Paper Trail Gravel Travel - Patagonia

To: Angela, Mark, Paul, Chris, Jason, Eric, Bina, 

Tom, Mary-Jane & the Paper Trail Gravel Travel Team:

Thank you immensely for the time spent together and the opportunity to make riding bikes as much fun as possible. This is the result of a bunch of strangers, from different parts of the world with varying riding abilities coming together to have fun. Each of you were integral towards having a fun and successful weekend together, of which comes through in the images below. May the images do all the talking, sending tons of love and stoke your way!

-G

Location: Patagonia, AZ

Distance from Philly: 35 Hours 

Type of Riding: Gravel

When you’ve had the trip Deborah and I have had, arriving to Tom & Mary-Jane’s Spirit Tree Inn was a sign it was all going to be alright. Upon entering the cattle guarded entrance, we were immediately greeted by familiar faces and warm hugs (Mark and Marzhel give big bear hugs), and an abundance of cookies as usual (because Paul be makin’ cookies y’all). 

With a new environment, lodge and a different set of guests, myself and the other guides were eager to stretch our legs and get a lay of the land! Before we could get to any of the fun stuff, the team and I had so much to prep to accomplish prior to our guest arriving. (Cue the (2x speed) circus music, we were movin’ !)

As the day progressed, each of us began to explore the property with a respectful curiosity to help provide the necessary accommodations and “tidying-up” we wanted for each of our guests (No crusty beds, no nasty linens or musty towels for  our people). Food needed to be prepped, rooms needed to be turned, “swag bags” needed tending to, did I forget mention we had to finish building a bike or two ; ) (When I tell you there is so much that goes on behind the scenes, I am immensely proud of the team Mark and Paul have assembled to deliver a high quality experience away from home.)

Nevertheless, our guest all arrived and it was time to get the show on the road.

The weekend was filled with precious tender moments between friends, boisterous belly bursting laughter among acquaintances , and curiosity curved roads among heavy beaten bodies and landscapes. The experiences shared are designed with intention to give our clients memories and moments that a priceless and worth sharing. While riding your bike is cool in interesting places, to me it’s the people, the moments together and the vulnerability in places unknown  that people seek and value. 

DAY 1:

Miles: 23.3

Feet Climbed: 2,093 ft.

Total Time: 1 Hour 45 minutes

The Shakedown Ride

It’s hard to ignore what’s going on in the world. For me, it is very difficult to tune out what is happening globally, let alone what’s happening right in our backyard. How could I or we possibly put aside what the rest of the world is going through just to ride a damn bike. I’m not generally an anxious person, yet as I’ve grown more into an adult, I’ve become more attune to what people are carrying and through conversation where we are all at. It’s insane to me that people are still fighting over important issues that result in death, rather than result in love, understanding and compromise. 

“Take these seeds and put them in your pocket, so at least sunflowers will grow when you all die here”- Ukrainian Women speaking to a Russian Soldier

DAY 2:

Miles: 38.8-44.3

Feet Climbed: 2,472-2,842 ft.

Total Time: 3 Hours 30 Minutes

“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants” - Sir Isaac Newton

DAY 3:

Miles: 46.9

Feet Climbed: 3,917 ft.

Total Time: 4 Hours 20 Minutes

As a hispanic designer and anthropologist understanding the people, the places, the backgrounds, the choices, cultures, likes/dislikes and everything in-between are all integral parts to how I connect with you in the environments we share and the future we want to design. Like the paths we explore, there are roads leading us to new horizons and perspectives with adventures yet untold. As humans we are not perfect there will be lessons and hardships that must be endured, yet having the right company to pass the time is a gift. We all come from different roads in life, and it would be my hope that as we all come to that intersection in life, that we can be mindful, loving and full of laughter during that time. You never know who we’ll find along the way. (Pack an extra beer and cookie just in case!)

It’s unfortunate that nothing is guaranteed in life, yet through resilience, diligence, respect and surrounding yourself with the right people NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. (Or at least that is the combination that is working at the moment for me, don’t take my word for it). To me, the definition of a person is undefined in absence of others, yet when in the company of another, a persons truth can be seen. (*Leaves the Pulpit*, damn I definitely didn’t mean to be preachy, nevertheless its true.)

Everyone should be extremely proud of how far they have come and all the hard work they have accomplished to see themselves crushing a goal or a top a beautiful vista. Celebrating people victories no matter how small or big the win, is how we support each other to keep going in this crazy world. (You will always hear me hootin’ and hollerin’ your name to keep the vibes right, please do the same?!) In the same vein, showing people that its ok to fail and that we are not alone is part of being human! (I struggle personally with my own internal monologue about how my failures define me or what I’ve learned from those moments and its something I’m working on). 

In the end, this trip, the experiences and the moments caught help me reflect and reaffirm my perspectives. Having the right community, making healthy life choices and riding bikes (with whomever) are pieces of the puzzle that help my horizon (and many like me) remain clear for a very uncertain future. Having the opportunity to capture and share moments like these are far and few between, and having been around the block once or twice, I will not be wasting another moment to share with you a perspective worth hearing and seeing. Love each other everyday and stay stoke on life. See you all down the road.

Designing the Conditions of Possibility 

-G

Thank you to all our sponsors!

Rodeo Adventure Labs

Redshift Sports

Wilderness Trail Bikes (WTB)

Philly Bike Expo

Nittany Mountain Works

Ride With GPS

Ridge Supply 

Goodr Sunglasses

UnTapped Maple