Here is one of the sick spots that Cody works.
Digging ain’t easy. And not many diggers get much respect or props for the work they put in. We are trying to change that. Our latest Trail Digger Interview is with Utah local and Deity team rider Cody Gessel. Many people know Cody for his insane flowy and boosty riding. But he also puts in a lot of time with a shovel. His main two spots are Tanner and the Park CIty jumps in Utah. Check out what Cody has to say about digging and the trail scene below…
Whats the name of the main spot you work on?
Can’t pick one cause there’s two! Park City Dirt Jump park and the Tanner trails Where is it located? (Be as vague as you want) PC jump park-right in beautiful park city. Tanner-SLC, Utah Is it public or private? PC Dirt as public as it gets! we build it all for you! Tanner is located in a public dog park but we still enforce the rules of trails.
How did you get involved digging?
As a kid even though there was tons of skateparks around, my friends and I would just find construction sites or piles of dirt and shape out sketchy lips and hit them. That was before we were really even that into bmx bikes or riding. It was kinda just a thing somedays when we were bored. eventually I got more into it and went down to tanner for the first time and a few of the trailbosses were there. I was way too scared to try hitting any of the jumps or anything like that. That day changed my entire perspective on riding and digging into what it is now. I just wanted to be one of the dudes at a spot like that, So I just started trying my hardest to get respect from those guys by digging and going down there a lot, and also starting other spots with my friends. It kind of just turned into this passion that went along with riding and it was just always the most fun hanging out at jumps with your friends and always digging on something. Its nice to have something to show for all of your hard work and you can build anything you want. PLUS there’s no scooter kids at the trails.
Whats your favorite type of feature to build?
Anything with a cool shape or that’s a little bit out of the ordinary. But i enjoy it all!
What is the key ingredient(s) to successful trails?
Cooperation. That’s the biggest thing to me. Everyone is always has different ideas in their heads and whenever changes are made or new features are built, somebody disagrees and gets bummed out. Which is okay sometimes, but sometimes it sucks. There’s usually not a right or wrong answer on what you can build, it’s all opinions. Trails are awesome when everyone comes together and wants the same thing and I feel like that’s how you get a good spot with dialed lines. Other than that just a solid crew that’s dedicated and a good digger to rider ratio. You shouldn’t ever really have that many more riders than diggers at a spot. but there’s always those dudes who show up once the trails are good to ride.
What challenges do you have at your spot? (Bad Dirt, No Water, RC Cars etc)
Just lack of diggers and disrespectful people. Both spots are in a public area so you always get dogs or kids wandering by and running all over everything. Most people just don’t know any better so you just got to enforce it and let people know. Our dirt is super dry to work with in the summer so we typically spend most of the summer at skateparks and stuff, unless there is a good rain. All im going to say for RC cars is that they are super fun but only a couple of us are allowed to drive them at the trails cause we are the ones who build them..haha!
Digging is an art form, Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Other trails, Skateparks with good shapes, water parks, roller coasters, anything with good flowy shapes. And anything that pops into my head that I think would be fun to roast!
Cody Gessel testing out some of his work.
Do you build lines more for flow or tricks?
Flow! I love weird shapes and nice curves that you don’t normally ride unless you’re at a unique set of trails, twisting and curving is just as fun as jumping to me, our trails need more cool shapes.
What tips do you have for working on Trails?
Work hard, try new things, keep the dirt wet, make sure it rides good before it looks good.
What trail rules or etiquette do you enforce at your spot?
Water, sweep, fix your case marks, don’t be an idiot, help out, don’t leave trash, have fun!?
Do you enforce “No Dig No Ride?” If so how?
Not really. I think all of us who dig trails should share our trails with eachother,
Whats your advice for someone showing up at a trail spot for the first time?
Be as respectful as you can. Expect to put in work first and help out. Be the last one on your bike when its time to ride. No one at the trails will care what tricks you can do or how good you are, they will be way more impressed and stoked if you put in work and show that you want to help out rather than one up them.
What is the Funniest thing you have seen at your spot?
I wouldn’t call it “funny” haha but anything from mountain boarders to skateboarders. Random tweakers and dumb kids just wanting to hang out and cause trouble. The Razor scooter pro team came to the dirt jump park last year, that was interesting. I guess the funniest would be in the winter one time at tanner a giant group of people, dressed up like elves and medieval times people were there in the middle of winter. Running all over the place, having sword fights, shooting bow and arrows, it was crazy. haha luckily they stayed away from the jumps but walking through the trees and back up the hill to my car was a trip.
Do you feel the trail scene is dying, growing or staying flat?
Pretty flat. I feel like people always think trails and diggers are rad and all but hardly anyone is willing to be that person to step up and take over or make an awesome spot. Who knows hopefully it grows because nothing beats being at the trails with your friends!
A few of the tools of the trade for digging trails.
How can we grow the trail scene?
Be inviting, especially to kids. But you still have to be kind of hard on them and they have to get told what to do and be told if they make mistakes. but you also cant just be a huge dick to every kid or newcomer at your spot and still expect people to want to come and dig and ride with you. Just be inviting and patient and always willing to help someone new out at the trails.
Do you think Trailbuilders get the respect they deserve? Why?
Not really. Because wayyyyy more goes into it than people realize. It’s so much more than just digging. but also who really cares that much? you should be digging your spot to reward yourself and to ride what you want to ride not to get respect. but when you get the chance show the diggers some love!
What Bike do you ride at the trails?
The best bike to ever roast trails on, a DEITY Cryptkeeper!
Any shout outs and thank you’s?
Well first off. There is quite a few other people who are part of the trails and they deserve just as much credit as I got for this interview. Garrett, Kurt, Jonesy, Tim, Clint, Szczesny, Chaz, Fitz, Flook, Greg, Cam. the list goes on of awesome people. Everyone who has ever been at Tanner to make it what it is throughout the years and everyone who is down there with us all the time make it a blast! that place rules! thank you to my awesome boss Tate for letting me build a dirt jump park and teach kids how to ride as a job. Derek, Dan, and Porter for making the PC dirt jump park what it is and for handing it off to Jonesy, Riley and I! Eric and Sadie at deity for being the most awesome friends and people in the bike industry and truly supporting trails and trail builders. Chad at Index Ink for always helping out with jams and just supporting me to ride how I want! Nick Moore for helping me get into all of this in the first place and always helping. And Jon at Manitou for dialing in my forks and brakes! Also Thanks Christian for letting me build jumps with you in your hard those few years before you left, that ruled! And of course Chris @plussizebmx for this awesome interview and pushing the trails scene!
Now watch a bit of Cody putting his trail work to the test on his Deity Cryptkeeper. Yup…trails the work good…
