONDER GUIDED TOURS

None of us had ever ridding this section of trail before. When we asked a local for beta, his description was "lumpy". I don't think I could have come up with a better description myself. I will definitely be incorporating this into my vocabulary. As it turns out, I am a big fan of "lumpy". Basically, what I am looking for in a trail. And how did the new 130's handle it? I was astounded. A bike that I can climb for 6 hours and then ride lumpy trails on. My happy place. 

Comprehensive bike check HERE

Keep it locked right here for more shenanigans from Europe over the next few weeks. I will be riding trail, drinking wine and trying to get fat on gelato before winter sets in.