Riding Mineshaft at Hawes with Alex

#followcamfriday riding Mineshaft at Hawes with Alex Petitdemange in Mesa, Arizona

I just donated to the Hawes Trail Alliance. Surely you are aware that these trails do not build or maintain themselves and take tons of work by volunteers, both on the ground and behind the scenes, to make the riding experience at Hawes what it is currently. Buy the trail org a beer or six HERE. It's important. 

There are so many trails at Hawes that we don't even know where we are anymore, and that is a very good thing. Fortunately there are these handy signs to keep us headed in the correct direction. Alex is trying to find a coffee shop with baguettes, but this was somehow missing from the sign. We did however find "Mine" and were rewarded with French turns. Close enough. 

We tried our best but a bicycle can't actually fit in the mine. Maybe a strider. If you see this hole in the ground, you are about to enjoy a sweet DH section. 

Still not a fan of gloves. 

Mineshaft is my kind of trail. Reasonably natural with just enough chunk to keep you honest. It's not awkward, but there is enough rock to make your brain work on the fly. Mental chess at speed. Multiple entrances and exits to each turn. Sniper rock doubles. These are the elements that keep us coming back for more. Questioning decisions mid-air, is where you want to be in life. 

Alex Petitdemange and I filmed this a couple of months ago. As the snow recedes in the high country of Colorado, what I affectionately refer to as "desert season", is rapidly approaching. Traditionally everyone that lives in Colorado flocks to destinations like Moab or Grand Junction to live some of that desert life. I have been immersed in this life for quite some time now, so the term "desert season" may have to be re adjusted slightly. It is always desert season at Hawes, and it always takes me a second to recalibrate when I start riding in the kitty litter again. Until next winter Hawes, love your work!