VIDEO | "Monkey Business" feat. Lorin Whitaker - from XC to Freeride

Canfield Brothers team rider Lorin Whitaker has been riding the red ridges of his backyard in Virgin, UT, nearly as long as he's been riding bikes. But his talents extend beyond freeride, and his riding—and larger than life personality—made him a staple on his high-school cross-country team, the Flying Monkeys.

Filmmaker Seti Gershberg visited the Utah desert to follow along with Lorin for his final cross-country race of the season as well as a lap down the infamous King Kong freeride line.

Photos: Seth Hamel and Katie Hope / Enlighten Photography

Whether it's racing his Yelli Screamy on the cross-country course, or sending his Canfield Brothers Balance off massive drops onto narrow ridges in the desert, the young athlete's passion for bikes and life is infectious.

"It doesn't matter what mood you're in when you run into Lorin, you're going to be in a better mood when you walk away," says coach Danny Christensen.

What's next?

Photos: Seth Hamel and Katie Hope / Enlighten Photography

Whitaker says that now that he's graduated, he plans to return to help coach the team next year.

"I want to give back to mountain biking and give back to the Flying Monkeys what I got out of it," he says. "You learn so many things when you're riding your bike that are applicable to daily life. So, trying to learn some more life lessons and share those with others. Ride bikes and have a good time."

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