Archives: Aaron Edge

I’ve been following Adam’s Instagram feed as he captures rad folks like Aaron Edge and Joshua Bryant smashing up the mountains of Portland and I decided it was time to show appreciation for doing so. It’s personally motivating and I wanted to share with you fine folks. He was also kind enough to answer one simple question. I hope you enjoy.

Why do you ride?

Riding has become an integral part of who I am, and has shaped my life for the past few years. When I first moved to Portland, I swapped my mountain bike for a road bike, grabbed a Rapha cue sheet and rode the rock creek route for the first time. At the top of the Cornell-Thompson climb my lungs felt like wet plastic bags on the side of the road, and my legs were somehow even worse off than that. It was one of the greatest things i had experienced on two wheels.  That was the beginning of riding and racing for the next  two years.

The feeling of climbing to the top of Lolo Pass ( or YOLO Pass, as i exuberantly yelled on the descent) in the middle of December navigating snow, ice , wind, rain, and sub freezing temperatures all while on a road bike is uniquely blissful.

Thus, I ride to find forgotten roads and old forsaken towns by the way of gravel roads that make the perfect sound beneath your tires. I ride for the pre-ride espresso, the looks exchanged at the summit, and for the moments of clarity you arrive at aftering pushing yourself to the absolute limit.

It’s all about suffering together through adventure, discovery, and exploration. 

RIDE x CREATE

Saint Johns Bridge ride with Joshua Bryant and Aaron Edge from October.

 

“Christopher is an instant friend to anyone that meets him.” – Murph

He really is!! What an amazing fella. Aaron Edge and I had the absolute pleasure of checking this out behind the scenes. We also shared in a few drinks and food afterwards. Really great job by SWOBO. If you haven’t checked them out… you really should. I sincerely dig the Movers and Makers project.

(two more randoms from the day)

Enjoy. Get inspired. Ride x Create!

It seems like right after I leave Portland everyone is visiting that great city! Matt Lingo had the opportunity to go and shoot for Chrome Industries and Leader all in one trip (best trip status). With all that greatness happening, photo bro love between Matt and Damian Riehl happened… but I’ll let you read about that for yourself. 

The reason I bring up good ol’ Damian is right before I went out with Aaron Edge and Joshua Bryant on our ride of the 11 Portland bridges… I ran into Damian at Stumptown. Aaron informed me that Damian was a messenger and very rad photographer. So my initial thought was… ‘SWEET! I want to meet that dude’ .  Super nice and genuine fella!  Hopefully next trip to the great NW will incorporate a ride with him. 

Anyways… Mr. Lingo is always bringing the heat with super solid photos! Go check out the recap of Matt’s trip. It brought back good memories.  This shot was my favorite of the bunch.

The Man of Multnomah at Multnomah Falls… solid.

Aaron and I have developed one very rad friendship. Without him and wife Rachel willing to open their home and letting me crash, all these fun little Portland meet and posts wouldn’t have happened. Much thanks guys! I sincerely appreciate it.

So… the very first day visiting these goons we headed out to Multnomah Falls and hiked all over that rad place!  It was beautiful.  All I could keep envisioning was the Predator jumping down from the tree canopy and ripping out my spine. Yes that’s gruesome but was where my imagination was.

Thanks for following along with my Portland invasion stories FOLLY Friends.  If you’ve yet to enjoy that great city, you really should plan a trip asap! I promise it will be weird, fun and muy memorable.