Riding Colorado's Tallest 14er | Mount Elbert

My Bike collection- bit.ly/MyQuiver
James' Animal Charity- bit.ly/AnimalF...
A wise man once said, "if you ain't hiking, you ain't biking". I don't normally agree with this statement, but is surely applies here. Nothing like a 5000ft climb up the Colorado Trail and onto the South Elbert Trail to start the day off correctly. We ate meat snacks at the top before embarking on one of the better descents in the state of Colorado. Elbert is Colorado's highest, towering 14,439ft above the ocean. #followcamfriday approved terrain with James Weingarten and Ryan Soderberg. The below tree-line section of the South Elbert Trail was recently realigned and the majority of it is rideable on the climb up into the alpine. I would say that this is 60/40 ride to hike ratio. 100 percent send on the way down. To be very clear, this was James' first time on this descent and he put on an absolute clinic for your viewing pleasure. What a legend.

[@natehills9388]

Things start getting real at the 8:00 minute mark. James was on another level in the lower woods section. Watch this one all the way through. Melted my mind. Legend!!!!

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

JW is my fav of your follow cam partners!

[@natehills9388]

To be perfectly clear, James is an absolute legend. His riding in this one blew my mind. First run, no fear, full commitment. Legend!

[@BenderRodriguezBender]

Hey Nate. What is the time schedule for a day like this? I always say to myself "My god, the guys must get all this up first :D"

[@Jvhowube]

Hey Nate - where do you guys park to start this? Is it the S Elbert TH to CT lot that's on Trailforks?

[@gregwebster8784]

Yaaah! That was an epic one! Absolutely ripping!

[@matt_self]

James seems like he is really feeling it lately. He is so freaking skilled, but man, right now it seems he is absolutely ripping. Just unbelievable. Some of the moves he made at speed were bonkers.

[@natehills9388]

Video game shit. I still can't believe some of it....

[@rualert1602]

It seems James brings so much more to this than any trail can demand.

[@DRUmat404]

@@natehills9388 do y'all have a Strava?

[@toms4702]

I don't comprehend the speed you guys can achieve on a trail like this. James is definitely bringing his A game, absolutely dances on that bike. Thanks for bringing us along.

[@natehills9388]

Poetry in motion, that James.

[@benfrazer856]

Even more stoked to see you still commenting on this video! Plan on bagging this beast with the Lucky to Ride (Sheridan non-profit) crew in August. Thanks for the amazing beta on all the trails here in Colorado!

[@aspenbanjo]

Ive never seen anyone ride quite like James just did.

[@jddallager1699]

JW's and your skills are off the charts; but JW's "vision" must be unreal! First run on a trail, at HIGH speed, and he's making it look like he knows every inch from memory. Incredible!

[@natehills9388]

I was in awe.

[@50mtb44]

James "bunny" Weingarten was bunny hopping all over that trail. Love the aspen forest. You two ride so well together. Another great video Nate.

[@rualert1602]

I have to remind myself that Nate keeps up with this legend.

[@griffinbuchholz4838]

James is a serious wizard on those flat pedals! by far my favorite rider to see on the follow cam, and definitely the most frequent.

[@naym0001]

Super inspiring!! My friend and I are training to attempt this later this summer! Just so sick every time I watch this!

[@natehills9388]

This one is amazing. You will be stoked.

[@belmarsvolta]

This freaking pandemic is getting me down day by day. Your vidz give me back the breath every friday. Thanks!

[@natehills9388]

Keep the levels up!

[@mikebanks1717]

Passed by you madmen on my way down from the summit this day (we had the campsite near trail just below tree line). Thought for sure you lost some ridiculous bet. That trail is no joke just hiking. You guys have my respect, and a new subscriber.

[@SickfoosMTB]

That was some of the sickest riding/trails I've watched on YT. You guys were flying! 👊

[@fastgurrrl]

That guy is LIQUID. He has mastered the flow and using his legs as suspension. It's like the bike barely feels him. Amazing. @Nate Hills, may we have an interview? I'd like to hear from him and learn about him. I really enjoy your videos and your filming style. Ty hon.

[@freddeblase865]

Omg! Two awesome rides, that dude in front can really shred a trail. Love Colorado!!

[@natehills9388]

James is on another level here. Video game things.

[@war77el]

Being a great admirer of scenery, this run set left me SHOOKeth! This one STELLARly amazing! Best one in my book. AWESOME job out there & immaculate drone captures!

[@BikingBadwithTC]

Great riding and unbelievable scenery! Keep up the great content, thanks.

[@denverdhmtb]

What a ride!!!

[@natehills9388]

Thank you for risking your life for viewing pleasure of the internet. Legend.

[@fastgurrrl]

Hello, dear @James Weingarten. I just posted a comment about you and @Nate Hills. Please consider it guys. Ty.

[@rokaxiv]

those drone shots behind you are amazing, what a purchase

[@Sb23global]

@Nate I’ve been watching your Friday follows religiously for a while now and this might be my favorite ever. You and James were RIPPING! Amazing scenery and trails!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@natehills9388]

Thanks Sean.

[@bastaki66]

I'm watching this and having fun. I need to try this one day.

[@natehills9388]

Do it!

[@Bigmountain73]

That was some of the most buttery 🧈 smooth high speed riding I’ve seen ! I have to go ride my bike now!! Thanks to you guys for the stoke 🤘🤘

[@natehills9388]

Yes, go ride!!!

[@mroberts566]

Wow. James is doing things I never thought possible.

[@50mtb44]

So sweet. Love the drone view at 3:09. Janky meets beauty. Amazing perspective!

[@a.j.bonnett2742]

James feeling that flow! Manuals on another level! Good vid my man!

[@sebastianwhalin743]

Damn, I attempted this on my Co trail ride but lighting started touching down as I got above treeline. It was a hard decision but I turned around. Props for sending it! Can't wait to hit it on a clear day

[@barbbrazes869]

Beautiful!! Stunning scenery! Amazing riding! Well done!!

[@nikkitangtiphongkul1297]

the view on the top mountain is so epic.

[@coryd7762]

Finally back to that classic nate hills footie. Sick.

[@scottnormand5858]

Once again you add James defining next level shit. Some of the best riding I've seen from you two. So awesome to see you killing it and loving the moment 🙏

[@natehills9388]

Can't make this shit up, haha. So much fun.

[@OutdoorGold]

Elbert was the first 14er I've ever climbed and one of the first follow cam Friday vids I've ever seen. Looks like the CFI has that trail looking good and not ripped to shreds.

[@natehills9388]

It was a nice surprise to see that the middle section has been reworked. Part of me misses the jank, but the new bit is amazingly fun and fast.

[@mrvwbug4423]

That looks so much better than it was when I hiked it in 2016. Back then the below treeline section is super steep and rooty, to the point where it was the sketchiest part of the hike. A lot less trail braiding too, I remember a few spots where there was 4 to 5 "trails".

[@burton926]

I think I remember CFI putting a permanent camp in there last summer or maybe 2018. It takes so many volunteer and youth Corp hours to make those changes. So cool that this is a 14er you can bike. Remember folks, this is a hiking trail first and foremost. Not a downhill park. Be respectful, yield to hikers, and don't cut the trail. Especially above treeline, bikes could do some serious damage and trail cutting could lead to loss of access.

[@tomas2810]

When I lived in Aspen I hiked that and it's a lung buster. The video doesn't really show how steep it is in spots. Can't even imagine biking it and you guys made it look easy. Good times.

[@ronanderson5736]

That is one hell of a run! The only thing missing on that is oxygen! Haha! Awesome guys!

[@quam13]

yo that wheelie at full speed was mental, I did this trail last year and man you guys killed that one.

[@knordberg]

Such great drone footy. What a wild ride.

[@JonathanLee7]

James is the rider we all hope/think we look like when descending 🤘

[@bradymoritz]

what our dreams look like ;)

[@Jharfouch]

When the trail gets technical he either manuals or stoppys 🤔🤔🤔🤔 incredible

[@verdonrocksphotography3510]

High country is my favorite type of terrain, can't beat the views, thank you for great ride, cheers V!

[@richardoates4335]

Your trails under cloud, everywhere else sunny. The videographer's dream. Great vids!

[@natehills9388]

Perfect storm.

[@ColoradoDashCam]

One of my favorite rides from last year. On the list for a bit later in the summer

[@jonathanangieri153]

Such a rad video! You guys are such an inspiration! This is definitely on my list of places to go and ride now!

[@lokmtb8503]

Soooooo good and shreddy. Absolute best ripper video I've seen in a little while. Love the tight trees and nimble jibbies.

[@miguelcortes43]

Give him a beer. The dragon got wings 🍻🍻🐉🐉

[@mikeoclimberMTB]

Trail looks WAY nicer than the last time I was up there 6 years ago. It used to be a heavily braided washed out trail that would burn up your brakes, looks more fun now.

[@natehills9388]

The lower South Trail has been completely reworked below treeline. It is basically 100 percent rideable on the climb now if you like to suffer. So good!

[@charliebaker4066]

Yep. Bonkers speed...... James appears to be from the planet of speeeeeed....

[@bradmurphy8416]

That’s a ripping ride, love all the booters! Sick stuff, cheers Nate!!

[@MSduckhunter]

Dude James was a fucking animal in the woods! This vid made my Friday! Keep up the stoke!

[@natehills9388]

Blew my mind. Fucking legend!

[@outdoordude7201]

just hiked up Elbert a few weeks ago! interesting to see it from another perspective :).

[@piccolo6214]

Mt Elbert just made my bucket list! Another awesome video Nate. I really hope some day you can come out to California and feature some trails in the Sierras. You'd really like Downieville!

[@natehills9388]

Downieville is rad. I have had the pleasure a couple of times. Need to make it back at some point.

[@HowToGetMoreMetal]

What an amazing accomplishment

[@scottfast03]

Rocky Mountain High! 😍 Those views tho.... and James “back wheel lover” putting on a Clinic! Damn.

[@natehills9388]

James gets the danger man award this week. So impressive to see in person.

[@scottfast03]

Nate Hills When is Conroy going to get James on Turq??

[@Don1Gibson]

Can't like this enough. A proper day out I can aspire to.

[@laidlaw75]

Awesome! The last time I did Elbert, my rotors were literally smoking by the time I got halfway down. haha

[@RidingMyBestLife]

Just wow .. superb riding as usual .. so good .

[@Montblanc1986]

Omg James is... amazing

[@pradeepweerasinghe5089]

Superb

[@1218haku]

One of your best. I look forward to seeing your new videos every Friday. I rush home from training rides. Extremely grateful. Maybe you could help to true roadie in the mtb world.

[@nickrowell2651]

Great video. I am making the move from Austin to Denver this month and you are getting me hyped!

[@stevepodraza6363]

Only been in Taylor park Colorado to 14er and it was unbelievable! Can’t imagine in a mountain bike!! Epic!!

[@natehills9388]

Get up there!!

[@stevepodraza6363]

Nate Hills I know I know. I will eventually. 👍🏻👊🏻😃🇺🇸

[@stevepodraza6363]

Nate Hills so awesome to hear the raw dirt, no music is so nice 👍🏻

[@abstraddic0442]

Four time watching this one, and it's still sick !!! 💯

[@natehills9388]

Thanks for watching!!! X4

[@Eltoca21]

Awesome. Shout out to the trail builders

[@mtbjd3046]

I want, no demand, a manual "off" with JKW and James.

[@KarlDeckerPresents]

Just Fantastic Nate . . .James too! Must have gotten a second battery for the drone as well? Quality just keeps going up! I dig the more distant "scene shots" you're getting with the drone, adds perspective. Just rode Kenosha myself Friday; snow was almost all gone . . . Been doing more technical climbs in the high peaks lately myself with a new Mavic Air 2. Got some footage that brought a tear to my eye. I'll post it soon. I would be stoked to show you the "ropes" if you have any interest in that or just Class 3/4 Scramble on a 13er or14er? Some have a ridable approach. Being a Colorado native and seeing the rides you gravitate to here and in Sedona, I'm pretty sure we have lots in common. Please skim over a few crappy climbing videos on my channel if you're curious. Happy to share some camera ideas with you too . . . To state the obvious, what we are all hoping to see . . . A BIG JUMP run with the drone running a parallel course! Have you already done that one? So sick to see you framed by only sky, slap on some Slow Mo for hang timed to give us a chance to absorb the lightening speed action! Directly overhead or just offset behind and to the side could be worthy too, revealing the true depths/heights of the big launches! 360 camera could be super cool too, especially with James behind you! I could go on . . . . I would even be you camera bitch for a day. Best Wishes

[@blairalley]

One of my new favs. That was sick 🤘🏼

[@DRUmat404]

That was completely insane 1st time or not. Wow!!! Big kudos

[@cb6866]

Well ....I am about to experience that first hand. I'm doing the North Rim Trip , starting Monday. Thanks and be safe bud.

[@natehills9388]

Enjoy.

[@dankgnar]

Checking to see if my bike can strap to my ski touring pack...

[@natehills9388]

I find it easier to just throw it on my back here and there as there are plenty of rideable sections. But that's just me. Less transition time.

[@mauricevdtillaard]

Yeah guys that was rad to watch..!! One day, one day I hope to do a couple laps with you guys.- \m/

[@topjimmy52]

So Epic, love it! Stay safe bro

[@cooperfrancone9685]

art on a bike. nonstop your body was probably hurting towards the end haha.

[@mtbsack590]

Dynamic duo flying at ludicris speed! Yeeoowza boys. #Follownatecamesaturday

[@electriclly]

Did not know riding 14ers was a thing until this video 🔥👌

[@edstud1]

Looks pretty gnarly!

[@jaggedeyemtb647]

Sick Intro 🤟🏻

[@eliasmontoya7515]

I tried climbing this bastard a week ago with two of my best friends. We climbed both Spanish Peaks, and Greenhorn two week before. We severely underestimated that mountain haha. Luckily for our legs and lungs, an unexpected lighting storm drove us down the trail a little less than half a mile from tree line. Hiw did you guys summit with bicycles? Is there a 4WD trail I didn't see? If you guys climbed with the bikes then damn, you guys are gods

[@tommysb1508]

@James, he owned it!

[@marcosmadrazo2440]

Awesomeness overload 🤯

[@Trebelhornc]

James really is just so dialed lately, on some other shit. Rad vid bro.

[@Chriz301]

Amazing high speed descent.

[@MrDrLance]

Me and some buddies are gonna ride Pike’s Peak Plummet on the 10th (07/10/20). You should join. Watched a few of your vids 👍🏼

[@KOOLAID559s]

Sick.... Awesome Vid bro.. Definitely on my bucket list.... Lol

[@strenkp]

7:41 that jump!

[@cellphonenut]

Soo unreal. Wait it’s real Mr. James W. tames the untamed or groomed for that matter high times trails first time out. Even with the cockeyed hydration pack. Guess that was like NASCAR style suspension tuning 🤔👏👏👏👏💪💪💪💪

[@enriquemaya7624]

sick ride dude

[@etbiker4840]

like I'm going to add another ride to my bucket list :)

[@denisrogers4358]

Great vid ! Where’s Pete dawg ? How about Colorado trail segment 16 Cottonwood pass (Avalanche trail head start) ends at Mt Princton hot springs. Not sucky.

[@AustinGHanson642]

This was sick! I’m gonna have to ride Elbert now

[@PoppoBikes]

Awesome!!!

[@GossieMTB]

When will we see Nate Hills on follow-cam Friday???

[@mrvwbug4423]

This is probably the best video I've ever seen of someone biking a 14er. Was this the East Ridge route? I seem to remember the woods below treeline on that route being super steep and sketchy just hiking it haha. Edit: watching a second time, looks like they put log steps in where the steep, rooty sections used to be back when I hiked it 4 years ago.

[@natehills9388]

The new lower section was completed last summer. This is the South Elbert trail.

[@Azazel518]

another great Vid Nate...he's got a lot of style with his riding and always a joy to watch.....BUT.did he get KOM ? 🤓

[@Tan12]

Damn dude, I hiked Elbert on foot last summer and it was a pretty decent challenge, can't imagine doing it on a bike!

[@natehills9388]

Easier on the way down by bike, haha.

[@jcarls44]

so worth it! the downhill is amazing

[@Tan12]

@@natehills9388 I'd imagine so! Is there more than one way down though? Because the way I took up and down from the peak would've been insanely sketchy on a bike near the top, and the beginning of your descent didn't look nearly as steep as what I remember.

[@THEGOODSMTB]

Wow what an epic ride!

[@forrestathearn7568]

Hell yeah, I planning to hopefully do that ride this summer!

[@natehills9388]

You should!

[@thelateshifter_One]

SO SICK. Is this essentially an out and back on the CT and South Mount Elbert trail out of the SME trailhead? I will be in CO by the end of the week to ride for most of July, SO stoked. Any advice/beta on some must rides in the Breck/Crested Butte/Snowmass areas would very much appreciated.

[@natehills9388]

Yup, CT to South Elbert, starting at the south trail head, out and back. Any of the trails I have filmed in the Colorado high country are worth riding.

[@zacklewis2500]

You should check out highlands ranch Colorado there are tons of trails and they are as hard as you make Them. Just south of Denver

[@ronsanderson99]

Very cinematic!

[@robertreynolds1044]

Hell of a way to beat yourself up!

[@d0u6s]

What a ride! 🤙

[@singletracktrucker]

If anyone asks you how durable the Zipp wheels are you can just show them the drone shots from this video and the rocks pinging off everything...

[@eugenespreutels8305]

That was just too rad! You boys were bringing it down on that lower section. James is an animal, can't imagine how tired I would have been after packing that bike to the top. Curious as to how much you were able ride versus hiking? Cheers!

[@jcarls44]

I rode it last summer and it's easily ridable 99% until you get to the last 2 miles. then the grade hits and average of 20%. so hike-a-bike from there to the summit. but it's 100% rideable down from the summit, and totally worth it.

[@natehills9388]

Yup, as Jay mentioned, the lower sections are rideable. The top bit is a slog for sure. Always worth the effort though.

[@FlowFinderUSA]

Dude is so good 🤙