This was my last ride before being diagnosed with ME/CFS. I can't think of a better way to spend time with friends and make one last memory on the bike. I'm hopeful and optimistic for a full recovery one day, but it's going to take time. I haven't been on a bike ride since then. To help support hardtail party through this journey while I can't ride, and to stay up to date on my medical progress, consider becoming a patron. For as little as $5/mo you can make a big difference and have access to my recovery videos. Patreon.com/hardtailparty
Steve, Everyone is wishing you well Brother feel the love of the group and the healing power of love pure love that we all possess my Friend. Sounds kooky woo woo but it is said our healers will always find us and as we have been taught the power of your mind by visualizing yourself fully healed riding in the woods with your family friends and living from this place every day. Pro athletes use this visualization and I believe in it that is all that matters our group here of mountain bikers all envision riding with you on your fully healed ride. I know long winded, but was on way back to Spence Mountain start of trailbuilding season and my Dad had gotten a diagnosis, BELIEVED it and it took him soon after so don’t put so much faith in a guy in a white coat doing his job but we are the powerful ones here and whatever we believe happens. I know I know just trust me before sleep envision the all clear that feeling of health , smell, touch etc and live from there and remember believing is seeing💪💪🚵♀️⚒️
Steve, you are such a treasure of the MTB community. Even though you have all the skills to shred with the top 1%, you exude kindness and inclusivity which is so refreshing and welcome. You are surrounded by amazing family and friends and you deserve every bit of it. Never stop being you, you're awesome!
@@hardtailparty best party is a hardtail party, whether your uploading a ride, or just giving us quick looks at bikes, doesn't matter to us take care of yourself first and foremost. Cheers from Newfoundland, Canada
I'm so grateful to have ridden with you Steve. I've loved all our rides together but this one was super special. You continue to be in my prayers my friend.
Thanks so much Stephen. We'll have to go back and ride the second part when I'm back on a bike. It was awesome having you along with us, you're a great friend. Thank you for the prayers brother.
You’re one tough dude, Steve… knowing what your diagnosis is after the fact and still seeing you push through. That’s an amazing trip, thanks for sharing it. It must be a bit of a guidepost for your recovery for what you’d like to be able to get back to.
Thanks. I'd LOVE to get to the point where I can ride like that without my body hating me afterward. I have good friends who were willing to wait for me to go at my pace.
Looks so good. Did Dan give any hint on when the Gen 4 Sherpa model will be listed? Interesting that you took the Switch9er over your Sherpa, was there a particular reason?
I’ve never been anywhere that hot, let alone ride a bike in that heat, I was not acclimatised in the slightest 😂😂😂 loved every minute of it though, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat ❤
What an epic adventure! Crazy that you had the snake go up on your leg like that. That's my worst nightmare. I'll continue to praying for your recovery.
Good job riding in the warm weather. It's not easy! Glad you could visit Arizona. We ride in 115°F+ (46°C) heat in Phoenix. It's still worthwhile. We keep the rides shorter in the Summer. Even the night rides are 105°F (40°C), but at least the sun isn't beating down on you.
That was definitely an awesome trip. As far as your tire, I had the same issue with Maxxis Rekon+, I tore off almost all the outer knobs in less than 200 miles of riding. I loved how they gripped and rode, but I cannot afford replacing tires every couple months
It's really incredible how you were able to do what you did with a fatigue type syndrome . The problem for you not knowing is you got the extreme bonk . You still outperformed most showing your inner strength and motivation. I had my extreme bonk a few years ago after a tough riding period and just pushed to hard and my body said no mas . I am no slouch but I had a problem of comparing myself to the beast riders like your friend Cody and I need to be like that . The problem i ain't like that . I recovered from my extreme bonk after a few months and learned to listen to my body better . Listening to your story I think I may have a fatigue type syndrome for most of my life and it maybe fairly common . You just think it's normal and that's how your suppose to feel . Probably why caffeine is used so much . Supper clean diet has really helped me . Toning down my effort has been helpful . Now I am not invulnerable as early in the week I had a lactate threshold that was whole body and crawled back home . You start feeling good and then it's time to back off a bit . You will get back and still do all you do with some limitations . Just have to be more Intune with your body . Thanks for letting your subscribers know as it's very helpful for others and there are many with some form of fatigue syndrome . Impressive ride . Especially in your condition . Get well and back on the bike .
Thanks so much for sharing this experience with us, Steve. I miss these bike trip videos but hope to see more of them when you recover. Rootin' for you and your family!
Hey, just wanted to say, your channel has been a huge inspiration to me over the last few years. Your riding is largely what I aspire to, and your videos always motivate me to ride. I even built up a Commencal Meta a couple years ago, entirely because of your channel. Where I'm at in life right now doesn't allow me as much time to ride as in the past, and frankly sometimes motivation is hard to come by. I'm generally more tired, and there aren't any trails very close to me so it's always an endeavor to ride. MTB is still my favorite hobby, though, and your channel has helped keep that flame alive. I'm hoping one day to make the trip out west and hit up one of these trails! I really feel for you in dealing with this diagnosis. Coping with a life altering condition is difficult to say the least. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis a couple years ago. I'm in a much better place with that now, but it took a lot of physical and mental effort to better my health. My health circumstances are different than before, probably permanently, but I'm back to doing everything I love. Perhaps the most challenging part was coming to terms with being afflicted with a chronic condition in the prime of my life. I just wanted to offer some sympathy and let you know what an inspiration you've been to me.
A heartwarming video. I put sealant in a Tubolito to make a bombproof spare. The sealant dried out very quickly, making the tube inusable. Maybe I was unlucky but sealant has lasted me much longer in butyl tubes.
That was such a joy to watch you guys ride and hang around, always interesting to see how trails look in different part of the world. Good luck with your recovery and i hope it will go well.
Thanks for yet another great video, Steve. You know, in the last few minutes when you arrive at your destination and the others were taking turns on stating their favourite part of the ride, I was thinking "please say it was riding with all of you guys", and I don't say this to give them grief about it but I was kind of bummed by the fact that they didn't because that's what I would've done. I already knew that's what you were going to say, and then you did - and in doing so you just reaffirmed my impressions from whatching your other videos what a truly awesome guy you seem to be. Superfriendly, kind to the core and even more polite than I am (not kidding - that says a lot 😅). Just....chapeau!! Good luck going forward, Steve, I'm crossing every bone in my body for a speedy recovery. Sincerely A.K - Norway
WOW! What a great ride!!! Thx, for taking us with you. Love Arizona and Utah. Was there many years ago but without a bike. Good to have such friends, that look after you and take care of you. So happy for you, seeing you do such an epic ride!
Wow wow wow Brother great job Steve 💪 Yourself and your crew look healthy and strong you are such an inspiration and yes you are correct we are all mountain bikers in every context no matter what. Cross country, DH etc. I felt like I was with you great narrative on beautiful scenery with great friends and I was feeling your strength in unity with the fellas and I so look forward to riding with you Friend 🙏💪⚒️ We are finishing a strong blue trail in southern Oregon (Spence Mountain) and will be headed south, McDowell Mountain, Prescott and finally out to you guys in Sedona such a beautiful place🌲🌵🪨⛰⚒️see ya soon Brutha!
That looks like an epic ride and you guys obviously enjoyed it. I have carbon rims and would not ride that with them, especially after seeing your crack. But you guys were well prepared. Hope you are able to recover fully.
I am sure someone else already commented: I love bike packing but lightly despise having to ride so much fireroad on most of the "trails" for bike packing.
There are tons of bikepacking routes out there on singletrack. In fact, 95% of the AZT is singletrack. I'm not a huge fan of bikepacking on fire roads either. I'm glad bikepacking.com has that great guide to show what % of a route is on singletrack.
Thanks for another awesome and enjoyable video. It looks like you guys had an amazing time. I am 72 years old so I need a little assistance. I have a Specialized Kenevo SL. Are e-bikes allowed on the Arizona Trail?
Great question! ebikes are not allowed on this segment of the Arizona trail. Some of this trail passes through a newly-established wilderness area and they made a special exemption to allow bikes through one or two segments, proceed it was nonmotirized. Riding ebikes on segments jeopardizes MTB access to this trail. However, AZ has some other great ebike trails. See trailforks with the ebike filter to see what's available.
That looks fun (though sad to see all the burn). One thing I notice about 99% of riders from the UK -- they wear dark colors to the US desert and wonder why they almost die.
Dan borrowed some shirts from me. They're the club ride motive, which is made of mesh. It feels like you're wearing nothing. Dan had some white shirts he brought, but they weren't breathable at all and were tons hotter.
Sooo…. That seems like a LOT of stuff to be bringing knowing that your wife is meeting you every 10-15 miles… do I have that wrong?? If that were the case why not only bring a single water bottle and the absolute bare essentials to fixe repairs? (Chain breaker/link, and a tube and Co2)??? Just seems like a lot of unnecessary baggage…
It's unnecessary until it's necessary, then it saves you a 3 hour walk. I'd never want to rely on co2 for a trip like this. Pumps are small, as are patch kits, and a tiny bottle of sealant is the size of a tube. Not a big deal at all.
@@hardtailparty Thanks for the reply! Been really trying to decide on carying just a tube to swap out or plugs.. on long xc races do you think its easier/mote beneficial to just throw in a tube, or attempt to try and plug? If the hole is that large where sealant didnt fix it then wouldnt the sealant just leak out? Do you typically carry plugs and a small sealant bottle instead of a tube?
@@jonzylka9474 I'm not a racer, so saving a few grams doesn't matter to me. I Always have a tube and plugs and a pump and a little bit of sealant on every ride. A CO2 is a gamble. Sometimes it'll plug your hole and sometimes I'll still leak out 5 min later then you have no way to air it up. That's racing though, everything is a risk.
@@hardtailparty Really… why saying a co2 is a gamble?? Knock on wood… ive always been able to rely on my tubeless sealant to fix small punctures and get me home. Do you think its better to simply carry and small hand pump rather than Co2 cartridges? I just want the best bet for my rides for that OH CRAP moment… lol
