The Trails That Taught Me To Ride

I remember the fog the most. It was an early morning riding with a couple of high school buddies back when we were all relatively new to the sport. It was my first ride on the “real” trails of the UCSC Upper Campus that I had heard about through sites like YouTube and Pinkbike.

Some of California’s best trails run parallel to highway nine in the coastal mountains. The steep terrain makes for perfect mountain bike trails running from the college down toward the state park. The stretch of land is one of mountain biking’s worst kept secrets.

That foggy morning aboard my black and blue Rockhopper hardtail would be a first lesson on the trails that taught me so much about riding. I would make my way down the trails, apprehensive about the upcoming jumps and steep technical lines. That day taught me that there is amazing opportunities in the forest to explore by bike.

As the next couple of years progressed I would become increasingly interested in racing. Riding up UConn trail is always a test. Back then the ten minute climb felt like hell. My heart beating out of my chest trying to keep up, I learned how much room there was to improve on my fitness.

Eventually we all figured out what enduro was. With our long travel, twenty nine inch enduro bikes we would roll out from the local bike shop. We race to the top, but most importantly we race back to the bottom. In a cloud of dust just trying to make it around the next corner in a train of riders, I learned that speed is unlimited and so much sweeter when you are with friends.

What makes these trails and experiences so alluring, so secret yet well known, is that the trails are “illegal”, or unsanctioned. Every few years there are rumors that the trails might get shut down.

Prompted by these rumors on social media, I can’t help but reflect on my time on these trails. The good times are easy. Good times can be found practically any time you’re on a bike, anywhere. It’s the things that I have learned from these trails that make the connection almost emotional.

The technical, fall line trails and big gap jumps are what taught me all of my bike handling skills that I know. These trails kindled a passion for going fast on my bike that has brought me to race my bike and go to school in Colorado. These trails have made me a lifelong cyclist through the community that they fostered.

I hope we can meet again soon. ‘Till then, I just have photos and memories to flip back to.