c h r i s b a s t i a n . c o m u p d a t e s

Windsurfing, paddling, mountain biking, climbing with Chris Bastian and the crew from WayOutdoors.com and BoardHead.com.

The Braille Trail, Santa Cruz |Downieville DH | The Car

Click on any of the images below to see the full versions

Dropping in on FlameOut - Western Slope of NorthStar.

OK, It doesn't look quite as steeeeeep in the pic as it really is, but believe me, this is a "tightener". The first 10' was basically vertical, and you pretty much don't touch dirt the for a few feet. Look at the pic and you can see the Landing Zone. FreeRide bikes finally make sense.

Northstar has a good MTB program and have their two main chairlifts running all summer. The trails are pretty torn up by this time of the year, and it's kind of like riding on big rocks and six inches of brown powdered sugar.

If I learned anything this weekend, it's that my Bullit is a great bike for this kind of stuff - but - the 5" travel Psylo on the front end isn't enough. I think I need an 8" double crown DH fork AND a DH chain tensioner to max out the fun at a place like this where the World Cup DH course is open for your personal destruction. Good stuff.

The Car