This section reserved for Doug to rant about whatever he feels like, or just report on his most recent adventures.

10-07-09

As years go, this wasn’t the best. But the one thing off years let you know is that things can always get worse and there’s opportunity for things to get better. So here’s the annual round up.

THE BAD
As sales go this was a real downer. I guess like everyone else, we can blame it on the economy. That sucks, because that’s not something we can control. It seems many Taos businesses are suffering and one can only hope we all pull together to get us through because no one else will. In other words, like most out there, no bail out’s coming. I hired John to work a forty hour week and give me some time off this season. I even extended hours to make a little more scratch. End result? I had to cut back his hours and work more to make up for the longer days. I’m bummed because my riding suffered. I’m selfish because I’m bummed.

THE UGLY
I have been offering shuttles to South Boundary for what us locals refer to as the tourist route. We call it this because it is more driving and less riding than starting from Valle Escondido or Palo Flechado Pass. Anyway, one sleepy morning while thinking more about what I had to do that day than what I was doing right now, I loaded Steve’s single speed into the roof rack in what is referred to in the business as a B fit. The shuttle is an hour’s drive and five minutes before the end, Steve’s beloved bike fell off the rack with broken dropouts on his Fox 29’r fork. Lovely!! We returned to the shop, another hour, mostly in dismayed silence. I offered to fix his fork and replace it for the day with a Rock Shox Tora off of a bike I had for sale on the floor, so that he and his buddy could at least ride that day. We switched forks reloaded and shuttled back, another hour out and back. Later that afternoon both riders returned, via the highway, as the replacement shock failed once on the trail. Needless to say, Steve had some choice words for me and Taos Cyclery. After ruining this guy’s weekend and being referred to “a real shop” in Colorado I have decided not to run shuttles anymore.

THE GOOD
After a year like this it’s simple. Rides like Frazer Mountain to Long Canyon, Picuris Peak, Horse Thief North, multiple varieties of South Boundary and Woodpiles, the king of them all Cerro Vista, and the secret stash near Valdez are why I live here. The woods baptize me and remind me how small and insignificant me and my problems are in the real world. For this I am extremely thankful, for it keeps me sane. Finally, Taos Cyclery is moving into town in the hopes of generating more sales and providing me with some sort of salary. Basically, we’re going where the people are and hopefully they will come, It’s make it or break it time. I’m optimistic as is my nature, so as always, the future is bright. Stay tuned!

5-30-09

So just what is Taos mountain biking style? When I first came here in '94 I was overwhelmed by the abundance of mountain biking possibility. I got a map and began exploring the bigger forest roads. I found these scenic with streams filled with beaver ponds and trout. As my comfort level
increased I found ways to connect these roads with each other for longer loops. I also discovered ways to connect roads to trails for longer or shorter options. Then it happened for the first time, I got lost. Suddenly the woods were much bigger and I much smaller than before. If something happened to me out here no one would ever find me. Fear overcame me as I realized I was in over my head. Bush wacking down a dry wash I eventually came out on a familiar road. I swore to never let that happen again, until the next time. I was atop what I thought to be Cerro Vista peak and according to my map there was only one way down. As I stood on the peak there was a trail down, although something didn't feel right. That was my first clue. I descended down an extremely steep trail, so steep I had to stop every twenty seconds or so to cool my
brakes. Once on a well established forest road I continued going downhill. This doesn't look like forest road 438 which should come out just miles from my home. That's because it wasn't. It was forest road 76, La Junta Canyon, which came out at Tres Ritos about 25 miles from my
home via highway 518. Oh my poor knobbies.

This was the pattern for the next several years. Further exploration followed by the occasional lost ride. Soon I began to know where to go because I had been lost so many times, I knew where not to go. Which brings us back to the original question, what is Taos style? Taos style
is a type of mountain biking where you are only limited by your fitness level and imagination. Loops are almost infinite in length and difficulty. But rider beware! Orientation skills and being prepared are essential. Our trails are poorly marked because of vandalism, which no one can really explain. So know your north from south and get comfortable with Wheeler Peak and Picuris Peak. Just last year on a 65 mile loop which included the real Cerro Vista Peak, Michael and I were on virgin territory coming back. The downhill sloping route looked better as fatigue began to over come us. But wait, I've been here before and that doesn't look right. Off in the distance I could see what appeared to be Picuris and that's the direction we need to go. I grew tired and irritated at more climbing on a section I was unfamiliar with. Up and down and on and on we went with night fall approaching. Do we have warm enough clothing or matches to spend the night if need be? Eventually we came out on the all too familiar Woodpile trail and home sweet home. All because Picuris shown like a beacon. Come to Taos ready to ride, with
your head on straight, this ain't no Disneyland mountain biking. I won't even get into the time I huddled shivering under a pine tree in a hail storm at 10,000 feet with nothing but my shorts and a cotton t-shirt.

Thanks, Doug

5-7-09

It's been a long and gruesome winter, but most winters here are that way. I like the welcoming of spring, although it's mixed in its coming. The days are increasingly warm but windy. I want to road ride but feel compelled to get back into the embrace of the mountains. Road riding gives me the feeling of getting out there and working out the legs and lungs. Mountain biking gives me the feeling of isolation and the struggle that only raw nature can give. The problem is that the effects of winter, snow and deadfall, are slow to give way. Getting into the groove or the zone as some call it can be difficult when blocked or slowed by the lingering effects of a winter. The road is a good alternative, but to be honest, I road ride everyday. This includes the winter when most are
waxing skis, counting treadmill miles, or sharpening skates. I'll admit it, I did swim this winter and got up to a few hardy laps in the pool. But at my core I'm a cyclist and were I a rich man would spend all my hours riding a bike.

The last few years I've spent primarily on the mountain bike and I think it's time to get back to the road bike a little bit. I like the long ride and told a friend recently that I'm getting the Enchanted Circle itch, to which he agreed.

Life is a long race and we move from here to there as we travel along. Mountain, road, touring, commuting or whatever just keep riding. I feel as though I've done a lot but just want more. I'm surely not the best at anything but my desire and lust is as strong as anyone's. If you're like
me than the least we can do is dust off our stead, oil the chain, and go somewhere, anywhere that means anything. At the most we can fulfill lifelong dreams, conquer big goals, and push ourselves beyond our limits. Where we are in our life long travel determines where we are going. I've cycled from Alaska to Florida and I've cycled the ten minutes to work. Both of these trips have been fulfilling and full of splendor. The bottom line is to just keep riding.

Thanks, Doug