When a train crashes in the forest does it make a sound?

Mountain biking is a sport of expression. We see this through the bikes we ride, the style we exhibit, our sheer love for the sport and sometimes the least acknowledged item, the trails we explore. Over the years free-ride mountain bike trails have arose out of the most unique areas creating and only adding to the already breathtaking views our travels on a bike take us. Trails like the Woodlot, Rose Hill and A-Line to name a few have become legends of sheer perfection in the mountain biking world. They all offer different attributes that make our day on a bike that much more meaningful and only help us appreciate the sport more. During my tour through BC this past summer I came across a gem of a trail that was unique in its construction, surroundings and story. Because of the contents surrounding the area and the individual who helped make this possible, the location will remain anonymous.I awoke to a cold, brisk and damp morning about a week into the trip. A little sore, tired and a few tubes later, the first week had been a great start with a little bit of everything for everybody. As I rose from the cold ground and my deflated air mattress, I was excited to see what the day held for us. After breakfast I got word that we were going to go to a trail a buddy of ours had discovered and heard about over the past few months. I knew little of where we were going and even less of what to expect during the drive there. As we arrived at a drop off point, we packed up some gear, a few cameras and anything that seemed relevant for the trek in. A short hike from our entry point, the walk in featured a combination of breathtaking views with endless scenery and vast silence.


Then like a awkward ship appearing out of fogging coastal evening, there it was! It was like walking into a completely different world and for a few moments we all just stared at the unbelievable combination of building and thought that something special had been put into this trail. The rough history behind this trail we had come across was focused around a train derailment that occurred many years ago when the railway had run through the area. The cause unclear, it was evident it must have been something quite extravagant. Cars were strewn about in distances reaching anywhere from 20-30 ft. in some places and all the way to hundreds of feet apart in other spots. Some were even wrapped around trees.



So, after the awe inspiring sight of everything around us had sunk in, we began to see the way the trail had been constructed and more so how this piece of art came together. The trail worked in a single go big or go home line. Each stunt for the most part was only manageable if the previous items had been negotiated properly. The trail started on top one of the many 25 ft. train cars. The first part involved getting a strong run-in within about 15 ft. of roof surface and dropping about 15 ft. into the proceeding transition. The drop was somewhat deceiving and could prove extremely trying if you didn’t get enough speed in the three possible pedal strokes you had room for a top the metal sheds of transport.


Upon successfully landing the drop, the trail rode into a small step up to step down. From here a ladder bridge followed on to another rail car. The ladder bridge and incline lead you into a six foot teeter totter that runs you to the end of the car where you drop ten feet to a small tranny. From here a small log ride followed and finally ending into another drop.

Up to this point was all that had been finished. Obviously working around, over top and near these cars was feat in its own and it was visible this trail was far from being finished. From what could be seen, there seemed to be the workings of a wall ride and with the endless area, this trail has some true potential to blossom even more so than it already does.



Some of you might be scratching your heads wondering how this trail can be so great if can be ridden in about five to ten minutes. Well what you can’t see in the pictures and through my words is the amount of concentration, as well as patience that is needed to ride this trail. One screw up on your speed, a skipped gear or sliding off one of the wood features could find you falling 10-15 feet off these silent obstacles (as our buddy Mike D. learned halfway through the trail). It may not be as flowy or long as trails like the Woodlot or A-Line, the sheer beauty of the trail and amount of work put into this area is a testament to the creative outlets biking gives us and illustrates once again how the sport is much more than just hucking off a big hit.