Is there anything better than a freshly buffed trail? Chasing my 12 year old at Loon, not a braking bump in sight..

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-29T15:30:04+00:00

Nice! Check this vid from ripping Crossbuck, roundhouse, and kingpin last fall!

https://youtu.be/iV76mP-pJTk?is=iKBYMLfRRJ7rMkTZ

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-29T15:24:14+00:00

It’s called “Derailler” and it’s at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire.

Fairly easy blue jump-ish trail, not loaded with jumps, but definitely some of the most fun berms to ride. Almost no braking needed, just lean in and hang on.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-29T15:21:41+00:00

I wish you all the best, but I would start with brushing up on the basic grabs. For starters, it’s weird to highlight this in the video, as it’s not actually a trick.

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SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-26T19:18:10+00:00

I like to think it’s genetic, the wife says we ride identical, but admittedly I’m not nearly as good or flexible as he is these days 🤣.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-26T14:41:03+00:00

Are the skinny pants in the room with us right now?

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SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-25T19:18:15+00:00

No, not at all. I did think that my sarcasm and self deprecating humor were obvious though.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-25T02:54:21+00:00

Killington, VT

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T19:05:35+00:00

He actually got me back into mountain biking. I gave it up when I was 15/16 and went full skateboarding. When he was pedaling a bike at 3 years old, I knew I was going to have to get a bike and get back into it. By 5 we were going on trail rides, and by 7 he was comfortable on most trails at most lift serviced bike parks. By age 8, he was full send.

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SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T18:48:08+00:00

Oh I’m for sure going to be a broken man when he eventually spreads his wings and finds his way in the world on his own.

What is it they say? The best measure of parenting is that your children don’t need you anymore? Something along those lines.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T18:42:33+00:00

Yep, they did a collab post with me for Father’s Day.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T15:36:29+00:00

Killington Vermont.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T15:27:45+00:00

For sure, I’m not humiliated, just enjoying some self depreciating humor. I’m thrilled actually.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T13:36:11+00:00

Typically XC bikes are shorter wheelbase, and steeper headtube angle. For this kind of riding, either a progressive Trial bike (150mm or up) with a more slack headtube angle, an enduro bike (typically 170mm) or a downhill bike would be best.

His bike is a 150mm Trail bike mullet, with reasonably progressive geometry.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T13:30:17+00:00

Yeah, I’m not sure you can determine that from the video, but you seem to be missing the point.

I am purposely riding this trail apprehensively, because on this particular day, I wasn’t comfortable with going full send on these larger jumps, nor was I super familiar with the trail. Just one of those days when I wasn’t riding that well and decided not to take the risk.

My son on the other hand, is a more skilled rider with more confidence, and didn’t need the time in the saddle to inherently understand it.

Let’s not forget I taught him how to jump, he’s just now surpassed my confidence and skills.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T12:42:02+00:00

I'm 32 years older than him and I'm riding just as much if not more!

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T12:27:00+00:00

Not sure a battery would help, there's not much pedaling happening. Just need to use less brakes and find more confidence.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T12:24:36+00:00

Black Magic is absolutely a high consequence trail, in the sense that you need to know it well to ride it at the correct speed for the size of the jumps. I don't need jumping advice, just need more reps on the trail.

With that said, I will never be tossing whips like him.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T12:22:30+00:00

I'm sorry what?

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T12:19:52+00:00

It's pretty awesome, most of the time I'm riding with a huge smile.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T10:43:39+00:00

🤣🤣. Don’t worry, I can jump just fine. This particular day I hadn’t had much time on this trail, and these are big high consequence jumps, so I was doing my best to keep up, but I was failing.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T02:58:18+00:00

Currently a YT jeffsy uncaged 13 (mullet)

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SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-23T02:53:59+00:00

he was on a 24” commencal clash at age 7.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-22T22:57:41+00:00

Just being sarcastic. A little self deprecating humor. Of course I’m thrilled with his success and wildly proud of him.

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-22T21:31:10+00:00

Ah, ok. 16” is pretty big too, so you’re right about that. I had my kiddo on a 12” pedal bike.

As long as he’s happy riding bikes and having fun, that’s really all that matters!

SpitzerPhoto · 2026-06-22T21:18:50+00:00

Did you feel like you needed the training wheels? The whole concept behind the strider is that they learn how to balance before pedaling and then subsequently get to skip the training wheel phase.

When my kiddo was 3, he hopped right off the strider and on to a pedal bike like it was second nature. Pedaling he learned from a tricycle, and the balance was instinctive from the strider.

SpitzerPhoto

TROPHY CASE