Hey kids, it’s time for another mountain bike video!

This time around we’ll be exploring some of the trails on the Arkansas Hills side of Salida.  The Arkansas Hills trails are on the north side of the Arkansas River, accessed via the F Street trailhead downtown.  

As I’m sure I’ve mentioned in previous posts, Salida’s trails are rated like ski runs:  green, blue, black, and double black.  Whereas the Methodist Mountain trails are mostly green and blue (there is one black), the Ark Hills trails cover the full range of difficulty all the way up to double black diamond.  When I’m looking for a mainly aerobic experience, I ride the Methodist trails.  When I’m looking for more of a skills challenge, the Ark Hills trails fit the bill.  Now that I’ve been riding them for a few years, I tend to string both sides together into a full-on mountain bike smorgasbord extravaganza.  Life is good.

There are a couple of things I notice about this video.  First, I use the word “technical” a lot.  Annoyingly so.  Nothing like listening to yourself on video for some jarring self-realization.  Apologies for that.  Plus, while people who mountain bike will know what I’m talking about, it occurred to me that those who don’t ride may not.  In mountain biking, and especially with regards to the Salida trails, technical means rocky.  It’s called technical because to ride it requires more than just pedaling.  You’re constantly shifting your weight, shifting the bike, lifting the wheels and making small adjustments to steering to find the path of least resistance.  

Second, I was surprised at how desolate the camera makes the terrain look.  Granted, Salida’s climate is considered high desert and it is winter but dang, some of these shots look as barren as the moon.  I’m going to have to go back and video this ride again in the summer when there are leaves on the trees and the grass and shrubs are at least greenish.  

Anyway, I present for your consideration, a Tour de Arkansas Hills.