Video: Farwell Canyon Freeride & Coast Gravity Park Flow

Feb 19, 2019 at 1:52
by SCOTT Sports  


The Road Trip.

The act of taking the idea of escaping the day-to-day, to go explore and experience new surroundings. KM1919 was no exception. Calvin Huth, Steve Shannon and I had been eager to get out and explore the vast dreamland known as Farwell Canyon. This unique and sought-after zone that was founded and ridden in the early ’90s by the pioneers of freeride mountain biking. Fortunately for us, SCOTT had just released a new, badass, do anything bike – the perfect tool for the trip.

Photo Steve Shannon

Photo Steve Shannon

Photo Steve Shannon

Photo Steve Shannon

The stars were aligning, emails were sent, and we had a plan to head out west.

The timing on this trip was a little funny. Calvin and myself were down in Utah for Rampage when we realized there was only a small weather window left up North before winter was set to strike. Needless to say, there was a bit of a “road trip” just to get to point A. The day after finals Calvin’s truck was packed, and we left Utah to embark on the mission back to Canada. After a few liters of coffee and approximately 30+ hours driving, we were in the wild, wild west of The Cariboo Chilcotin. Arriving late at night, camp was set up and the beds were hit in preparation for the next days’ adventures.

Photo Steve Shannon

Photo Steve Shannon

Farwell is a special place. If you were to toss Alaskan backcountry skiing, and mountain biking into a blender, you’d get a delicious Farwell freeride smoothie. Like skiing, conditions need to be just right out here. If it’s been too sunny and dry the ground firms up and you’re a dead man when you need to slow down. A little bit of rain, and your tires gunk up and stop rolling. Certain lines are also virtually impossible to scope, due to the technical and steep terrain. Last, but not least, you must earn your turns, no shuttles or chairlifts here- “hike a bike baby!”

Photo Steve Shannon

Photo Steve Shannon

With the knowledge of a weather system rolling in there was no time to spare. When we woke the sun was shining, the dirt screaming to be ridden, and so it began. Two full days were had. Early mornings, all time laps down the holy grail of mountain biking, and nights by the fire. The stoke was high. Then the misfortune of weather struck. The rain hit, and it hit hard. There was no option but to leave.

Photo Steve Shannon

Photo Steve Shannon

Feeling unfinished and hungry for more, we were eager to get out and show more of what this bike was capable of. This sparked the idea of the Sunshine Coast.

After a quick chat with Curtis Robinson and Dillion Dunkerton of the Coastal Crew/Coast Gravity Park, we were off on our next leg of this road trip.

After receiving what felt like the golden ticket (the keys to park), we began an amazing shoot in arguably one of the best bike parks in the world. Without a doubt, CGP has some of the best-built trails, period. Huge wave like berms, perfectly sculpted jumps - everything flows. This place is more manicured than your moms garden. You can drop into any line, hit it at trail speed and it all works, first go. It’s incredible. A true fortune to ride.

Photo Steve Shannon

Three days at the park and the project was wrapped up! A road trip that will not be forgotten. The Ransom was put through the wringer on this trip and it performed flawlessly. From steep, gnarly big mountain lines, to DH trails and jumps- it handled it all with ease.

Photo Steve Shannon

Till the next road trip!

Cheers,
AV

Photos: Steve Shannon
Video: Calvin Huth


For more episodes of Chasing Trail, click here!

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33 Comments
  • 40 0
 At first I thought this said 'Farewell to canyon freeride and coast gravity park' and had a panic attack
  • 14 2
 real cool video! actually the first edit in a long time that makes this gravel surfing style of riding look cool
  • 3 1
 You must have missed the multiple other edits from the Farwell area or the Exploring the Fraser movie that came out a few months back. Farwell is the new Virgin in that so many people are putting out edits all of a sudden. Its not surprising because depending on what you like to ride big mountain wise, these two areas seem to be the best in the world for that... and both areas sport a ton of incredible regular trails nearby.
  • 6 1
 You've clearly never watched any of James Doerfling's videos
  • 7 3
 maann.... 5 mins on Google Maps, and i found your 'secret' valley Smile
www.google.com/maps/@51.833009,-122.5577106,307a,35y,250.45h,61.05t/data=!3m1!1e3!5m1!1e4
  • 11 0
 If it took you five minutes to type 'Farwell Canyon', you need to work on your typing skills Wink

It's also no secret. It's a few minutes away from a highway.
  • 4 0
 There's no secret about Farwell Canyon... it's a very popular freeride zone for British Columbians!
  • 3 0
 @wallheater: And the nice people at Red Shreds will provide directions/instructions as well! Although it does stick out like a sore thumb on google maps, haha.
  • 8 4
 Best part is cgp, those guys should design more bike parks. Skidding down an eroded hillside isn't as fun as it looks, especially on a trail bike.
  • 1 0
 I thought skids were for kids, drifting is cool but for that you have to stay off the brake

2:40 I guess this dude didn't get the memo
  • 6 0
 Farewell Canyon; you will be missed.
  • 4 1
 and interesting to see that there is room for a normal piggyback damper in the ransom ...
  • 4 0
 Shocked to see Canyon going out of business
  • 4 0
 Nice work, just ripping on the bike and great mood to the video.
  • 3 0
 So rad Alex! Big fan of Calvin's videos. Love the color grade. Its very soft and nice to look at.
  • 3 0
 I thought it said "farewell" at first instead of Farwell. Whew..
  • 3 0
 'an article about a bike park that's closing. I'll have a read'

'oh, it's not closing. Farewell is an interesting name for a bike park'

*reads comments*

'oooooooooooh FARWELL'
  • 3 1
 sitting in class rn..... Wanna ride my bike now
  • 2 0
 ???????????????????? ???? ???? you boys do good work
  • 3 0
 Sick style
  • 3 1
 Holy shit boys - this is rad.
  • 1 0
 That was really good. Thanks all involved. Insane great composer and bike handling in the Farewell bit... wow.
  • 1 0
 That was fantastic......seemed like it lasted about 2 minutes to me. Great riding there Alex!
  • 2 0
 Orange is the new black!
  • 2 0
 No. Never. It can't be. What are you lying for?
  • 5 3
 I like turtles
  • 4 1
 You just like how there heads have foreskin
  • 1 0
 The music/cinematography in the CGP segment was beautiful.
  • 1 0
 That was sick!
  • 1 1
 Sick doggie!???? arf!!
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