It got cold

Late stage adventure loop

9000

Wee bit of drag in the machine

Too warm not to

I titled this ride “late stage adventure”. This deep into the holidays it’s all a fog. As I sat lost in my thoughts late on Saturday morning, I had a decision to make. I could slide further into the warm embrace of delirious inaction, or I could rally for one more wild ride before the year is up. This decision is not easy to make. I am equal part sloth and equal part restless five year old who can’t sit still.
 
I shook out of it. I had this place I wanted to get to. These are how my favorite rides go. I see it in my head: The Place, deep into the hills. The miles to and from The Place are the means. The Place is a mood, or an emotion, a ribbon of trail in a valley between two ridge lines hidden from the sun. Hidden from people and the burdens of life. 
 
The Place is scary, because, you know: Being alone. Winter. Short days. Cold nights. Cougars. Adversity. The couch has none of these things. The couch is a hell of a drug.
 
I brought my cameras. This is a ride I would want to share, with you, or anyone else who’s interested. I wanted to capture the chapters of it, and the peacefulness of it. Deep forests. Flowing ridges. Big wind. Prairie grass. The crust of the earth jutting up to high five me as I passed. A good ride has chapters, scenes, and a surprisingly diverse color palette this late in the winter.
 
A bike ride is an athletic endeavor, but for me the best ones are equal parts athletic and creative acts. I tell other people in the bike industry that we traffic in people’s passion, but do we share in that same passion? Riding, creativity, stories, passion. They’re all inextricably intertwined. They are, for me, meant to be experienced firsthand, and then shared.
 
So, this is my last adventure of the year. I defied the gravity of the couch.
 
Another year of Ride, Explore, Create, one decision at a time.

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Twinkie Fitzgerald

Late stage adventure loop

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It got cold

Late stage adventure loop

9000

Wee bit of drag in the machine

Too warm not to

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