Tricks to Get More Rad this Weekend
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The former pro downhiller regularly pulls off stunts like riding four 14,000-foot peaks in one weekend—and making it back to work on Monday. Here's his advice on how to max out your own 48 hours of freedom.
Make a checklist of adventures (for 75 awesomely inspiring options, check out the Cyclist's Bucket List by Ian Dille). I always have 10 to 15 things on the list. Keep the ideas flowing and do as many of them as you can. That's the key to any good adventure—just committing to it.
For big backcountry missions, you want someone you can trust. For a weekend adventure, someone who's just eager is usually a good call. Avoid friends who are chronic bailers, like, "Oh no, I have to do this this weekend." You need people who are willing to send it.
I think it's more about attitude and mentality than fitness. It's more your suffering threshold than anything else.
When my friends and I went to Kazbegi, Georgia, we Googled trip reports from a guy who had trekked some of the same routes that we ended up riding. Then we got on Google Earth and clicked on photos to get a really good idea of what it's like there.
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We never rely on GPS—there's often nowhere to charge it. We bring a compass and good topo maps.
Always bring an extra pair of wool socks. On the bike-packing trips I've done, you're putting on wet socks and shoes for three or four days, nonstop. So bring dry socks to sleep in. And never skimp on rain gear.
The best photos happen when you're super tired and don't want to pick up the camera. But that's when you get the really funny, gritty stuff.
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