Video: Riding in the Moment on Vancouver Island

76 Comments

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dean (May 28, 2018 at 16:14)

Stoked to see the Island trails getting shredded in style. Awesome work guys

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 12:54)

Thanks a ton Dean! Means a lot.

If anyone doesn't already know, the wood features at the end were from Dean's Higher Calling 2 video: www.pinkbike.com/video/444057 . One of the best videos of all time!

dean (May 31, 2018 at 10:34)

@victoriabiker13: Thanks buddy!

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b0bg (May 29, 2018 at 16:12)

I've spent a combined 3 or 4 days riding Vancouver Island trails and I know 2 things:

1. I'm lucky to have been able to ride in such an amazing place.
2. I haven't spent nearly enough time exploring around there, and must go back every chance I get.

OlSkoolJake (May 29, 2018 at 19:30)

When you really learn how many trails there are from one end of Vancouver Island to the other. Everything from legit trail networks. To renegade trails. To "locals only" spots. To super secret flow and dirt jump trails. It's unreal and parallels any major MTB spot on the planet. The only thing we need is for Mt. Washington to open up again and for people to use it. So under utilized lift access trails just sitting there wasting away.

deepstrut (May 29, 2018 at 20:00)

...but it is open again. Early bird seasons passes are on sale for about 250$ right now.
ive got seasons passes the last two years.
My only complaint is that i find myself just riding Back in Black over and over with the occasional lap on timewarp.
..still worth it for the 350$ regular price.

ybsurf (May 29, 2018 at 20:40)

@deepstrut: maintenance could be better too but especially toward end of season bit it's a lot of fun.

ihatetomatoes (May 29, 2018 at 21:55)

@deepstrut: Hopefully the new owner will pony up the money to make an A-line style trail. Once that is done you'll see people really starting to show up. Back in Black is just ok, there really isn't many fun jumps on it.

gnarnaimo (May 30, 2018 at 10:21)

@ihatetomatoes: That is literally why they made time warp. Supposed to be Washy's A-line. It clearly isn't, but is the closest thing they have to it and it's what it was meant to be.

deepstrut (Jun 1, 2018 at 6:56)

@cdmbmw: timewarp is too slow to be aline. Have to break before all the jumps, bearms arnt banked enough for the speed you get from the straights. It's still a fun trail tho.
They really just need one trail like aline, as stated.

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jclnv (May 29, 2018 at 17:28)

The kid totally rips. The Islands All Mountain Champ!

GunRack (May 29, 2018 at 20:04)

If you like to get zesty, go to Nanaimo and ride chainsaw ridge from the top of Mount Benson and link into Meat draw. Steep and technical with unreal views. Absolute must ride if your in the area.

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 12:56)

Rode Chainsaw Ridge for the first time last week. Might be the gnarliest trail on the island! And the views from the top are crazy good.

ggerrard7 (May 29, 2018 at 18:43)

Just picked up a Decree. Such a rad bike! Now if I can only learn to ride like Max...

mtb-thetown (May 29, 2018 at 22:38)

I've had my Decree 1 for like 9 months. I absolutely love it. Got it for only $3500 too

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 13:05)

Thanks @ggerrard7 ! They are sweet bikes eh!

ggerrard7 (May 30, 2018 at 17:40)

@victoriabiker13: I demo'd a ton of popular bikes and this was by far my favorite. So underrated!

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 18:07)

@ggerrard7: totally underrated!

tots34 (May 29, 2018 at 18:56)

Max is a beast!

cazoo28 (May 29, 2018 at 19:52)

Great video, filming and riding! Also nice to see Namasteeze footage

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 12:56)

Thanks for building such a sick trail!

folsomdj151 (May 30, 2018 at 14:58)

Killer riding! just picked up a Decree 1 a few weeks ago. By far one of the best bikes I've ever thrown a leg over. Turned in my stumpy for it and I'm not dissapointed. keep up coolthe vids!

maxmcculloch (Jun 4, 2018 at 17:39)

Thanks man! And yeah the Decrees are sweet eh!

Call-me-Dill (May 29, 2018 at 16:50)

Headed up there for the first time ever!

Any suggestions on what to ride in the area?

sancho-ramerez (May 29, 2018 at 16:54)

Duncan & Cumberland

mikeyrides (May 29, 2018 at 17:08)

If you're in Parksville there's a sweet bit of single track called "jughead". The boys at Arrowsmith bike shop will tell you how to get there.

ybsurf (May 29, 2018 at 17:29)

From Duncan to Campbell river every town have something nice to ride check trailforks

beisemode (May 29, 2018 at 18:23)

Nanaimo seems to be getting extra good. Check out Mount Benson area. If you have time and the interest there is also really excellent riding on Hornby Island and Quadra island. Another ferry to and from a smaller island but well worth it if you have the time, some top shelf trails.

jankslayer (May 29, 2018 at 18:29)

This video was shot all within 30 min of DT Victoria. The Hartland area has a lot to offer.

brittany604 (May 29, 2018 at 21:51)

@ko-d:
Is it a secret trail, or is it mapped? I’d love to check it out.

Legbacon (May 30, 2018 at 6:20)

@mikeyrides: Locomotion!

beisemode (May 29, 2018 at 18:25)

Well done lads! Nice mellow edit and great photos by the Walrus!

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 13:03)

Thanks Riley! I'm lucky to have the help of such a talented photographer!

SeaLoam (May 29, 2018 at 20:28)

This was really , really good. Music flowed , trails flowed.

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 13:05)

Thanks! Really glad you liked it and thought it flowed nicely!

oldmanhucking (May 29, 2018 at 16:12)

Great vid......loved the wood

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 13:01)

Thanks! The wood feature trail is definitely the coolest line I've ever ridden.

mtbakerpow (May 29, 2018 at 16:37)

Hope I can make it over to van island this summer!

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 13:00)

It's definitely worth it!

superlightracer (May 29, 2018 at 17:12)

Awesome video Max!

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 12:58)

Thanks Aaron! Glad you liked it.

Ryanfong (May 29, 2018 at 18:19)

Heading up to Victoria, BC this summer. How’s the riding at hartland?

jankslayer (May 29, 2018 at 18:25)

Victoria MTB is underrated. A lot of good stuff, especially off the official mapped trails.

mammal (May 29, 2018 at 18:42)

It's OK at the dump, but I'd go to Partridge Hills next door. If you have a bit of time, Duncan and Sooke have really good stuff.

auzzy-man (May 29, 2018 at 18:56)

Hartland is very much a slow, earn your turns place but there's a good few trials there that will make you smile ear to ear by the end. If you want flowy and fast, head north to Cumberland

ybsurf (May 29, 2018 at 19:16)

Hartland is good if you are there but I will not make a trip for it. Good trails but lack of flow on the down and technical climbs

henry9 (May 29, 2018 at 19:44)

There is a lot of nice rock rolls to session

ybsurf (May 29, 2018 at 19:51)

@henry9: yeah true

omclive (May 29, 2018 at 21:15)

most of the decent riding isn't in the mtb park it self. Use trail forks and link together some of the trails off the breathless climb. Better yet find a local who knows this area.

snl1200 (May 29, 2018 at 23:00)

Hartland has flow; it's just not given to you on a silver platter. You have to earn it there. I lived in Victoria and remember lots of negatives thrown around about Hartland. Some of my favourite trails/lines are up there. If you'd rather be somewhere else while you are there that's on you. Great spot but find a local to guide you if you are visiting as linking lines/trails together can be a bit tough given the high density of trails.

mammal (May 30, 2018 at 7:44)

@snl1200: Yes, good info. I learned to ride at the Hartland, and over 20 years, that was probably my most frequent riding spot. Like you said, the flow is difficult to attain, and doesn't last long (short descents for the given efforts). It can be a difficult place to appreciate for people that come from areas with long descents. For that, I'd go to Duncan or beyond.

highrocker1298 (May 31, 2018 at 0:03)

@snl1200: Your logic is flawless. A rider's skill and trail knowledge will earn that mythical flow at Hartland. It ain't given out for free. There are some trails at other venues that will not demand as high an entry fee for flow as Hartland - those are fun too. I hope you are well in the interior!

henderson22 (Jul 6, 2018 at 14:59)

it is actually the shittiest riding in the world as a matter of fact. fuck

mammal (Jul 9, 2018 at 17:27)

@henderson22: I've certainly been to a lot of worse riding zones. That's a crap take, if you're serious.

Franzzz (May 30, 2018 at 0:29)

This tall talented rider would need 29 inches wheels. He looks like me beside a 24 inches bike!!! :-)
BTW: the bicycle picture shows a strange thing: when the dropper seat post is lowered, the saddle gets at the height of the handlebars. Wondering if this is handy in downhill sections....

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 18:06)

Yup, my legs are so long I have to have my seat pretty high. I run a 175mm dropper post. When it is all the way down it feels like it is in a good spot and not too high though.

jackoconnor (May 30, 2018 at 1:40)

I love those kind of berms

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 12:59)

Pretty sweet eh!

VTwintips (May 29, 2018 at 16:03)

Soothing watch.

hillbillyhero (May 30, 2018 at 11:03)

well done Max. Bike looks sick.

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 12:59)

Thanks Jeff. I'm loving the bike! Definitely the nicest bike I've ever owned.

MaxPlaxton (May 30, 2018 at 13:23)

Sick bud!!!! Hey where is that car?

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 13:31)

Thanks Max!! It's out in Thetis but unfortunately after filming it we found out it was on private property. The jump itself is probably torn down now.

ulyssep (May 30, 2018 at 16:57)

Hey are you that Guy i met on tursday ?
Im Ulysse with the reign

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 18:04)

Hey!! Yup that was me. It was awesome to ride with you. I didn't see you at the race? Were you not feeling well enough after that crash? Hope you are all good. Hopefully we can ride again!

ulyssep (May 30, 2018 at 20:01)

@victoriabiker13: I have broken my frame on friday so i have to wait on the island until Giant replace the frame in warranty.. i will text you when i will come to Victoria.

maxmcculloch (Jun 4, 2018 at 17:38)

@ulyssep: Too bad to hear about the frame. Looking forward to riding when you come to Victoria!

Subiefunnn (May 29, 2018 at 18:29)

sweet

maxmcculloch (May 30, 2018 at 13:00)

Cheers!

mountainbikematt (May 30, 2018 at 20:16)

Bravo

maxmcculloch (Jun 4, 2018 at 17:37)

Cheers!

DONKEY-FELTCHER (May 30, 2018 at 1:42)

Procore gnar

Below threshold threads are hidden

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Adamrideshisbike (May 29, 2018 at 18:06)

Please, tell me young adults dont listen to music that lame. I listen to all sorts of lame music (not as bad as that song mind you) now that I'm old, but when you're young, you should be rocking out.

Also, those woods are gorgeous.

MoonboyMTB (May 29, 2018 at 18:13)

Don’t worry, I always rock out to Metallica, Pantera, and other metal bands haha ????

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friendlyfoe (May 29, 2018 at 18:36)

That song was amazing. You can still listen to metal and enjoy music like that, you just need to have some chill which it appears, you do not.

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Adamrideshisbike (May 29, 2018 at 18:46) (Below Threshold)

@friendlyfoe: Trust me, I do chill. Earlier tonight I was on a forum talking about the new Beach House album. I was listening to Otis Redding sing a love song to his honey bear on the way from from the trails, and I'm thinking about getting Leonard Cohen lyrics tattooed across my back, but there is something sad about anyone in there teenage years listening to anything as lame as that song.