Not to brag, but Sedona's Hangover trail was EASY! (Let me explain)

[@The_Sampler]

Happy New Years my friends, hope everyone had a stoke filled holiday with friends and family!! I've got some pretty exciting adventures coming together for 2023 and cannot wait to share it all with you! We're gonna be expanding our horizons this year, so I hope ya'll are ready🤘

[@rudyhernandez247]

..

[@highnoon3156]

Aww man don't change the name to sampler. Single track sampler is dope af.

[@tejbergin6393]

The singletrack sample is definitely the best name ever!!!

[@BSm2919]

If he wants to expand past just riding, which he might, the sampler is still awesome and allows him to do all sorts of things.

[@JimmyRadloff]

@@BSm2919 I'm sure he dabbles in sampling plenty of other things too, like chics for instance. He's living the life man. Good for him.

[@mpk33]

Then do a Seth...make a 2nd channel & call it The Sampler, or Sampler Express. 😂

[@jettruth]

@@BSm2919 I’m in the same boat myself trying to expand and show mountain biking adventures and other outdoor activities, not just jet skiing.

[@c0r3nt1n6]

Usualy when I watch your videos I think that the ratings for trails, like double black diamond or blue trals are not on point like they rate them as difficult but they are not that hard, but this one looks really as advertised, it's in fact only for experimented riders. I ride in the Alps and this trail would definitly be rated as double black diamond here too. Loved the video.

[@dajtothe3472]

Really enjoy your new video format with just great trails, riding and discussion. It’s great to hear someone talk through the trail, share the victories and defeats, and bring the stoke!

[@The_Sampler]

Much appreciated!

[@kenanjones3481]

love to see a Syd and Macky shout out, I recently found them through *the algorithm* and they're pretty cool!

[@jamiedesoto6840]

I love the name man dont change it! Youre the first guy i found when looking at mountain bike videos! I even have a “sampler” shirt but ill always refer to you as the singletrack sampler! You make the best videos youre so very happy to be alive and riding! Thats the same way i feel! Dont change!

[@kerrywilliams6596]

Thanks for giving us the solo rider experience. Riding with friends is awesome, but a successful solo ride is so good for the soul.

[@mtnhighs]

So nice to ride along this morning. Awesome to see your skills improve over all these years and how it all pays off when you flow like you do on this ride. Have always appreciated your brutal honesty and outlook on riding, KZbin fame, and just life in general. You, Brian and Seth are the Kings of MTB. Long live The Sampler.

[@The_Sampler]

Can't tell you how much I appreciate that, thanks dude!

[@TheCrashingDad]

Your explanation of balance between “nervous” and “excited” was PERFECT 🤘🏼 Dude… you SLAYED this 💪🏽

[@Dorkbike]

There is no equal out there with this amount of stoke that Alex has. Always a good time. I especially appreciate your taking pause mid ride and recognizing the amazing scenery unfolding around you.

[@tejbergin6393]

This was the STOKE!!!! So cool to see your confidence grow over the last year and hear your positivity ❤

[@greenmindmtb7653]

You’ve got the chops!!! Bro you earned them. I get stoked listening to you break everything down🤘🤘🤘 Not bragging, just at peace on hella sick trails. Happy 23 Sampler/Nibbler!!!

[@Kristopherto]

Feels like old times again. Glad to see you’re out gettin it!

[@felixajorg]

I must admit, I was on my edges just watching this. Great VID, great narrative, and OMFG....scary AF. Great job

[@jonn.5475]

Nice to see you excited about riding again and doing awesome videos. Good to have your stoke back.

[@bullseye0112]

Alex great communication about nervous or excited. So simple but so true. Very mature to listen to your body and comfort levels and the stuff in-between. 100% you should celebrate

[@aweldum]

Man I think I have watched every iteration you've published of riding this trail and I was pumped right along with your hype through out this run! Thanks for providing a weeks worth of stoke in this one. Can't wait to peep the next one. All the best in swapping up the brand 🤟

[@jdowls9538]

Love the solo ride video! Its a nice change of pace. Also... 12:10 Well, have a nap. THEN FIRE ZE MISSILES!

[@UncleSam493]

This was an immensely enjoyable video to watch my dude. I really like the solo, chill, zen vibes. You seemed a lot more relaxed and it was nice to be able to take in the scenery on top of experiencing all the good bike action.

[@jettruth]

I feel like I’m currently where you described in this video you used to be. It feels so good when it just clicks on a trail you’ve done before but now with more experience.

[@Schrica]

My favorite part of mtbing is feeling the progression. Good for you dude.

[@effie2206]

Great video, you really showed it for what it is. Did it few years ago, nervous and excited. There was some walking but loved it and will do it again.

[@dandemore8057]

im so glad you are regularly uploading again.

[@skylerdompier938]

Shred on Sampler! Glad you're having fun with some gnarly riding!

[@OverTheHillMTB]

This was really good to listen to you on a solo ride w still a few Sampler hoo-hoos, and haw haws!

[@dohms92]

Freaking stoked for you man! Having attemped this trail last year and back in sedona area now. Its crazy how easy you made it look and the gopro effect is so real. It looks 100% worse in person and its 100% commit all the time or serious injury may occur. When i attemped it the first time last year it was mostly hike a bike for me bc i couldn't commit. The risks are real but i cant image what it must feel like to clear this. Definitely a goal of mine to do in the next couple years!

[@PiercesPOV]

My brother and I rode the triple H in November, ending on hangover. It was a hell of a day! Hope to ride some desert tech again with you sometime man. Always good to see a video from you

[@jeffjacksonmtb]

Congrats on the victory! Stoked for you! Hangover is next on my Sedona list. Might hit it in March during the Sedona MTB Fest!

[@davidgrammerstorf9433]

Brother, there's a reason I ride a bike ON THE GROUND and I don't fly planes. Watching videos of you and your buds riding this trail is enough for me. :)

[@cobykluth1878]

Sampler 'lone wolf' rides are some of the best! Thanks Alex

[@The_Sampler]

I do greatly enjoy running solo sometimes!

[@TwitchyNick]

Never apologize for being proud of your accomplishments. Great riding! 🤘🏻

[@petedog9581]

Jumps and bike park features are easy, it is just that the cost for a mistake is severe. Riding nature's 2xblacks takes a well rounded rider. Great job. I think Hi Line is the most demanding trail in Sedona, but Hangover is no slouch. Those big mtb rides in CO at altitude make you feel like superman when you come back down to lower elevations. Looking forward to great content in 2023. Thanks!

[@nrg4285]

Alex, I'm loving the MTB vlogging lately! 🔥🔥

[@jeremyohart4536]

Awesome ride man hope your finger heals up fast . I can’t wait to start a road trip to ride trails like Sedona . Keep up the great content man you inspire me to ride as much as possible.

[@Mtnhallett]

Wow! Amazing ride. That trail looks so fun!! Love the commentary.

[@DMMTB]

The stoke came through load & clear & congrats the you are super confident on such a tech & high consequence trail .... I stay till the end and saw you struggled with making the 🤘with the broken finger

[@IthacaDon]

I haven’t seen you this stoked for long time. It does feel good when you ride like a lion. Now I understand the title of the video.

[@HindsightFPV]

This video did a great job showing the exposure and angles of some of the lines. A lot of videos really suffer from the Gopro effect and it's so hard to tell. Great riding Alex.

[@The_Sampler]

It's SO hard for the GoPro to pick up most of the exposure since it's on the side of us and that's where the GoPro field of view is most distorted. Glad it showed up some in this vid tho!

[@rupedog]

Ah the GP effect... Had some hater claiming a crazy steep vid on insta wasn't steep due to GP effect... I explained it makes it look easier/flater/less gnarly, not steeper/worse, but he wouldn't believe. Now I feel vindicated!! A narrower fov reduces the effect I think?

[@69Tonyro]

Awesome vid Alex. Love the commentary all the way through!! Your energy is infectious. 🤙🏻

[@MolotovCtail21]

Killer ride appreciate you bring us all along. You crushed it. The slide out on top “karma” is sooo true. 😂😂😂 Stay Safe Hope finger heals up soon. 😎👊🏼🙏🏼

[@brookmiller2427]

Thanks for all your content! I love your positivity and watching you progress has really boosted my own confidence.

[@SecretSpots]

Great job! I tend to ride the slower tech stuff better when by myself as well because I'm not distracted by worrying about where anyone else is or hearing anyone else talk. Total focus! 🤙 Can't wait to ride this trail next time I come through that area.

[@bikedibley]

I've travelled from the UK to ride Moab four time. But I think my next trip t the Western states need to include Sedona for sure. This trail looks amazing. So well filmed. I was hooked!

[@ryanskinner8789]

Nice work, love the stoke and passion for riding and improving!! You’ve become such a better rider, congrats!!

[@alaskathespeedofplay2724]

Thanks for bringing us along with you on this one. The “rolling commentary” you do is maybe the best part. Brave to put your thoughts out there!🔥

[@JuanWay2Rock]

Epic ride Alex and Happy New Year!

[@Friskee62]

Love your videos, man...KUDOS on conquering some of your trail fears, Alex. Have a great NEW YEAR...

[@Zaque-TV]

I wish I could travel around and bike where the weather is nice still. We've been getting dumped with rain for 2 weeks now in norcal. I'll live vicariously through you 🤙

[@scottkeir1060]

Happy New Year to you too Alex, I hope it's an awesome year for you. Just wanted to say that I've really enjoyed watching your videos since you started back making them on a regular basis. The vibe you're putting out is the best it's been! Stay stoked my friend 🤘😁

[@vangilanteryan713]

That looks amazing. Def. put that on my list for future west trip.

[@lostman65]

i’ve ridden hangover about ten times… all of them solo. (i have no friends) but the last time was the first time i rode the steep rollers. like you said, i just felt more excited that nervous

[@Mike_s_mtb]

HUGE fan of your friend who did it in spite of his fear of heights. Im very much the same, absolutely petrified of heights… but MTB gives me the opportunity to face it every time I ride, especially out here in Colorado. Little bit more height here than my trails back in fl lol

[@stevencole7331]

Fun is a loose term for this trail . Challenging , goal oriented ,yes . Your brake modulation is superb it takes allot to master that technique .

[@matsmellberg9127]

Nice to see you ride this trail, i would love to have tho opportunity to ride it, but living in Sweden we don't have anything like this nearby. Most wet muddy singeltracks but still narly and technical but not so long.

[@yeeher1671]

I totally agree with u. When I started riding I saw features that I said I’ll never do it but after a year or so later I’m like that don’t look scary at all. It seem like the height, chunk, steepness goes away and u just see the line. U know yourself best when u are ready. When it does not look scary that’s how I go about it.

[@mattpoe9391]

Dude, that seriously looked terrifyingly hard. You made it look easy. Nice job!

[@ryansteiger6960]

Thanks for this chill video, had a good time watching it 👍

[@jacklo325]

I was wondering about your finger. It's cool how humble you are with your skills, and also understand your limit. That wasn't an easy trail by a long shot, but you made it looks so easy.

[@georgeb9189]

Wonderful ride brother! Thanks for speaking the truth about Sedona doubles! You guys make it look easy but it's definitely noteworthy to stop and realize what these trails really are. For me personally I enjoyed Sedona a lot in my vacation there but the double blacks were above my midwestern level at the time

[@martysoulard7349]

I have watched you try all sorts of things. You win some you loose some. But I have really seen you level up this season. It became very apparent with Brian on the Redemption Tour. I could tell you were struggling for the right words when you realized with your current skill level, this trail is now manageable and enjoyable differently. As I reach new levels there are these mixed feelings of accomplishment, pride, and gratitude. Some will get it and be happy for you, just for you. Hopefully those that are in a different place will someday get it. Well done Alex. Enjoy. \

[@timothystiles3358]

Nice Victory. Good to see your stoke back.

[@HowLongCanUMakeAName]

It's great to see your spirits so high!

[@Noondog]

Well said regarding what perspective and intensification a loose/rocky/technical type of trail can provide. Bidwell Park in Chico, CA or even Santa Barbara, CA comes to mind and has some unique terrain that hones some real skill!

[@walterottenhoff8003]

Great ride. Great Win. Great video. Keep them coming. Don't get complacent. Thanks

[@50mtb44]

Nice ride. Especially with that left hand pinkie injury (which we need with the ring finger to grip the handle bar).

[@64chrisg]

Great job riding that trail. Such an awesome feeling when you know you got something that once caused some trepidation. BTW...I'm another vote for keeping it "Singletrack Sampler" :)

[@The_Sampler]

hahaha it's ok, no one likes change at first, I get it, but it's too late as I already spent $$$$ on this new logo and design work. You guys will all come around :P

[@michaelguy7168]

Watching your video as I am just getting back from Sedona. I’m going back with my bike.

[@jameswotypka3631]

Working my way up to this now. I've done hiline 4 times now. Having Sedona a couple hours away is an amazing thing. Hope to see you at the Sedona MTB festival.

[@andybacon6007]

Great video. Thanks If it were me I'd be counting 2 victories. The first actually doing such a ride with skill and confidence and the second is doing it solo, cos thats a big thing too. Your excitement comes through in spades Well done!

So great that you told so much about the trail and all the challenges. I would love to ride it one day.

[@alonzobuenafe]

Just finished porter mtb ecuador video. Now we have this! Right on time. 😁

[@timnwild]

Did it by myself once - nearly died. Should have watched this first. You earned your victory my friend. ;-)

[@lagwall]

Glad to see the stoke and Gratz and the Victories!

[@dadstoygarage1878]

That was fun to watch! So many times I was Saying "OH Wow!" Thanks for the awesome content

[@ladohadzic]

Tak!

[@The_Sampler]

Thanks bru!!

[@bluray561]

Great vid Alex...would you ever come to New Zealand to ride trails...its seems all the Brits are over here at the moment...you would enjoy our country to ride👍

[@andrey_M32]

While you're in AZ come swing down to PHX SOMO is running great and there are tons of new trails at HAWES trail system!

[@beezerdoodle6140]

Are there skeletons at the bottom of the cliffs?

[@therealshafto]

Good job dude. I rode the trail while on a trip solo, I think the hardest move is the off camber climbing one. Good work there, lower tire pressure will help you huge. The first roll in is a blue roll but the visual makes it look double black certain death. It is a mind game. Amazing trail, loved the video. Amazing place.

[@granduerslater1739]

you are fun to watch,you talk like we are with you.btw you are my idol because you and Brian im back to biking again.

[@The_Sampler]

Man that gets me stoked to hear you are riding again, hope you are LOVING it!!

[@derekjarman1638]

Well done - I got sweaty palms watching that one😁😁

[@norman2359]

Always love watching your videos! Just curious…. Could you/yourself live in Sedona? Expensive..?

[@jamesconnell323]

I’m going out there next year to camp and bike Utah,Arizona, Colorado & New Mexico. Go back out next spring.

[@B1KER]

I went up there and rode Hangover even though I'm super afraid of Heights. I didn't clean everything that day but overall it's just not really the type of riding I enjoy. There is a lot of slow climbing tech type stuff and it didn't make me super crazy to ride it again for the amount of work it was to get up there. With that being said, I can see myself going back just to clean the spots I didn't before, but it's honestly not something I'm in a hurry to do.

[@Chance.B]

Great video man, one of your best!

[@bryanchapman6887]

Nice man, progression is my favorite and I felt this one. Good roll son. …Oh yeah, and please no gang signs at the end with the buddy tape. …I’m just kidding, throw ‘em up. 🤣

[@rzzio8973]

Luv your channel been watching for years. What’s your brake set up?

[@mrrims]

Great riding man! Thanks for sharing.

[@davidclaude1853]

Great video and great riding. Really cool to hear your progression and fears on the trail through the years. Def not for me, exposure and off camber stuff combined ramps up the heart rate instantly

[@joshtrainor8518]

Best day, is a day you put a video out!

[@The_Sampler]

🙌👊🤘

[@yobeytrice4777]

Getting that KOM off of Mackie would be insane!!

[@The_Sampler]

hahahaha 0% chance for me

[@SeanLewisMedia]

Hope your doing well! Thanks for keeping the good vibes going🤘🏼

[@mikekobylasz3490]

Hangover ! Sampled 🤘🏽 great riding

[@taggs2023]

Glad to see you riding again!

[@The_Sampler]

That makes two of us bro!

[@onebagoneworld]

Happy new years! This trail looks insane, is it as steep as it looks in real life? I don't think I would survive that 😬

[@MrTonka]

Ego maniac. haha That waterfall section bested my mental game when I was there. I have unfinished business on that trail.

[@The_Sampler]

hahaha you know me :P Dude I'd love to get out there with you at some point. Would tow you right on into it!

[@JimmyRadloff]

Sick! Well done Sampler!

[@DrumguyCiv]

The new name suits where you’ve been and I want to add well done job on Hangover. You are an old pro at it now. Me, I’m no where near ready for that type of gnar and I know it. I’m sixty years old with a brittle bone autoimmune disease, so I’m ok with where I am. Where I am is enjoying every minute of time on my bike.

[@Strenki-real]

Great slow technical riding skills there!

[@joeblogs318]

Dam those trails look so good I'm stuck with forests full of mud lol