Greetings from Samui, Thailand. Sat eve and enjoying your Friday video. Looks like Fall is upon you in CO as the fall foliage is turning. Time for a shot of Whiskey or Bourbon after your ride. Blue skies here on the island. Jg
That was sick boys. Nice to see James hasn't slowed down any! Love that trail, though it has changed a bunch since I rode it last, first time was over 20 years ago, yikes. I'm getting old!
@@eugenespreutels8305 Yuy, I get the need for maintenance, but forever altering the original character of the trail is questionable at best. Not everything needs to be a 2 meter wide flow trail. Still had fun.
Great trail. But this video almost hurts to watch. We spent hundreds of hours and many weekends rebulding this old trail. They get beat to crap when the tread is wet and they get ridden hard. BTW, Game Creek trail qas just finished up a few weeks ago. Which runs parallel to Cougar Ridge and connects at the bottom at the creek crossing. Its a little more old school in style. Also, ride up to Patrol Head Quarters to add a few miles of Grand Traverse descent to this ride.
No disrespect friend but I prefered the old tracks before the rebuild. This feels just like the bike park now and the original character has been destroyed. I almost shed tears when I rode the new section of Game Creek. What a loss to the community. Not everything needs to be a 4ft wide bench cut. Both of those trails have survived decades of use and I was truly sad to see what they have become. Especially considering these were a wonderful contrast to the trails in the Vail Bike Park. Again, no disrespect. I spend hundreds of hours building and maintaining trail each year, but this isn't the direction I want to see for every trail in the state. Happy trails.
Also, just to be very clear, it is not my intention to badmouth the builders or anyone who volunteered time into these projects, but rather the current trend of turning existing natural tracks into green flow trails. I get all sides of this dilemma, but forever altering the feel and character of an existing trail saddens me deeply.
@@natehills9388 By all means, bad mouth the people who build the trails. Every dog walker and rich horse lady does. But these are shared use trails designed the the US Forest service to accomodate pack animals. All are the result of NEPA studies. All built to the chagrin of and in accordance with the powerful Colorado Parks and Wildlife Agency. And are the end result of a committee of sympathetic and unsympathetic interests.The CPW really doesnt want runners, hikers, or certainly not mountain bikers in their woods. They push to have many existing trails decommisioned. Often with success. If they had their way nobody w/o a gun would be in the woods. As such, most new trails in the White River National forest are routed and staked with mountain bike travel as an after thought. Even though it is the mountain bike community that builds and maintains the trails. On this Cougar Ridge trail, all except the top third was originally an old logging double track. From the lower creek section to well above Lionshead Rock it was an eroding double track.The original switchbacking doubletrack had a lot of ball bearing sized cobblestones in the tread. Local volunteers rerouted the upper quarter of the trail that drops off Grand Traverse by hand, with Forest service oversight. The lower quarter of the trail was also volunteer built by hand in accordance with the USFS.. The middle half was built by paid contractors using a machine. That is the section with the flowy character. In a couple of years the vegetation will return to narrow that section down to maybe a 16" wide tread. It always seems to. The people building the trail have little say in planning the trail route. Even building a proper corner is sometimes frowned upon by the land mangers.
Trail still looks sick, but man I resonate with the whole "bike parking" trails out. This needs to stop. Modern bikes are in their element with rough shit. It happens all over the place especially here in the midwest. Best times I've had on a bike was partying with friends down crazy gnarly steep trails.
This is an interpretation of the American flag. My friend Made Rad By Tony painted this for me when I used to ride for Oskar Blues to match some custom helmets that he also painted for me. One of a kind art.
@@michaelxu4700 the geometry and the quality of the bike play a role too, I’ve heard of people do Whistler on a hardtail so it’s really all about the rider
@@natehills9388 Chill bud, you have two blue stripes with white stars in them and a red backdrop. It's clearly not the confederate flag, that's obvious. I didn't say you supported such ideologies, but the fact that you've responded this way makes it pretty apparent that you ooze ignorance. I mean, come on.
I hope you are watching Rampage after this.
It's gonna be a Rowdy, Rocktober, Rampage this year 🤘
Already got the stream up waiting! Thanks fore rad footage while we wait this morning!
I watched Rampage before. Sorry Nate. Priorities!
Moody, cloudy lighting makes the gold even more spectacular. Good to see James back in front of the camera!
Love the cloudy days in the fall!
I love watching you guys ride and Great seeing James, but those fall colors are BEAUTIFUL 👍🏻
Colors were popping off!
James was on fire! You guys looked like you were having a blast depite the weather. Thanks for another great video Nate!!
There is not bad weather, just bad clothing. haha. And a bit mess to deal with later.
They’ve done this sanitation of trails at my local trails too. Karen doesn’t need to be able to ride every trail. 🤣
This is more than sanitizing, this has forever changed the character of this classic. So sad to see.
Good to see the bright fall colors!
Yes indeed!
It has been awhile Senor James. Welcome back! It was a wet and muddy video Senor Hills but still very entertaining! Thank you!
Always a pleasure riding with James.
Sick riding Dude, The trail looks awesome 😎😎🤘🤘
This is my favorite mtb channel, I have been following you for a long time and they are the best videos from all the best places
Cheers Leonardo! Thanks for watching.
Always a treat to watch JW. That’s reminds me I’ll head over to FLOAT I need sum long sleeves starting to get chilly outside 💪💪👏👏🐕🐕
Good man! Keep those arms cozy.
Greetings from Samui, Thailand. Sat eve and enjoying your Friday video. Looks like Fall is upon you in CO as the fall foliage is turning. Time for a shot of Whiskey or Bourbon after your ride. Blue skies here on the island. Jg
lol great intro music, colors looked awesome, and good to see james still bouncing on a pogo stick.
Always a pleasure watching James interpret a trail he has never ridden for the first time!
James is....i mean the guy have an amazing ride style, flying everywere, crushing it.
The man.
Love the stoke at 5:46 from Nate! James hucking it on single track, not even a proper jump line in those conditions. Awesome content. 🤙🏼
James is a sender, regardless of trails or conditions. Always hucking! haha.
Great trail and video! looks well maintained! and many hits to choose from!
Flow. Been in leaves for a week. A whole different ball game. Hidden gems and happy accidents.
Nothing like riding a trail that you can't actually see the nuances of. Surprise!
@@natehills9388 Wet roots under wet leaves. Gotta ride with feel.
We need more Footage of Will and Mark. 🤘🏿
Absolutely love riding with the Free Rads!
Great video Nate! love to see you shredding like this with the SB150!
I ride with SB150 too! I love my super bike so much! :))
Wonderful rig!
@@natehills9388 🤘❄
Was hoping to see some cougars
That was sick boys. Nice to see James hasn't slowed down any!
Love that trail, though it has changed a bunch since I rode it last, first time was over 20 years ago, yikes. I'm getting old!
Super fun to ride, but yes, the original trail is highly modified. Not a fan of the recent trail work.
Yeah, if I remember correctly it use to be fairly technical and steep. Just how I like it.
@@eugenespreutels8305 Yuy, I get the need for maintenance, but forever altering the original character of the trail is questionable at best. Not everything needs to be a 2 meter wide flow trail. Still had fun.
I wanna ride like James.
GREAT, Another Sick Episode Freeriday :)
JAMES!!
jamie's corner speed cannot be denied.. or his straightway speed.. or his manual speed.. LOL. nice trail.. sick riding..
P"
James is a legend. You know.
Freerads 4 life 🤟
The homies!
So Sick!
when was this before they shut down the lift I assume?
Yup, closing weekend.
Wet n Wild volume 1 in Vail.
I was saying a prayer that you wouldn't slide into one of those trees. My stomach is still clenched. Stay safe !!
Wonder if a little rainx on a rag would make the camera lens stay cleaner in the wet?
I should try that.
Great trail. But this video almost hurts to watch. We spent hundreds of hours and many weekends rebulding this old trail. They get beat to crap when the tread is wet and they get ridden hard. BTW, Game Creek trail qas just finished up a few weeks ago. Which runs parallel to Cougar Ridge and connects at the bottom at the creek crossing. Its a little more old school in style. Also, ride up to Patrol Head Quarters to add a few miles of Grand Traverse descent to this ride.
No disrespect friend but I prefered the old tracks before the rebuild. This feels just like the bike park now and the original character has been destroyed. I almost shed tears when I rode the new section of Game Creek. What a loss to the community. Not everything needs to be a 4ft wide bench cut. Both of those trails have survived decades of use and I was truly sad to see what they have become. Especially considering these were a wonderful contrast to the trails in the Vail Bike Park. Again, no disrespect. I spend hundreds of hours building and maintaining trail each year, but this isn't the direction I want to see for every trail in the state. Happy trails.
Also, just to be very clear, it is not my intention to badmouth the builders or anyone who volunteered time into these projects, but rather the current trend of turning existing natural tracks into green flow trails. I get all sides of this dilemma, but forever altering the feel and character of an existing trail saddens me deeply.
@@natehills9388 By all means, bad mouth the people who build the trails. Every dog walker and rich horse lady does. But these are shared use trails designed the the US Forest service to accomodate pack animals. All are the result of NEPA studies. All built to the chagrin of and in accordance with the powerful Colorado Parks and Wildlife Agency. And are the end result of a committee of sympathetic and unsympathetic interests.The CPW really doesnt want runners, hikers, or certainly not mountain bikers in their woods. They push to have many existing trails decommisioned. Often with success. If they had their way nobody w/o a gun would be in the woods. As such, most new trails in the White River National forest are routed and staked with mountain bike travel as an after thought. Even though it is the mountain bike community that builds and maintains the trails. On this Cougar Ridge trail, all except the top third was originally an old logging double track. From the lower creek section to well above Lionshead Rock it was an eroding double track.The original switchbacking doubletrack had a lot of ball bearing sized cobblestones in the tread. Local volunteers rerouted the upper quarter of the trail that drops off Grand Traverse by hand, with Forest service oversight. The lower quarter of the trail was also volunteer built by hand in accordance with the USFS.. The middle half was built by paid contractors using a machine. That is the section with the flowy character. In a couple of years the vegetation will return to narrow that section down to maybe a 16" wide tread. It always seems to. The people building the trail have little say in planning the trail route. Even building a proper corner is sometimes frowned upon by the land mangers.
Video game things again. Brought to you by James.
Ninja.
James is the only guy I know that can get 6ft of air on a six inch lip
Try riding during the winter in the UK, you will know what mud and slippery conditions are like then. Great vid as always!
Are you riding the sb130 ? What mods, suspension settings did you end up with? Its been a while since your build video
Riding my 150 in this one.
Trail still looks sick, but man I resonate with the whole "bike parking" trails out. This needs to stop. Modern bikes are in their element with rough shit. It happens all over the place especially here in the midwest. Best times I've had on a bike was partying with friends down crazy gnarly steep trails.
There is a time and a place for park trails. Turning natural trails into flow trails instead of building new trails makes me very sad indeed.
I think James has anti-gravity juice in his tires.
Whatever he has, I want some, haha.
Where's the chunk? :)
It has been removed. Sad day!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❤️
Headed to CO end of the month to scope out moving! Nate if your looking for a new neighbor hit me up with some real estate tips!
Best tip- Bring more money, lol
ROWDY!
Awesome :)
Thanks 😁
🚀🚀💯🧨
What the dog doing?
Can someone please tell me what the top cap with the flag is from? I cannot identify that flag.
This is an interpretation of the American flag. My friend Made Rad By Tony painted this for me when I used to ride for Oskar Blues to match some custom helmets that he also painted for me. One of a kind art.
@@natehills9388 It was absolutely doing my head in not being able to identify it. Thank you!
Can you do these trails with a 120mm travel bike?
Rear or front?
I’m sure you can
@@jamisonk.097 ok cool i bought a 120mm both rear and front because that's all they had in stock...
@@michaelxu4700 the geometry and the quality of the bike play a role too, I’ve heard of people do Whistler on a hardtail so it’s really all about the rider
new mexico?
Colorado.
@@natehills9388 nicceeee
💯👍👏👏👏😇🤘
👏👏👏😎😎😎🤙🤙🤙👽👽👽🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
Wetter than an otter's pocket
Wouldn't have it any other way.
I find it so crazy he continues to use that top cap despite it looking so similar to the confederate flag
It definitely does not. Please do some research. I have absolutely zero support for the confederate flag or its ideology to be perfectly clear.
@@natehills9388 Chill bud, you have two blue stripes with white stars in them and a red backdrop. It's clearly not the confederate flag, that's obvious. I didn't say you supported such ideologies, but the fact that you've responded this way makes it pretty apparent that you ooze ignorance. I mean, come on.