From Where We Stand: An East Coast Love Story

Dec 7, 2013 at 12:04
by Brice Shirbach  
For years now, we’ve seen and been inspired by mountain bike films and features from production companies such as Anthill Films, Red Bull Media, the Coastal Crew, Freeride Entertainment and many more. These folks have offered up some inspired filmmaking featuring world class talent and trails that belong on bucket lists everywhere.

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And that’s what mountain bike movies are for, right? They inspire us to get on the trails and push ourselves and our bikes to the next level. They remind us that while fitness is great, style ain’t so bad either. They remind us that hard work plus a strong community pays off with inspiring trails and amazing riders. They are the pinnacle of expression on two wheels.

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We filmed in four different east coast locations. Logan and Neko Mulally are very appreciative of their local trails in and around Reading, Pennsylvania

From Where We Stand is about the east coast mountain bike community. It's about showing the world just how much beauty you can find in unexpected places. It’s about the talent that comes from our rocky, rooty and gnarled terrain. It’s about the shared vision and hard work from riders who want to see better design and more trails. It’s about celebrating the green tunnel. It’s about a heaping helping of rocks with some flowy, hero dirt for dessert. But more than anything, it’s about countless regions forming one, devoted collection of people. The east coast is comprised of millions of mountain bikers who make up thousands of groups, clubs and organizations. The truth is, we can’t think of anywhere else you will find such a close knit group of people in such a far reaching community.

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Jeff Lenosky lives twenty minutes from one of the country's best bike parks, Mountain Creek Bike Park in Vernon, New Jersey.

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Sam Brown-Shaklee may be a young whipper snapper, but he's also one of the driving forces behind a mountain bike movement the entire town of Oneonta, New York is getting behind.

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We wanted the close knit community to be a driving force behind the narrative, so we picked a spot where riders of all abilities can shred with a smile on their faces. White Clay Creek and Middle Run parks in Newark, Delaware have proven to be a place where riders from all disciplines and tastes can come and have a blast. Cam Nyguist, Matty Miller and Brice Shirbach are breaking speeds limits and cleaning the hero dirt from their smiling teeth.

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Paul Dotsenko and Sam Brown-Shaklee are some of New York's fastest. Oneonta's trails are some of New York's funnest.

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Harlan Price and Matty Miller were on a mission to show that bike parks aren't just for the big squish rigs. Mountain Creek was happy to oblige.

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Neko Mulally had a breakthrough season on the World Cup circuit last season. If any of the 2014 courses have old ruins to shred on, Neko will be more than ready.

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Brice Shirbach sends it on one of Oneonta's signature trails, "R.I.P.". Fortunately, he's still with us.

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The east coast is well known (and rightfully so) for it's relentlessly rocky and unforgiving terrain. There are, however, countless trails that offer up riders the kind of dirt dreams are made of. We sampled some of the finest.

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But let's not kid ourselves, we eat the gnar on the regs. Just ask Matty Miller, a vegetarian who makes dietary exceptions for lump rock meat.

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Like the rest of us, George Ryan will tell you there's a certain degree of pride that comes from pushing yourself on terrain that makes you work a little harder for the goods. From Where We Stand celebrates that pride. We’ll release From Where We Stand as a 4-part web series starting in late December. After our final episode, the full feature will be available for viewing as well. The world is full of amazing places to ride your bike. The east coast is no exception. It’s our turn to be the inspiration.



Author Info:
briceshirbach avatar

Member since Dec 5, 2013
126 articles

113 Comments
  • 17 0
 That pic of Lenosky sending it off the tombstone at Mtn Creek is a serious hit. It's at the bottom of a seriously rocky section, in the middle of a bunch of rocks and a very steep landing. The landing is every bit 50 degrees down. That's George Ryan hitting it too. Big boy natural line in the middle of a REALLY fun trail.
  • 4 7
 You make it almost sound like a challenge...well it is if you pick the wrong line...lol.
  • 2 0
 I've hit that kicker and vouch for the difficulty. Coming from bmx, I'm descent at jumping and have never cleaned it! Always come up short.
  • 3 5
 Ive hit it to....its just another jump on Creek....
  • 4 1
 It's really not that big.
  • 2 1
 Oh yes it is!!
  • 1 0
 Its big compared to what? Greenhorn?
  • 2 0
 Yeah, I'd say it's a challenge. It's not huge but it's a pretty technical takeoff and pretty steep landing. Of course there are people who can no-look it and nail it but that ain't me. I've railed most of the mtn on a 6" bike without much difficulty but this one has eluded me. There's always 2014...
  • 1 0
 Its really just getting the speed to hit it thats tough. Probably easier on a 5 or 6inch bike like most the guys are riding than the full on DH rig. It's certainly technical, but I don't think it's that scary, especially now since the landing is perfectly groomed.
  • 9 2
 We have an awesome scene here on the east coast - even though we don't have the same kind of elevation that you all have in Whistler/West Coast, I have 7 bike parks within a 5 hour drive of my house and tons of shuttle-able trails including Neko's stomping grounds in Reading.
  • 3 1
 I would really like to find those trails in Reading, I only live 20 minutes away!
  • 5 0
 Duryea by the Pagoda
  • 9 0
 lol 5 hour drive!!! I could get to any trail or bike park in that time in the whole of England, Scotland and Wales. Just makes me realise how big you place is, I'll never complain again about driving 3 hours to ride a bike park.
  • 2 1
 Its cool too see that you are making what you have work and are having a blast doing it. Having said that, it makes me appreciate living in Utah and having the accessibility to all the different terrain types with out having a massive drive.
  • 7 0
 Mt. Penn , every Sunday in Duryea, shuttling ,
  • 5 0
 Mountain Creek - 1 hour drive Plattekill - 1.5. Two different types of terrain to ride. No complaints here!
  • 4 1
 I here Snowshoe is a good time. A colleague of mine was from WV and used to race DH there.
  • 3 0
 @mrsnipes82
Hit me up through private message.... I would be glad to show you around the Reading area!

Also you can take a look at my Garmin maps....
connect.garmin.com/activity/145282758
  • 7 0
 So much riding within an hour or so.... I live in Reading Pa and am greatful that I can ride from my doorstep to Mt. Penn or Neversink. It's so tight knit here too... Neko has been a main feature promoting Mt. Penn for the Gravity East Series!
  • 6 0
 Great coverage of the riding in our Appalachian Mountains. West Virginia, western Virginia, and western North Carolina too has the cream of the crop. Got a Sutter 480 at full throttle right now digging in just down the road.
  • 6 0
 Great to see Oneonta getting some love on Pinkbike. It's an awesome place to ride due to the hard work of some really passionate people. As a student at the local college here, I feel very lucky to be able to step outside my door and ride/dig without having to really drive anywhere. I can pretty much guarantee that this town will be on a lot more mountain bikers' radar in the next few years.
  • 6 0
 Let's not forget about Westchester, NY, people! Sprain has some of the best tech trails in the Northeast. Graham Hills is tons of fun. And of course Blue Mountain Reservation. All publicly funded, well maintained trail systems, each capable of keeping any rider happy for a full day's worth of riding.
  • 1 0
 another place that was on our list but we weren't able to swing it. Like I said, we had tremendous support from the Oneonta community so even though we were overall under budget we were still able to do as much as we did.
  • 2 0
 i went to school in oneonta and my wife's family has a summer house in cooperstown. i'd rather ride then sit on a porch all day... is there a link for a trail map/ where to ride up there?
  • 2 0
 Check your inbox.
  • 3 0
 I too would love a quick intro to the Oneonta trails. My girlfriend lives up there and i have yet to take my bike up. She might not like that ill be out on the trails instead of home with her now lol. Thanks. Super super pumped for this. Plugging it on Reddit too.
  • 2 0
 Questlove, check out otsego bicycles at 74 water street in Oneonta. Ed is super friendly and can point you in the right direction if you tell him what type of stuff you want to do. If you mention the video and want to ride that stuff he can show you on the map where to park and ride. If you want to know anything else feel free to message me.
  • 5 0
 I love seeing the east coast coverage, especially in the mid atlantic, I just hope to see some more coming out of North Jersey other then just MCBP, its where I grew up riding and an amazing place however just the drive up there bypasses hundreds of miles of free trail networks like Ringwood, Wayway and Jungle. The east has more potential then the west in my mind its just how we market ourselves, the scene has the potential for being much larger, simply because we have a much higher population then the west. This whole keep it local keep it secrete hush hush trail thing is what needs to stop, the more of us there are on the trails the more leverage we have with local governments to build more trails and the greater riding community!
  • 2 0
 Jungle! Love how many places there are in such a small area around northern NJ.
  • 3 0
 yeah i don't like how everyone is so secretive about trails on the east coast, we need more people to start mountain biking to get support from local governments like you said
  • 2 0
 I grew up riding with that 303 kid then I moved to Montana to go to school. The riding here is good, but I gotta say I didn't appreciate the endless quantity of natural granite features everywhere in Ringwood. I found less rock rollers riding in squamish and washington than I did in NJ. In my opinion rocks are the best part of riding. You could say I'm addicted to rocks. The east doesn't get the credit it deserves because some of the best riding I've done is there and I've ridden a lot of places.
  • 1 0
 yeah, whistler is pretty sweet though!
  • 1 0
 Whistler is definitely rad. I can't even deny that.
  • 1 0
 oh yeah, for sure eh?
  • 1 0
 That's funny @konarider112, I grew up riding in Montana and moved to NJ a couple years ago. We rode the rocks at Ringwood yesterday, I'm pretty sure I would miss them if I had to move away.
  • 1 0
 Hell yeah dude. Wawayanda is my favorite place to ride of all time. Grew up in warwick and never knew what i had in my backyard. Riding there and Ringwood makes anywhere else seem tame IMO. I live up near Lippman Park now which is all IMBA style trails and they are fun, but If im not jackhammering through rocks, i dont really feel like im riding.
  • 2 0
 Jungle riding would be the absolute worst on film. Babyheads, switchbacks and 3mph riding.
  • 2 0
 Couldn't agree more hatton haha, that doesn't mean its not a kickass time to ride. Kids like konarider112 and I who transplanted outta Jersey have to go through some pretty hardcore shit to fuel our rock addiction these days. I've been known to be seen freebasing Jersey granite behind Denys dumpsters all across the state of Vermont.
  • 5 0
 While pros like the Mullaly brother's and Lenosky are great to see riding your local spots, I really dig that this video series will features weekend warriors and "average Joe's". As a Member of Berks Area Mountain Bike Association (BAMBA), I have the pleasure of working alongside many folks featured in this video on trail projects and advocacy.
  • 4 0
 Spent a month on Canada's east coast this summer, riding 10 different trail networks. If you ever get the opportunity, seek out and explore the 'Fight Trails' just outside of Halifax! Some of the most interesting riding that I've done in years!

Local riders have created an amazing website called PedalTrout - www.pedaltrout.com/trails - which will help you discover much of the province.

Some Fight Trail pic's are here: bike.7forum.info/t1506-what-i-did-on-my-summer-vacation

www.SweetSingletrack.ca
  • 3 0
 Being a Reading local for all but 20 years this is just awesome! We have such talented riders here and the trail building crews are second to none! Reading Pa offers everything from Full on DH trails to enduro type trails to single track for days. Bring a crew and your quiver!! Thanks to Brice and my Mt Penn/ BAMBA boys for putting these sick as trails on the map!!
  • 3 0
 Sure, I would have liked to grow up on the north shore shredding whistler and the like. But the reality is, the east coast really does have some fantastic riding. From well-groomed parks like highland to the wet rocks of pat's peak, NH and Plattekill Bike park in NY, the east coast really has something for everyone. I'm really glad to see a series about our region come out, and hopefully find some new places to visit this summer!
  • 3 0
 Being an hour away from Reading this makes me so stoked! Great work guys, these spots along with Kingdom Trails up in VT and Highland can hang with any trail network on the west coast.
  • 4 0
 Sam Brown-Shaklee is an amazing young man and totally dedicated to this sport. Knowing him has made me a better person and having him be part of this couldn't be better!!!
  • 2 0
 I agree 100%! The east coast has tons of awesome single track all over. Sometimes you just have to know where to look because accept for a few big name parks like mountain creek we don't have the level of popularity that allot of the west coast parks have. But none the less we still have people who are just as dedicated to the sport as some of the groups on the west coast and hopefully with the help of this series the scene out here will get a little bit more recognition.
  • 2 0
 Great work Brice! As a transplanted Californian I spent my formative years riding in and around Tahoe, I wanted to say how much I really appreciate guys like Brice (he's one cool customer) highlighting the excellent riding we have in our backyards (Brandywine, MR/WC, Fair Hill, Iron Hill, to name just my local spots) here in PA/DE and the Mid Atlantic. I have become a better rider having ridden the trails out here over the past few years and had a ton of fun. Also want to thank all the dedicated IMBA groups like the Trail Spinners and other volunteers and organizers who make it all happen with great events and trail maintenance. This is the real deal folks!
  • 1 0
 Cheers dude! We need to get one more ride in before you ship out!
  • 2 0
 I was living out west when I got into mountain biking and while buff flowy trails are great there is also something to be said for roots, rocks and gnarliness. After growing accustomed to east coast technical I really feel like I would be bored with anything less. Ice coast kicks ass!
  • 3 0
 Def agree. I grew up in CO and the west and as much as I love the Rockies, Cascades, etc for how spectacular they are, there's something special about how much harder you have to WORK for stuff out east (most of my experience is in the Adirondacks). The peaks are lower, but the hikes are longer, the bushwacks are gnarlier, the trails are rougher, and the conditions are shittier haha. Whether it's biking, backcountry skiing, or backpacking it really is some punishing terrain, but it's also pretty rewarding.
  • 3 0
 I also love the east coast riding. Although I haven't riding much around here it would still be cool to see a video of where I ride at Lincoln Woods Rhode Island. They've got some pretty cool lines in there.
  • 5 0
 Get out to Vietnam in MA!
  • 1 0
 Groups like MORE have driven the riding out here to an entirely different level in the past 10 years. In the DC area, we have tons of great trails with more opening all the time - all thanks to the amazing community we have here. Sure, we're missing the elevation of the West, but we have a great quantity and quality of trails. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!
  • 1 0
 I'm originally from central PA and I miss the trails for sure. Way more interesting and challenging, I love the woods and the people. However, I used to have to drive 45 min to get to decent trails, now I live 10 minutes from multiple trail heads and have hundreds of more miles of legal trail to ride, and I get hassled by police a lot less often. I'm a beast from the east but here in the west it's best.
  • 1 0
 The east coast USA has always had great mountain biking and it's always getting better and better over the years. Going back to the late 80's when I started racing XC, I raced in North Carolina quite a bit, Asheville already had a big racing scene back then... Pisgah, Brevard, Sugar Mountain, great riding, even back then.
  • 3 0
 Neko was riding a Remedy 29. He is a downhill guy, I guess wheel size is up to rider preference and what makes them have a good time on their bike.
  • 4 0
 What Neko does on the Remedy 29 in this video certainly changed my view on 29er capabilities during the shoot with him,granted he is WC rider but nontheless this wheelsize has come along way! there is a steep shoot on a trail named Dane's run that he does a step down on that is mind boggling to witness and nails it four times!
  • 2 0
 It is about the rider and less the bike.
  • 1 0
 readingracing is one of the stars of this as well and has a few highlights himself....just sayin'
  • 1 0
 There's jackhammering to do South of PA in Maryland too... from Western, MD (near West Virginia border) through Frederick, MD and over toward Baltimore, MD not to mention a lot of trails to choose from within an hour or so drive from Washington, DC.

more-mtb.org has done a heck of a job... lots to choose from in a major metropolitan area:

maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102379558849445312790.00000111d80d843bb0e46&z=9&om=1
  • 3 1
 Oneonta is an amazing place to ride and Sam Brown Shaklee is the reason why! Great guy and an even better rider, thanks Brice and everybody that made this happen!
  • 7 3
 MOUNTAINNNNNNNNNN CREEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!!
  • 4 0
 Mt. Penn is where it's at.
  • 2 2
 CT. And the Berkshires. Nothing to ride here. Just roots rocks and slippery leaves. We're all the countries biggest snobs, and the two or three trails that exist are illegal secret trails. No fun at all. Thanks for coming , now please leave.
  • 3 0
 There are some really amazing women riders on the east coast too. Just saying...
  • 1 0
 Yeah, what she said.
  • 2 0
 Had a couple ladies in mind but they're always so busy!
  • 1 0
 haha you did?
  • 2 0
 I met Brice here on the west coast at Blackrock...awesome work, lets spread the love of mountain biking to all places, all skill levels, and all budgets.
  • 1 0
 Thanks dude!
  • 2 0
 As soon as I saw the title I figured you must have been involved
  • 1 0
 Blackrock was a blast my man. Thanks for the support!
  • 2 0
 If you ever make it back out this way hit me up
  • 4 1
 Where's Ithaca??? Hmmmmmm
  • 1 0
 That was actually on the wish list for a couple of us, but funding was short. We had a huge amount of commercial, official, and private support from Oneonta so we stuck with that. Don't be surprised if Ithaca is included next year.
  • 1 0
 I was going to mention Ithaca. Great riding there. We are also doing some awesome things here in Rochester. We have some great local trails.
  • 1 0
 Where do you guys like the most near Ithaca? Been to Shindagin Hollow but that's the only trip down from Syracuse we made this year. I'd love to get some tips on where to ride (and you guys can join us up here anytime).
  • 1 0
 only thing that stink about the east coast is its hard to find good trails, this is really true in connecticut, but there is some good stuff. Stoked on this film though! Smile
  • 1 0
 ctmtb a big part of this is highlighting the trails and riders. But the bigger underlying theme you'll end up seeing is that all of these areas, even MCBP, are the result of people with vision and the drive to make it happen. There are sick trails all over the country and if you want to see some trails in your area, there are definitely avenues you can take to make it happen. Where in CT are you?
  • 1 0
 i'm on the coast near Stamford
  • 2 3
 coming from the west coast i can say we have extremely technical trails. i can be riding rocky technical on day then drive an hour and a half and ride rooty tech. and thebest part is i can find flowy rails in both places. god i love wasington
  • 1 0
 I love the West coast.....but there is something about the east that i will never be able to leave.
  • 1 2
 CT. And Berkshires, nothing here but roots rocks and slippery leaves. The only two or three trails that exist are illeagal and secret. Plus we're all snobby. Thanks for coming, now please leave.
  • 2 0
 Glad to see the east coast getting some love.
  • 2 0
 East coast? Don't forget about NH, VT, Maine etc..
  • 2 0
 Just wait til next year...
  • 1 0
 Check out Brandywine, killer riding there too
  • 2 0
 Every Monday night...
  • 1 0
 I would be there more if I weren't 1 hour away. I always leave with tired cheeks from smiling the whole time.
  • 1 4
 They want recognition for their trails, which, took a lot of hard work from a dedicated community of people wanting to make the most of what they have...I'm pretty sure that statement is true for every region of every country where people ride mountain bikes for pleasure. Honestly, none of the trails looked that amazing. They all looked like fun but I would never make this a travel destination.
  • 1 1
 kindly, go suck a dick. Its not about recognition. Its about sharing. We want to share the awesomeness we have so other people can experience it too and hopefully appreciate it as much as we do.
  • 1 1
 Sorry to hurt your feelings bro, but I just don't think beginner single track is much fun. If Im ever looking for a place to send it on a fixie or a beach cruiser Ill hit you up!
  • 1 1
 Ummm yea. Because freeride icons and World Cup downhill racers train on beginner trails only suited for beach cruisers and fixies.

Do a ProGRT race at Plattekill, or one of the DH races at MCBP then tell me how "beginner" they are. Bonus points for doing g either of those in the rain or snow. Which is pretty common, especially at Plattekill.

And keep in mind that this was the teaser. The real goodies will be shown, don't worry.
  • 1 1
 I might have judged to quickly Sambs...are those stairs you're shredding in your profile pic part of the GRT course?? If so, I understand what you mean by the riding getting gnarly on the East coast. That 10 stair looks way technical and super gnarly brosiff!
  • 1 0
 Where can we buy this movie?
  • 1 0
 it's free to watch! 4-part series premiers next Monday here on Pinkbike!
  • 1 0
 hellz yeah, i'm sooo stoked
  • 2 3
 Here its all flat in the east coast. Nothing to see but sand and water. That's when you have to turn to sand/gravel pits for even a boring zone.
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