Riding Exposure in Durango

#followcamfriday on Haflin Creek in Durango with Alex Petitdemange. Long live the jank!

Ah, Haflin Creek. Since I rode this for the first and only time about eight years ago, I have always wanted another run down this gem of a trail. What can I say, it left an impression on me. The perfect blend of jank, speed and exposure that ticks all of the boxes for me. No berms, no flow, just natural, raw goodness. Exactly what I am looking for in life. 

Haflin drops 3000ft in about 4 miles. There is a slight amount of rolling traverse in the middle, but is is basically a DH track. It is unbelievably overgrown right now and if I am being honest, I think I like it that way. This adds to the technical nature and really makes you focus on the task at hand, which is not catching a pedal and exploding. 

If you are not big on exposure, this is not your trail. More and more lately,  I gravitate towards this type of riding experience. There is no place I can attain this level of focus and precision in other parts of my life. There is just something different and more engaging about riding these trails that have zero margin for error. This is not most people's idea of a fun trail, but this is exactly why Alex Petitdemange and myself ride bikes. If I am riding a flow trail with 180 degree berms and traverses in between, I basically turn my brain off and take a nap. When one mistake results in a trip to the hospital, my senses are heightened. 

Alex again, blending into the foliage. The recent continued moisture has left the dirt in amazing shape. Everything is vibrant green and the flowers are popping. Huge props to anyone who maintains this thing and trims the underbrush. Clearly that is not an easy undertaking by any means. If this thing doesn't continue to see some traffic, it will surely be overgrown by the end of the summer. Again, that is part of the charm. Keep those feet up. 

The switchbacks above significant exposure are tight. You better have your nosepick as dialed as Alex if you want to survive this one. It is amazing to watch Alex's spacial awareness unfold. Nose-pick to tire tap on the rock pictured, rewards him with a proper exit. I followed suit. It made me giggle like a little girl. Precision when executed properly is very gratifying in exposed terrain. 

After spending a bunch of time in the high country between Silverton and Durango, Haflin was a nice change of scenery. The desert riding in Durango is truly special. When combined with the high-country access, this place is looking more and more appealing to me, the more time I spend down here. There is a reason so many national and world-level champions have come from this place.