We were on an adventure and riding a variety of great trails in Colorado. They were fun…really fun. Exceptionally well built, maintained and accessible mountain bike trails. They were not what I ‘grew up on’. Yes, in most ways they were better. I grew up riding rugged trails. Mostly real singletrack, but any trail was a good trail. Game Trail, hiking trail, horse trail, and backyard trail. Anything that was open to bikes. Which means those trails were not ‘purpose built.’ They were often rough and might require heavy braking in a corner just before a climb, therein breaking flow. They were real and they were fun. It is also where I learned how to ride being respectful to the trail and other users – but that is another story.
The trails we had been riding all week were purpose-built mountain bike trails. You know the ones built by mountain bikers for mountain bikes. They are a blast. Flow. Flow. Flow. Big smiles. But as a review once said, “that trail is designed so well it makes you think you are a better rider than you are.” So true. How do they do that? Well, it seems normal as you are riding because the trail is designed to ‘flow.’ Each uphill is preceded by a downhill, so you carry momentum into it. The turns are designed to move you through without braking and into the next section with smooth speed. Berms in most corners. Everything is made to set you up for the best possible outcome. It is a blast. Let me be clear, I am thankful for them and enjoy riding them.
But sometimes you need – real, rugged, not made to help you – trails.
I said that to my significant other and it caused offense. Actually, what I said was, “we should ride this particular trail in Purgatory.” She said that it was out of the way, took too much travel time, there was not camping nearby and was one big all-day loop, so we could not return to the car for water, snacks etc. I smiled and said, “YES, exactly.” She rides well – very strong. She can handle it. She pressed me as to why I wanted to go there when we were already at this exceptional network of trails. We had been at this trail network for almost a week and ridden all of them multiple times. It was fun each time. But … I was ready for something else. I had ridden some trails in Purgatory many years prior – I wanted to ride them again.
She continued to press me as to why I wanted to ride a trail that was so primitive and inconvenient when we had ‘all we wanted right here.’ Is that not the story of mankind? I tried to explain. Then came a statement not intended to offend, but to illuminate. As I tried to explain I said, “these trails are Disneyland.” Uh oh. Fireworks almost as bright as Disneyland. She was offended. I tried to help her understand that there is nothing wrong with Disneyland. It is a great place, but it is artificial. It is made for your best experience. There is a place for that, and I LOVE riding those trials, but sometimes I need something more ‘real’ or ‘rugged.’
Ok, I know you are now getting mad at me also. Just like she was. Trust me, I am not denigrating those purpose-built trails. I am thankful for them. When I started mountain biking, great directions sounded like – Go down this road about 20 miles and when you see the big tree next to the stump, park there, about 50 feet down that dirt road on the left the trail starts. Have fun.
That was an excellent set of directions. It usually stopped there – how to get there. You were on your own figuring out the trail and where it went and what fork to take. I am glad I have a good sense of direction, or I would still be out there trying to find my way home. This was long before Garmin. I rode into the wilderness alone repetitively with no map, no directions, no GPS, no phone, no clue where the trail went or how long it was. I just had to ‘guts it out.’ AND IT WAS FUN. Disclaimer – try this at your own risk.
I want some of that.
Again, thank you to all that have brought mountain biking into its own. With great places to ride and trails designed by us and for us. I love them. At times I also love to go out into the true wilderness.
We did ride that big loop. Thankfully, now the local bike shop actually has a map we could take that included good trail directions and mileage. It was not made for mountain bikes but is open to mountain bikes. It was an adventure. It was rugged. It was difficult. It was remote. It was beautiful. If bad weather comes – you better figure it out – you might be 5 hours from the car. In the end, she loved it. It took a moment though. Once she settled in, she enjoyed it all. Even more so once it was complete.
Adventures. They come in many flavors. Let’s enjoy them all. We do not have to choose just one. My favorite flavor of ice cream is ginger. Truth is I like lots of flavors of ice cream. Choosing one flavor today does not mean I dislike the one I chose yesterday. Same with riding, let’s ride a variety and be thankful that we have those choices. There was a time when we were not sure we would have any place to ride. Trail advocacy, education, working with others – all brought what we have now. We can (and should) do more. Respecting all trail users, being thankful and appreciating what has been done is also part of it as we move forward with more. So, help with trails, donate to groups – lets participate. And – lets ride all your favorite flavors … and maybe even try a new flavor periodically.
What does your favorite trail look like?
