Carson Starkey

Here is a granite rock from a trail in Colorado where Carson rode. This rock is now on the With Carson trail in Hunt TX.

Below is a limestone rock from the trail in Hunt. This rock is now on the the Colorado Trail just north of Kenosha Pass.

Both rocks have CLS carved in them. I wonder how many trail users will wonder about these misplaced rocks over the years.

Carson's bike rack sits on the corner by the Inn where we stay in San Luis Obispo, CA. It reads,

In Loving Memory Of
Our Son and Brother
Carson L. Starkey
help one another
withcarson.com

We installed the plaque at Carson's trail head today.We recently created a small simple park here and are now ready to clean up the trail itself. This existing trail which Carson, Hayden, and I built has been renamed With Carson.Hayden thought up the name while in Hunt over Christmas break. His idea was someone would ask "where did you ride (or hike) today?" and the reply would be "I rode with carson."Well, the name stuck and you can see how its use has grown and how it proves so applicable in infinite ways.Today, however, we remember it all started with this little trail in the woods.

The trail is our most challenging and I vividly remember as its construction progressed over the years Carson was always trying to make it harder.He wanted something that you couldn't ride, the idea was to always have that goal out in front of you.There are numerous obstacles and rock ledges.The trail is such that you can never develop any sustained momentum to carry you up or over the next obstacle, you must rely on strength, stamina, and skill.I have always continued to try and improve the trails here in Hunt but but one day when Carson and I were riding this particular trail he said to me "Dad, don't change anything".We will honor Carson and not change anything, we only plan to clean up the normal debris that has accumulated over time.

A few people have made the many obstacles at one time or another but putting it all together in one pass is almost impossible.It is a tremendous physical challenge but also very mental.I have made all the obstacles except one specific ledge but never all in the same ride.The term "clean" refers to riding the entire trail without any "dabs" (stopping or putting your foot down).Carson cleaned this trail for the first time last summer before going off to Cal Poly.He was very happy and proud.Maybe he would prefer for us to make it a little harder.

We had no official ceremony today but ask you to spend a moment in your own personal way, with carson.