Ask any mountain biker in the good ol' PNW about hero dirt, and you'll probably see their eyes light up with nostalgic memories of roosting a berm or spraying soil on nearby foliage with a proper drift. There's no doubt, we here in the northwest part of the country are blessed with simply amazing dirt. Soft, tacky, pliable.... a Dirtfish's dream. Of course, even soft, plush earth has it's drawbacks, especially in a notoriously rainy region.....
It's no secret we get rain. Lots of rain, and when you add rain and soft soil, you get slop. This mud will get into everything, stick to anything, and turn the average trail into a ever-changing wipeout waiting to happen. Rain is relentless in this region for nearly nine months of the year, so unless you enjoy a short riding season, you learn to embrace these slimy conditions. It's also a fun way to re-discover your favorite trail, as well as learning to adapt to the always changing surface. Railing a rutted corner in the middle of a sloppy rain shower is more fun than it sounds. Remember, it all washes off.
I'd be lying if I said that enduring months-on-end of rain and muck in order to get my riding fix was all rainbows and unicorns. It's a pain in the ass, to be honest. the mud is hard on parts, and the constant washing breeds chain-destroying rust. Is it messy? Yes. Is it worth it? Hell yes. The skills I've learned in the muck can't be understated, and many of my most memorable runs down the trail are in the worst of conditions. Nothing like almost eating a face-full of slop 10 times, yet riding away with a smile that can't be wiped away.
It's all worth it, come June. When the air gets lighter, the puddles dry up, the sun comes out, and you're left with the Eighth wonder of the world. Pacific Northwest hero dirt. The above picture was shot with my iPhone last night as I was finishing my session. The cycling gods blessed me a moist day with just a touch of rain, knocking the dust down and leaving the dirt with traction like sandpaper. a truly (cliché) epic Friday evening of riding. Mother Nature's prize for nine months of patience and perseverance.
Enjoy the ride.
-JRoy
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