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.
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.
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.
Supplies. Only the best.
Straight to work. Cut and debarked beams are laid to span the length of the creek.
Some proper craftsmanship happening here. This bridge will stand the test of time.
Carhartt's. Flannel. Cut hands. Official builder uniform.
Tools of the trade.
Helping hand
The fuel.
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
To the debarker.
Nature's fridge.
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.
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
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?
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!
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...)
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!!!
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!
sadly many riders often don't know how much work and time it takes to build such an awesome trail
If I would use a chainsaw in the woods here, I would be inprisoned within the hour
"the and of the road is just the beginning"
Nothing but respect for you guys!