Keys

There’s the stuff on the surface- the signposted mountain bike trails, the surf break just down the road from the town. These are popular, fun. You may spend a couple of days in a place and leave thinking that these are all the town has to offer.

Or you may stay, and talk. Talk to guys in the line up, to people in bike shops, to locals.

If they like the look of you, you may get casual membership to the secret societies. They may give you the keys. The ones that let you know about the point break 5 km down the National Park gravel road. Or the little trail that leads off to the left, 1 km past the last house in town. “Go down there and you will have about 13 km of single track to yourself!”

If this happens, you welcome a whole new world, where inconspicuous tracks lead to untold joy. You realise the roads you passed before without a second thought, are the gateways to some amazing experiences. 

And if you spend long enough and give enough time, you may find things for yourself.

Then you may become the one who hands out keys.