The Lightbro Bird

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