Truvativ : Bellingham : Committed

May 20, 2011
by SRAM  

Back in January, Truvativ swung through Bellingham, Washington and witnessed the supreme creativity and perseverance a diverse group of trail builder’s had. Committing yourself to months in the woods for a trail no one is asking for is a special skill. It’s an unlearn-able and thankless task.
This edit is a little tribute to the calloused hands and sore backs that make our trails a reality. These things don’t just happen. The images shown here are from a nameless trail that is still under construction. Consider this part one of two. Second edit will drop upon the trails completion. We are as excited to see it as you are.





photo
  The boulder was almost a deal breaker. It rolled onto an access road from a cliff wall after night of heavy rains. There was no getting around it. Move that earth or turn around.


photo
  Turns out boulders are heavy. This took 6 dudes, the biggest pry bar I've ever seen and tie-downs to get it off the road. No progress was impeded this day.


photo
  Supplies. Only the best.


photo
  Straight to work. Cut and debarked beams are laid to span the length of the creek.


photo
  Some proper craftsmanship happening here. This bridge will stand the test of time.


photo
  Carhartt's. Flannel. Cut hands. Official builder uniform.


photo
  Tools of the trade.


photo
  Helping hand


photo
  The fuel.


photo
  The food.


"Always be honest, always be courteous, and most importantly once you start something don't you ever stop until you're finished." - Daniel DeLaVergne


photo
  To the debarker.


photo
  Nature's fridge.


photo
  The plans, the foundation and the people involved with this project are beyond solid. Looking forward to ripping down this trail with its creators some day. Thanks for letting us crash your trail day.


Every Ride Has a Story
Photos : Adrian Marcoux
Video : TSage
www.sram.com/truvativ

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Member since Apr 1, 2011
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93 Comments
  • 61 0
 I have nothing but respect for these guys! Trail building is an important aspect about Freeriding, a fact a lot of riders unfortunately don't acknowledge
  • 8 5
 bulding is almost as much a part of freering ,down hilling and,dirtjumping as riding.also when your riding with out bulding you take advantage the bulder. why would he want to come back and build if you do that?
  • 7 1
 was thinking about doing the same thing in my 5x5 garden....
  • 17 0
 I didn't understand you, YoungFR. Partly because of your appalling spelling.

Did anyone else think "what the f*ck" when they saw that dog carrying that giant log!?
Nice one guys, looked like lots of effort was put in. Keep it up! Smile
  • 3 0
 this inspire me to keep building
  • 2 0
 Milo that dog tripped me out for awhile too.... It looks like he has no bottom jaw!!
  • 2 0
 awesome
  • 2 0
 Special place in mtb heaven for all builders
  • 1 0
 he must not have a mac that spells for him Wink
  • 7 0
 Of course I am totally biased, but as someone who watches how hard these guys work on a regular basis in the worst of conditions with often very little acknowledgment, it makes me really happy to see this finally show up on PB. They are some of the most dedicated unpaid trail builders I've ever met. (And the log-carrying dog is our 10 year-old lab/great dane mix, Shasta. He's probably helped build more trail than most bikers out there...)
  • 7 0
 wow big respect to you guys!! looks very great Wink
sadly many riders often don't know how much work and time it takes to build such an awesome trail Wink
  • 6 0
 I remember meeting the digging dog at 1:58! If it's the same one, he could climb trees to fetch a stick! Now to find that footage...
  • 1 0
 maverick, it's not the dog you are thinking of. that was thad's pit, this dog is erics, but still one hell of a trail dog. lol
  • 1 0
 Bah yeah, when he put the stick up in the tree that pit was doing frickin pull ups to fetch a stick! Insane!
  • 1 1
 Who's the paddler wearing the Danny DelaV shirt?
  • 6 0
 Thru building comes respect for trail. You must earn something to truly respect it. Epic job.
  • 1 0
 Amen. Just came back from a build session, and riding fresh trail that you've just built is truly an amazing feeling.
  • 6 0
 So sick , Wish the UK had more mountains!!!
  • 1 0
 This is what makes me proud that I go out evreyday after school and work on trails, doesn't matter who's it is, I have made over 15 trails in this little town. And I still will never make anything as respectable as these guys do. And that dog was amazing.
  • 1 0
 sweet trails guys wish my town had even half of the length of that trail, i have respect for builders cause i am one to and started building a new trail as a one man crew cause freeride is dieing in georgetown un forutnately, anywho cant wait to see the finished prod of this. Keep up the good work guys
  • 2 0
 To everybody who drives trucks into forests and using chainsaws to build trails; You are lucky as hell!
If I would use a chainsaw in the woods here, I would be inprisoned within the hour
  • 1 0
 you gotta move somewhere else then....
  • 1 0
 Easier said than done..
  • 4 0
 this is documented and filmed so well
  • 1 0
 full commitment guys, just a tip for splitting those lengths if you have a splitting maul, if you lay the log on a flat surface inbetween your legs those logs will split pretty easy.
  • 1 0
 This is nice to look at. I cant imagine Sage in flip flops and a tank top out there in the cold though. That must have been why they brought the High Life. A few HLs and you can get Sage to do just about anything. Nice work.
  • 2 0
 Nice editing on that video, it could literally be an advertisement for the brewskies that they are tossing back. LIVING THE HIGHLIFE! -CF-
  • 1 0
 that looks like such a fun time. hangin out with friends nature chilled beer, building trails in the forest, and cookin some dogs on the stove. we don't do that kind of thing here in the desert.
  • 2 0
 Where is this? North Fork? I want to help. Getting tired of just hitting Evo and U-Line all the time. It would be a bummer if this stash stays secret.
  • 1 0
 it looks kind of like snake... im wondering the same thing though
  • 1 0
 Demming.
  • 1 0
 definitely not snake. keep local trails on the DL.
  • 2 0
 love to see articles about building on pb. this is legit more riding communities need to come together like this.
  • 2 0
 what a feel good story, always good to see people coming together to build trails
  • 1 0
 I lived in bellingham until last year and it is impossible to describe how much i miss all the devoted builders and riders. great to see them getting some appreciation!
  • 4 0
 even the dogs helping
  • 3 0
 Fantastic article! keep the great stories coming
  • 3 0
 We had one hell of a week. Thanks to SRAM for showing up and helping out!
  • 1 0
 Man,,Think about it. To be free in the hills and to build something with your Bro's. Man it does not get any better.What more could you ask for???
  • 1 0
 who is this Man you are referring too, grasshopper?
  • 1 0
 Man as in if we are all talking.Having a beer after ridding .Grasshopper..
  • 1 0
 Sounds chill, grasshopper.
  • 1 0
 building trails by my own hands and then ride them - there`s nothing more wonderful in the world - big love for yall trail builders
  • 1 0
 the reward for building trails is when other people use them and like them, much like cooking a meal or a good song or picture.
  • 2 0
 So sick if only it wasn't so flat in Connecticut i would build shit all the time Razz
  • 2 1
 amazing !!! great work,great story, as the vid says
"the and of the road is just the beginning"
  • 3 6
 it clearly doesnt say "...and..."! read it again
  • 3 0
 i love bellingham!
  • 2 0
 "I want to go to there" - Liz Lemming (30 rock)...
  • 1 0
 It's the best feeling, to ride a trail, that you have built before, the first time and notice everything went perfect!
  • 1 0
 i used to live in bellingham.. i wanna move back and help. keep it coming guys!
  • 2 0
 an army of men can do alot ,props to those guys ,wish we had that here
  • 3 0
 The trail building army in B'ham is unmatched.
  • 1 0
 i can see that, ,and keep the good boys
  • 2 0
 awesome whish we had more guys like all of you down here.
  • 1 0
 I agree bit there a few committed builders up in Boksburg. dirt jumps are my life!!!
  • 1 0
 so when are you cutting a gnarly line down that mine dump of yours?
  • 1 0
 HA HA ya it sucks to have plentiful mountains of dirt bit if you want to have your bike self destruct one run down a mid dump will do the trick bit big things are going down hear soon!!!
  • 1 0
 ha for sure, did a sand board run down the benoni one a couple of times, was pulling find sand out of my arse and every orrifice in my body for days
  • 2 0
 Awesome photos. Awesome effort.
  • 1 0
 Ah good old trail building work bees,... i miss home cant build stuff like that in Victoria!
  • 2 0
 wanting one of those shirts.... wondering where to find one??? anyone?
  • 2 0
 killer. i wish i could escape my cubicle and help out
  • 1 0
 This could be V.O.D. As much as I love seeing the finished product I love seeing how fellow trail builders work!
  • 1 0
 leverage and or a rock bar, leverage and or a rock bar.....work smarter especially when someone's taking photos.
  • 1 0
 Thank god i have cousins in bellingham! I'm bringing my bike next time i visit!
  • 1 0
 The satisfaction from building and then riding it isnt something you can explain, you have to go out and experience it
  • 1 0
 The screen grab of Morgan eating the Brat is ridiculous! Straight creepin'.....lol Great stuff, fellas.
  • 1 0
 thats so rad guys keep building
  • 1 0
 Respect 4 this guys good job Smile )
  • 1 0
 These guys are the real deal. Nice work.
  • 1 0
 Build it...ride it! Such a dedicated crew. Proud to be a Hamster.
  • 1 0
 I love this kind of hard work!!!
  • 1 0
 Where are these trails being built? Galbraith?
  • 1 0
 Pure awesomeness right thereSmile
Nothing but respect for you guys!
  • 1 0
 A bit dull video. I enjoyed giving it a retro touch.
  • 1 0
 Cant wait tell the snow melts!
  • 1 0
 You guys rock!! Oh and the dog too!!
  • 1 0
 props and respect to these guys!
  • 1 0
 Going out to build in a few... Great motivational pictures!
  • 1 0
 Too bad they are logging so many of the trails up on that mountain now =(
  • 1 0
 Different location.
  • 1 0
 Its amazing how many long hours go into one second of riding. thanks guys!
  • 1 0
 love building and love riding... this is the greatest
  • 1 0
 sick!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Great job guys! Shasta!
  • 1 0
 Great story!!!
  • 3 0
 I would have liked to see the end product though..
  • 1 0
 love love love it
  • 1 0
 fantastic
  • 1 0
 artists
  • 1 0
 wow
  • 1 0
 DEDICATED







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