Today’s 10 Tracks DJ is Derek Young. Derek has called Fort Collins home for the past ten years after moving here from Toms River, New Jersey, to attend grad school in mechanical engineering at Colorado State University. He works as a Research Associate in CSU’s thermal energy systems group, where he studies heat transfer and thermodynamics.
Derek is an active member of the Overland Mountain Bike Association and a familiar face on local trails. His preferred style of riding is, of course, mountain biking, and he can often be found on his current favorite bike, a Forbidden Druid. He said the bike “suits me so well, it’s a great fit for our terrain, and it’s just so fun to ride.” The dude’s always smiling, too.
Locally, Derek has been spending time at Hewlett Gulch, a trail he credits the Overland Trail Crew for finishing in great shape. His favorite rides include a full Mill Creek descent, Ginny, and DR. He also enjoys Grouse Ridge in Steamboat and Will’s Thrill in Eagle. A recent trip to Bellingham, Washington, made a lasting impression. “That area is definitely the best place I’ve ever ridden mountain bikes.”
When he is not on the trail, Derek can usually be found working in his garage, cooking, or cleaning, with music playing in the background. “I almost always have music on—commuting, working, breaking or fixing bikes in the garage, cooking, cleaning, whatever. And I’m probably singing along 85 percent of the time,” he said. While he doesn’t listen to music while riding, he admits to humming, whistling, or singing whatever is stuck in his head.
Derek’s musical taste was shaped early on by his father, who is a passionate music fan and lifelong Bruce Springsteen listener. “I’m pretty much exclusively a ‘listen to the lyrics’ type of music consumer,” Derek said. “I spend too much time on Lyrics Genius and too much time listening to songs on repeat. The evolution of my music taste has largely come out of the themes, imagery, storytelling, and writings of Bruce Springsteen. As a result, I pretty much exclusively listen to sad songs, and then an unhealthy, overflowing dose of Dua Lipa’s catalog to balance me out.”
At home, Derek and his wife enjoy making oat milk lattes on their espresso machine, though he says he will drink any type of coffee.
Derek’s 10 Tracks playlist is a mix of longtime favorites and recent discoveries. It includes songs by Colter Wall, Dua Lipa, Lord Huron, Mac Miller, Nick Shoulders, Charley Crockett, Richard Thompson, the Boss, and more.
Check out his playlist below
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