Video: Home Turf in Southern Washington on the Transition Bikes Company Trip

Nov 20, 2019
by Transition Bikes  
Company Trip to the Gifford Pinchot

by TransitionBikeCompany
Views: 7,228    Faves: 23    Comments: 0


The annual 'Transition company trip'. A tradition that began as a way for all of us to be together enjoying what we love most, riding bikes. Every year we close the headquarters and head out to a new location for a couple days. So far we have explored across British Columbia, from Cumberland to Retallack, so it was time to stay on home turf this year.

Under the guiding services of Trans-Cascadia Excursions, we headed into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southern Washington to ride the trails more famously known from the Trans-Cascadia backcountry race. Our base camp was right in the Mt. St Helens blast zone, where there are no fancy accommodations, wifi, cell service, or any amenities other than the forest and the bubbling creek beside camp, which is just the way we like it.

Our camp chef Kevin Menard, kept our energy levels high with Ahi Tuna burgers, protein pancakes, and lots of bacon, while Nick Gibson (TC excursion owner) kept our fire pit at a solid 11 through the night. Each day brought big climbs and even bigger views, with long ridge line descents and what many described as the best trail they had ever ridden. While it's hard to come back to reality after a trip like this, being able to do these things is important to who we are. #riderowned

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89 Comments
  • 26 0
 Can't wait to see what the PBR is hiding...
  • 2 0
 I didn't notice this? New bike?
  • 4 0
 @briceps: At 2:32, they superimpose a PBR themed frame to obscure what one of the guys in the back is riding.
  • 7 0
 Its a bottle rocket www.pinkbike.com/news/pabst-blue-ribbon-Bottle-Rocket-2008.html
  • 21 0
 The rider on the "PBR bike" is Nick Gibson, the owner of Transcascadia Excursions. Transcascadia has a relationship/gets support from Santa Cruz, so I'm pretty sure that's just a coverup of a non-Transition bike. They don't want to be advertising the Megatower or whatever in their company video.
  • 9 0
 Hopefully a 27.5 Bottle Rocket remake. I'd buy 3.
  • 1 0
 @MarcusBrody: also at 1:25-1:28 it seems like someone dodged the image of a bike. ...a moving smudge...
  • 1 0
 @BrambleLee: Yeah that's Nick and he's on what looks to me like a tan Nomad at about 2:20.
  • 5 0
 @BrambleLee: Awe dang... my sentinel is already #oncoil, but hoping for some mega/super-sentinel!
  • 1 0
 @masonstevens: Long live freeride!
  • 1 1
 @uberstein: you can see it a bit better just in the beginning at 0:06. This thing almost looks like an e-bike?!
  • 3 0
 @BrambleLee: thank you for pooping on my new scout cheerios
  • 2 0
 @Ratz90: Good catch, but that's no ebike. Definitely a 2017 Nomad v4 in tan/black.
  • 3 0
 @jbirkle: The Sentinel LT is coming, from what I hear.
  • 1 0
 @Ratz90: It’s really not a conspiracy
  • 2 0
 @briceps: 10 year old bike actually haha!
  • 1 0
 @masonstevens: Yes! Bottle Rocket I can not like this enough.
  • 1 0
 Looks like they're smuggling something...
  • 1 0
 @jbirkle: My guess is the 'super sentinel' coming next month
  • 2 0
 @tbmaddux: the one at 0:06 is something like dark blue an has a massive downtube. I'm aware the one covered by the bottlerocket is a nomad.
  • 1 0
 @Ratz90: Yep you’re right. I was thinking of the one on the ground around 0:39.

A lot of the G-P trails are moto, so an e-bike is certainly a possibility. My guess is a Bronson, though.
  • 8 0
 Transition makes killer bikes, no doubt. I own a couple.

But one of my favorite things about that bike company is the people and their culture which adds to my desire to support them. If you ever wander into their showroom, the first thing they do before asking your name or what you’re looking for is ask if you want a cold beer poured off the tap.

Good people who love beer and riding,
  • 2 0
 Totally agree. They're dudes I would hang out with if they lived in the same town. They like fly fishing and biking and winter sports and are generally just cool folks that live the life and enjoy partying in the woods.
  • 9 0
 A true #partyinthewoods
  • 7 0
 Makes me want to work for Transition!
  • 3 0
 I hung with Blake and Dillon some at Outerbike. Rad, fun people. My son is already set on a Transition for his next bike, and I'll confess that I am as well after spending a few hours with them. There's something to be said for small, rider-owned companies.
  • 2 0
 Glad these trails are finally getting some publicity. Thanks to trans Cascadia they're in the best shape they've ever been. Vanson peak downhill is best backcountry descent in Washington IMO.
  • 2 0
 Trailforks link?
  • 2 0
 @bodhibikes: www.trailforks.com/trails/vanson-ridge-tr-213a
  • 2 0
 @jordanrh: A 3 mile descent! How does that even work!??

Cries in East Coast.
  • 1 0
 Such convenient riding for the majority I am surprised not many people know about it - I mean its only a 2 hour drive on road from Portland to get to the nearest access point and then a couple of hours on forest roads to find some of these trails, amazed at the lack of traffic they see.

Seriously though - reading a few descriptions of the trails - I am sure they are great but they are in the middle of butt-f*ck nowhere!
  • 28 24
 Any females work for this company?
  • 18 62
flag jhdhaj (Nov 20, 2019 at 8:32) (Below Threshold)
 or any people of color? This company needs some diversity. Especially after someone in their racing department made a cynical comment about trans athletes competing in DH world cups.
  • 2 0
 I'm surprised. Transition typically has a lot of lady shredders on their squad.
  • 6 1
 Did any apply ?
  • 10 2
 Did any females apply?

Their company, their rules.
  • 58 7
 @jhdhaj: 1) How many 'people of color' have applied? Are they qualified if they have? You are in Tacoma, take a road trip up to Bellingham and ask them yourself. of 2). Transition Reps said nothing about trans racers, FMD racing did, specifically Tahnee's dad. 3). Trans men > women racers ...no problem with them racing, but it needs to be in their own class especially if they transitioned after puberty. No amount of virtue signalling so SJW whining can change the biological facts of bones density, and muscle structure in place in a male after puberty. Even the UCI is looking at lowering the testosterone threshold due to this fact.

Transition is a great company and a always welcoming with great staff. I speak from direct experience.
Live your life how you see fit, marry who want to marry, etc. I have no issue and most average folks feel this way. However, unfairly competing in a women's race is BS and everyone knows it is.

Downvote me all you want....
  • 18 7
 @jhdhaj: Yeah, men shouldn't compete in women's sports even if they identify as a women. Don't like it? Tough..
  • 81 0
 We have had women employees in the past, and will have more in the future really soon. We absolutely encourage people of all genders and races to reach out to us if they are interested in a position at TR. One downside of a small company like us, is that we rarely have job openings, so often times people have moved on when we have a position open up, and we hire the person who best fits the spot that can accept at that time. If any of you have met us, you know we accept and encourage every person to ride bikes and be a part of this community.
  • 6 0
 @jhdhaj: I'm fairly certain that was someone from FMD racing, which is the Transition factory racing team (Tahnee and et al). Transition sponsors them, but AFAIK nobody from Transition Bike Co. has said anything about trans athletes. Also, Transition sponsors Johny Salido directly, who was the first Mexican red bull rampage athlete.
  • 2 11
flag pinkknip (Nov 20, 2019 at 9:29) (Below Threshold)
 @TransitionBikeCompany: i’ve heard that Kate W is interested
  • 9 0
 Oh crap can we just shut this thread down now before it gets to a thousand posts arguing the same things back and forth for weeks on end without anyone listening or acknowledging anyone else’s posts.
  • 2 1
 @TransitionBikeCompany: Need a colorado based photographer/marketer/do anything kind of guy?! Big Grin Im ready to apply!
  • 6 9
 god damn snowflake!
  • 8 3
 @rzicc: you forgot to add “#MAGA” in your post.

Relax, I’m just kidding around.
  • 4 2
 @jhdhaj: WA state is 70% white. Mountain biking is probably a similar percentage. Overlap those two factors and there's your average level of diversity. They are a small company focused on making bikes and rad little videos so spending marketing $ on someone's idea of what their customer "should" look like is going to be low on their PNW priorities list.
  • 2 0
 @cuban-b: and blowing up everyone's dash.
  • 6 1
 Is that all you see is color, and sex?? So I guess passion and good products is only cool if they check all your boxes, lol man it must be hard viewing the world through a lens of tolerance
  • 2 2
 Don’t even explain your self, pay it no mind you are grate, if they knew anything about transition they would know it was a dumb comment @TransitionBikeCompany:
  • 2 0
 @rzicc: X 2
  • 1 3
 @bman33: the funny thing about this debate is that time and time again, no matter what the sport is, its men who are complaining. It's the women competing. Let the women decide and stop trying to make them live by your rules.

But anywhoo... transitions is sick ????
  • 2 2
 @Beez177: ok Boomer ????
  • 1 0
 ^ did not read the whole thread
  • 1 1
 That makes no no sense in the context of my comment but I agree with you about transition Lol @Droptucknroll:
  • 1 1
 @robG413: please no. U guys please just hug it out now before the tidal wave of shitty arguments comes crashing down upon us once again!

How many times do people have to argue about this (on the internet no less) before people realize no one is going to change anyone’s mind and nothing comes out of these arguments. Good god people
  • 2 0
 Your right my bad. I will bow out this is a great post no need to ruin it thanks! @cuban-b:
  • 2 1
 @Droptucknroll: actually many women have complained across most of the spectrum. But hey.... believe what you want. Here are just three links found after a lazy Google search:

ctmirror.org/2019/07/22/transgender-issues-polarizes-womens-advocates-a-conundrum/amp/#referrer=www.google.com



amp.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/03/sports-stars-weigh-in-on-row-over-transgender-athletes#aoh=15743412786353&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s


savewomenssports.com/our-stories
  • 1 4
 I mean I think it's a fair question. And Transition gave a good response. Mountain biking is rad, I'd love to see more women and people of color get exposed to it. Let's not kid ourselves, it's definitely perceived as a dudebro sport by the vast majority of the public who even gives it a second thought. Love my Smuggler, nothing but love for Transition, the issue is bigger than just one small company.
  • 4 1
 @roma258: Should skateboarding, surfing, base jumping, etc.. be more " mainstream " too. These are counter culture sports. Mainstream sucks that's why we gravitated towards these activities in the first place. Maybe American football has too many heterosexual African Americans, and not enough LGTBQ Chinese/French !? Should we complain about that too? Should every company have the perfect cross section of diversity? No.
  • 1 3
 @Beez177: I didn't say anything about "mainstream", but could we as a community make it more welcoming/accessible to people who are not white dudebros? Probably. Like, why wouldn't you want to share the stoke beyond a pretty narrow demographic?

"Should every company have the perfect cross section of diversity? No."
Ofcourse not, that's completely unrealistic. But it was literally 18 white dudes. I think Transition themselves acknowledged that it's an issue. Having people from different backgrounds, with different experiences and perspectives is a good thing!
  • 1 1
 @Beez177: Well stated.
  • 4 1
 @roma258: And if you travel to Africa you'll see mostly black dudes. Washington state is mostly white dudes, especially, away from Seattle. Hence the workforce. It is absolutely wrong to fill positions to appease the diversity police, rather than qualified applicants. Save affirmative action for government and public service jobs.
  • 3 1
 God dammit
  • 6 1
 I chose to study engineering.... guess what, there were less than 5% women on the course. They CHOSE not to be an engineer. Don't mix up "equality of outcome" with "equality of opportunity".
  • 4 1
 @karatechris: that was the most stealth way to tell everyone youre an engineer. oh wait that wasnt stealth at all.
  • 2 0
 @cuban-b: LOL
  • 2 0
 Damn, them trails look outstanding... them boys are spoiled. Different story in the Phoenix area. Lot of baby heads everywhere here.
  • 1 0
 baby heads aren't bad. baby feet are better...
  • 1 0
 @savagelake: Boise is where I’m trying to land... been visiting for years, need to pull the trigger and just move. Lol
  • 2 0
 @ytjodave: holla when u do. we'll go for a rip.
  • 1 0
 @TransitionBikeCompany
Can I join for next year? I could bring beer. I´m a happy customer, so I basically support/pay for these trips allready ;-)
Can you come to Europe then? Thanks for considering :-)
  • 3 0
 This looks a lot like my work...except for the bikes...and fun...and happy people...and smiles...
  • 1 0
 Lawd have mercy I love my Scout. And my bottlerocket before that.

Waiting for their next trail destroyer. Maybe a 155/160 bottlerocket with 27.5 & 29" options.
  • 3 1
 Such a rad company with totally rad bikes... thanks boys!
  • 3 0
 love you guys!
  • 2 0
 I work for the wrong company.
  • 1 0
 What is the best trail then?
  • 4 1
 Check out Trans-Cascadia Excursions....looks like Tongue Mountain and Juniper Ridge area

some vids/beta on trailforks...
www.trailforks.com/video/36001

www.trailforks.com/video/34522
  • 1 0
 It the New Mullet Bottlerocket hiding there....
  • 1 0
 Short n Steep n Shreddy. SSS System
  • 2 0
 So when can I start?
  • 1 1
 All the feels in this one
  • 1 0
 Rad.
  • 2 1
 Nice work Transition!
  • 1 2
 Wow what hero’s how did that manage such a sacrifice of no cell phones I don’t know how they made it
  • 3 1
 Really? I think they're celebrating how enjoyable it was and encouraging others to try it... how dare they!
  • 1 0
 @Hogfly: I was playing it’s crazy how it’s a big deal to not have your phone with you at all times now, I try to get everyone off there phones all the time it’s hard to get people to do it. I wish I had a device that turns off all cell coverage in the area lol
  • 2 0
 @robG413: dude, I hear you. It's hard as hell. We intentionally schedule trips to places without cell service because the allure to stay connected is just too great, especially if you own your own business. We started doing Buffalo River Sundays in the hot months and going there intentionally for a day to get away. It should be as easy as powering it off... but it's hard.
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