WATCH: Avid Mountain Biker Gets Sober And Hits The Trails

NORTHBOROUGH, MA—On his YouTube channel MTB Travel Eat, Jimmy Christensen explores different trails throughout the state on his mountain pike. And if he hadn't quit drinking, he likely wouldn't have done this, or jumped on a mountain bike at all.

At the end of January, Christensen took to the trails on and around Mt. Pisgah, which he writes, "offer a wide array from super fast double track and single track, to super technical enduro style trails, and even some great jump/drop mixed throughout. The trails are well marked and available on the Trailforks app with two parking locations. There is plenty of elevation to be had, so be ready for some solid heart pumping climbing, and great dh shoots!"

"I only hope that more people will get outdoors and try mountain biking," Christensen told Patch. "That being said, I heard from a buddy that Mt. Pisgah in Northborough had some excellent trails, so I had to see for myself! It certainly didn't disappoint and I was really impressed with how well the system was marked."

Christensen has lived in Boston for around 10 years now and is originally from Westerly, RI, coming to MA to get his degree in architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Now, he's a national sales manager in the organic food and beverage world, following four years as an executive chef.

"As you can see, I tend to bounce around a bit since I have a ton of energy," he told Patch. "I rode BMX and mountain bikes as a kid, but only started seriously mountain biking about a year ago now. On May 28, 2015, I decided to quit drinking. I basically wasn't happy with the affects that alcohol was having on my life and I have seen it take/destroy too many lives."

After two years of sobriety, Christensen was finding it increasingly difficult to focus his energy, and fought boredom and depression.

"It's sad, but drinking is 70 percent of what people my age do in their free time these days," said Christensen. "I needed something else, something better, something that would push me to new limits and allow me to experience the outdoors in a different light. Mountain biking was what I found and on May 28th I will be 3 years sober. Without mountain biking I highly doubt that would be the case."

Christensen started with a cheap bike off of Craigslist, and was instantly obsessed with the thrill and challenge.

"Mountain biking allows me the freedom to roam and explore, while pushing my body to its utmost limits, and it also scares the hell out of me half the time," he said. "When I first started there really weren't really any good videos to show you what trails in New England were the best and why, so I have set out to change that. "

His goal is to make amazing videos from all of the best riding spots in the Northeast, so that everyone can experience the amazing trail systems around.

"With all of the negative in the world these days everyone needs take the time to get outdoors and to step away from it all," said Christensen. "I truly believe that happiness can be found in passion and I hope that others can share my passion."

Photo submitted