There is something special about Fall that can be hard to put into words. A transition period between the long and warm days of summer to the short and dark days of Winter. A transition for the mind and body. A change for the landscape. Carrying the ideals and highs of summer and stretching them as long as they will go till the snow starts falling. You are falling in love with Fall. This feeling happens every year. It’s like you’ve never seen the world so beautiful. You forget what it feels like to flourish in the fleeting season that is Fall. Hoping that the yellow leaves last forever, no falling leaves, just frolicking and holding onto that feeling. The feeling that you are right where you are supposed to be, existing in this season. Where there isn’t enough time in the day to soak it all up, there is a fairness to Fall; you get out of the season what you put in—fantasizing about the forgotten fields of yellow. The aspen meadows in the mountains where time seems to stop. It is yielding only to the flow of the wind and the twinkle of the leaves. As I reflect on the golden season, I smile with a sense of gratitude and fortune.

Fortunate to be able to find the true colors of Fall.

Fall in the Flatirons

The main attraction. After a summer of playing around in the alpine to escape the heat of the front range hills, the rock waves above town become ripe for the picking. The past 4 years, I have centered most of my running around the Flatirons. Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall…it is has been the Flatirons. Which I think is part of the reason I’ve had some really cool moments in these hills and rocks. Through lots of practice and dedication, I’ve been able to intimately learn how to move through the sandstone waves with efficiency and speed.

Things were a bit different coming into the Fall 2020 season for me. I had put all of my focus on alpine running and moving up and down big peaks quickly. It is hard to do everything. You have to make sacrifices here and there to really reach your potential on a certain objective. I was able to make something special happen on Longs Peak. In return, I had spent very little time climbing or scrambling. This equaled a pretty rusty start to the fall season. Obviously years of experience helps things come back fast, but I was hesitant to set any real objectives for moving quick over stone just due to the fact that it seemed unlikely that I would be tuned up for a high caliber performance. Perhaps wanting to save these objectives for sometime in the future.

Luckily, I had a pretty quick way to get tuned thanks to Bill Wright. Through the local scrambling community and our weekly evening shenanigans, that rust slowly went away and I was feeling back to my normal state. Awesome! Despite the rude start to the season by hucking big gaps on Mohling Arete and surfing down pine needles, I was reminded why I love running in the Flatirons. It is so RAD. It also helps that all your friends are there too….battling it out and pushing each other to go fast! Despite falling behind 1 second of my First Flatiron record, I felt like I was in the best Flatiron shape of my life. It was awesome to win the Tour de Flatirons for the 3rd year straight and 15 consecutive stage wins. I remember when this kinda activity was so foreign to me. Just goes to show where practice and dedication can get you. Looking forward to 2021! The list of things I want to get done up there is endless….maybe I will give some of those more lofty goals a shot next year.

Sending it down one of the alpine tunnels along the Colorado Trail. One of my all-time favorite aspen groves. Photo Credit: Jack Daly

Leaf Peeping’

Riding bikes through the Fall foliage was a high priority for me this season. While running will always be my preferred form of travel, experiencing the landscape on two wheels allows you to see so much more in a condensed period of time. A great escape from the pounding and abuse that running involves. This Fall I was able to go on two bikepacking trips. sandwiched in-between the Flatiron running season. The first one involving my brother and a bunch of friends in the central mountains of Colorado, and the second one solo and from the front door and out in the hills of my backyard.

It was very special to get to spend some time outside with the people that I love. Appreciating the ability to pedal your bike and go experience some of the States natural beauty. I don’t really have much to say, I feel like the photos speak for themselves. I remember riding down certain sections of trail that would bring out audible excitement and pure joy. Thinking back on some of those sections of trail seem like a dream now. Was. that real? Surely I was dreaming. How does a place even look like this? Mark your calendars. The fall season is one not to be missed in Colorado.

Sleeping outside. Carrying everything you need on your bike. That is your life. Pedaling on repeat. Oh what a joy. Life is simple in these settings.

A dangerous spot for the bike along the old railroad trestles on Rollins Pass. Pointing the bike back home towards Boulder. The tundra downing its yellowish, brown, and red fall colors

Roots

I’m typing this section of the blog on November 8th, a week or so after getting back to Colorado after spending some time in Texas. I always love coming back to the Lone Star State after a long year. I feel like revisiting my childhood haunts restores me with a since of motivation and drive. I always come back to Colorado with a sense of happiness and appreciation after spending time in Texas.

Texas always gets slammed in CO. As it should to some degree. I totally get it, I’m one of the converts. Although, Texas doesn’t quite deserve all the bad feedback. There is so many gems in the state and those Jeep driving, 4x4ers, and big trucker makeup a very small quantity of the people that live there. Despite Texas having less than 1% public lands, every time I go back, I try and seek out those wild places. The Hillcountry in central Texas is a gem in a state that people think is all flat. I can assure you, the land out there is hilly and diverse. Can’t wait to scheme up more adventures in those hills.

One of the most memorable outings while I was home was riding my bike from Round Mtn Texas out to Enchanted Rock and back. While at E-Rock, I ran into the park and scrambled some boulders and routes. The highlight of the park was scrambling a route called Texas Flake, which I then took to the highpoint of the park. A granite dome known as the “Enchanted Rock”. This 92 mile outing had it all. Amazing riding, running, and scrambling. Multi-sport outings like these are some of my favorite! Below are some photos from that outing. Another special moment was going a ride with my Dad. He showed me one of his favorite routes from the front door…and it was amazing. So peaceful and so much wildlife.

TEMPO

After 2 years of work, the film is finally out. You can click here to watch it -> TEMPO

This is a project that I’m really proud of. Something that I will be able to look back at it in 10, 20, 50 years from now and smile. Something that I think will stand the test of time. I’m proud that Thomas pushed me to be creative and continue my musical passions. I’m proud that we stuck to our guns and tried to create something unique and outside the norm for the outdoor film world.

I want to give a big thanks to Thomas Woodson, he was the master behind this project. He provided the ideas, inspiration, and support. Just outside of technical skill as a filmmaker, he was able to get the shots! Some of those positions that he had to get into to get the footage was nuts. Constantly getting sneaky and unique shots, he was always trying to keep me on my toes.

I also want to give a big thanks to Black Diamond and Chris Parker for all the support throughout this process. I’ve never had any company or someone support a project like this. When Chris pretty much said I could do whatever inspired me for a project, I didnt know this is what we would come too. CP being a talented and accomplished musician himself, he was immediately on board and supported the project from day 1. Black Diamond provides me with the tools and apparel I use in the mountains, a very necessary thing when every step matters.

I also want to give thanks to my Family for their endless support. ❤️

To Abby Levene for always being there to talk when things got hectic or blurry. She always knows the right things to say.

And to everyone else that helped. Cheyne Lempe, Joe Grant, Travis Rummel, Ben Sturgulewski, Karl Thompson, Joey Schusler, Jamie Kripke, Kirk Horton, Jeff Schuler, Abby Levene, Carl Dixon, Bill Wright & The Minions

“You must know to improvise” - Joe G

Build that toolset. Aquire the skills. Practice. Get out there. Be creative. Everyday. Stay true to yourself.

My favorite kind of Fall running. Photo Credit: Mike Thurk