Hey Brian, I’m the trails coordinator for the City of Eureka Springs and used to be the caretaker for Passion Play & Marble Flats. Glad you got to check out all of our awesome trails, and grateful for the spotlight you just gave to our region. As a long term watcher though, I’m pretty sad I didn’t get to meet you. Next time hit us up and we’ll make sure you get a shuttle service. Take care man!
Such a fun day!! Couldn’t remember the last time I was there and it was cool to experience it again with you dude! Pedaling back up wasn’t bad at all, I’d be down to do that again. Looking forward to seeing the other spot we hit after this 😉
Just a small observation, something to think about as you travel and ride unique places. I hear you talk a lot of grip and how basically everywhere you travel too is loose with some exceptions (PNW or Whistler or maybe Moab rock being the exceptions). Having ridden leatherwood several times I know that it is an intimidating surface. That being said, there is plenty of traction there with the proper cornering techniques. Aka, brake before the corners not in the corners, lean the bike and weight your outside foot, shift your hips/weight to maintain balance over the bottom bracket. If you are doing all of those things and you’re still having trouble finding traction, then you have to think about your components. Is your suspension set up properly? Probably the most overlooked aspect of traction is, do your tires match the level of gnar that you are anticipating on trail? Big grippy tires will not pedal the fastest, but the confidence they could inspire on your DH runs could potentially outweigh that rolling resistance. That being said, I get it, Lake Learherwood isn’t the easiest venue, but I know there are ways to improve your idea of trail grip and how to find it with your skill/bike components. Just something to think about, maybe a video on it with some expert analysis by a guest?
Dude, it amazes me how you can ride the way you do going in blind on most trails, AND also be able to give commentary so effortlessly. I would not be able to talk during any of that!
Just bought a bike on New Years Eve 23 so everything is new. With NWA being about an hour and a half from the house, these trails look awesome once my skill level comes up a bit. Haven't been on a mountain bike since 98 until now so rusty is an understatement.
Just went to leatherwood for the first time and it's definitely serious pre-ride material. The trail will be super flowy and fast then all of a sudden there will be a blind feature and you're already on the wrong line and didn't realize it. Once you get a lap or two where you can safely open up, they're some of the best trails I've ridden
Leatherwood is no joke! First timer I went I took my 6 year old son. He’s a ripper and not old enough to be scared, but I am! He rode down 5 in front of me and behind a buddy. All our first ride, he was bouncing his hard tail all over! I was scared to death! Took some video and pics of him and noticed he had all 4 fingers on both hands on the brakes, and both feet in the air and off the pedals! He wanted a second lap, but after seeing those pics I couldn’t let him go again. We were pushing our luck already!!
This was such a great bike park to ride. Gotta go back one day to ride a couple trails we didn't hit. It was just too freaking hot and humid when we were there. Still had a great time though.
I was hoping so much that you would go here. It's absolutely nuts and awesome. I've lived in Colorado and now in Utah and Leatherwood is some serious gnar!!
@@Katastra_ Absolutely 💯. You barely wait at all since it's low elevation. Long enough to maybe get a drink from your car sometimes other times just right back up. Plus I think it's only like $25 so it's a no-brainer to get in as many laps as your body can handle.
@@Katastra_ Shuttle service is very fast and comfortable. I actually think there are 2 services but I've only ever used the one you where you buy your tickets at the marina. I think it's more than $25 iirc. Either way their FB page is usually up to date. eurekaparks.com/trails/downhill-shuttles-at-lake-leatherwood/
Agreed. In your own words, you DO seem “all tensed up from the fear factor”. It’s always evident in your nervous laughter & speech. Nice video though👍😉
Definitely been liking these types of trails on the past few videos, more than the flowy, jump line ones around town in Bentonville. It’s good too see a mix of both.
Once again, Drew rides my bike much better than I can. At least I know I won't be held back by the machine, just me. Looks like a gnarly place to meet your demise if you're not careful. Downhill casing tires recommended.
It certainly has some spicy spots. I prefer the Passion Play trails to these. I ride my bike for fun and sketchy rock features aren’t my thing at 43 years old 🤷🏻♂️
Got married In Eureka and like to stay in the cabins around the corner ( Can u Canoe). Have often thought of bringing my bike for a morning ride but after watching this riding alone there doesn’t seem safe. You did awesome keeping up with him.
So I haven't finished the video but had to stop and point out. They have the perfect opportunity to build the most bad ass lily pad feature right at 8:25 in. That would be insane!!
Rich's bike looks rad. I'm actually considering the Ripmo and the Delano Peak right now... Rode the Ripmo in Moab a few weeks ago and LOVE that pedaling platform, but a carbon bike that can hang with the Mo for the same money as the Mo AL....Um, tempting to say the least!
I’ve heard it pedals as well as the Ripmo up but it’s better on the down (I think it’s a little slacker)! I ride a LaSal Peak and it rocks fit both!! Fezzari is such an awesome company.
I've been out there a few times on my Ripley. It certainly wouldn't be a bad idea to bring a little more bike out there for these trails, especially if you like to hit the medium/big stuff. It's a ton of fun out there, and the shuttle service is super fast.
Man, the kiddo and I love leatherwood. My only complaint is the surface. It's really.....marbly. Traction is a rare commodity and it's a little scary at first. Oh, and shuttling? Easily 15 runs a day. I've never had to actually wait for the shuttle.
So the shuttles run pretty fast and even faster if you go with Slaughter Trail Guides... for reference you wait way less than doing the lift at Spider Mountain which takes forever. Leatherwood is NW Arkansas gem!
Rode there last year and had about the same results as you did. Most of the obstacles were well over my ability, kind of sucks thinking your going to have fun jumping stuff but when you get there you end up just having to ride around everything. Kind of disappointing but maybe I just need to sack up. Lol
Several good trails there that everything is rollable, and have nice progression though. I kinda did the same thing you are talking about so I feel your pain...lol. SPH in bentonville has a lot of good areas to work on your skills.
@@petercamps452 as far as I know the city shuttle is the only one running right now due to some license issue. I’m not exactly sure what’s going on I just know that there were options before and now there isn’t.
Leatherwood is no joke and a whole lot of nope 😂lots of features out there are massive. Most of the big features are exposed on one side also. It's like "hey here's a 20ft jump... but yeah don't go to the side at all or you'll die off the 50ft cliff" 😅
I think they should Chris. Moderate is relative my man. I’m a decent rider, but I have no desire to hit some of these features again. I’ve done them all and I just don’t find them fun.
Come on B, pad up with a FF lid and have a crack at some of those features! Love the trail reviews but I want to see you push yourself to hit things you’re capable of stomping. I not the greatest rider (@43yrs) but I like to challenge my skills and my nerves to hit new things on a ride; you’re more than capable of hitting these features so send it mate👍🇦🇺
Great POV video with Rich shredding in front! I've talked to him about Leatherwood on more than one occassion and on every one of them he has said it's not his style of riding; he doesn't particularly care for it and he prefers the Passion Play over this. I figured he would LOVE this kinda riding because he looks so at home on it...I don't get it! But even Rich Drew The Master checks that drop at 13:31. He's right..it's legit big! I video'd local rider Kevin Gardner sending it about half a dozen times back to back and it's something even watching it...it's biiiiiig big ;)
The consequences for coming up short...ugly. It's rock, and about 2.5 feet tall. He made that look easy, but you have to maintain speed around that corner, and get two full pedal strokes in to know you have enough speed, and to do that, and maintain composure when you feel rushed to get things "situated," is what makes that drop sketchy. If it was a straight run in from up above that last corner, it would be much easier.
both times I've went the pacing of the shuttles has been perfect. Maybe waited a couple of minutes a few times but I'm chatty so it never felt very long. I suspect shuttling would beat out the E-bike if you were trying to get maximum runs in a day.
I see 2 up sides to a slow shuttle.... First and foremost) It's prime opportunity to meet and get to know new shredding mates.... you can NEVER have too many. The second.... UMMMM snack break? LOL
Better by osmosis, hell yea man. Everytime I ride with riders better than me, a little bit of their confidence rubs off on me and I find myself riding things I wouldnt have ridden by myself
