Spencer Paxson, Human Power Generation and The Bike: A Year Well Spent

Photo Credit: John Gibson

Had the world really ended this past Friday, December 21st, at least I would have felt satisfied because I got to ride THIS trail...and that overall, the last year was well-spent and well-lived. Now the only thing coming to an end is the year itself, and it would appear that the show will certainly go on. Therefore, there is no need to become too sentimental. Rather, in the spirit of celebrating the end of the year, a nullified-apocalypse, and all the sweet trails we rode in 2012, time for a toast (in videos and photos) to 2012 season.

To start with the good stuff, the video below really captures the spirit of what we mountain bikers (and anyone who enjoys the sun on their face and wind on their skin) celebrate for 'time well spent'. To the Mountains, Kona Style, shot by Sherpas Cinema in Revelstoke, BritishColumbia this September (See: The Real Deal in Revelstoke).

...but prior to this...

A year ago today I was already hard at work with the boys at HSP Seattle to build a training program and chase some lofty goals for the 2012 season

Personal photos

The loftiest of goals was to do well with my recent election to Olympic Long Team for London 2012. I was selected as 1 of 8 men to compete for 2 spots on the team going to London in August. This meant reducing my time behind the desk with my employer, Ridgeline Energy, and figuring out how to step up to the plate.

In January I blew off the best ski conditions of the year and spent an epic two weeks riding the desert roads (and trails) of Arizona - a respite from the PNW winter, and a chance to really dial my fitness for the big races to come

Personal photo

..the races...which started off by outrunning 500 people at the start of the 24hrs in Old Pueblo and dodging cactus all night long.

Photo Credit: Sterling Lawrence

That was a good prep for when things got serious during a few trans-continental trips to race the XC World Cup and make a run at the London Olympics - from South Africa to Belgium to Czech Republic, to France - a trip to London may not have been in the cards, but I made a admirable effort, and had the time of my life along the way

Personal photo

Photo Credit: Canadian Cyclist

By the time I got back to the states, summer race season was well under way, and I flew the Kona cross-country flag high in the Pro XCT, Cross Country, Short Track, and Marathon Nationals, the Whiskey 50, and other great races around North America

Personal photo

Photo Credit: Whiskey 50

...as well as my debut racing in the Enduro scene...which I'm sure to do more of in 2013!

Photo Credit: John Gibson

With the Europe adventures already feeling long behind me, and the fat-tire racing slowing down, I began my first full season of cyclocross with the Kona 'Cross team, getting into the mix at the USGPs and other terrifically muddy races from Seattle to Louisville, KY

Personal photo

Photo Credit: Joe Sales

Along the way were plenty of adventures with friends back home, exploring the incredible variety in the outdoor kingdom of the Pacific Northwest

Personal photo - The Mt. Adams Ski Bike Epic

Personal photo - Angel Staircase, Washington state

Personal photo - Lapping Whistler bike park

The icing on the cake was a week long, helicopter-escorted trip to the Kootenay’s to film with Konaworld and Sherpas Cinema Kona’s 2013 All-Mountain and Rove bikes.