Searching for Corridors of Flow - Video

Nov 22, 2015
by ACRE Supply  
Views: 15,614    Faves: 135    Comments: 4


Trails can’t be measured on a universal scale. There doesn’t exist a comparison of flow to stoke that equates to a universal metric - no ‘trail spectator’ out of 100, no simple charts or graphs. Rather, the experience of the trail, as related to euphoria, is a continuous collection of multitudes extending in all dimensions. There are too many variables to include in the equation and a limit to the math. It takes an extra special cultivated knowledge of proximal landscapes to understand and create the right experience. And to maximize this experience it's not just about finding amazing trails, but the process of linking landscapes through a vast network of natural terrain. Ash Smith sums it up best:

bigquotesYes, you are looking for awesome trails, but you're also looking - on a bigger scale - for corridors of flow, through this network of nodes and edges. Through this network which we've been blessed with from the agricultural past and trading past. It's all there - we just need to find the best ways through it. - Ash Smith

NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow

Ash has a “sixth sense of sniffing out a trail,” as Sven Martin puts it. A local to South France via Yorkshire, England Ash is responsible for executing the now legendary Trans-Provence each year. A purist in thinking trails ridden blind can offer something more enriching than perfecting that step-up on the local shuttle run. He finds comfort in the middle of a venn diagram between journey and exhilaration. Earlier this year we were beneficiaries of his skills as he introduced us to the networks hidden in the Hautes-Alpes département of France.

NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow

The geography allowed for an ideal location to test the mettle of some friends and to explore routes contrived by past societal pursuits. Sven Martin was there to eternalize memories as he captured the moments on the “traverses and on some of the climbs and summits, working to not upset the delicate balance of a long group ride.” While surveying a mountain range sitting outside France’s highest city, “We were never stuck with one backdrop or one type of light. We would start early and end late allowing plenty of different moments. Storms, thunder, lightning and an ever-changing sky; from stark blue to stormy black with its angry clouds only enhancing the visual experience.” 

NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow

Coupling turns like a condor riding a thermal and tracing antiquated paths from ruins to water both share a sense of exploit. But when we found trails never done (by us), and were confronted with the mystery of novel lines around each turn, we knew we had found what we were searching for. As Ash describes it is this “exhilaration or shred factor (or whatever you want to call it!) that distinguishes mountain biking from other cycling disciplines." It’s this feeling that keeps us longing for our next ride and in a never-ending search for corridors of flow.

NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow

bigquotesExpanding your horizons and riding different terrain, different dirt, and different styles of tracks like the ones we sampled on this trip open up new doors as to what is possible. Ride your bike, feel the wind in your face, go fast, go slow, get off and walk, find new trails, go on some road trips, push hard uphill or walk (again), try stuff, feel uncomfortable, feel confident, and remember to do something that scares you a little bit or a lot every single damn day. - Anka Martin

NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow

bigquotesManaging to link these turns and have a good run on a first decent is an amazing feeling and it's this feeling we keep in our heads when spending hours staring at maps searching or when we have our bikes on our backs to reach the top and drop in continuing to the next valley. - Bryan Watt

NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow

bigquotesThe funny thing is there has to be so many more 'best-ever' trails lying waiting to be caressed as I think we only just scratched the surface. - Sven Martin

NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow
NODES Searching for Corridors of Flow

Photography: Sven Martin
Videography: Sam Needham

MISSION WORKSHOP 
would like to thank:
- Anka Martin
- Ash Smith
- Wes Siler
- Bryan Watt
- Santa Cruz Bicycles
- SRAM


MENTIONS: @ACRE-Supply / @SramMedia / @SamNeedham



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26 Comments
  • 13 1
 I couldn't agree more with the philosophy of these riders. It made me remember rides in the Sierra 20+ years ago when all was new to my friends and I. Well done gentlemen. Well done indeed.
  • 7 0
 Yep, that is now my favorite video. Great editing, amazing scenery, awesome trails, good riders, and not cheesy commentary. Great job
  • 5 0
 Glad you like it @leafyboss and thanks for the kind words. It was one great adventure to be involved in.
  • 6 0
 that beer picture made me thirsty.
  • 2 0
 Was just thinking the same thing and it's 1:45pm... Should I be worried?
  • 5 0
 Before people ask the song was Josh Garrels - Revelator.
  • 1 0
 Thanks!!
  • 3 0
 I've been riding this trail for 15 years now, the place is awesome and huge

here is a POV videos from top to bottom

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhySrHVH0kw
  • 3 0
 It's a truly incredible trail. I'd actually go as far as saying maybe one of the best I've ever ridden. Watching your POV made me envious hah. But that trail was just one of many amazing trails we rode as part of the Nodes project. The French Alps are mighty!
  • 1 0
 I would do just about anything to ride in a place like that... Holy cow man.
  • 5 0
 Awsome video and trails!
  • 2 0
 This just makes me more giddy for the snow to melt even tho it has just fallen lol
  • 4 0
 Outstanding!
  • 3 0
 I've been on that trail last summer, stunning views, amazing trail !
  • 2 1
 You can find this trails on vttour.fr or singeltrack.fr or vttrack.fr. Its near Briançon a small town in the north of Hautes-Alpes.
  • 1 1
 Existentialism in mountain biking. Like do you ever wonder if the trail is guiding you with its ancient wisdom brah? Maybe I hit my head too many times because I don't get it.
  • 3 1
 Please tell me someone has got those track on trailforks or something!!!
  • 3 0
 looks like paradise.
  • 4 7
 I'm sick of this modern trend of flow weeks, it seems any complete novice can get to the end of them if they just wait.
  • 3 1
 Is that really too much of a problem? Having easy accessibility into the sport is a great thing in my opinion. There are always going to be gnarly trails that only a few can conquer, but you have to get to that stage somehow, and stuff like this helps people get there. Personally I would much rather be out riding roots and rock gardens day in day out, but if my mate wants to give mtb a shot, I won't throw them right in the deep end, I'll get them out on some flowy trails to build their confidence. Then once they are proficient you show them the light and get them psyched about more techy stuff.
  • 1 0
 Sure, but I don't know what that has to do with the passage of time.
  • 1 0
 Flow trails are more like stagnation points for new riders from what I see.
  • 1 0
 I guess negative props for a bad joke is ok, but judging from these comments some people may have missed the reference to the bit in the video where he talks about "creating flow between the days so the whole week flows".

TL;DR: Whoosh!
  • 3 6
 Why are mountain biking videos all so serious nowadays? Hate it
  • 3 1
 Its like they want it to seem like its as serious as climbing Annapurna, or surfing teahupoo at 40ft. I agree. Cinematography of biking is trying to seem too epic. Its not braveheart, it biking...







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