Many Texans share the same two traits.

The first is that we love to tell you that we are from Texas. It doesn’t matter to us if nobody asked.

And the second trait that we share?

We LOVE the mountains.

When we are in the mountains, we get to experience awe-inspiring landscapes and breathtaking vistas that simply can't be found within our state's borders. While we have plenty of rolling hills, vast grasslands, and even sun-kissed beaches, they just don't hold a candle to the majestic beauty of the snow-capped peaks in the Rocky Mountains. For mountain bikers, navigating trails through these towering giants offers an unparalleled sense of adventure and a true embodiment of the sport's name.

Nestled in the southern Rockies is the Angel Fire Bike Park, the largest bike park in the Rocky Mountains and a park that has been voted the best trail system in the southwest seven years in a row by MTBparks.com. With more than 60 miles of trail that range from adrenaline-pumping downhill courses and technical trails to flowy, beginner-friendly paths through lush forests, there’s guaranteed to be something for riders of every skill level.

But whichever trail you are on, you are guaranteed to see the stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

For almost as long as I have been mountain biking, and especially since I started photography, I have been determined to one day explore the Angel Fire Bike Park. This year, I was finally able to make that dream a reality and loaded up my bike, my camera, and all my camping gear to make the ten-hour drive to the MTB wonderland.

Road to the Rockies

With a sense of anticipation, I began my journey on Thursday afternoon, packing my ever-reliable Toyota Tacoma to the brim with all the essentials for our grand adventure. As the urban jungle of Dallas-Fort Worth gradually disappeared in my rearview mirror, I faced the seemingly infinite expanse of West Texas farmlands.

About six hours into the drive, the scenery changed completely.

Almost as soon as I crossed the border into New Mexico, the landscape transformed into something out of an old Western movie. With the rugged plateaus, red desert dirt, and the silhouette of the mountains in the background, I half-expected to see John Wayne facing a black-hearted villain in an all-out gunfight at any moment.

The further north I went, the more things started to change. The rise in elevation as I entered the foothills of the Rockies led to incredible canyons and, finally, to the magical moment when the horizon changes from flat fields to the Rockies themselves.

Enormous granite cliffs, towering 100-foot pine trees, and some of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen – this place seriously has it all. Even driving the twisty mountain roads, some still unpaved, in my trusty Tacoma made for a great start to my trip.

Jordan Goes Down(hill Racing)

As is often the case with my MTB escapades, it was a race that gave me the opportunity to visit Angel Fire for the first time. Just a week after the bike park opened for the season, they played host to Team Trail Party and Downhill Rockies as they kicked off their downhill racing series.

Depending on their categories, riders had the choice between two exhilarating trails. Both paths were riddled with rock gardens and ample opportunities to pick up speed, but the main event was on a trail named World Cup. This trail can take anywhere from 4 to 6 minutes to ride and is filled with big jumps, fast berms, and technical sections one after the other.

Not one to miss out on the action, I managed to sneak in a few laps on this trail on pre-ride day to get a firsthand look at what the racers would be up against. And in true Jordan fashion, I managed to crash in the most ridiculous way possible.

Right after making it past a bridge drop and a particularly gnarly technical section, I found myself on a relatively flat stretch that doubled as a fire road crossing. Now, I’ll be honest – the elevation in the Rockies had me a bit winded and my hands a little sore, so I figured this was a chance to catch my breath and recuperate for just a moment.

I wish I could tell you that what comes next is a tale of me trying to play it cool or hit a massive feature despite being winded. Alas, no such heroics here. Instead, on this unassuming flat trail – right after conquering one of the most exhilarating technical runs of my life – a measly little rock struck my pedal and sent me flying in my best impression of a lawn dart.

I got up, dusted myself off, and made sure that my bike was okay before I made my way down the rest of the trail to rest a minute before going back up the lift for another run.

Behind the Lens

Most of the races I've photographed took place in Texas, where I'm well acquainted with the landscape and, often, the trails themselves. However, Team Trail Party's Angel Fire downhill race was my first chance to shoot in the big mountains. Not only were there trail features that I’d never seen before, but that scenery!

Ask any photographer and they will tell you that no matter what kind of photography they do, they start to develop an eye for photo opportunities everywhere they go, even if they don’t have their camera with them. It just becomes second nature. And let me tell you, Angel Fire was a goldmine for stunning shots. I couldn't help but be captivated by the gorgeous skies and sweeping mountain vistas every time they caught my eye.

Come race day, I found myself inspired by my surroundings, which led me to approach my shots' composition differently. My goal was not only to showcase the riders excelling in their element but also to incorporate as much of the trail and scenery as possible – from the vibrant blue skies to the snow-capped peaks that framed the valley where the resort nestled. After all, the point of photography is to tell a story with a single photo and the setting is a crucial component in telling a compelling story, right?

As I explored various angles at each spot, I was amazed at how different each shot turned out. This place was just as much of a photographer's paradise as it is a rider's paradise. Here let me just show you instead of rambling on about it.

Hungry For More

I spent a total of three days at the Angel Fire Bike Park and each day blew me away more than the one before. Even the weather was amazing. Sure, we got some rain, hail, and snow (and we thought Texas weather was crazy), but it just made the trails even better. It was as if the mountains and the weather were working together to make sure we had great dirt for race day.

Now that I'm back home in the Lone Star State, I’m already itching to hit the road and return to the mountains. One of my personal goals this year is to venture as far and wide as possible and visit trail systems across the country. This unforgettable trip to Angel Fire marks the beginning of hopefully many such adventures.

Destinations like this are a reminder of why I am so passionate about mountain biking and photography. While we all love our local trail systems, this sport and the love of riding pushes us to explore and experience some of the most amazing and beautiful places on the planet. This mindset extends beyond the trails, permeating our daily lives as we push ourselves to explore uncharted territories and reach new heights in all aspects of our lives.

So, what are you waiting for? Drop a message in your group chat of riding buddies and start planning a ride-cation away from the local trails. Bike park season is here and the mountains are calling.

And who knows, if that trip happens to be to Pajarito for the next stop of the Downhill Rockies you might hear someone yell at you from the side of the trail, cheering you on from behind the lens.