Video: PROJEKT ROAM - Landscapes Vol. 2

Oct 23, 2013
by Projekt Roam  
Views: 37,809    Faves: 129    Comments: 44

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Situated at 6,512 feet above sea level in the lush Animas River Valley, Durango, Colorado is a town that is as rich in culture, history, and outdoor recreation as the surrounding ore laden San Juan Mountains. The former mining town has it's own quirky, laid back vibe; an eclectic mix of mining town meets mountain town meets the west.

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With a long standing reputation as a bicycling mecca, Durango turned out to be an optimum choice for us to spend time exploring on two wheels. Spiraling outwards from the hub of downtown, the countryside is magnanimous.


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The ever present contour of rugged mountain peaks that define Colorado's high country seem to be synonymous with the horizon in nearly every direction.


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The riding found in the higher elevations can be gruelling with arduous ascents, sometimes leaving you thinking that your oxygen just might have been stolen from you like a thief in the night. But it doesn't really matter, because the descents and the surroundings, along with the whole experience, completely overpower those minute grumblings. Especially when you blast down the mountain with an ear-splitting grin while your entire focus and being are trained on the trail as it flashes by before you and still winds downward thousands of feet below you.

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We spent some time wandering through the high country in the outlying mountain passes sprawled around Durango, it was as if you're taking a step back into time.


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Abandoned ghost towns, ripe with dilapidated wooden buildings, endure the harsh winters and picturesque summers slowly succumbing to the inevitable forces of nature and time.


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Old abodes, equipment, mines and mills in various stages of decomposition are often in view, blending in with the natural surrounds, silent and weather-beaten monuments of a time passed.


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These artifacts of a different era made for remarkable, exploratory stops during our adventures in the high alpine single track wonderland.


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Many of Durango's different riding areas provide trails that make their way through twinkling groves of aspen and meadows stippled with an abundance of flowers that range from every colour under the sun. This scenery is definitely more noticeable when you stop for a ride regroup.


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There are numerous trailheads and trails to be found scattered everywhere about the city, it seems. An added bonus is that all of these different, local riding locations are unique unto themselves.


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Rocky terrain and scrub brush dominate the landscape with clay coloured earth cushioning the tires' tread in some of the trail riding regions.


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One of the things that makes this mountain biking haven stand out was the ability to spend a day on a trail that carried you through stands of pine passing an occasional crystalline lake if that is what you were in the mood for.


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Or if you wanted a completely different ride the next day, it wasn't a problem to hit up a trail with manmade features including jumps, drops, and berms.


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We happened to be in Durango during the summer months in which monsoon season dictates the weather pattern. Once this tumultuous weather hits, many a trail day can turn into an electrifying adventure.


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A ride would start out with perfect, textbook weather. Over a matter of a couple hours, our senses would become bombarded with brilliant flashes of light accompanied by the sounds of roaring thunder.


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The thunderheads sometimes brought moisture that turned the dirt into tacky trail heaven, or on other occasions, completely saturated us and the trail completely with torrents of rain. Whatever the ensuing weather brought, we knew we were always in for a thriller, hair-raising time.

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Whether it's after spring snow melt, during the warm, sunny months of summer, or in the autumn, Durango is definitely a place with a genuine multitude of trails to ride and enjoy on a mountain bike.


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Projekt Roam was founded by husband and wife, Colt and Jessee Maule in 2010. It has been their mission to travel North America in search of places that celebrate the unparalleled beauty and freedom of not only the bike, but the terrain we ride as well. Plan your own trip to Durango, CO and check out more photos, film, and riding locations throughout North America at www.gravityrideguide.com.

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Thanks to our sponsors for some great product and to all of our new friends who have helped us out along the way, ride on.


Words: Jessee Maule
Photos/Film: Colt & Jessee Maule (Filmed July 2013)
Riders: Colt Maule & Jessee Maule

For more work by Projekt Roam:
projektroam.pinkbike.com
www.projektroam.com
www.gravityrideguide.com

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Author Info:
projektroam avatar

Member since Oct 29, 2010
15 articles

69 Comments
  • 11 1
 Beautiful location, and Great riding! I'm always so impressed with the Projekt Roam videos.
  • 2 1
 Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed Smile
  • 2 0
 Wow! Another place I must experience. It's strikingly beautiful there!
  • 6 2
 This is where I plan on going to college...it is going to be so hard to study
  • 4 0
 At FLC you can find ways to get credits for riding.
  • 1 0
 That's awesome...do you get more if you're on the team and do well at races?
  • 2 2
 It was sarcasm mate.... It is an awesome location and campus though, Durango is rad, been trying to make it out to the trials comp..
  • 2 0
 I go to school here in Durango, and if you want to be part of an awesome cycling community, it's the place to be. You don't get school credit for being on the cycling team, but the cycling team here gets more respect than the football team... Sorry football guys.
  • 2 0
 Durango is such an awesome place! Some of the best riding I have ever had, great beer to! Wish I could have a nice cold pin stripe.
  • 2 0
 Could you list the trails you rode? We may take a trip there next year. Thx
  • 1 0
 We enjoyed riding Hermosa Creek Trail, Jones Creek Trail, Log Chutes DH, Snake Charmer, Horse Gulch Trails, Colorado Trail, Dutch Creek Trail..... The list goes on and on, their is also great riding up in Silverton, Colorado. Have fun!!
  • 2 0
 Is that first trail in the video with the bridge drop the new one that was built in the gulch off of Raider's Ridge??
  • 2 0
 If it was wood your referring to it was the DH section of Log Chutes. If you are referring to rock it is the new trail in Horse Gulch called Snake Charmer.
  • 2 0
 Right on thanks they both look super fun, great video!
  • 2 0
 Camped right next to you guys at Rampage, keep on churning out the goods! ps come to park city we got some goods
  • 2 0
 We love Park City!!! Can't wait to eventually film there Smile
  • 2 0
 Whoa.. my list of places to ride just got longer!! awesome work Projektroam! anyone know what the backround song was?
  • 1 0
 Thx, glad you enjoyed, Durango is great! The music is listed at the end of every film, The Subways "Oh Yeah".
  • 4 1
 Im sure glad i live here in Durango. best trail riding in the world.
  • 2 0
 We had a blast riding your local trails, Durango is a great place for sure!!
  • 2 0
 I wonder everyday, why I ever left... One of the best towns I've ever lived in.
  • 1 0
 Great vid. Doesn't Durango have a short have a really short riding season? If my memory is correct it looks like you were there at the prime time!
  • 1 0
 You can ride Horse Shoe Gulch trails almost year around. Depending on what elevation you want to ride, I have been told the riding season is approx. March-October...
  • 1 0
 It still hasn't really snowed here in Durango yet this year! Riding season is still on!
  • 2 0
 That sure got me stoked. Now back to studying for midterms instead of riding bikes
  • 1 0
 Thx, glad you enjoyed!
  • 1 0
 Durango is such a cool town, I was there for World championships in 1990 & have been meaning to make it back but never have
Maybe next year
  • 2 0
 Love it! Gotta make my way back to 'rado one of these days. Great vid, love the scenery and the music. Well done!
  • 1 0
 Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed!!
  • 2 0
 Thanks for the video. Great to see my old town, makes me want to move back... Another well shot video guys. Cheers
  • 1 0
 Durango is a rad place, glad you enjoyed, thx for watching!!
  • 1 0
 Excellent work! I've ridden and photographed most of the those trails, you definitely captured their spirit and gave a fresh view of them. Nicely done.
  • 2 0
 I always love your work ProjectRoam. Keep em coming.
  • 1 0
 Thx for watching, glad you enjoyed. Many more to come Smile
  • 1 0
 Awesome video. I live in CO and have never been to Durango yet. This video has just gave me the itch to go!
  • 2 0
 nice read --- cool pics... thanks
  • 1 0
 Thx for watching, glad you enjoyed!
  • 2 0
 Another great video. Thanks for the stoke!
  • 1 0
 Glad you enjoyed, thx for watching!!
  • 2 0
 Love it, and the band's wicked! Smile
  • 1 0
 Thx for watching, glad you enjoyed!
  • 2 0
 VOD! for sure that was well good keep the vids coming
  • 1 0
 Thx for watching, glad you enjoyed!
  • 2 0
 Braap! Braap! Shredding on the Firebird! Great video.
  • 1 0
 The Pivot Firebird is sooo fun to ride!! Thx for watching, glad you enjoyed!
  • 2 0
 Great vid guys, love your adventures! Not going to lie, I'm kinda jealous.
  • 1 0
 Thx Mike. Hopefully our adventures will cross paths with your adventures someday, it would be great to hang out!
  • 2 0
 We've been saying this for a year now, but I've no doubt we'll meet in the next few. Keep on doing what you do and I will too.
  • 2 0
 good stuff! I look forward to the next stop!
  • 1 0
 Thx for watching, glad you enjoyed. We're looking forward to sharing our next stop as well!
  • 1 1
 Just what i needed to C. Finishing work in approximately 1h 13m and 34 seconds and going for a blat. Hopefully I'll bump into that second rider...
  • 2 0
 Awesome vid! Digging the song too! Whats the name of it by the way?
  • 1 0
 Thx, glad you enjoyed! The music is listed at the end of every film, The Subways "Oh Yeah".
  • 2 0
 after watching this i want to go riding,, cool video,, good job
  • 1 0
 Sweet!! Go shred, glad you enjoyed, thx for watching!!
  • 1 0
 Glad you enjoyed, thx for the positive support!
  • 1 0
 Great vid again!! You come up to South Dakota to ride in spring. I can chop those bars down a skosh. Wink
  • 2 0
 Good shots of HC Trail.
  • 1 0
 Thx for watching and good eye, glad you enjoyed!
  • 2 0
 Sweet Vid!
  • 1 0
 Thx, glad you enjoyed Smile
  • 2 0
 hero dirt!
  • 2 0
 So much Flowwww
  • 2 0
 beautiful
  • 1 0
 Thx, glad you enjoyed
  • 1 0
 Is that a Mach 4?
  • 1 0
 White bike; Pivot Firebird.
Black bike; Pivot Mach 5.7
  • 3 4
 Those bars are way to wide for her....it just looks silly
  • 1 2
 May try wider bars like hers but they do look silly wide for her . I'm broad shouldered so should work better for me







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