Taipei, Taiwan – March 6th, 2024 – In collaboration with Bib Creative, WTB is excited to launch its new TCS Rocket Tire Plug Kit, featuring reusable “Rocket” anchors. These anchors can be preloaded with tire plugs to ensure they're ready for immediate use upon detecting a puncture with your tubeless set-up. With two sizes of Rocket anchors available, riders can use 1-4 plugs per repair, accommodating various puncture sizes. Unlike traditional tire plugs that may rip out under high pressure or during aggressive cornering, our reusable Rocket anchors securely hold the plug in place. This dependable solution keeps the puncture sealed until the tire is replaced, at which point the Rocket anchor can be removed and reused with fresh tire plugs. Additionally, the “extra-hand” feature built into the storage cap is there to keep the air in the tire while you prepare your anchor and plug repair.
Our innovative tubeless tire plug tool is CNC’d 6061 aluminum alloy, featuring an ergonomic design for comfortable use. It includes internal storage for four anchors (two large and two small, included) and fifteen 1.5mm diameter tire plugs, with press-fit storage caps for quick and easy access. The Rocket Launcher installation tip adjusts for different tire sizes and tread depths, accommodating road, gravel, and mountain bikes.
Ready to Launch
Before setting out, riders can preload Rockets with 1-4 tire plugs, depending on anticipated punctures. The Rocket Launcher facilitates easy insertion of plug-loaded anchors into the tire, its length adjustable for various needs and tread depths. The right number of plugs can be chosen based on local conditions, from cactus spines to sharp rocks. Once a puncture occurs, the rider quickly uses the tool to insert the selected number of plugs, achieving an instant, air-tight seal.
Extra Hand Provides Extra Time
The Extra Hand feature seals punctures temporarily, allowing riders to assess and address the damage without rush. It also serves as a reamer and aids in removing sticky anchors from the storage tubes, ensuring a smooth repair process.
Reusable Anchors for Repeatable Success
Our anchors ensure the tire plug system is not only dependable but also sustainable and cost-effective over time.
TCS Rocket Tire Plug Pack
We offer a refill kit with 15 replacement plugs and four anchors (two small, two large), compatible with most multi-tools for convenience. The small anchor holds up to two plugs and can be pushed into the tire using a 2mmhex. The large anchor holds up to four plugs and is compatible with either a 2mm or 3mm hex.
Sustainably Packaged and Available Now
Both the complete TCS Rocket Tire Plug Kit and Plug Pack are packaged in 100% recyclable, sustainably sourced paper. The TCS Rocket Tire Plug Kit is priced at $44.95/€41.50, and the Plug Pack at $17.95/€16.75. They are available at WTB.com or at local bike shops.
TCS Max-Flow Valve
The TCS Max-Flow Valve introduces a revolutionary design with an insert-compatible base and an increased bore diameter. It features a cap with an integrated valve core remover and an ergonomically designed nut that simplifies valve adjustment without requiring tools. The valve's unique castellated base ensures multi-directional airflow, effectively preventing the airflow restriction often caused by tire inserts against traditional valve openings.
Traditionally, WTB alloy valves featured an internal bore diameter of 2.8mm. However, the TCS Max-Flow Valve expands this to 3.8mm, providing an 84% increase in airflow over a standard valve and facilitating easier seating of tubeless tires while reducing the risk of clogging from sealant. This valve supports a universal removable Presta core and boasts compatibility with all rim widths and sizes, aligning with WTB's commitment to product cross-compatibility and serviceability.
The valve's contoured, easy-grip nut is designed with a knurled texture and squared profile, making it more user-friendly for tightening or removal without tools. An integrated rubber grommet on the valve nut ensures a secure seal and helps prevent damage to the rim.
NanoAir TPU Tubes
NanoAir TPU tubes set a new standard for lightweight, compact, and durable cycling innertubes. WTB considers TPU the ideal material for spare tubes. Designed to integrate seamlessly into a rider's gear, the NanoAir TPU tubes are significantly lighter and more compact than conventional butyl tubes, compressing to a third of the size and weighing 60% less.
Available in three sizes, NanoAir TPU tubes cater to mountain, gravel, and road cyclists alike. Their superior durability and compatibility with a wide range of tire widths makes them a versatile choice. Each tube is uniquely colored to match WTB's iconic tanwall tires and comes with two glue less TPU patches for convenient puncture repair.
100% Recyclable Packaging. Available Now.
The TCS Max-Flow Valves and NanoAir TPU tubes feature packaging that is not only recyclable but also made from recycled materials. The NanoAir TPU tubes are priced starting at $32.95/€22.95, and the TCS Max-Flow Valves are available in pairs for $24.95/€28.75. These products are available for purchase at WTB.com or through local bike shops.
]]>WTB is thrilled to unveil our latest lineup of grips introducing Trace, Wavelength, CZ Control, and Burr. We built on our 35 years of grip expertise with one of the top cycling biomechanics experts to define an entirely innovative approach to grips. The result was four grips for four different types of riders. Rigorously tested and fine-tuned with feedback from athletes worldwide, we’re confident you’ll find the right grip for your riding style.
Extensive field research showed that most riders fit into three major categories for grip preference. Cushion, Minimal and Balanced. Cushion grips focus on the damping of bumps and trail chatter. Minimal grips maximize bar feel and control, giving the user a more direct connection to their bike. Balanced grips blend features of both Cushion and Minimal.
All four grips feature soft anti-slip rubber, a single inboard clamp, an easy to access 3mm hex key adjustment, and a tapered inner sleeve that eliminates unwanted rotation or twisting at the outboard end.
Cushion Category:
For riders looking for softness and vibration damping.
The Trace grip provides a plush feel on rough and jarring terrain due to the unique pattern on top. This is accomplished by the ample space between the trapezoidal blocks that allows them room to squish and conform. The Trace’s soft compound rebounds slowly to provide additional damping and increase comfort between the rider and their handlebars. These are ideal for riders who want soft grips that absorb trail chatter and reduce hand numbness.
Balanced Category:
For riders looking for a blend of comfort, vibration damping, and control.
The Wavelength features multi-directional fins that improve handlebar control while also providing comfort on rough terrain. We utilized pressure mapping technology to precisely angle the direction of the fins to counter the forces acting on them. The underside of the grip features a waffle pattern for increased bite where the fingers naturally wrap around the bar. The tapered 30/32mm grip diameter increases control in technical terrain.
The CZ Control is unique in its semi-ergonomic shape. We evaluated all the grips in this category and found one key element was missing – control. We used pressure mapping to determine where pressure is distributed on the grips and increased support in those areas to improve comfort and reduce numbness while still conforming to the natural shape of the hand. This results in a grip that provides greater control over your bike, giving you more confidence in technical terrain, and reducing hand numbness.
Minimal Category:
For riders looking to maximize bar feel and control with a more direct connection to the bike.
The Burr features a low-profile design that provides riders with the most direct connection to their handlebar. Whether you are hanging on under full compression or yanking upwards to clear a root, the bi-directional texture provides the grip you need to keep everything under control.
All grips are available in Black or Tan, carry an MSRP of$29.95 USD, and are available at your local WTB retailer or online at wtb.com
Burke, Vermont – January 10th, 2024 – WTB’s all new Bailiff tire is designed for winter trail riding and checks all the boxes for your next snow-covered expedition. When the going gets cold, the Bailiff will be there to get you back home. Yeah, it’s our first snow tire – but four decades of tire design experience and hundreds of hours of testing in the northern latitudes have gone into the Bailiff to provide a class leading fat bike tire. Tall and openly spaced side knobs shed snow & dirt with ease to provide grip through all phases of cornering, while tight groupings of center knobs maximize rolling efficiency. The Bailiff features a 120 tpi casing to increase suppleness and minimize rotational weight, and proven TCS technology ensures the tubeless setup is quick and hassle free.
Engineered for Optimal Performance
The Bailiff tire is engineered for optimal performance, striking a balance between reduced rolling resistance and uncompromised braking traction. The tight grouping of center knobs minimizes rolling resistance, ensuring a smooth ride, while maintaining the ability to dig in for ultimate braking traction when needed. Additionally, the widely-spaced and strategically positioned knobs offer an extra bite in both soft and hard snow, enhancing braking power and cornering prowess.
Built for Winter
Bailiff’s cold weather specific rubber compound maintains grip in the most frigid temperatures, while the true 4.5” width provides a large contact patch for traction and float in varying snow conditions. The Bailiff has a class leading 312 stud pockets for ultimate traction in icy, rutted out trails. Adding to the tire's capabilities is our specially formulated fat bike compound, a variation of our High Grip compound. This formulation ensures that riders can maintain maximum traction even in temperatures well below freezing. The result is a tire that excels in diverse winter conditions, providing confidence-inspiring grip and control for a range of snowy terrains.
Supple Ride Feel even in Freezing Conditions
The Bailiff's tubeless-ready 120tpi casing provides a supple ride feel, conforms to all surface conditions, and minimizes rotational weight. Its snow-specific compound remains soft at extremely cold temperatures to provide unparalleled traction, even on the most frigid days of the year.
Studded version? Yup, we have that too!
Available with or without carbide studs pre-installed, all versions of the Bailiff feature 312 stud pockets for unbeatable traction on ice. From the soft snow to hard-packed ice, the Bailiff can handle all the rough and tumble terrain, just go for the option with 312 carbide studs to get traction in the coldest and iciest terrain. Not sure where to place the studs for your conditions? We thought of that, too. Check out our stud guide for our recommendations on stud placement for various riding styles and terrains. Our stud pockets are compatible with Terrene, 45N, and most other commonly found fat bike studs.
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Have A Wheelie Good New Year!
Erik Henrickson only needs one wheel to have a good time. Join Erik on a spirited one-wheel adventure through Park City, Utah.
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There's a certain comforting feeling about coming back to your local trails after being gone. Reconnecting with that well-known terrain, where you can confidently let off the brakes and ride with a playful ease. After a long season of traveling and racing in the UCI Enduro World Cup, Vojtěch Bláha heads back to the Czech Republic to rest, build trails and ride in home sweet loam.
Rider: Vojtěch Bláha @blahavo
Video: Jiri Fikejz @jiri.fikejz
Photos: Tomas Kral @kraliqe
]]>Many riders push themselves to be better athletes, to climb harder and descend faster. However, there are some riders out there that athletic performance is only the beginning of their journey. These athletes have a purpose beyond their own pedals to push the cycling industry to be a better place for everyone. Meet our riders and ambassadors that are making it a point to drive the cycling industry towards inclusivity.
Welcome to WTB's Ride With Purpose.
Name?
Nathaniel Roberts & Kofi Kyei, Founders of Ride for Unity
Where’s your local riding spot?
Nate: Epping Forest (Gravel) & Regent’s Park and Richmond Park (Road)
Kofi: Kent lanes and sometimes the city for commuting or fun!
Day Job?
Nate: I work in the railway engineering sector as a Technical Officer undertaking technical inspections maintaining the track for safe passage of trains.
Kofi: I work for an amazing company called L&G as an Executive Search Partner so I get to hire top performing leaders all day every day which is inspiring and so enjoyable. I'm grateful for their support promoting and raising funds for Ride For Unity!!
Favorite WTB product?
Nate: WTB CZR i23 wheelset, love them, lightweight and fast on the corners.
Kofi: WTB CZRi23. Spin like a dream AND bombproof.
One thing you never leave on a ride without?
Nate: My wahoo element bolt (cycling computer), if it’s not on strava, the ride didn’t happen.
Kofi: Snacks and hydration! It is not a ride without snacks in my humble opinion.
Favourite biking partner?
Nate: My favorite biking partner is Kofi of course, always a party when he’s around.
Kofi: Obviously Nate. There is never a dull moment and he is an incredibly kind soul. Killer on a bike too! We max out on vibes when we ride.
What's a perfect day of biking look like to you?
Nate: Riding as smooth and as far as I can with good music and vibes!
Kofi: Good food, coffee, cake, scenery, vibes and great people.
How did you get into biking?
Nate: I got into road cycling from 2016, worked at a bike store for a year, watched a lot of Global Cycling Network YT videos and rode 340 miles to Amsterdam for charity. I have been riding with various cycling clubs where I have gained experience and fitness. I got bored of road cycling and wanted to try something new. I got into Gravel cycling around April 2021 doing some solo off-road adventures, I saw that Ride for Unity done Grinduro Wales in 2021, I contacted Kofi, we done it in 2022 and recently went again this year at Mt. Shasta, California.
Kofi: I started in 2005 and fell in love. Since then I have done various sportive and multi day events on road and gravel. I love the friendships and health benefits it brings from the body, mind and soul perspectives.
Why do you ride?
Nate: I ride to get to places quickly compared to always relying on public transport. I ride because it gives me peace of mind, I get to meet new people, eat different food, go to different places. I ride to be healthier, to get mentally and physically stronger, to challenge myself. I ride because when I have had a bad day at work, I can ride the long way home and clear my head. Riding takes me places that no other transport can reach. I have learned that its not just reaching the goals that I have set, its also about enjoying the journey and appreciating the people supporting me along the way.
Kofi: To eat what I want, stay healthy and create marvelous memories with marvelous people.
What changes are you advocating in the industry and how?
Nate & Kofi: I'm really keen for greater representation of all sexes, shades, sexual orientations, sizes and of course shades. At Ride For Unity we believe that seeing is believing so we champion our diversity and unity as cyclists. We all love bikes so let's help one another when tough stuff happens.
How can we create a bike industry that is accessible to everyone?
Nate & Kofi: Better engagement with minorities you want to target and then promoting as many ways as possible to get into cycling.
If you had to pick one thing every rider, and company needs to do today to create a more inclusive industry, what would it be?
Nate & Kofi: Welcome everyone as equals into your businesses, hearts and promotional activities. Not to tick a box but to show you genuinely want to stand tall for all.
How can other people get more involved with shift the industry towards more inclusivity?
Nate & Kofi: Be active and even that shows we are in it together. Everyone belongs so go get it you won't regret it.
It is 10 years from today…. What is the bike industry like in your eyes?
It is more powerful than ever. People know it is good and great for us and the planet. It is a space for all.
Make sure you follow Nate and Kofi on Instagram!
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Many riders push themselves to be better athletes, to climb harder and descend faster. However, there are some riders out there that athletic performance is only the beginning of their journey. These athletes have a purpose beyond their own pedals to push the cycling industry to be a better place for everyone. Meet our riders and ambassadors that are making it a point to drive the cycling industry towards inclusivity.
Welcome to WTB's Ride With Purpose.
Name?
Saboo Takaki
Where’s your local riding spot?
Favorite biking partner?
Chris Cosentino, he was my old teammate back in the days, rides fast and is fun to ride with. Also, he reminds me how to be more kind to others on the trails and how it's important to have fun even when we're pushing the limit.
What's a perfect day of biking look like to you?
The day I am one with my bike, haha but honestly, I like to engage with fast riders and follow/chase them. I get really excited when I come across riders that are faster than me. I love it when we get to the bottom of the hill and share a huge smile. I guess challenging and racing will never fade away from my mind. :)
How did you get into biking?
Why do you ride?
This is going to be kinda long but without knowing how I got here, I feel like you’re missing a lot of who I am today. So here I am today. But as I mentioned above, I was diving head first into downhill mountain bike racing from the start. And as any extreme athlete will tell you, “If you’re not risking, you’re not winning”. In my earlier years, I was a pretty good rider but definitely needed coaching on how to manage my excitement (impulse), understanding my limits, etc. Like any young mountain bikers with above average skills, I thought I was invincible and overconfident on a bike. Nothing much stopped me from trying the faster and better line, except the double jumps. I came off an accomplishing season in 2002, climbing on the podium at pretty much all the races.
What changes are you advocating in the industry and how?
How can we create a bike industry that is accessible to everyone?
If you had to pick one thing every rider and company needs to do today to create a more inclusive industry, what would it be?
Be kind to others, it’ll come back to you sooner or later.
How can other people get more involved with shifting the industry towards more inclusivity?
-Network and collaboration: We should engage and build relationships with individuals and organizations that are passionate about inclusivity. Meet in person and feel the energy, it’s much more effective when you can FEEL the passion. Let’s get out there and start engaging!
It's 10 years from today…. What is the bike industry like in your eyes?
-Electric bikes, some of you might not want to hear it but E-bikes are likely to become even more popular, with advancements in battery technology, lighter and much more efficient motors and extended range capabilities.
-Innovative lightweight materials, new composites or advanced alloys to keep the overall weight and hopefully the bikes are still affordable for many people.
-Use recycled or sustainable materials and manufacturing processes, we cannot ignore the environmental considerations and it will likely play a huge role. We will have no choice but to focus on producing and repurposing from what we already have.
Check Out More From Saboo on his Instagram!
The Colorado trail is a beast any way you slice it. An aesthetic beast that cuts a line of single track through the heart of the Colorado Rockies. I won’t wax lyrically about how I have always wanted to do this trail nor that I have spent years dreaming about riding from Denver to Durango. A magical journey across my home state. Yada yada yada.
Honestly it just seemed like a super fun trip biking and camping my way across the state. Through some beautiful mountains and if I was lucky maybe along the way I’d be able to have some profound realization about life.
The too long didn’t read version is that there was no story book ending to this journey, no extra sense of clarity or purpose, no completion of the trail. Just a broken bike and me sticking my thumb out on some random highway in the middle of nowhere.
I began the journey on a Thursday morning at Waterton Canyon, which maybe be the most pristine gravel in the world. The pedaling was easy on the first part of the trip and the time was flying by. The miles, however, where not flying by. Bike packing is so much slower than regular riding. I already knew that, but it is so easy to forget. Just under 70 miles and almost 10 hours later I was at my camp for night one. I pulled over off the trail, pitched my tent, made dinner, and was lulled to sleep by the sounds of highway 285 less than a mile away. The glamours of bike packing.
I should say that my general approach to the trail could best be described as “flying by the seat of my pants”. I had vague idea of how far I might get each day and a general goal of starting early in the day and riding until it was close to dark, or I was tired. It really didn’t matter how far I got each day or how long it took to get to Durango. I didn’t want to be on a schedule, I was on vacation. Just here to see the sights, smell the smells, and “relax”.
Mentally I was ready for a lot of slow trudges up mountain passes. The slow sections of trail inbetween, not so much. Each time I was riding a section of trail that connected the more photogenic areas I felt as if I was pedaling through glue. These trails were nothing exceptionally hard, just so slow. So very slow.
I managed to get over the ten-mile range ridge just as a small hailstorm was rolling in. My luck ran out quickly as I was forced to hid under a tree for cover as the sky eventually unleashed its full force. But I knew that hot chocolate was waiting for me at the gas station a few short miles away in Copper. Hot beverages might be one of life’s greatest pleasures.
Is that my grand realization of the trip?
No I already knew that. I guess I need to keep riding.
Another night of a lack luster camping within ear shot of the highway. But whatever, I had made it to Copper and I was too tired to care.
In Buena Vista I was rewarded with a double cheeseburger, fries, and a milkshake. A double cheeseburger that was ready withing a minute of when I ordered it. Too tired to care I wolfed it down faster than probably was healthy.
I took the shake with me across the street to the grocery store. There I stared at boxes of food in an attempt to figure out what would satiate me for the next few hundred miles before I was in a town again.
The other reward in Buena Vista was that I was able to spend the night at a friend’s cabin and do some laundry. Which was very nice as the shirt I was planning to ride the whole trail is was already quite stinky and had gone from black to more of a zebra print due to the salt stains.
With a clean shirt and fresh undies, I embarked into the unknown and what people have deemed one of the worst sections of trail, Sargent’s Mesa. Maybe the most feared and talked about section of the whole trail. I found this section of trail to be not nearly as by as I had hyped it up in my head. Still by no means easy, or enjoyable. But not the death march over baby head I was expecting. My bike did not find this section of trail as easy as I did.
After getting out of the Mesa, I crossed Hwy 114 to get some water at a stream. That is when I noticed a large crack in my frame. Right at the junction of the down tube to the headtube. That would be the end of the road for me. Trail unfinished. Grand realization unrealized. I walked back up to the road and waited for a car to take pity on me.
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Unbound is a beast of a gravel race. Athletes can train perfectly and plan with precision, but anything and everything can happen during the brutal 200-mile race through the unforgiving Flint Hills of Kansas. Riders from all over the world throw everything they've got at it and put perseverance to the test to cross the finish line.
Join the WTB team as they prepare and compete in their biggest gravel race of the year.
Video and Photos By Taylor Chase
]]>For a few years I had been planning to take a nice tour in Andalusia and maybe tackle the hard path of the famous Badlands, fascinated by the locations: Granada, Gorafe, Tabernas, Cabo de Gata and Almeria but honestly I have the spirit of traveler and explorer nature and I don't have a great competitive spiritt, as well as I am allergic to ready-made tracks even though I know that surely the locals will have inserted passage points not to be overlooked, in any case I did not want to walk that track with the hassle of the stopwatch and the anxiety of performance, I have never subscribed to STRAVA and I think will I ever do it at this point: as I always say, the track is just a canvas
In any case, this trip from the beginning started to take a bad turn, I had a flight booked for March 31st but my adventure companion was unable to leave due to Covid, not losing heart, I reorganize my family, work and other commitments for April 28, hoping that the temperatures of southern Spain were still compatible with a multi-day bike ride, after all we are always talking about the desert; in the meantime, the travel companion also changes, no longer Andrea but Guido.
On April 28th everything is ready: my refurbished Specialized Sequoia, repainted and renamed Spirt of Adventure, rubberized with 650b Hunt wheels and WTB Byway tires together with my unsurpassed Miss Grape bags are in the box, I get on a train towards Rome I have dinner with my cousin who takes me to the airport where I spend the night wandering around the deserted halls on a skateboard and at dawn I'm flying to Malaga.
Let's start not really well: I arrive in Malaga and it is colder than when I left Rome, Guido's Flight, which departed from Milan, is half a day late and only in the afternoon we can meet and reach our Hostel; after a lunch, the Italian restaurant managed and owned by a friend of mine and fellow countryman "O Mamma Mia", we prepare the bikes and decide to do a load test through the city streets; passing through the famous Parque Paseo, we cross the center and climb to the Rock of Gibralfaro which overlooks the city.
Arriving at the top of the hill we are surprised by a very strong storm: in five minutes we are practically soaked, we find a makeshift shelter and go back to the Hostel, since leaving with all the wet equipment is not exactly ideal, we dry everything back to our friend for dinner and then to sleep; after all, I haven't closed my eyes for almost 24 hours.
DAY 1
MALAGA - RONDA
Fortunately the next morning the bad weather passed, the temperatures are very low for the season, but it does not rain, we make a short stop at the Malagueta Beach, a souvenir photo of the starting point of our tour and we leave Malaga after a short ride in center.
Malaga is a renovated city, where modern and old blend harmoniously in the new Paseo and marina, a little less in the Plaza de Toros area surrounded by buildings of the economic boom of the 80s / 90s: we will have time to visit it better. at the Come Back.
Getting out of the inhabited center takes time, but the cycle paths reach the outskirts, today's stage is important 140 km for about 2400 meters in altitude.
After a couple of hours of cycling, following a road with little traffic in the midst of citrus and olive groves, we arrive at the small town of Coin.
Coin is the typical Andalusian town with its white houses, the central square with patio and palm trees, narrow but unusually lively streets, in the square we allow ourselves a sandwich with raw ham and a drink, we continue the visit for a while along the historic alleys of this village where the houses are embellished with murals of aphorisms by poets and thinkers from around the world.
In the afternoon following a so-called Ruta Rural, that is a country road that crosses orange and olive groves; it seems to be in a postcard, the road is always uphill but never too hard, except for a few short leg-cut sections, the temperatures begin to be Andalusian, we are around 30 degrees when we arrive in Alozaina a village perched on a hill overlooking the valleys agricultural, the climb to get to the town is really challenging, we use all the gears to go up and they are just enough; the view from the lookout point over the valley is spectacular, I can take a flight with my drone and a crazy view, we have time for a coffee, but we leave immediately there is still a lot to climb towards the Sierra della Nieves.
In the afternoon the temperature is close to 35 degrees, we continue on one of the most scenic and scenic roads of the tour; this village is followed by two other splendid towns: Yunquera and El Burgo, all similar with a maze of narrow streets, alleys and white houses decorated almost everywhere with flowering pots and succulent plants, they are so silent as to seem uninhabited, here mass tourism does not arrives, you can breathe the real Andalusia the most genuine Spain.
The road continues to climb in a much more mountainous environment, there is little traffic, we climb up to Puerto Del Viento, which is the highest pass, where the wind was waiting for us, the worst is over: up to Ronda we only have a long descent.
We arrive in Ronda which is now evening, despite the tiredness, I cannot resist a quick visit of the center and the famous Puente Nuevo, where I arrive during a very long Andalusian sunset that allows us to admire the whole horizon of the valley to the north west from the Mirador with the best possible light.
The historic center is overflowing with English and German tourists, we go to the Plaza de Toros, we walk the central street but then exhausted we allow ourselves the right rest after a nice steak with chips to replenish the forces spent to overcome the Sierra de la Nieves mountains and prepare for the second stage.
DAY 2
RONDA ANTEQUERA
The second day we get up before dawn which in Spain means not too early, the awakening of the second day of travel as I have learned from experience is always the most traumatic, the body used to training every two or three days seems to tell you but you really think to get back on the road for another 100 km? Here, the head must prevail, the body will follow hand by hand.
We leave without having breakfast, with the only idea of taking a picture of ourselves on the mirador of the Ponte Nuevo without tourists; we arrive and it's just me, Guido and a street sweeper: I also risk an aerial photo of the city that I am lucky enough to take at sunrise, without false modesty, one of the best shots of the trip.
The road to Antequera should be simple I had set up a lightening stage for the second day: 80 km for 1600 meters in altitude which will become one hundred for over 2000 making detours here and there ... we are on a journey of discovery after all.
After a brief visit to the center, we take the provincial road, it is early and there is little traffic, but we leave it almost immediately for a Ruta Rural that leads us through olive groves as far as the eye can see up to the small town of Cuevas del Becerro.
The town is very small, everything is Saturday morning and even slower than usual, let's try to buy a sandwich in a small grocery where we can hardly understand who the owner is, among the women present who are speaking animatedly; we buy some fruit, our inevitable sandwich with ham, orange juice and consume them on the square in front of the shade of a tree with the stem covered in crochet.
We continue the journey following a fantastic dirt road that leads us to the village of Thebes, which makes us gain 100 meters in altitude all in one breath just to get to the top and visit La Rocca delle stelle.
The view from the fortress is spectacular, I take the opportunity for a nice aerial shot, then we zigzag down the streets of the center to the town hall square where we stop to eat an ice cream.
From Thebes the rural road swoops down towards the lake of Guadalteba, we are near the famous Caminito del Rey, we make a detour to the shores of the lake among olive groves and orange groves, then off, following another fantastic road between rapeseed flowers we bring versa Antequera, we stop at Bobadilla Estacion, we look for an ice cream, but only real men live here: no ice cream, only whiskey and alcohol of various kinds… I'm a teetotaler so let's go on.
Getting to Antequera is not easy, we are forced to a continuous ups and downs of dirt roads between olive groves and magnificent farmhouses, but the panorama pays off amply.
Antequera is magnificent, worth a visit if you are passing through Andalusia, it is a small town dominated by the Moorish fortress with a mountain to the north that resembles the head of a sleeping Apache.
Before making a visit we look for a place for the night, Booking is sold out today is a day of celebration; in any case, Guido is lucky, because while I was already imagining a night in the hammock, he finds a place in a 4-star resort; that we pay only 60 euros for an extra-luxury room and in addition we witness a party in perfect Andalusian style complete with a flamenco orchestra and an invitation from the father of the birthday girl, an invitation that we decline not having suitable clothes, being soon we take the bikes and do a tour in the center, for dinner we give Hamburger and chips and an ice cream; the hours on the bike are fortunately felt up to the hotel we only have descent and where despite the party on the patio we fall asleep to the sound of Andalusian guitars.
DAY 3
ANTEQUERA - GRANADA
Wake up at dawn, breakfast in the room with Mango, Muffin and Skyr, immediately uphill with a visit to the historic center and the Rocca and then off, the stage of the day is challenging 140 km with about 2,400 meters in altitude towards Granada.
We do the first 1000 meters in one breath to go up from ANTEQUERA to the Torcal park, where we feel in Bedrock, only the Flintstones are missing, we pass the park for about an hour to take a short walk and some paths where possible by bicycle, obviously it would deserve a half day of trekking to be fully appreciated but we do not have time, so we go down fast until we take a dirt road that will lead us along rural roads made of ups and downs crossing orange and olive groves.
The bottom is good we travel fast until we are forced to make a rather challenging ford just before lunch near Villa Nueva del Trabuco, where we arrive in the square as usual we indulge in a ham sandwich and chips.
The Andalusian heat is felt the column touches 35 degrees and pedaling in the central hours is complicated we stop at each town to get water; arrived in the small village of La Palma, taking advantage of the deserted streets, we put ourselves directly to soak in the tub of the town square.
We continue through the rural streets in the warm afternoon hours to the village of Loja famous for being a film set in the imaginary city of Sykvania by the American director L.McCarney of the early twentieth century.
The city deserves a visit but it is 4 pm, it is very hot, the streets are deserted, there are still 40 km to the destination, a ford and an ice cream at the village of Villanueva Mesia that we find in celebration with a lot of closed main road, women in traditional dress, music, flamenco and a good amount of wine in the glasses.
For months we have been deciding for a long, non-stop pull to the destination along via Illora, which crosses an endless plain of olive groves and wheat fields, up to the suburbs of Granada, which we reach at sunset.
Granada is beautiful, a white agglomeration that climbs the slope dominated by the mountains of the Sierra Nevada with the peaks still covered with snow and unfortunately clouds that threaten storms for the days to come.
We find a place for the night quite easily in the central area, after 3 days of sandwiches with ham, skir, mango and bananas we allow ourselves a very good pizza near our hotel; we would like to enjoy a bit of city nightlife but fatigue prevails so we walk right up to the hotel.
DAY 4
As usual wake up arrives very early, continental breakfast and day dedicated to visiting the city as scheduled.
In reality, we are at the turning point, the original plan was to stop and continue from Granada towards the Gorafe desert, then descend towards Tabernas, Nijar and finally Almeria following the track of the Badlands however the weather is not on our side: in fact, abundant rains are expected over the whole area, we hoped until the last but sincerely to face one of the least rainy areas in Europe under heavy storms expected for the next 4 days with weather warnings from the local authorities would only have served to ruin our holiday, therefore we decide to make a virtue of necessity and a hand to smartphones, with Koomot we organize a new track towards Tarifa.
Since doing the calculations we will go to Cordoba, from where we will start the second part of the journey via bus, we spend the morning visiting the city center of Granada, which would deserve a half-day visit just for a tour inside the Amber; in any case in half a day we get busy, climbing on the beautiful view that overlooks the city, we can admire it from a privileged position, then we face the various hills of the city between narrow streets and alleys even if today was supposed to be a rest stop we succeed to put under the wheels 50 km and about 700 meters of elevation gain in just over 5 hours stops, photos and souvenirs included.
We leave Granada in the afternoon, after having packed our bikes with garbage bags to allow them to be transported, with the clouds gathering to the east behind the Sierra Nevada and a bit of doubts about the choice we are giving the trip a whole new guise and I hope that Guido who has indulged me in everything will not be disappointed.
The bus trip lasts 2 hours, I take the opportunity to look back at the places I went through the previous day, study something about Cordoba and the stops to follow, Guido sleeps a little, I can't.
We arrive in Cordoba at five o'clock in the afternoon, here is waiting for me an eighty-year-old fellow countryman who I contacted via social media for a greeting, the meeting is exciting for years since he has not returned to Matelica and I see that he is pleased to be face to face with a fellow countryman being able to speak a little Italian and his city, he offers us a snack in the central square of Cordoba, we tell each other about our lives, his certainly more adventurous than mine: the various various work and entrepreneurial activities started starting from a small small town in central Italy, passing through Madrid, Malaga Torre Molinos and finally Cordoba; I say much more adventurous because today getting around is very easy: in two hours you are from Spain to Italy, with plane tickets that cost less than a dinner in a pizzeria, telephone roaming, social networks and video calls that eliminate distances; in the 70s moving to Spain was a radical choice and maintaining contact was very difficult, I note melancholy in the look when he talks about Matelica, his friends, his wife who died prematurely, with whom he had shared this adventurous odyssey in his youth, but also a certain pride and satisfaction of a man who lives well with this double Italo-Spanish soul and who in Cordoba has found the right place to pass, happy, the sunset of life.
After a couple of hours in pleasant company with Carlo, we continue through the streets of the center but we are surprised by the rain, the disturbance that should persist in the eastern part of Andalusia as expected by the weather would have also affected this area, we return to the hotel , frugal dinner with Bread and Ham, fruit and Yogurt, I would like to make a nocturnal visit to the Mosque and the Roman Bridge, Guido does not feel like it, I go alone while he stays in the room.
Quick trip, Cordoba does not have a very large historical center however it is a maze of streets where it is easy to get lost, and I get lost a couple of times, I return to the Mosque and the Roman Bridge to take a couple of shots, around 11 am. evening the rain surprises me again so avoiding getting lost again and getting sick, I rely on the GPS to return to the hotel.
DAY 5
Cordoba Seville
We leave as usual very early after a self-cooked breakfast in the room, we leave Cordoba under a cloudy sky, even a few drops of rain fall, leaving the city center takes a good half hour but we are on cycle paths that keep us safe from traffic ; today a long but flat stage awaits us.
Just outside Cordoba we reach the only real urban center, worthy of the name, which we will find along the rural road: Almodovar del Rio, a small village that we can see from afar, in fact it is perched on the slope of the only conical-shaped hill that stands on the plain all around, at the top we can see the splendid Rocca.
We could also avoid climbing but since we are there we face the almost two hundred meters of very steep difference in altitude that take us to the top of the hill through low and white houses, with narrow alleys, which lead us to the foot of the Rocca from where you can have a privileged view of the huge plain around us, almost entirely destined for the cultivation of vegetables and orange groves.
We continue for quite a while in the middle of the cultivated countryside without encountering any inhabited areas: near Penaflor we pass a lock on the Guadalvivir River, we still cross countryside and small almost uninhabited centers reminiscent of Mexico: one of these is the Pueblo di Calonge, with its central church, houses on the ground floor, a small refreshment bar and lemon trees and bitter oranges to act as urban decoration.
For lunch we are in Lora del Rio: a small town, still decorated for the Fair that was held the day before, certainly an event to see judging from the video that the butcher where we buy lunch, obviously bread and ham, shows us proud; the town is very nice, a beautiful town hall square, the typical garden with an Andalusian fountain and colored drapes on the main streets that make everything even more choreographic.
After the morning rain it starts to get hot, we continue towards Seville along a comfortable well-laid rural road, orange groves as far as the eye can see alternating with fields of various types of vegetables, we make a short stop at the Pueblo of Guadoz. a very small rural community with the usual central church and small white houses and streets adorned with lemon and orange trees to continue through Los Roses, a town not far from the suburbs of Seville that we reach in the late afternoon.
Once in Seville we settle in a BB and then go out for a little tour of the city before it rains, but we have time to take a quick tour of the ancient walls, get to the Alcazar when it starts to rain a lot near Plaza de Esapana strong, we are forced to return.
We stay very close to Alla Setas with its famous Nuvola where we have dinner, Guido is tired and does not feel at his best, I go out for a night photographic tour and report some shots of the Cathedral, the Giralda and the door of the sacrario where the remains of Christopher Columbus.
The streets are full despite the rain: it is a holiday period, the May holidays, the girls are dressed in typical clothes each accompanied by their own rider and they dance and drink until late at night.
It starts getting late, it rains and I postpone the visit to the next morning, trying to orient myself in the city streets I manage to find the Setas and the B&B where I arrive exhausted and I have just enough time to lie down on the bed to fall into a deep sleep.
DAY 6
Departure at dawn, also this morning breakfast in the room buy the night before at the supermarket, before leaving we go to Plaza de Espana where we enter as illegal immigrants as it is closed for maintenance after the party the night before, we take a walk in the square deserted, it's all to ourselves in some ways we are lucky for others I would have liked to see it full of people, street artists, singers, dancers and flamenco players ... we don't have time to wait for the nightlife in the afternoon, a long ride to Jerez awaits us de La Frontera.
Between Seville and Jerez there is not much to see, a straight and flat road, some stretches are 15 km long without curves or inhabited areas that we can see if not in the distance, it reminds me of Patagonia, we cross the Piccolo Borgo di Marismillas, then the small town of Palomares where we stop to eat a spectacular apple pie, then we stop for lunch in Turelleias where we take the opportunity to eat the usual Panino.
We leave as soon as lunch, it starts to get very hot and the plain gives way to the hills, the landscape near Jerez is much less monotonous reminiscent of the valleys of the Valdorcia, with well-tended vineyards and wheat fields, we arrive in Jerz very soon, today the stage was only 90 km, Guido has a terrible toothache we immediately find a very cheap accommodation in the center, I go out to look for something for dinner and to fix the bike change that was giving problems, I find a small shop with a very good mechanic, in two minutes he solves the problem (I'll get to the end and beyond).
As usual, I take a photographic tour of the most characteristic points of the city, the Rocca, the cathedral, the Don Pepe cellars (a famous liqueur is produced here) and the city streets.
The city is very tidy and clean, there are no tourists it deserves, I like it that way, I leave the bike in our hotel and pass a bit with Guido who has recovered, we have dinner and have an ice cream from an Italian boy who opened in this city his business following his girlfriend.
DAY 7
We leave Jerez de la Frontera very early in the morning, a visit to the Rocca Moresca and the Cathedral that I had already visited the night before, but which I wanted to show to Guido, who, due to toothache, had not felt like going out. .
To continue we must head towards Cadiz, however, passing by the bridges that connect it to Puerto Real is not possible by bike: one has no clicks, one has a cycle path and no traffic but with no access, a cyclist from there he says it is absurd that it is closed to the bike, that some people cross it but there is a risk of getting a fine and we do not want to argue with the police officers.
We opt for a smarter solution that saves us 10 km, that is, we take the train that takes us to Cadiz and avoids us having to do the peninsula twice that connects the city to the mainland.
The road between Jerez and Puerto Real is a road for cyclists, we meet many locals who train and greet us, Cadiz instead is a tourist city that I did not expect: with white beaches towards the ocean, an infinity of hotels and a historic center wonderful from the typical colonial air, we arrive at the Rocca passing through the Port, Guido points out the symbolic importance for lovers of travel and exploration here we mark the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the age of great explorations and great discoveries, here Cristoforo Colombo setting sail with his three caravels and challenging the unknown has ferried us all into the modern era; the ancient port is still there an imaginary springboard for all small or large travelers to the new world.
In Cadiz unfortunately we just take two photos and stop for a cappuccino and head south towards Tarifa, Guido is very tried, even if with the times we are in great shape and we still have a lot of time I understand my partner's desire to reach the symbolic goal of the most in Southern Europe considering that he is going beyond his strength, he has already been pedaling thanks to tachipirina for two days.
We travel south along the Spanish Atlantic coast through resorts that are real villages and ultra-luxury villas, a shame not to have time for a swim because the coast is beautiful with alternating cliffs overlooking the sea and ocher-colored beaches.
It is very hot, in the late afternoon after reaching Los Canos De Meca where we stop for the usual Panino we make the last effort of the day up to Barbate which is on the other side of a promontory covered by a thick pine forest.
Guido is suffering today, when he gets to his room he gets on the bed in the Hotel which we find in a very comfortable spot, time to wash myself and go out to shop for dinner and a tour of the village.
Barbate and Los Canos de Mica are the only places we have encountered that have remained genuine and out of the circus of the German and Anglo-Saxon resorts that dot the northernmost part up to Coin de La Frontera, here you can breathe much more Andalusia, there are not many foreign tourists, you hear almost only Spanish, I have confirmation of this by chatting with an Italian guy who has a pizzeria in a small square in the center in a very nice location: an outdoor pergola, flower pots and a huge wisteria perched on the wall ; he explains to me that this is a place frequented almost only by Spaniards, foreign tourists, few are almost all travelers in campers, there is a very familiar atmosphere almost everywhere.
Guido is not very well, the day in the saddle was still demanding, 150 km with various unexpected climbs, the sun, the heat and the wind from the south that blew against us that after dinner, just enough time for some message at home, publish two photos on Facebook and check a couple of work emails, I fall asleep quickly.
DAY 8
We leave very early on a nice ride of over one hundred kilometers towards Algeciras, but not before having touched the southernmost continental point of Europe: Tarifa, where the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet.
From Barbate we leave shortly after dawn, Guido is not at his best, he has the goal of arriving in Tarifa, in any case he holds up well the first kilometers, the wind always blows, obviously it's up to me to act as a locomotive for the train, we arrive very early in Zahara de Los Autunes, a small town famous for being a famous landing place for tuna fishermen, there is even a starred restaurant that has a menu entirely based on tuna.
Heading south we arrive in Atlanterra, practically a set of holiday villages near the splendid Bunker beach, the view is breathtaking, but this morning we are very focused on the goal, I see Guido at his limit of endurance.
Despite the difficulties given by Guido's state of health, we also end up taking the wrong road or rather to follow Koomot's suggestions and we climb up a residential area of ultra-luxury villas and then end up arriving at a path that forces us to portage, Guido holds up. we reach the top of the hill, the effort was worth a spectacular view of the ocean, and the famous dunes of Bolonia; unfortunately it would be necessary to stop to admire the well-known Archaeological site but I don't even mention it, Guido is counting the kilometers in Tarifa: a stop is not contemplated I know that if I tell him we go he could also satisfy me so I refer to the next one (who knows?) And let's go quickly .
Tarifa is now in the sights, I push hard on the pedals, one last effort is missing the mountain area of El Chapparal where we stop high up for a second breakfast; the place is famous for the sighting of some birds of prey, Guido always has pain in his tooth but he manages to pedal, along the way we meet a man on foot, he is homeless, he walks badly he stops us and asks us for water I think about it for a moment and I give him my bottle with orange juice he is happy and thanks us, honestly after a few kilometers I think I could also have given him something to eat even if I had just half a sandwich ...
We arrive in Tarifa which is almost lunch time, the visit is very fast just two photos in the center one at the fortress on the sea where the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean are imaginatively divided, I buy two T Shirts for my children the inevitable magnets and then off to Algeciras and Gibralta
Getting to Gibraltar requires some time and a nice climb: we are on the closest point to Africa from here the Strait of Gibraltar measures only 14 km, we can almost touch Africa with a frankly I have never been so close to the continent African in my life.
Once in Algeciras we have only one goal to find a bus that leads Guido to Malaga, but nothing to do, no bus accepts the bike, we have only one alternative to get to Estepona.
In my heart I would have liked to reach Gibraltar there a few kilometers away, but Guido is exhausted and mentally exhausted, a little reluctantly I continue and from a distance I look at the Gibraltar peninsula that rises from the sea like a blade united by the Conception Line, ( I will come back one day who knows?) and Getting to Estepona is not easy, however, the stage is lengthened by another twenty kilometers to be covered under the torrid Andalusian heat, we take a break for a cool drink after a long climb just outside Algiaciras and then after an hour along the sea for an ice cream, the stops are necessary above all it is necessary to cool Guido from overheating due to the mix, effort, heat and analgesics; In the evening we arrive in Estepona and find a cheap, comfortable hotel close to the Bus Stop, I convince Guido not to leave immediately and to spend the night there and take the first bus in the morning, so while he recovers from physical effort and recovers his strength I I take care of buying dinner and if it will be needed to help him with the luggage the following morning; taking advantage of the transfer to the supermarket to buy dinner I have the opportunity to take a short tour of Estepona, a very beautiful, tourist city with its stupendous modernist bullring, there would also be a nice beachfront place to spend the last evening quietly but Guido not in shape at all today gave everything so we go to sleep.
DAY 9
Wake up at dawn, we prepare Guido's bike for the transfer to Malaga by bus and at 7 am we are ready, Guido is more rested but still sore, however I see his face more relaxed once the bike is loaded smoothly.
I await the departure and greet him, we will meet again in the evening in Malaga, since I am there and I still have two full days available, I continue alone for these last 120 km to Malaga where we will meet again in the evening.
This last day is certainly the most touristic of the whole trip, I have time and an easy route, I start following the cycle paths along the sea and always arrive using the same ones, I need to be careful before Marbella because it causes some ultra-luxury resorts with beaches private I am forced to lose myself a little in the interior and make a decent difference in height that I had not planned, however I do not recommend following the promenade from Algiaciras to Marbella better to follow internal routes: the area is highly busy and touristy, more suitable for holidays with the family and on a road trip, it must however be said that even on the busiest roads, Spanish motorists are very respectful and attentive.
With the exception of well-kept beaches, palm groves, skyscrapers and tourists, there is nothing special to see, perhaps the walks of Marbella and Torre Molinos deserve; during the day I stop just for a very cheap Fish and Chips but of a quality that I did not expect, I tell myself to eat a parilla of fish on the sword for dinner but then I continue to reach Guido in order to be together for dinner.
As they say: the reward is the journey and not the destination, once I arrive I know that months will pass before I leave again, so I extend the experience to the maximum.
Despite the slow pace I arrive in Malaga at four in the afternoon, I take a picture of the Malagueta beach which was the starting and ending point of a journey designed by pedaling day by day.
I conclude the evening with Guido, who is definitely better after a day of rest, we take a walk in the center, dinner with pizza and curry empanadas, walk on the harbor to the lighthouse and then to sleep we are not for nightlife, on Saturday evening in Malaga it can be fatal if he lets us carry him and Guido has an early morning plane to catch and he is anxious: he will arrive 4 hours early ... you never know, instead I have a plane on Monday and I will spend Sunday as a tourist for Malaga its streets, its Roman ruins, its fortress and its museums, Picasso's is splendid and for me that of Taurina photography is superlative.
hasta a luego
Fabio and Guido ANDAMOINANDALUSIA 2022
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Many riders see a mountain bike trail as a place to explore, exercise, or even rid themselves of the day's stress. However, to builders, a trail can be so much more. For them, trails are an outlet of creative expression. It's an art form where they get to start with a blank canvas and carve their creativity into the dirt for others to enjoy. Trail builders, like artists, have a unique style, and many times you can tell who built a trail just by riding it. Behind every ribbon of singletrack or flowy jump line is a trail builder with a vision and hours of dedicated dig time. Meet the WTB ambassadors who are committed to creating trails that allow all of us to enjoy the sport we love so much.
Welcome to WTB's Build With Purpose.
Name of organization:
Flagstaff Bike Revolution
Responses by Austin Smith of Flagstaff Bike Revolution
Headquarters location:
Flagstaff Arizona
Favorite WTB product:
The Silverado. Great name, and has been a go to saddle for ages.
Favorite trail snack:
Frosted cherry pop tarts
Favorite trail tool:
Hoe or a shovel.
Favorite trail:
Pickle, Flagstaff AZ
What's a perfect day of biking look like to you?
4-5 hours with plenty of funky trails to keep me busy.
When did you start building trails?
This year was truly my first year with our local governments organized volunteer efforts. and it was incredible. I never really had many opportunities before this years dig days.
What has been your favorite building project so far?
My bike shop has been spearheading promotion for volunteer digging on a project called MEDL. It’s an acronym for Mount Elden Dry Lakes, the area on which we are building. It’s a 50 mile update of singletrack, and is scheduled to take 5 years to complete. We did weekly Thursday afternoon digs every week from May till November, and would average 30ish volunteers every week. We have spent basically what a annual part time employee would cost us, in pizza, beer, raffles, and managements time to ensure build culture on these volunteer efforts takes flight in our town. It has been a huge success! Our goal is simple. We want more trails for ourselves and for our town. Putting in practice is a little more complex. We do not want to have ownership of this event, or even recognition really, as we want the door to be open for other businesses or individuals to run with this as well. We just want to seize the opportunity our local government gave us with these volunteer events, and get the ball rolling for our town. The plan is working, more people are getting involved, more local businesses are jumping on board. And we are even seeing bike industry support from cool brands like WTB. Next year we estimate to have an even bigger volunteer work force, and build lots and lots of dope singletrack.
Favorite type of trail to build:
I want funky mountain bike trails, complex, thought provoking, and full of character. I like messy rock gardens, and sections that let you go fast.
Why is building important to you?
More options for different skill levels, and dispersing users for my community are all very important reasons. Personally, route options and variety always excites me to get outside. Riding the same route every day is better than nothing, but variety is the spice of life.
If you had to pick one thing every rider and company needs to start doing today to support trail building, what would it be?
If you have the opportunity in your community, promoting “dig culture” is cool. Let’s celebrate our builders, and advertise for our volunteer digs events. And get creative about moving energy and attention towards building trails. I’d like to see pro riders, brands, and local riders all collectively saying digging is cool, we are then influencing our masses in a self fulfilling direction for our sport. As brands, the revenue follows where the trails are. As riders, more trails means more fun.
What does the future of mountain biking look like to you?
It’s bright to me. The need for humans to get out and enjoy their dose of moving their bodies, and enjoying nature seems to be a good pairing for the 21st century lifestyle. I think this bodes well for mountain biking.
What does the future of trail building look like to you?
Well, locally. I want to keep promoting dig culture here in Flagstaff. I aim to support my local Forest Service, and promote our weekly volunteer trail days. I want to get new brands, personalities involved. I want to keep it fun, and keep the pattern going. We are shooting for a 50 mile update on our primary mountain, and then have two more zones for trail updates after that which are pending approval now. Lots of digging ahead, and I want to be involved with all of it.
How many miles of trail have you built?
This year, volunteer events, and local forest service employees build 12+ miles of fresh single track. They estimate that half of these miles were dug by the volunteers.
How many years have you been building and advocating for trails?
I am just fishing my first year, and it certainly will not be my last.
What user groups are you targeting?
We have mainly targeted mountain bikers, as that who we get to talk to the most in the shop. But we also have had a lot a success getting the trail runners out as well.
Biggest project to date:
MEDL project
"Thanks WTB for supporting our dig days this year. And thanks for promoting digging! I am grateful for the opportunity our local government has given our town. And am grateful for my customer base that has listened to my staff hype this stuff, and then came out and worked to build some cool trails this year. Riding a bike is fun. "
-Austin Smith
Check out more about Flagstaff Bike Revolution on their Website or Instagram!
Follow more of The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship on their Website and Instagram!
Words by Kamron Williams
]]>Many riders see a mountain bike trail as a place to explore, exercise, or even rid themselves of the day's stress. However, to builders, a trail can be so much more. For them, trails are an outlet of creative expression. It's an art form where they get to start with a blank canvas and carve their creativity into the dirt for others to enjoy. Trail builders, like artists, have a unique style, and many times you can tell who built a trail just by riding it. Behind every ribbon of singletrack or flowy jump line is a trail builder with a vision and hours of dedicated dig time. Meet the WTB ambassadors who are committed to creating trails that allow all of us to enjoy the sport we love so much.
Welcome to WTB's Build With Purpose.
Responses by Kamron Williams
Name of organization:
Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) featuring trail builder: Kamron Williams
Headquarters location:
Quincy, California
Favorite WTB product:
Vigilante 2.5 and the Judge 2.4 tire with TCS Tough dual-ply casings.
Favorite trail snack:
A pastrami sandwich with mayo, mustard, and pepper jack cheese.
Favorite trail tool:
It’s hard to pick one! I like using Mcleods, chainsaws, and mini excavator.
Favorite trail:
My favorite trail is Mt. Elwell to the Smith Lake connector to Jamison Creek Trail.
What's a perfect day of biking look like to you?
A perfect day of biking would start with getting up early in the morning. Make lunch and grab my fishing pole. Ride up Mt. Elwell, fish at Bear and Long lakes and catch the biggest fish I've ever caught. Have lunch at the top of Elwell. Ride all the way to the bottom of Jamison Creek and jump in one of the swimming holes to finish the day and cool down.
When did you start building trails?
I started building trails back in 2014, when I was going to Feather River College and got an internship working on the local USFS Mt. Hough Recreation Crew. I did a season with them and had a blast. Then, in 2015, I got a job with SBTS and have been working for them for the last seven years.
What has been your favorite building project so far?
My favorite building project so far has been the Beckwourth Peak Trail. It’s right in my backyard and it feels really good to contribute something so awesome to my home town. The trail has been in the works for a long time and is finally happening. It has some pretty spectacular views and I think everybody is going to really dig it.
Favorite type of trail to build:
My favorite type of trail to build would be one with a little bit of everything. Great views, high speed, chunky, and some dangerous exposure to get the adrenaline flowing and provide wow factor.
Why is building important to you?
Building is important to me because it creates a fun and healthy activity for people to enjoy either by themselves or with others.
If you had to pick one thing every rider and company needs to start doing today to support trail building, what would it be?
I think the best thing every rider and company could start doing to support trail building is simply the trails and spread the word. If people don’t use them and nobody knows about them or where they are, then they will disappear before you know it. It'll also be hard to get support to build more if people are not using and enjoying them.
What does the future of mountain biking look like to you?
The future of mountain biking looks good to me. I see many miles of new trails being built and more and more people riding.
What does the future of trail building look like to you?
I think the future of trail building will see it grow in popularity and recognition. People enjoy trails and their popularity will make people want more. I also think builders will become more knowledgable of sustainable trail building and therefore the trails will last way longer.
How many miles of trail have you built?
I have built and maintained thousands of miles of trail. I have quite a bit under my belt now.
Who are the biggest inspirations for SBTS?
The biggest influencer for what I do with SBTS would be the Trail Boss, Henry O’Donell. He has been there for me and with me every step of the way. He has taught me a whole lot and showed me how to be a hard worker. I'm very thankful for him and consider him a great guy. I'm also very thankful for my crew members because trail building is hard work and they get up every day to work there butts off to get it all done.
How many years have you been building and advocating for trails?
I have been building and advocating for trails for 8 years. As hard and exhausting work as it is, I love it! I really like being outside in beautiful areas. I feel blessed to be able to do what I do.
What user groups are you targeting?
SBTS builds trails for all user groups. We like building multi-use trails for everyone. Hikers, bikers, equestrians, and OHV riders.
Biggest project to date:
Connected Communities is SBTS' plan to build 600 miles of trail connecting 15 communities in our area.
Follow more of The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship on their Website and Instagram!
Words by Kamron Williams
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As skiing has become a bigger part of my life in recent years, I have discovered that my draw to explore and travel is really strong. And no where has the kind of pull like spring volcano skiing in the PNW.
While planning this trip, it looked like the perfect multisport adventure.To ski some rad peaks, and connect it all by bike - a multisport dream. This of course has been done by a few people in the past and after watching some of thier videos and reading trip reports, I was hooked. On a bike, I feel that I’m able to more deeply experience the area and land in a way that I cannot on foot or by car. Especially near the volcanoes, you truly get a sense of the extreme prominence of these peaks. Going from the high desert of Bend to the top of a 14,000 ft peak all in one go. Add that to camping and spending a fun week with one of my best friends friend. I couldn’t ask for much more in a trip.
Originally, our plan was to also ski a peak in Washington, but due to weather concerns and time constraints (I planned to race the 350 mile Unbound XL race only 9 days after the trip concluded) we ended up deciding on Mt Hood and then Mt Shasta.
As with all well laid plans and adventures, it started out by us driving to the base of Hood and straight into a full-on winter storm. Needing to organize and pack our gear, and no desire to sleep in a blizzard in mid May, we drive down to camp a thousand feet lower at Government Camp in Oregon. Getting our bags packed at 10 pm for a 4 am start the next day really set the tone for the trip. It was a good reminder that we were there to have fun and have an experience. We had a deadline, but with a loose timeline and a mindset of improvisation. For me, the thought of possibly having to do some really big days on the bike is always exciting.
We were able to ski Mt Hood on a gorgeous day and were actually the first ones up on the summit that day. The view was insane, and left me wishing that we could make this into a month long trip and explore all the volcanoes. But, I was also excited to get to Shasta.
I had mapped out a loose route on Strava, but using heat maps as a guide obviously has some flaws. Like the fact that the roads I was using to get to Bend were under 3 feet of snow still. It happens.
We adapted and came up with an alternative plan, but it was a LOT of highway riding to get to Bend. And a proper headwind. The low point of the trip was probably that day. It was long and hot with cars buzzing me rather frequently. But the promise of skiing and gravel roads and trails in my future kept me going.
We ran into some issues with a broken bike (Micah’s) that prevented us from doing the south sister outside of Bend, but that just means we’ll get to go back for that one.
I was really enjoying being out in the empty roads south of Bend and even though one of the days was 150 miles mostly on dirt, I was having the time of my life. And when Shasta finally came into view on the last day of riding, that was special. Knowing that I’m going to try and be on top of the mountain the next day really gets me excited. I can’t totally explain it, but the feeling of pointing to something and thinking “I was on top of that” is just cool.
The weather on Shasta was less than ideal, but we made the best of it. It was wicked windy at the summit and most of the climb. But we got to the top and were rewarded with knowing that we had accomplished our goal and that we had a 6,000 ft ski down. So good!
To cap off my PNW trip, I also raced the Grinduro race two days after the trip. The legs were HEAVY (surprise, surprise) but I managed to rally and win the single track stage and have a ton of fun riding around with friends, new and old.
Micah was really the glue that help my scattered plans and half baked route ideas together. He was always there at the end of the day with a cold beer, some good laughs, and a delicious meal. Its easy to keep pushing and riding when your support system is dialed and all you have to do is get from point A to B. I cant really thank him enough. Sharing the adventure with a best bud was the true highlight of the trip.
Until next time,
Maxx
]]>Words and Photos by WTB advocate and friend Herb Bool
The CA Grinduro @grinduro embodied everything wonderful about cycling and racing but more importantly it was about celebrating being alive in nature and sharing bikes with friends. I rolled up early to help mark the course on Thursday and Friday. We had a small crew of locals and a few dfL’rs who were volunteering with the non-profit organisation "Siskiyou Outdoor Recreation Alliance" SORA. https://siskiyououtdooralliance.org/ SORA is doing amazing work in Siskiyou county and has acquired the CA GRINDURO franchise for the next five years. The event was hyper organized and an absolute blast to attend.
Most of crew landed in the town of Mt Shasta early Friday afternoon just in time to register and ride the timed prologue. We were exhausted after nearly two days of marking some 60 plus miles of trails, obstacles and aid stations. At 4:30 group of 12-15 mostly SF/Marin riders headed out for the 12 mile/2000' prologue. We rolled up a smooth fire road and merged onto a loamy single track and eventually found our way to the start of the 2.8 mile prologue timed section. Not hesitating I rolled into the swooping, twisting, bermed, whooped out trail. It was ALL downhill and an absolute blast to ride and catch air. Bubbly laughter emerged deep from within my diagram. I managed a top ten finish for the effort and gave thanks to Mt. Shasta and the Lemurians residing deep within her massive flanks. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legends_of_Mount_Shasta.
There were 15 of us camping at my friends home which was a mile from the start. Friday night was a hoot but the morning would come early so we headed to slumber after dinner. 7:30 came early and we made our way down to the start / finish line drawn in by the bellowing sounds of Taiko drummers. We opted out of the free breakfast and mingled amongst the diverse 800 riders field ready to share the sunny Shasta morning.
The two minutes of silence in remembrance of Moriah Wilson was an ethereal experience for all of us who knew her. I felt our combined communal love flowing into the cosmos to unite with MO. Many of us shed tears and we embraced each other on the trail.
The start was like most races. A police escort with sirens blazing led us out of town and within minutes there was the inevitable elevated tempo at the front as the fast kids disappeared up the road.
Stage 1: A Gravel Climb! 2.0 miles. This was a hard opening stage at altitude. Our crew regrouped after the stage and rolled down to the first aid station. The OG Marin Crew was the first to open the bourbon and begin pouring it liberally over crumbled biscuit and bacon bowls being served. Several riders from Bend posted up for a pour overs.
Moments later we pinning it into the woods on a loamy single track in search of Stage 2: A Singletrack Rolling! 2.1 miles. Oh man...this was an absolute ripping sector. I had clear daylight on the timed single track as Chris Schierholtz https://www.californiaradness.com/ pulled away from me hitting berms and whoops like a supercross rider. I was riding my full suspension 120/120 Trek top fuel. Near the top of the timed section I could hear a "hoot-hoot" so I moved right and, in a flash, Barry Wicks blew by me on his ridged gravel bike. Damn, so friggen fast! A moment later I was doing same dance as Caitlin Berstein passed me like an absolute boss. I tried to grab her wheel and mimic her lines but she vanished in a ribbon of duff and pine needles. Caitlin was riding a ridged three speed; here, there ….and gone ! At the end of the day Caitlin would stand on the top step of the woman’s OA Pro class. Another rider passed me, yeah… he was just a blur too. This sector was insane.
Another aid station greeted us at the finish of sector two. This aid station hosted by WTB and the one and only "Mark Weir” greeted us with banana/bacon pancakes and more savory and sweet treats and beverages than you could possibly choose. We rolled out of the aid station all smiles and made our way to the network of single track that lines the shores of lake Siskiyou.
Near the lake we slowed to a stop “for a not to be named rider” who was struggling with a slow leak. Upon investigation there was no sealant in his tubeless tires and "he" had only brought a road tube for his 40mm gravel tires and he did not have a pump. WTF? ....How has he made it this far as an adult ? was muttered somewhere in our restless posse. We fixed him up.
We began climbing, climbing and soon reached the beginning of Stage 3: Gravel Rolling! 3.8 miles. We were rolling easy as we approached the start of this segment. I shouted, “let's get after it !” and looked back to see my mates stopping to ready themselves. I could see a group of three "Ornot/WTB" riders building up speed as they neared the entrance to the timed sector. I shouted, "Can I join you ? " “YES”! A woman, (Leslie) was riding third and a small gap began to open between her and her fellow riders. I did not want to bump her off the paceline so I braked, slowed and pulled in behind her but the gap grew, and grew. shit. I pulled out in front of her and pushed hard but the two riders were gone. Ben Frederick would end up second OA in the Pro class. Leslie stayed on my wheel for a bit and then I was solo for another lung burning sector which would finish up at the lunch spot.
Lunch was a wonderful affair. Food and beverages were flowing as was the creek where many riders were soaking their feet and sipping craft brews. I knew a 1,400' hike-a-bike climb was looming after lunch. It was a true monster of a climb. Strava calls it the "impossible climb" The meaty section is 850’ - 1.24 miles long with a 13% average grade tipping up to 22% at times. I was happy to be on my MTB and WTB’s.
On the way to Stage 4 there were more aid stations, more killer food, craft beer, mixed drinks, and professional photography stops with Mt Shasta framing our group’s shenanigans. Stage 4: A Gravel Descent! 4.1. This sector was a 40+ MPH absolute mäch peddling, brakeless speed fright fest of a decent. Scary fast is an understatement. This sector was a smooth, rut free gravel decent with huge sight lines and no silly off camber turns. Absolutely trying to burn the treads off my WTB tires.
BOOM ! The race part of the Grinduro was over. We continued to descend down to lake Siskiyou where we could hear the revelry and deep base sounds of a disco party on the lake shore. We arrived to see loads of riders swimming, inflatable toys, dancing and... yea, ice cold beer. What else could you ask for?
We rolled back to the start finish for....more beer. lol. AND the famous post Grinduro photo booth. We returned to camp, showered and headed back to the podium ceremony and party. It was a magical t-shirt type evening with Mt. Shasta and the pleasant Lemurians looking over our tight knit band of dfL'rs, Zeitgeist'rs and Bay Area kooks. Several of us got on the podium and many of us stayed to dance to the final set of a Talking Heads cover band. I did not rally to the "Handsome John's" (Mayor of Mt. Shasta) after party. I had skewed my party to race ratio and it began to develop a wobble. I knew the dark side was not far. I made the lone hike back to camp and called it a full day. The Grinduro never ever disappoints. Playing bikes has never been more fun.
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Many riders see a mountain bike trail as a place to explore, exercise, or even rid themselves of the day's stress. However, to builders, a trail can be so much more. For them, trails are an outlet of creative expression. It's an art form where they get to start with a blank canvas and carve their creativity into the dirt for others to enjoy. Trail builders, like artists, have a unique style, and many times you can tell who built a trail just by riding it. Behind every ribbon of singletrack or flowy jump line is a trail builder with a vision and hours of dedicated dig time. Meet the WTB ambassadors who are committed to creating trails that allow all of us to enjoy the sport we love so much.
Welcome to WTB's Build With Purpose.
Name of organization:
Pisgah Area SORBA (PAS)
Where do you dig and/or maintain trail?
We operate in the Pisgah Ranger District. This spans all the way from Brevard, NC to the Bent Creek Experimental Forest in Asheville, NC. We also maintain trails and a bike park at Richmond Hill Park which is owned by the City of Asheville. All of us who serve on the board and most of our volunteers have a deep personal connection to this forest and we take a lot of pride in being able to care for it.
Favorite WTB product:
I've been running WTB saddles for years. They've treated me and my bum very well!
Favorite trail snack:
Gummy bears.
Favorite trail tool:
Zip ties. So helpful in so many ways.
Favorite trail:
Lower Black Mtn. It's hard to beat for an afterwork ride.
Whats a perfect day of biking look like to you?
10-15 miles of Pisgah gnar in the morning, followed by a cheeseburger and a beer for lunch. After that, a lazy afternoon with my wife and dogs.
When did you start building trails?
I started blazing trails with my little brother when I was probably 8 or 9 years old. We terrorized our neighborhood and cut lines in backyards that definitely did not belong to us. We built some sweet (and super sketchy) driveway jumps too. I got involved with Pisgah Area SORBA close to 10 years ago by doing a little bit of trail work plus some behind the scenes stuff. These days, as a board member, I do less trail work but spend a lot of time talking to supporters and building capacity for us to accomplish all the work we do on the trails. I still build sketchy features for my backyard though.
What has been your favorite building project so far?
Working behind the scenes on the Black Mountain re-route was amazing and I learned a ton about what it takes to complete a major project like that. That project started over 5 years ago and took years of work to get to the point where we could actually break ground. It was a high profile project in these parts and we had a lot of public input. Ultimately we had a great builder, great community support, and a great finished product. I'm really proud to have been a part of it.
Favorite type of trail to build:
I'm not great at rock work but I love the end results. Rock armoring is a great way to preserve trail tread that would otherwise get washed away. We get a ton of rain here and mitigating the erosion of our trails is one of our biggest challenges. We have some great volunteers who love to do rock armoring and I always enjoy riding it when they get done.
Why is building important to you?
Building new trails is important in terms of increasing access but I feel like preserving our existing trail system, especially here in the Pisgah Ranger District, is actually more important. We have some legacy trails here that simply can't be built today. We have to maintain those and do everything we can to preserve those routes so that we don't get a call from the Forest Service one day asking us to reroute it.
If you had to pick one thing every rider and company needs to start doing today to support trail building, what would it be?
Just give back in a way that works for you. If you have time to volunteer and do some trail work, do it! If you have time to help with the behind the scenes work, reach out and see what kind of help your local trail group needs. Most groups do a lot of work to organize all the things you see in public but that planning takes time and help is always needed on that end. If you have the funds and feel like giving back monetarily you should do that too. That's a great way to ensure your local club has what it needs to purchase tools, put gas in the machines, and keep all of your favorite trails in good shape.
What does the future of mountain biking look like to you?
Exciting! There is so much positive momentum in the sport these days. It's awesome seeing people getting into mountain biking for the first time and falling in love with the trails that we love and care for.
What does the future of trail building look like to you?
Busy. I can't even believe how many new miles of trail we have seen get built in the last few years. It isn't slowing down either. That's good for mountain bikers and the other trail users who get to enjoy all the new access to the forest.
How many miles of trail has PAS built?
As volunteers, we typically do trail maintenance. Caring for our existing trails is a big part of our mission. While new trails are less common for us to build, it does happen. When we build a new trail, we like to work with our local professional trail builders. We are very fortunate to have lots of great trail builders in our area and they all love working in their backyard.
Who are the biggest inspirations for PAS?
We are always looking at other trail stewardship organizations for inspiration. Some of those groups we are inspired by include the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship and the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition. I'm also inspired by all of our trail crew leaders and other volunteers who give countless hours of their own time to care for the trails in Pisgah.
How many years have you been building trail and advocating for trails?
I've been working with Pisgah Area SORBA for close to 10 years now. The last two years I have become heavily involved in the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the organization moving forward so we can meet the needs of a growing mountain bike community.
What user groups are you targeting?
Anyone who loves trails. Our forest doesn't have any trails that are only for mountain bikers. Everything we work on is multi-use. We certainly have a keen eye for what makes a trail fun for mountain bikers but we love that our trails are used by hikers and equestrians as well.
Biggest project to date:
We have a project that is currently in the final phase of environmental review and it will be our biggest project to date once we break ground early next year. This project, which will re-route sections of the Butter Gap trail, will also create year-round access for mountain bikers in areas that are currently seasonal access only. Due to the project scope and location, it will take more resources than we have ever committed to a single project but we are excited for the challenge and look forward to working with some of our local builders to get it all done.
Follow more of Pisgah SORBA on their Website and Instagram!
Words by Pisgah SORBA Vice President, Douglas Miller
]]>I had the pleasure of traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico, for the Enduro World Series Qualifier by Epic Enduro Series last week. I traveled with my brother, Ryan, a WTB ambassador and long time rider. The race is held high up into the mountains about an hour north of Oaxaca City. Here we found miles of dense forests scattered with top-quality mountain biking trails. It's a true mountain bikers paradise, with everything from flowy single track to technical terrain equipped with jumps and drops. Oaxaca has enough trails to keep you busy for weeks, but even the four stages we had to race were enough to keep a smile on everyone's face all weekend.
Racers came from all over Mexico to compete in the race, and everyone seemed just as eager as me to ride these fantastic tracks. The race started with a few days of practice and a pre-race party and packet pick-up at a local hotel with a beautiful outside area and bike park! The race was in EWS format with the tightly timed climbs and scheduled times for each stage which made the race flow nicely. We lucked out on the weather and had rain every day, which turned these normally dry tracks into perfect hero dirt for the race. The tire of choice for the weekend was the Verdict up front and Judge in the rear, which ripped through the loam and gave me confidence in the wet slippery turns. The rainy days didn't just put a smile on my brother and I's faces; every single rider we saw come down from the track had a massive smile and was giggling to their buddies, saying how much fun they were having. All the stages were fun but had their own unique features and tricky technical bits. However, stage four was in its own category. This stage is called "La Imposible" or "The Impossible," which is the perfect name for many reasons. This trail is 15-plus minutes of high-speed racing down technical terrain and tight switchbacks. If your hands can survive the arm pump, your brakes can barely get you down from being so hot and on the brink of failure. The entire race is won or lost on this mega stage.
Throughout our time at the race, we met many riders of all ages and genders. It was cool to see so many different people racing, from young kids and hobbyists to top-elite racers. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and a pleasure to hang out with. As practice came to a close, we got to join the Epic Enduro guys at a press conference with the Oaxacan government and local media. We chatted about the race, where we came from, and our goals for the weekend. It was awesome to see the whole city get excited about the race. Before we knew it, race day was here, and it was time to put all our practice to good use. Race day went smoothly for Ryan and I with no mechanicals or issues. Ryan placed 2nd in the Pro Men category, and I came in 1st in Pro Women. After the race, we were dazzled by the vast party tent full of food, mezcal, and friends. Racers told us that we should get excited for the end of the race because their after-party rivals a large Mexican wedding party, and they were not wrong. We all hung out, shared results, and reminisced about our fun times.
The day after the race, we went back into the mountains to take pictures and ride some new trails. We learned more about the trail system and discovered that there are almost 40 trails just in this area of Oaxaca, with more trail systems nearby. You would have to move here for weeks to come close to riding all the trails available to you. After taking some photos with a local photographer, we rode one of the most known trails in Oaxaca. This trail is called "el Toro," It is even longer and more technical than La Imposible! With incredible views and endless single track, this trail lived up to everything the local riders claimed it to be and was the perfect way to end our biking experience in Oaxaca.
Although the mountain biking brought us to Oaxaca, the city, people, and culture was enough alone to win us over. The city is unlike any other place in Mexico; even the other Mexican racers told us how unique and special this place is. Within the city's bustling cobblestone streets, you find beautiful buildings full of color, culture, uncommon artist goods, and most importantly, some of the best food I have ever eaten. If I had to pick one thing that makes Oaxaca stand out, it would be it's insane culinary cuisine. Oaxaca is known for many different types of food, but three of its most popular dishes with deep history are Mole, Mexican chocolate and Mezcal. However, no matter what food you are into, this town has something delicious for you. With tons of top rated restaurants on every block, it is hard to decide where to eat next. We joked about how we could come to Oaxaca to just eat food and still have the best time ever.
Oaxaca City is a delight, but its surrounding small villages are just as charming. With a quick 30-minute drive, we went and toured Monte Albán, a large pre-Columbian archaeological site. These ancient ruins are perched between two lush valleys, with inhabitants as far back as 2000 BC. These ruins were mind-blowing, and a favorite part of my brother and I's trip. After Monte Albán, we stopped by the small village of San Antonio Arrazola. This tiny town is best known for producing the famous alebrijes, which are wooden sculptures painted with colorful designs. In Mexican culture, these small creatures guide spirits on their journey to the afterlife. The town is full of shops and murals embracing alebrijes. We even got lucky enough to be invited into a local shop's house to learn how to make these sculptures. These are just two places Ryan and I got to visit, we just scratched the surface off all the culture, arts, and history Oaxaca has to offer.
If you're looking for epic riding, rich culture, and some of the best food you have ever experienced, I can not recommend Oaxaca enough. The city quickly won me over and is one of my favorite places I have ever been. I also can't recommend enough the Epic Enduro's race. It was professional, safe, and hands down some of the best tracks I have ever raced. So if you are looking for your next adventure, check out Oaxaca; you won't be disappointed!
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WTB was throwing it down at Lost and Found Gravel event over the weekend! We had our famous Aid station rolling for all the 65/100 miler racers.
Matt Klene was very excited wearing his flower crown( 60/70s theme) and his dye t-shirt!
Mark Weir hand made over 1000 bacon wrapped pickles to cook up at the aid station.
We had snacks for everyone! Gummy bears, gummy worms, chips, dips, ... I think it was overwhelming for some riders to decide what to eat.
Mark Weir and son Gus manned the grill most of the day!
The Deuce was an icon at thh booth. How else do you think we get all those snacks out there?
Dogs were running around picking up all the scraps and having a blast!
WTB tires were everywhere, which was a lovely site to see.
A few riders needed a top off of sealant and we were happy to help!
Good times and good food were had by all!
This crew makes it happen! Without the volunteers that come out to help, this couldn't/wouldn't happen! Big shout out to SBTS for putting on a stellar event!
Thanks to Jim( Mr. Hamm radio fella), Henry O, Gary Gleason, Josh Valentine, Thumbstain, Matt Cipes, The Weirs, Bexster, Tom the Mech, Aiden & Erin and Sara Bixler, Matt Klene and the cat herder Heather McFadden!
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Hundreds of riders took to the gravel and mountain style terrain at Shastice park in the regions notoriously dry, loose conditions. Racers got to choose between the full 60 miler, or the more palatable 23 mile grindurito course. WTB posted up an aide station near the 20 mile point where the infamous Mark Weir cooked up some legendary banana bacon pancakes. From dawn to noon, our crew cleared through dozens and dozens of pounds of pancake mix.
After cleaning up my pancake mix explosion as a result of being elbow deep churning mix for hours, we took to the festival grounds where riders kicked back with a beer, warm plate of food, and some good music. The WTB tent handed out the usual swag in addition to hosting colorful mocktail bar. I took a page out of my old bartending hat and crafted some color changing drinks which were a real hit.
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Located at China Camp State Park in San Rafael, California, the Access4bikes Foundation hosted the Ales and Trails event that went off to be a huge success. The event was packed with demo bikes, group rides, clinics, local live music, kids races, and some of the best beer and hard kombucha Marin county had to offer. You couldn't have asked for better weather in a more gorgeous landscape with a crowd full of smiles.
The WTB booth was all dialed in for Ales and Trails with their stunning displays of tires, wheel-sets, tubeless components, and a wide array of saddles. The kids really loved the golden tickets that WTB hid all over the venue, which could be brought back to the booth to exchange for a prize.
The showstopper for us at WTB was the makeshift race track made by tying up some tape along the vendor's tents, and letting kids 12 and under race side by side around the venue. We got a front row seat to the action as they pummeled their way around the corners. Parents stood idly by with their local brews in hand and the sweat drip from the day's ride. Cycling events are back in full force here in 2022 and we are set for a very exciting summer ahead of us.
]]>Many riders see a mountain bike trail as a place to explore, exercise, or rid themselves of the day's stress. However, to builders, a trail is so much more. For them, trails are an outlet of creative expression. It's an art form where they get to start with a blank canvas and carve their creativity into the dirt for others to enjoy. Trail builders, like artists, have a unique style, and many times you can tell who built a trail just by riding it. Behind every ribbon of singletrack or flowy jump line is a trail builder with a vision and hours of dedicated dig time. Meet the WTB ambassadors who are committed to creating trails that allow all of us to enjoy the sport we love so much.
Welcome to WTB's Build With Purpose.
Name: Cody Wilkins
Current Location: Bellingham, Washington
Favorite WTB Product:
Vigilante 2.6 x 27.5 and a Volt saddle in medium width and chromoly rails.
Favorite Trail:
Coastal Cruise at Coast Gravity, but anywhere with a loam steep run up top into flow jump lines.
Favorite riding buddy:
My little brother Henry.
How did you get into biking?
We grew up in rural upstate New York and mountain biking was the best way to get around the woods. For us it was so similar to skiing, but in a way far more convenient. We grew up racing BMX so the transition to mountain biking was easy and opened a whole new world of riding.
What does a perfect day of biking look like to you?
Wake up, iced latte, a medium-sized pedal to get the blood flowing, followed by shuttles in one of the many insane PNW shuttle zones. Ending the day with a dirt jump session and cold beers at the truck. Luckily we can make this happen in Washington every weekend.
When did you start building trails?
I started at 14. Our local ski hill and bike park, Plattekill, had a small trail crew, so early season you could come build and trade the labor for bike park passes and race entries. You would build until 2pm and then they would run the chairs for a couple hours on the days you worked too. Plattekill had/has some of the gnarliest trails out there as well, so it was the perfect place for us to cut our teeth as DH riders and builders.
What has been your favorite trail building project so far?
We built a flow trail in Florida that got 18,000 laps on it in the first month (the state put a counter on it). It was amazing to see a thriving bike scene somewhere you don’t assume to have great riding. Good dirt, good people, and super stoked riders everywhere.
Favorite trail building tool:
I’m going to go with an excavator. It's amazing what you can do with one of those.
Favorite type of trails to build:
I love building trails that introduce people to “modern trails”. Any trail that has berms, rollers, and small jumps. So many places only have multi-use XC trails and when they get their first bike-specific trail and it can open minds.
Why is trail building important to you?
It gets people out there. There’s not many sports where you get to create your venue. It’s a lot of work but when it’s all said and done it’s truly enjoyable. I find myself digging on my days off just to experiment with what is possible and what’s fun. That’s unique to our sport.
If you had to pick one thing every rider, and company, needs to start doing today to support trail building, what would it be?
I think there should be a “trail tax”. When you buy a bike, a small percentage goes to the local trail organization or one of your choice. Most trails are free to use and with an increase in riders the past few years, people should know how much time, money and effort goes into the trails they ride. Go to volunteer days, if digging is not for you. Remember you just spent thousands on your bike and it doesn’t hurt to chip in more for the trails. I don’t expect everyone to pick up a shovel but it’d be nice for people to know how hard it is, paid or not!
What does the future of mountain biking look like to you?
More people getting into biking from other sports (skate, snow, surf, bmx, moto, etc) and therefor more mtb-specific trails.
Follow more of Cody on Instagram!
]]>It’s been a minute since Vero was in town, so we were excited to get the kettle on, pack the camera bag and head out for some laps!
Enjoy some raw, unfiltered footage of Vero hitting the rough stuff and of course, sending some big jumps. 🔥
Trails in order:
✔️ACDC
✔️Dai Hard
✔️Hard Shoulder
✔️Insufficient Funds
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north to south
Aukureyri to Vik
After a long period of quiet due to the Covid pandemic that made it impossible first and then difficult to plan trips to distant lands, with a lot of perseverance, I managed, with not a few logistical difficulties, to make one of the many trips that are inside my desktop folder " Places to visit before you die ".
The original project was to make a crossing from east to west of Iceland, however for reasons of time, (I had only 10 days of time including flights), poor knowledge of the area and difficulty in finding first-hand information on Icelandic internal tracks , I opted for a more "soft" version: by joining two cities Akureyri to the north and Vik y Myrdal to the south following two of the most remote tracks in Iceland: the F26 that starts from F1 (better known as the Ring road) from Godafoss and follows the entire Sprengisandur desert passing between the Vatnajokull and Hofsjokull glaciers to arrive in the south near the Mirdalsjokull glacier and then F 208 that start from this glacier and turn around it, making a half circle through the Landmannalaugar National Park first and then through the Skafta Vally until reach F1, after this other fifty km to the west until ViK y Myrdal end of our crossing, but not of the journey that then it’s continued to Hella by bike and from there to Rejkyavik by bus.
Day 1
We arrive in Rejkyavik on August 17th at 6 p.m. we have just enough time to take a transfer to our hotel “201 Hotel” (which I recommend because it has an excellent value for “money and is close to the main bus stop that can take you to almost any place you want to choose to start your journey); immediately welcomes us a typical Icelandic weather, cold, cloudy skies, light rain and a driver with a hair style and a beard that seem to have come out of the Vikings series.
We arrive at the hotel at 7 pm, just the time to order the worst and most expensive Pizza of our life and mount our bikes in order to be ready for the next morning to take a bus that after about 400 km it would lead to Aukureyri.
Day 2
At 6 am we get up after sleeping just over 5 hours, we prepare the equipment, we wait for 7 am to take advantage of the breakfast included in the price of our room (do not make the mistake of not including it when you book a room because with the price of the food in Iceland, by making yourself two sandwiches to take away, you can also save yourself lunch and get back a lot of the cost) which will be the only meal not prepared by us for the next 6 days.
At 7.40 am we are in the street, in a few minutes we are at the central bus stop of Rejkyavik: Mjood (remember this name in case you want to leave for any track you have in mind) we load our bikes on the rear rack that the Icelandic Buses are equipped with: attention they rarely load more than 5 bikes, three on the Rack and two in the Luggage compartment (but if the rack is full they may refuse, so if you decide to leave with more than 3 people, think about a possible very expensive rental).
After a very long 8-hour journey, with various technical stops along the few service stations present (4 in 400 km), which allowed us to see with a certain calm all the western part of the famous Ring Road, (of which we sincerely remember with enthusiasm only the part between the Northern fjords and Akureyri) we arrive at our destination.
The morale is high, the climate is much better: it does not rain, the sky is slightly cloudy, however once the bikes are fixed I have suffered problems with the rack which has suffered all the repercussions of the bus trip, I fix it with clamps, I lighten the bike as much as possible. Loaded by the front bags and luckily having a backpack with me, I shift the weight on my back against the worst odds.
We start from Akureyri almost immediately, just long enough to buy two gas cylinders to reinforce the supplies (already brought from Italy given the absurd cost of food in Iceland); Not being able to follow the new route of the Ring Road which now crosses a tunnel of 4 km we are forced to take us towards the F26 using the old road that climbs the fjord for about 700 meters in altitude and descends towards the East.
With our loaded bikes with which we still have little confidence, it takes a while to climb the steep descent of the dirt road, reaching the top with the long light of the endless Icelandic evening give us breathtaking views.
Back on the F-1, also thanks to a slight favorable wind, we are able to travel 50 km before evening, for 20 pm iwe are faced with the first great spectacle of nature of this trip: Godafoss.
After the usual photos we look for a place to camp: the Guest House is closed as well as the refreshment point of the service area, so we find a comfortable parking to place the tents; preparing dinner we realize that one of the cylinders we have purchased it does not work, in any case we still prepare a risotto and go to sleep, the malfunctioning of the cylinder is a big problem because our ability or not to be able to eat depends on it, however we are lucky, the next morning we will only have to delay the departure to buy one at the service station, which besides being the only point of supply for food or other equipment for over 400 km from there to Vik fortunately has quite a lot for sale. (you will find gas cylinders in every station of the N1).
DAY 3
The night passes quickly, we wake up early, at 5 am I am taking photos of the areas of the Godafoss waterfall and enjoying the show in solitude before the tourists arrive, we also prepare a coffee, we ill two biscuits and wait…. around 8 the area begins to fill up with people, at 9 am as soon as the service station opens we buy the gas cylinder and leave quickly towards the south.
The first 30 km run fast on a perfectly beaten track and slightly uphill along the Skjalfandafljot river , following the F26 we cross a suspension bridge, where we stop for a "bar" and continue towards the Aldeyjarfoss waterfall, a slightly more demanding climb begins which becomes increasingly difficult.
At the end of the valley and near the waterfall, which we reach when it is about noon, the weather is the best we will encounter for the whole trip, it does not rain, there is also some rays of sunshine that emerge from the clouds.
We do not get too close to the waterfall, because it would take too long we have to recover the approximately two hours spent waiting for the service station to open, never mind, only a few kilometers away we are in front of another magnificent waterfall where we can also get to the edge of the precipice.
The afternoon continues on a bad ground and with slopes beyond our expectations, we are now in the middle of the Sprengisandur and we remain, incredible to imagine, without a drop of water, all of a sudden the rivers and streams have disappeared the land is very dry and we are forced to resort to a sort of lagoon behind a dune to supply ourselves, in the end the filtered lagoon water albeit with an aftertaste of earth quenches our thirst.
We don't meet anyone all afternoon except for a Jeep and two motorbikers with dirt bikes.
The weather turns bad, the gravel road it’ in the same condition, we manage to do only 40 km, for these reasons we need double the time to cover the same distance that in the morning, we have covered in 3 hours.
At 8 pm, arrived near a small river, we decide to camp, both to take advantage of the running water and t of the short break from the pouring rain, in fact we manage to set up the tents just before the rain returns fallowing incessantly throughout the night.
DAY 4
After a night under rain we wake up around 5 am, have breakfast in the tent with coffee and biscuits, take advantage of the first short respite of the rain to dismantle the camp and we are on the road, we are undecided whether to continue on the F 26 or deviate as in the original plan towards Lagafell to take advantage of a hot spring bath; we decide not to decide until the crossroads.
We reach the crossroads after about an hour, the bottom of the track is bad we can't keep an average higher than 10/12 km / h, every attempt to increase the pace has to deal with our roof racks which risk detaching from the frame .
At the crossroads despite the fog the weather seems to hold, so we decide to go to Lagafell, the track even less traveled than the F26 is in even worse conditions and above all uphill, in fact the source is located at the highest point of the whole track; to do 25 km we take another two and a half hours also having to push in some really steep stretches, the track in some places is in fact no more than the imprint of some rare 4x4 past them before us,we do not meet for the whole morning nobody.
We arrive in Lagafell around 11.30 am there is no tourist, only a ranger: a nice Icelandic woman named "Attie" who to our surprise also speaks a little Italian and welcomes us in a very warm way; she explains to us that very few people come here, sometimes even none for days, the place is guarded only in the months of July and August, the rest of the winter months remains a makeshift refuge.
Being among the things to do at least once in a lifetime and given the considerable effort it took to get there, we even bathe taking advantage of a wide range of swimsuits left there by the hikers that Attie puts at our disposal.
Bathing in the natural pool is a unique experience, the feeling of well-being when you immerse yourself is certainly emphasized by the fact that for over two days we had been out in the middle of nowhere with cold temperature without being able to wash and warm up.
In Lagafell there are no particular services, but you can use the shelter ‘s kitchen, the bathroom and possibly bivouac nearby or sleep in a room, but we don’t know it’s for free; we just take advantage of the kitchen to prepare a plate of pasta and above all I to recover from the relaxing effect of the hot bath that had brought my blood pressure to 0.
After about a couple of hours we leave, we say goodbye to Attie and return to the F26 which we reach after 30 km of bad road and a long series of fords.
The junction with the F26 is at the Fjordungsvatn lake, from there we begin to see the Tungafellsjokull glacier on the even more majestic horizon, towards which we head quickly and on the slopes of which we stop for the night in the only equipped campsite of Sprengisandur Nydalur , after having crossed two quite dangerous fords that force us to make the crossing in various stages by removing the bags from the bikes to avoid being overwhelmed by the very strong current of the river created by the melting of the glacier.
At the Nydalur campsite you can just take a shower and buy some snacks such as french fries and biscuits; to drink the choice is between a pepsi or a non-alcoholic beer, we take advantage of the hot shower, we prepare yet another risotto and we fall asleep in our tents in the company of other adventurers who face the crossing in a camperized jeep, the night passes quietly.
DAY 5
In the morning we wake up early as usual, it is much colder than the previous days even if there is a bit of sun peeping through the clouds.
We take advantage of the good weather to try to grind as many kilometers as possible up to Visalir where there should be a refreshment point.
In the morning we pedal on the plateau in a continuous ups and downs between the dunes and lagoons, we can also see a rainbow, to the right and left we are surrounded by Vantajokull and Hofsjokull, we have a break for lunch just before a ford to take advantage of the water , we prepare a bit of pasta, we have also a little respite from the rain that has always accompanied us at times since the morning.
In the early afternoon we arrive in Visalir, as we were told by now it is no longer an active host, we find it open, but there is no service, we can rest a little on the tables and chairs present, we make a coffee with our stove, we arrange the equipment taking advantage of the shelter.
It’s still early so we decide to continue to try to get to the end of the desert as quickly as possible that we can be in the Landamannalaugar the next day.
The afternoon is characterized by bad weather, it rains constantly, the only positive note is the road that gradually begins to have a much better ground, we manage to keep higher averages, we also meet more Jeeps than usual, then we discover the reason: it's Saturday afternoon and many off-road enthusiasts venture into the desert in this lagoon area for recreation.
After an afternoon in the pouring rain, where we also meet three hikers on foot and an overturned Jeep, after the set 90 km we stop as soon as it stops raining to set up camp and spend the night at the black beach of Porisvatn lake in a lunar landscape .
DAY 6
Wake up at dawn it does not rain, after 10 km we are at the end of the desert, we leave the dirt road for the first time and with tail wind we run for 5 km along a splendid strip of asphalt.
In reality it is only a moment of pause because as we change direction we are faced with a very long climb against the wind that takes us up to the Langamannalunar plateau, a lava valley that winds up to the slopes of a volcano between pools of sulphurous water.
The spectacle of the views that surround us is breathtaking, the green of the moss stands out even more from the black slopes of the basalt rocks, there is also a bit of sun and we arrive at the Langammanlunar campsite which is time for lunch when in the distance clouds laden with rain herald us an epic afternoon.
After having lunch with chips we leave to Vik , first we cross the valley of the Skafta river, the path is really hard we have to face 17 fords in the pouring rain and with a very strong head wind from the south.
Towards evening we are without strength, we can not even pedal some sections because are very steep especially with an absurd headwind, camping here was impossible: the water level of the river increases visibly the valley bottom has become a marsh and the strong wind makes it impossible even just thinking of camping in an emergency, pedaling and pushing to the bitter end in the evening we can get out of the valley and find refuge in a hostel, which is the first sign of civilization we had met for hours and the first with electricity we had met from Aukureyri.
Staying in a bed for one night after a week in the tent gave us pleasure, as being able to dry tents and equipment in a dry place finally we can also recharge our devices, phones, action cameras, GPS and Power Banks.
DAY 7
We leave from our comfortable night shelter a little more rested, the weather situation remains disheartening: rain and fog, we try to clean the gears of our bikes from lava dust, we give a quick lubrication and before to pedal we taking advantage of a short trek to the nearby waterfall that I don't remember the name.
After about an hour of continuous ups and downs we leave the lava valley and we find ourselves in an area of gentle green hills full of farms, the bottom is good, however, we pedal quite quickly, it is very cold, we reach the asphalt in the half morning and later after a last climb we are finally on the Ring Road.
We have covered about thirty kilometers, there are still about fifty kilometers to go up to Vik, however the road in perfect flatness and the strong north-east wind allow us to increase our average to almost thirty km / h, a dream after days spent pushing on the pedals (or foot on the ground) on the slopes of the desert.
We arrive in Vik which is about one o'clock in the afternoon, we are completely soaked due to the heavy rain: traveling on the N1 in bad weather is quite risky and the traffic intensifies as we go west.
In Vik we have our first non self-cooked meal after 6 days Hamburger and Chips, with non-alcoholic Beer for Simone and a Coke for me.
Theoretically the Divide is over, we should decide whether to continue towards Rejkyavik by pedaling or by bus; we opt to continue by bike not before having visited the famous black beach from which unfortunately we cannot see the well-known stacks due to the fog.
We continue the journey after booking a hostel in Skogar, along the way we make a forced detour to one of the most iconic places in Iceland: the wreckage of an old US Navy C.117 that fell back in 1973 on the black beach about 10 km away from Skogar.
The return to the hostel is always in the pouring rain which has not stopped for over 24 hours.
DAY 8
After a proper breakfast, we leave for Rejkyavik, the journey is almost at the end remain only 200 km, before leaving Slkogar we visit the famous waterfall that takes its name from the locality: Skogafoss.
Then we continue towards the west, but we travel very fast at 30 km/H given the strong favorable tail wind, the view is much better than the one that led us up there from Vik, no longer a desert and monotonous land, but we are close to the plateaus of the small Eyafjalljokull glacier, from which many descend waterfalls over the valley dotted with farms and livestock to the coast.
Thanks to the wind we arrive in a short time near Seljalandfoss, also this waterfall famous for the choreographic horseshoe passage behind the water jump.
The area is also full of other smaller waterfalls with one insinuated into a small canyon carved into the lava rock.
At the half of morning we are pushing again towards Hella in less than hour we arrive at destination sometimes is possible to reach 45 Km/h thanks to the tail wind. In Hella we are in the most urbanized part of the country, there is a dense fog and it rains heavily, staying on the N1 in that weather is extremely risky, the traffic is the same of a great Eruopean great city. We do not have more than 10 meters of view so we decide to get on the bus and continue safely. The choice turned out to be right the weather gets much worse, near the capital there are works for the doubling of the carriageway, staying there by bike between trucks and cars in the rain and fog would have been very risky in addition to the fact that we would not have seen anything interesting given the fog.
We then arrive with half a day in advance in Rejkyavik where after a nice visit to the cycle paths of the city and the historic center we stay overnight before reaching our hotel, our bike trip ends here, we have one last day to spend in the land of ice but we decide to be tourists.
DAY 9
As said no bikes, we have no time to pedal the famous Golden Circle, we book a bus ride that includes a visit to the Thingvellir national park where you can observe with the naked eye the Antlantic fault that collides with the Euro Asian fault, and where the Icelanders held the first session and seat of their parliament; Gayser, Gullfoss ending the tour at the crater of the extinct volcano Kerið with its blue lake; in the evening we take the last two steps to the capital, enjoy a last Fish and Chips and return tired to the hotel.
The following morning we have just the time to buy some adhesive tape, prepare the bikes for boarding and reach the airport to return home hoping to be able to return one day again to visit the natural beauties of the East area, which has remained completely unpublished, or the Northern Fjords, that seeing them pass by the window of our bus , immediately appeared wonderfully wild.
How I always say: “so many things to do and so little time!”
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What happens when everything in mountain biking has already been done?
Rather than swapping their 29" bikes for mullets or testing the limits of handlebar widths, sibling teammates Ryan and Becky Gardner decide to give up racing altogether to become high alpine extreme tubers. However, pioneering a sport is never easy; Becky and Ryan face many hurdles and endless judgment along the way.
Becoming the best and first competitors of H.A.E.T. (High Alpine Extreme Tubing) is no joke. It takes practice, dedication and isn't for every aspiring rider with two wheels and a pool noodle. The motivation must be pure and your gear must be dialed. A lot can happen in pursuit of the perfect alpine float. Poor line choice, whether on the trail or in the water, could have catastrophic consequences. Forgetting your patch kit could mean more than going home with a flat tire. You may end up kicking rocks on the shore while your competition floats off into the sunset.
Like all other top athletes, the Gardners are driven by their goals. First on the to-do list was to snag the first decent of the most challenging high alpine tubing route in North America, Blue Lake. With its gnarly climbs and even harder downhills, this tubing route could establish Becky and Ryan as the best of their new sport. To accomplish the Blue Lake Route, the team had to be in peak physical and mental condition.
Will Becky and Ryan bag Blue Lake? And progress the sport of H.A.E.T. or will the demands and pressure of evolving a sport crumble their hopes and dreams? Oh...and who is Hans Libermann?!
Blue Lake may only be the beginning. The Gardners will float on, with one shared goal: snagging first tubing descents in previously tubeless high alpine lakes.
So the campers/riders showed up on Saturday morning. They got signed in, grouped up by grade (6th-12th), and got in their bike gear because they were all so excited to go out and ride. We had all experience levels at the camp and man, these girls can rip! The future of cycling is female, and I couldn't be more stoked.
See, color groups, I was team blue! Still am! Go big blue!
When did you first set up a tent by yourself? Or have you ever? These girls all helped each other and set up their tents by themselves( insert open mouth emoji here). I didn't do that until I was in college, so I was so impressed that these girls 1. knew what they were doing and 2. helped each other without prompting. Now that is a lesson we should all take away from this. Help one another. <3This is Hailey Childress, who runs the camps for the NorCal league, she's in her element going over the schedule and activities for the two days. She is so creative, I think all the girls were passed out snoring at 8:30pm because they were all so tired from such an awesome jam-packed schedule.
Bauman Ranch, in West Sonoma County, is where the camp was held. Thanks so much to Al and his wife for letting us ride the ranch and have a campout. That was an experience these girls will not forget and neither will I!
Smiles for miles was a common theme throughout the camp.
We did skills clinics, group rides, pump track lessons, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, nutrition talks and and a mental health chat with Ali Tetrick, a Pro road/gravel cyclist! If you don't know her story, learn it, man, she is a beast to overcome such a gnarly TBI and be as strong as she is. A true inspiration for these young riders.
See, I wasn't lying.. more smiles for miles.
And my favorite game, the cookie challenge, and if you ever go camping with me, I will make you play. Very entertaining!!!! All in all, it was an epic weekend spent with a lot of impressive young ladies. Some overcame fears of tight corners, going down steep hills, or sleeping along in their tent, all in all, I am so grateful to be invited to such an incredible event. Huge shoutout to Vanessa Hauswald for including me and making this happen! She is the OG GOAT!
]]>Join WTB athletes Martha Gill, Nikki Whiles, and elite CX racer Ffion James as they explore a beautiful and remote area, well-known for its endless gravel roads and hidden gems...
With loaded bikes and a GPS route to follow, the trio set off for the Elan Valley in search of the finest gravel that South Wales has to offer. What could possible go wrong?
Watch the full video here...
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