Put on the freaking breaks...

Time to downshift into 3rd… I have had the pedal to the metal over the last month and the wear and tear finally caught up to me a few days after the worlds. The riding, the partying, the road, and the events that take place when you combine it all then set it on fire brought me to a place that required some much needed R&R. Feeling some post sswc depression and treating it with dose of reality I made my way to the Lost Coast of California. Feeling a little lost myself it seemed more than appropriate for our next destination point.

With a tip from Fuzzy we made our way to the Kings Range trail, which is an IMBA sponsored trail in the Kings Range Conservation area on the Pacific Coast in Land of the Redwoods. The trail was not officially open however we dropped some names and were given the green light from Gray and Scott the friendly rangers and were treated to 14 miles of sweet California trails made for mountain bikes by mountain bikers. The trails had awesome views of the ocean and an incredible flow with the help of perfectly bermed turns and jumps. After finding a little peace we headed north to Arcadia and Humbolt County.

A quick stop in Revolution Cycles and Justin filled us in on rides in the area. A trail and free camping was in Willow Springs and the word was that there was also a creek (bath) at the end of the trail. With a few rough directions we hit the road and found our way to the campsite at night. Well, eventually we had to have a trail experience that was less than spectacular and the Horse Linto trail was just that. A four mile climb up a hot dusty forest service road to a maze of other fireroads that each ran into dead ends requiring us to go back up on the hottest day of the year (101) for Willow Springs. All was not lost though and the experience of the day was a run in with a mama bear and her three cubs. We checked them out from about 70 feet away and the mustaches must of done their jobs as we sent mama bear running into the woods when see saw us rolling up. We made our way back to camp and decided to stay another day and rest our souls by the creek and called it an early night.

We woke up and had our usual craft hour as Bruce made some charms from a rusty fence for his new Fred’s Well jewelry line and I poured my thoughts onto paper trying to make sense of the last few months, digest all that has happened over the last month and chart some direction for the next few months ahead. We hit the road later in the day and made our way to cooler temps and the Oregon boarder. We found both and pulled over when we hit Ashland Mountain and set up camp at midnight behind the ski resort. Temps were the coldest yet and hung out in the twenties and 40 mile per hour winds ripped at my tent leaving me covered by dust in the morning. Not wanting to brave the cold winds, Bruce made a makeshift nest on top of all the crap in the back of the car and slept only slightly more comfortable than I did.

We woke up and made our way down the mountain and hooked up with Tim from Ashland who was cool enough to ride over to where we were having breakfast and give us a lift to the top of the mountain and a map and informed us of what to expect of the 14 mile Super D course that would eventually drop us back at our car in town. We hooked up with a local before dropping in he showed us a few little local nuggets of goodness on the way down. Killer trail with HUGE gap jumps, plenty of smaller gaps, doubles, and log rides that kept you on your toes looking for that next great hit. We got a call from Tim before we made it out of town and stopped by his place to make our new creation Paqitos on a regular stove before continuing on to N. Umpqua River Trail. We pulled into the area late but somehow managed to camp within a mile from the trailhead we wanted despite having no idea where we were. In case you are traveling anywhere close to Roseburg stop what you are doing and hit the this trail for a few days if you can. Imagine crystal blue waters and raging rapids to your left as you ride through the ewolk village on pristine trails that at one moment offer you excessive speeds then turns to 10in wide trail with a 40 ft drop the next. Some of the tallest trees I have ever witnessed in a rainforest like setting all the while the flowing trail taking you further towards the lake that makes it all possible. We went back to the same camp the next night with the purpose of getting in some more of the 75 miles of heavenly trail the next day. We woke up and hit the trail again feeling the big climbs and 33 miles of riding the day before. We took it at a scenic pace and managed to cover another 20+ miles of trail before heading north once again. As I type this we have just left Eugene and are stocked up with beer and food once again and making our way to the hot springs at the base of the McKenzie River Trail. We will be soaking our weary bodies tonight with hopes of another world class trail tomorrow. Then more hot springs and a drive into Portland on Thursday.

Ok, so that’s enough to catch up on the “where I’ve been” now on to “where I’m at” if you care… All is good, and to all the crew our there I send a big what’s up and know that you are in my thoughts. The past thirty days has been quite an adventure and I feel like I am finally able to slow down and let some things start sinking in. It has been one big party for the last few months and the last month has felt like the after party of a life time. Now most of the guests have left and I think it’s time to start cleaning things up a bit to get ready for the next day. I finally had the feeling the other day that I could go home happy and content but instead I am heading further from home knowing the best days are still to come as I no longer have any agenda other than getting some quality trails and some good thinking done. A lot of things are becoming clear and with nothing to do all day but ride and think I don’t know why people hire a shrink when all they need is a passion and some quality time with themselves on an open road. With a clear and creative mind anything is possible and I am embracing the moment and what is to come over the next few months. I wish you all well and send you my love. If you want to kill some time, here is past month in pictures along with some pics of my wonderful new nephew Noah Ghin Mitchell he is going to be a rad kid. Peace and love ya’ll.

Jut