A trip in the Journey
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
If I have to think when it all began, I would say the 23rd of January 2017. That day I set my foot in Vancouver, Canada. That day I’ve started to travel. In that day my life changed radically. The Canadian territory is second only to Russia by extension and despite having seen only a small part of it, I feel a particular connection with this Country. In particular, with the British Columbia Province, where I spent most of my experience. And that’s where I felt at home. It is here that I fell in love with this wild and vast territory. But what I felt is so strong that at this time I prefer to keep it for me
Today, through these photos, I want to tell you about another trip. A trip to the land that makes you dream: the United States.
To tell you about this trip, I have to go back in time. In March I’ve met another Italian guy in Vancouver who, like me, decided to move to Canada, my faithful travelling companion Riccardo. Since we are both mountain bike, travel and photography enthusiasts, we decided to take the opportunity to see the Red Bull Rampage and plan a beautiful road trip.
The best part of the trip started from Virgin, Utah, where we drove into nothingness: in the middle of the desert and its scenarios, driving long roads without any sense of void.
The United States, for the small part I have seen, are just as impressed in the old western films. It really seems to be in a movie. Very often we were astonished and we were just admiring what nature offered us in totally silence. I am a lover of mountains and woods but the desert shocked me for the way it is able to change.
After being in places like Horseshoe Bend e Antelope Canyon (AZ), we head to Monument Valley (AZ). And here we started for the first time to give it some gas! Not with our bikes but by with our 4Runner (which is the perfect car to travel).
And so we went to Utah and especially to Moab, known for its red land and for the Arches National Park. But the mtb lovers know this town as a mountain bike temple, thanks to its beautiful trails.
During the first day I left Riccardo enjoying the Captain Ahab trail and taking advantage of it to capture everything. I had the chance to meet different bikers and talk to them. One of these was James, a great Canadian guy (what’s the odd to meet a Canadian in the middle of an American desert?!) who loves photography like me! Before the dusk, it was time to move to the Bartlett Wash Slickrock playground where every biker builds his own path, paying attention not to get lost in this rocks. Amazing!
We kept staying in Moab, getting the chance to ride a bike after 9 months. Porcupine Rim Trail has been my biking-baptism in the US. Not really a simple path. A single track of about 18km very flowing and fun in the first part, much more technical and rocky in the second. But thanks to my teacher, I’ve reached the end of the trail. I was tired but happy… and especially alive! Like the day before, we also had the chance to meet gorgeous people. In particular Justin, a dad and husband who’s able to match the family duties with his own passions. I want to say how Americans really surprised me. Throughout our trip we found really friendly people.
After intense emotions days, our adventure continued along the Route 66. And where the bike could not go, we went by foot.
We drove miles and miles crossing a few souls, leaving dust and horizons behind us. Arriving in San Diego meant the end of our journey and the nostalgia of the silence that the vastness of the desert can offer started to rise.
They say the United States are a land of freedom and dreams. Maybe it has been for us. But for sure we need just a mix of nature and bikes to feel happy!
Behind camera & words: me
Rider & editing video: Riccardo Ermini
Music: Dreams by n u a g e s
Published on WeLoveToRide, December 2017
