If you’ve been following along with the Stone King Rally series, you already know… this isn’t your average mountain bike trip.
Day 4 was supposed to be big.
It turned into one of the hardest days we’ve ever had on a bike.
Between a never-ending hike-a-bike, a mid-ride brake issue, and terrain that just kept getting steeper and more committing, this was one of those days where you’re constantly asking yourself:
👉 “Are we really going to make it through this?”
🎥 Watch the Full Video
It Just… Didn’t End
The day started hard and never really let up.
We hit a hike-a-bike section that just kept going.
And going.
And going.
At some point, it stopped feeling like a transition and started feeling like the actual ride.
Loose rocks, steep grades, carrying bikes for long stretches — the kind of effort that drains you way faster than pedaling ever could.
And the whole time, you’re wondering if the descent on the other side is going to be worth it.
Brake Problems at the Worst Time
Right when things were already feeling tough…
We started having front brake issues.
Not the kind you can ignore.
Not the kind you want to deal with in steep, exposed alpine terrain.
We stopped. Tried to fix it.
Did what we could trailside.
But there’s always that lingering question:
👉 Is this going to hold when it actually matters?
That mental side of mountain biking is real — especially when you’re deep into a day like this.
The Crash (We Both Went Down)
Somewhere in the middle of all this…
Things went sideways.
Literally.
A quick mistake, the kind that happens when you’re tired and the trail is loose and unpredictable — and suddenly you’re on the ground.
Nothing catastrophic, but enough to remind you:
👉 This isn’t a casual ride.
Every section demands your full attention.
And Then… The Descent
Here’s the thing about the Stone King Rally:
It gives you everything.
The suffering, the doubt, the mechanical issues…
And then it delivers some of the most incredible riding you’ll ever experience.
The descents on Day 4 were:
- Steep
- Technical
- Exposed
- Absolutely unreal
The kind of trails where you have to stay locked in, but also can’t help but look up and take in the views.
And somehow…
It was worth it.
What Day 4 Really Felt Like
This wasn’t just a physical day.
It was:
- Managing fatigue
- Dealing with uncertainty
- Making decisions on the fly
- Pushing through when things weren’t going smoothly
It’s the kind of day that makes the whole Stone King Rally what it is.
Not easy.
Not polished.
But incredibly real.
What’s Coming Next (It Gets Worse…)
If you think this day was tough…
Day 5 takes things to another level.
👉 We have a full brake failure
👉 We can’t fix it
👉 And it turns into a long walk down the mountain
Stay tuned.
Stone King Rally – Day 4 Stats
Distance: 23.31 mi (37.52 km)
Climbing: 3,875 ft (1,182 m)
Descent: 11,800 ft (3,597 m)
Follow the Full Series
If you’re just jumping in, start from the beginning:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-zBhl5q3aE2t77IzUxfSbluSFb9wla3u
Final Thoughts
Day 4 was one of those days you don’t forget.
Not because it was perfect…
But because it tested everything.
And those are always the ones that stick.
If you’ve ever been deep into a ride where things start going wrong…
You know exactly what this felt like.
A few links
If you’re curious about the exact bikes, gear, and setup we’re using on trips like this, check out our full breakdown here:
Our Bike Setup – https://thevantasticlife.com/van-life-mountain-bike-setup/
And if you’re thinking about taking on this adventure yourself, you can learn more about the Stone King Rally here:
Want to do Stone King? – https://www.stonekingrally.com/
Stone King Rally Blog Series
If you’re following along with the full Stone King Rally, make sure to check out the earlier days:
- Stone King : Travel Day
- Stone King Day 1: The Adventure Begins
- Stone King Day 2: The Day That Nearly Broke Us
- Stone King Day 3: The Best Day We’ve Ever Had on Our Bikes?!
- Stone King Day 4: Today
- Stone King Day 5:
- Stone King Day 6:
- Full Stone King Rally YouTube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-zBhl5q3aE2t77IzUxfSbluSFb9wla3u
Leave a Reply