Steve Wentz

I’m incredibly proud of some of this work I got to squeeze in last year before the snow flew. While the rest of #momentumtrail was working in Colorado, I got the opportunity to heavily rework a popular trail in Truckee thanks to @truckeetrails . The dirt was dry, the timing was tight, and we had a huge winter that could have done some damage. Luckily though all the work and planning worked perfectly. If you’re looking for this sort of trail, go check it out, and have fun. #woodsplittertrail Thank you @vitalievisuals and @emily.k.beach for the time and expertise you put into putting this together!

You know, the funny thing is I’ve heard forever that there’s just no good dirt at Northstar. And I just didn’t believe it. I know jumps are the prerogative, but I couldn’t help myself here. All good dirt, and ready to give some G-forces to everyone. @northstar_california #momentumtrail

And the work starts. Full speed, full fun is the prerogative for this Livewire refresh. Got the test bike, the machines and a go ahead prompt of “Make it awesome.” #momentumtrail

Got to do a little bike racing tomorrow, thanks for hosting a fun event @grassrootsracingreno !! Figured the steed could use a bath 🛁

You know how everyone says their wife is perfect in every way? I guess that’s not me. @hatcha_wentz could improve in Bananagrams. At least I don’t gloat.

I’ve been long overdue for a few thanks to give out. I’ve been back at work recently, but my mind has been elsewhere. I’ve kept thinking about all the people that helped me have an amazing time in Chile a few weeks ago for my race. In no particular order… @larsnbars thank you. You and @flowcraftmtb helped me dial in my bike even better than I thought it could be. Funny thing is, even though I know bikes pretty well, I still appreciated help. I first hopped on my @iamspecialized Demo and it was so good I did the basics and just rode it. But Lars helped me optimize the suspension setup. Turns out a little bit more calm feeling is a good thing. @mt_rides , thanks for still being on this side of the dirt. Through everything you’ve been through, you still work hard and keep trying, and I deeply admire that. @felipebikeandgo you are the man. In the middle of putting on coaching camps, and racing XC, going fast and racing DH, being a husband and father, and talking to literally everyone, you still had us over and called me a payaso and gave my brakes the best bleed they ever had. Thank you. If my brakes ever need another bleed, I’m selling the bike. @hatcha_wentz thank you. You know, for packing snacks for me. And you too Back Fat, you know who you are. I don’t even know if you want to be tagged or not, so I’m leaving that out. Thanks for supporting the people that keep striving.

I recently was asked how I get to work, and I took this picture the next day. At the end of the previous day I had snapped a bucket pin, so today I had a new pin, angle grinder (in case a bolt was stubborn), battery, grease gun, lunch, water, tools and then my normal pack with the just in case jacket. That was about 40 pounds on my back, and then the little fuel can because I only needed a splash. I must have looked like a lunatic riding one handed all weighed down. But the good thing is, my little commuter there still made the after work loop awesome.

I took a slight break from work this morning and spied a Snickers. It was just a wrapper. And I knew it too, from yesterday. But my subconscious still had hope. So bummed right now.

So my buddy PJ is awesome. I’m not tagging him though, because I don’t want anyone to make fun of him. I wouldn’t want his feelings hurt. Right before I left for Masters World Champs, I was supposed to help him change tubes on his moto. This is because, despite being bigger and stronger than me, he’s got little bitch mitts. He’s gotten blisters from literally everything. I think once it was even vacuuming. Not the thickest of skin. Because of flight changes, passport delays, driving to San Francisco and back and everything else, I couldn’t help my buddy change his moto flat. I just ran out of time. I felt kinda bad about it. I returned home and saw this invoice he paid because he took it to a shop to have it done, and I felt even worse. I guess I never knew how much it was for a shop to do this because I just hardened up and learned myself. But you know, everyone is different, and with friends like this, who even needs to come home?

I went down with my business partner, @mt_rides . He generally has bad luck with things, so I think I’m doing well just because of relativity. His shoulder was sore after a crash, he got sunburned, he was using all his brainpower to speak Spanish, and I knew when he nearly wiped out at 35MPH on race day practice he had almost thrown in the towel. That’s when this guy does his best, when anyone else might quit. Good job laying down a heater of a run.

I just got back from quite the eventful two weeks. So many funny stories and rad happenings after my Costco card saved me (previous post). This was race run. Kinda off kilter, which was so good for me. In short, this was not the track for me. I think I’m better at the corners and tech stuff than simply flat out. However, in this race run, I turned it up. I was on the edge for a while and it all worked out. I barely squeaked into the top ten among some of the best out there because I just kept telling myself to not hit the brakes for comfort. It was so sick and I’m super proud of myself. Masters worlds was so rad down in Chile, not just for the riding, but for the people and terrain I rarely get to see. More stories to follow, many will not have much context.

I think a real cool thing about going to Masters Worlds is that you’re around a bunch of other people from all over the world that kinda have their shit together but still love pushing themselves on bikes. On my front, on my 42nd year on this earth, I chose to not wear socks with red on them while wearing green shorts. And the Patagonia socks at what may be the start of the Patagonia region is a BIG, big win for me. #matching Oh, and that snow? Yeah, some of that might be on the track right now. But we’ll be good for some runs tomorrow.