I wasn’t ready for Monarch Crest...

I got put in a very risky situation when when my ride at Monarch Crest Trail turned out to be more than I was ready for...
Trailforks: www.trailforks.com/trails/mon...
MTB Project: www.mtbproject.com/trail/3671...
This ride was filmed with the Sony x3000: amzn.to/2yCbWQx
Check out the other riders in this video:
Eric: / nofrontbrakes
James: / jfrides
Jason: / jasonbikes
Joe: / mrtonka
RC: / outdoorgold
Sheyn: / thecrashingdad
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#IMBAepic #MoutainBiking #Adventure #MonarchCrest #TrailFeatures

[@lizkeyser1540]

LOVED this video. Thanks for posting!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Always great to see your videos pop up. "We're going full cinematic norbs!" Looked like a killer ride, I'll let you know with more time next time I'm headed your way, we have a ride pending. Sorry to hear you had some issues with the altitude, you did well by taking it easy. It's always these hard rides that we cherish the most in the long run having overcome the adversity.

[@TrailFeatures]

Hahaha, I can overcomplicate a video for sure! I actually took a couple days to recover. The altitude and exhaustion was a big hit on the system. Nothing some R&R couldn't fix!

[@Planetone.]

Wow great video! Good narration. Glad you where ok, good info on the high altitude hypoxia I wasn't aware of that good to know for all of us. Liked! and Subscribed!

[@trailevolution8327]

such an awesome edit. the look on your face at the end spoke volumes. lol.. thanks..

[@aldenwilkins]

I love seeing this ride from everyone's perspective.

[@TrailFeatures]

It is cool to see how everyone else experienced the same ride. I tried to keep my video focused on me so that way people can watch everyone else's without spoilers. ;)

[@the_dead_sailor]

I can't believe this wasn't filmed with a GoPro/Gimbal setup... Everything about this video is 👌🏼The dialogue is as smooth and sultry as ever, the b-shots are amazing and the riding footage was crisp and stable! Well done sir! 🤘🏼

[@TrailFeatures]

Thanks! It's a shame that the Sony cam never took off. It's a really impressive what you can get out of it! Thanks for watching!

[@DavePFilms]

Sick video! I just did that ride this weekend. So epic. I bypassed the rainbow trail though.

[@OutdoorGold]

The Sony did a hell of a job on filming this! I would have never guessed that this wasn’t filmed by a GoPro on a gimbal.

[@TrailFeatures]

I was also impressed with how well it did. It is definitely my new backup camera for bad weather or when the gimbal completely craps itself.

[@CobraKyle]

Killer job Joseph! Would love to ride with this group someday.

[@TrailFeatures]

Thanks, man! If you wander up this way let me know!

[@MrTonka]

Epic weather, epic trail, epic location, epic views for the price of a shuttle…. pushing yourself to new limits, priceless!

[@TrailFeatures]

Pretty sure I was past my limit coming out of the parking lot. 😂

[@MegaMilesteg]

Nice and honest video, keep it up!

[@RusticRussellAdventures]

Solid move dude. So many riders are too manly to admit when the altitude/environment is too much. Good too see you made it safely!!

[@chrisk1389]

I agree. Props for recognizing what was going on in the first place and then appropriately adjusting your pace and route. And your friends for hanging back to check on you. My in-over-my-head story comes from a few years ago. I had been a regular mountain bike in NM for several years but had moved to an area with zero trails for a couple of years. Decided to enter into the 50+/- mile Moab epic race in October 2016. I crashed and damaged a pedal and my low end gearing about half way, and finished dead last with raw spots on my ass and so much swelling that my ass cheeks had ass cheeks. That was my only ride that year, which was a shame because I had planned to do the Whole Enchilada again that trip. In retrospect I cannot believe that I could be so stupid not to anticipate that my fitness and skills had deteriorated so much. Live and learn I guess!

[@stevethesmazsmathers9112]

Good stuff! I missed your upload of this ride because I didnt have notifications turned on, fixed now. Get yourself healed up and we'll ride again.

[@TrailFeatures]

Oh KZbin, you fickle creature you!

[@MrCkpcpi]

Way to push through! Good talking to you at Outerbike also.....

[@TrailFeatures]

Thanks man! It was a good time hanging out!

[@nofrontbrakes]

This ride! Actually the last time I did this ride... on a hardtail. At least that time I had perfect weather. This time I got to ride with you again though 😘

[@TrailFeatures]

Pretty sure this trail must have been more flat when you did it. 😉

[@nofrontbrakes]

Trail Features no weather and with another guy exactly on my skill level

[@NoBrakes23]

The elusive white cap Halo. Nice. I seem to have trouble finding those that aren't black.

[@TrailFeatures]

I got lucky and found it at REI. Love the thing. Keeps the sweat out of my eyes and the sun off my head.

[@1pho3nixmatt]

Hypoxia is no joke. Glad you're good, and still had a good time overall. A truly epic adventure.

[@TrailFeatures]

It was a pretty crazy ride. I would have thought that after living in CO for a couple months would have been enough to get ready. Turns out, beer and tacos aren't good cardio.

[@ivanferenac]

Well done man! I'll be going through Colorado in May with my buddy Eric. Maybe we can link up.

[@TrailFeatures]

For sure, man! Hit me up!

[@GoatRidesBikes]

I have the same bear bell on my bars. I love that trail! Your next high alpine epic should be the South Boundary Trail in Taos NM!!!

[@TrailFeatures]

I may be taking it easy on epics for the rest of the season. This showed me I have lot of adjusting and training to do!

[@dazholi]

“I’m not ok. I mean I’m ok. I’m gonna be ok.” I’m glad you survived! Also... thanks for the cameo next to the nachos 😆.

[@TrailFeatures]

Hahahaha! Thanks, and you're welcome! 😜

[@JordanByron]

Woah that's no joke. Big props for pushing through and still making a damn fine film in the process. Think you'll ever go back and do a Monarch Crest redemption ride?

[@TrailFeatures]

For sure I'll take it on again, but not this season. I really need to get my body better suited for these kinds of all days epics.

[@ShakeNShred]

36 miles? That would have destroyed this old man, so great job! That was quite the entourage, too.

[@JasonBikes]

Great edit and I was so happy when you were getting better on the way down. Was a great day, give it a year here and you will smoke that ride w/o any issue. I would be curious how much software stabilization was done to the sony footage, if that was right out of the camera that's a game changer.

[@TrailFeatures]

That was right out of the camera, believe it or not! While I did cherry pick footage a little, it did an amazing job with just the in body IS. On rougher sections you do get a lot of shakes, but that's likely more an issue of my poor line choices. 😉

[@JasonBikes]

That's great, need to watch it again for the audio but might be a great helmet cam ( natural head anti-shake w/ the camera taking the extra off).

[@BrianVaughn]

Riding at altitude can be a kick in the pants. I had a tough day a few years back in Vail. I didn't have it as bad as you but I was in no way prepared for the altitude and the hike a bike was intense.

[@TrailFeatures]

It's crazy what a few thousand feet can do to you.

[@arogers9986]

For high altitude rides, a sugary/cafinated soda is worth bringing

[@TheCrashingDad]

True suffering! 😂 I'm not a huge fan of suffering... But suffering with friends 🤷‍♂️🤘

[@TrailFeatures]

Misery loves company? 😉

[@MrTonka]

Makes it bearable. Even a hell of a lot of fun!

[@TwitchyNick]

Sorry you had to deal with the altitude sickness. Other than feeling drained and low energy, did you notice a quick improvement on the decent? Weather and sickness aside, it looked like an awesome memorable adventure with a good crew of guys.

[@TrailFeatures]

I felt a little more clear as we made out way down. However, my body was just do zapped from having to work without air that I was a zombie at the bar. When i got home I must have slept for 10hrs.

[@TwitchyNick]

Trail Features Glad you were aware of the situation and got home safely

[@JW23551]

Hey! So it wasn’t just me dying on that climb 😂

[@TrailFeatures]

Pretty sure I've never been more exhausted than at the end of that ride. 😫

[@JW23551]

Trail Features I can’t imagine! I live on the front range, so I’m at least acclimated to 5300’ or so, nothing like going from sea level to 11k! Hope things are going well since the move, looks like you’re getting around ok... :)

[@wpf312]

That's why they drink coca leaf tea in the Andes! Way to power through safely though.

[@TrailFeatures]

I've already had some heart scares. 😬

[@GoatRidesBikes]

...how do you tell the difference between Grizzly Bear Scat and Black Bear Scat?

[@TrailFeatures]

how?

[@GoatRidesBikes]

Well...Black Bear scat is not that big, smells kind of sweet and you can usually see berries in it. Grizzly Bear scat is pretty big, smells like pepper spray and has bells in it.

[@mattj6676]

There's nothing worse than being part way into something and realizing you're in way over your head but there's no way out. Visions of being picked up by helicopter probably running through your head, never going to live that one down...as I'm getting older now (a mere 50) I have to worry about not killing myself too. I suppose a certain amount of mortal fear can enhance the experience. You guys might have lucked out, I bet that fire trail was as good as the final leg of the MB trail.

[@DadBodBiker]

Great ride!!! How long does a ride like that take?

[@TrailFeatures]

With youtubers, ~6.5 hours. Without youtubers, 3-4hrs. 😂

[@DadBodBiker]

Trail Features Impressive!!!

[@windmillcancersurvivor2568]

We've all been there, although 12,500' is pushing it a little. Don't know what is worse? Cool, cold, wet, windy or starting a race when it's 95*.

[@TrailFeatures]

Anything above 10K ft is rough! Personally? I'd take heat over cold any day! ...But I'm used to Austin summers. ;)

[@AllenKVFun]

my kind of trail

[@TrailFeatures]

It was an amazing trail for sure! I'll likely take this on again next season after I've trained harder!

[@TrailFeatures]

What was your most intense or epic ride?

[@nofrontbrakes]

File under: "stupid 💩 I let Eric talk me into"

[@trevorharnden2493]

Annapurna Circuit