Sedona Delivers

#followcamfriday ticking off red-rock classics with Lars and Alex. 

As I type these words, I am in the mountains of Hokkaido, Japan, skiing powder. It occured to me that I had not taken a non-bike related "vacation" in about 5 years. I love mountain bikes, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I just need a break. I am definitely not complaining, I love my job and feel fortunate to be able to travel and ride almost every day, but sometimes, I just need a change of perspective. A reset, if you will. 

Yes, a change of perspective. I have ridden Sedona many times over the years and filmed all of the classics, more than once. Hangover and Hiline are two of my favorites, without question.  My new drone is definitely allowing me to be creative in a different way and show the beauty of Sedona from a different angle. Same friends, same trails, same lightbro, just from a different perspective that had not previously been possible. 

I am currently hanging out at backcountry touring lodge and hot spring situation with some close friends. We are ski-touring every day, eating sushi and staying away from the internet and work, as much as possible. It is increasingly hard to remove myself from grip of my iPhone and the constant white-noise that is my social media. This trip is refreshing and a much needed reminder of how much I love traveling in the mountains with close friends. The connection that people form in these bonding situations is just not possible on a phone or a computer. I call this "real life", and I need more of it in my life. 

So about Sedona. It is hard for me to even focus on typing words that are related to mountain bikes as I stare out the window of our ski lodge, as the peaks are just about to lose the orange afternoon light. My mind drifts to the day we just experienced, and what adventures are on the books tomorrow.  But the content machine must keep being fed. It is ravenous. So here is the most cinematic shit that I have ever produced, thanks to my new toy. I hope you enjoy the visuals. 

So what keeps calling me back to Sedona? I guess the answer is real experiences with my close friends. We push each other, feed off of the energy and progress together.  The trails are fun, the scenery is unmatched, but the people, that is why I do all of this at the end of the day. Without my friends, I would have nothing. Go out and get weird with your friends in the mountains this weekend. I don't care if you ski, or you ride, or you hike, or whatever. Just leave your phone in airplane mode and live that "real life" that looks so sweet on the internet.