Video: Shredding the Endless Trails in Bellingham

Oct 2, 2021
by PEARL iZUMi  

For the Love of Trails featuring Skye Schillhammer

For the Love of Trails
ft. Skye Schillhammer


This short film is about our relationship with trails. Because if you don't have trails, where would you ride?
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As riders, our experience is always attached to the trail. We may focus on our bike, personal fitness, skill, or any number of outside factors. All of which play a part in our experience, but to me, nothing means more than the trail in front of you.
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For this video, we picked three different styles of trail that we personally felt connected to. We started in the alpine, highlighting natural beauty via a ribbon of trail moving through old-growth forest, alpine meadow and rocky peaks. My eyes fixate on my surroundings as much as the dirt under my wheels. And motivation coming from the desire to catch the sunrise plus be immersed in the landscape.
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We wanted to display how some trails are a canvas for a rider's creativity to shine for the next section. Much like a playground, here you have endless options to choose from, with each lap looking different from the last. Underneath a thick pacific northwest canopy of trees, loamy and loose soil provided a landscape to jib, slide and gap anything and everything.
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To finish off the film, we wanted to slow down a bit and turn the viewer's attention to the little moments in time floating in the air. It seems somewhat counterintuitive that we spend so much time perfecting a jump trail of dirt just so that riders can spend time in the air. But these moments mean everything. They excite us, inspire us, and have us constantly pushing back up for another lap. So much happens in these precious few seconds; the speed, the pop, the trick all coming together in an instant to make a successful hit.
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This video highlights three trail styles that we are passionate about, with many more existing out there that mean something to others. That may be the best part about trails. They can mean something different to everyone. With no better or worse, right or wrong. All just for the love of trails.

I'm happy to have had the opportunity to work with my friend Cameron Hotchkiss on making this idea come to light, and I hope everyone enjoyed seeing what trails get us excited and headed out the door to ride.


Words by Skye Schillhammer (rider/co-director)
Video: Cameron Hotchkiss
Photos: Oliver Parish

Skye Schillhammer riding in the high alpine of the Cascades.
Skye Schillhammer riding in the high alpine of the Cascades.

Skye Schillhammer riding in the high alpine of the Cascades.

Skye Schillhammer riding in a playground near his Bellingham Washington home.

Skye Schillhammer riding in a playground near his Bellingham Washington home.

Skye Schillhammer riding in a playground near his Bellingham Washington home.
Skye Schillhammer riding in a playground near his Bellingham Washington home.

Skye Schillhammer riding in a playground near his Bellingham Washington home.

Skye Schillhammer riding in a playground near his Bellingham Washington home.
Skye Schillhammer riding in a playground near his Bellingham Washington home.

Skye Schillhammer riding the sky of Blue Steel.

Skye Schillhammer riding the sky of Blue Steel.

Skye Schillhammer riding the sky of Blue Steel.


Author Info:
PEARLiZUMi avatar

Member since Jun 6, 2019
8 articles

34 Comments
  • 38 1
 Right after the shooting of this video all Bellingham trails and breweries were officially closed and everyone is now directed to move to Bend, OR.
  • 10 1
 you mean Bend, CA?
  • 2 0
 lmao. but yes, insley issued the official mandated yesterday
  • 2 0
 @digitalcarnivore: and the land of 95% green trails and flow. It's like they actively avoid building anything technical here.
  • 4 0
 I like it! Curious as to what trail is at the beginning since the heading is Bellingham, but looks to be a high alpine trail near the Canadian Border, or NCNP. Great drone work on the the DH segment, dude can ride a bike too.
  • 7 2
 We need to keep these a secret Smile
  • 1 0
 @thebrat: got it! Was just wondering if it was someplace that was on the outskirts that was sanctioned. Thanks for that! Totally agree with your sentiment.
  • 2 0
 that one is definitely not Bellingham.
  • 3 0
 Glaby is the only trails to ride in that area. just depends on what camera angel you get...
  • 3 0
 The first trail is sanctioned, but outside of Bellingham about an hour.
  • 6 0
 Please dm @bradwalton for turn by turn directions!!! Wink
  • 7 0
 All are on Galbraith
  • 4 0
 one of those is upper bobs
  • 3 0
 @moroj82: sshhhh it’s whoopsie whoodle! Don’t doom the spot!
  • 6 1
 hey what's that trail. and that trail, where're that. Why is that trail? how?
  • 4 0
 The still shots are so FREAKING Awesome. Who would not want to go exploring/riding after see this.
  • 2 0
 Stoked you liked it and it made you want to get out!
  • 4 0
 Love it, wish we had trails like this in CO. We have rocks, lots of rocks.
  • 1 0
 Both kinds of rocks, big and little!
  • 2 1
 Rocks are the best!
  • 1 0
 nah. you wouldn't like it. too muddy, too short of summer, too wet... enjoy our sun and dry trails.
  • 3 1
 Can't you just like Open up Washington to Canadians? I didn't need any more.
  • 4 1
 Not all trails begin with a shovel, maybe an IMBA trail.
  • 2 0
 tomorrow i go trail building, thanks for the inspiration!
  • 1 0
 Good vibrations. Trails first as always.
  • 1 0
 That's definitely not Northumberland!
  • 1 0
 Great riding and shooting, nice work!
  • 2 0
 Great job boys
  • 1 0
 Full-size cassette on dh bike, pretty cool.
  • 1 0
 Incredible film.
  • 1 0
 Bham 3
  • 1 0
 drop a pin
  • 1 0
 Absolutely beautiful
  • 1 2
 If you fast forward to 1:50 in you can actually see some riding.







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