It's Tom's first trip to Bellingham, and what better introduction to the zone is there than riding all of the least popular mountain bike trails in the area? Guided by the Trailforks popularity map, Tom and Christina set off on a mission to tackle the least trafficked trails that Bellingham has to offer.
Thank you for converting to freedom units, Tom. To show my appreciation, I’ll make sure to drive on the left side of the road the next time I am in New Zealand, this time.
Honestly these are by FAR the best trails in Bham. If you're gonna come you should ride these trails and these ones ONLY. All of the other trail building sucks and you should just go to the north shore instead. Basically don't come here.
My blood pressure spiked when I saw this title, I was expecting them to blow up some actual good spots. Yes, visitors, please stick to non-shuttle trails on Chuckanut.
@jwdenver: I grew up in Bellingham (and have a lot of family there yet), I got priced out of the area. A city of 80k people doesn't have a lot of job options that can support 600k houses.
This is what most mountain biking was like in the past, minus the Trailforks and Strava. You found a trail, grown in logging/fire road, on a topo map, you checked it out. It can be a lot of work but, like hiking, can take you to some amazing places that stay that way because they are not "popular". I've shared some of my most amazing memories doing just this in kayaks, on skis and bikes with like minded friends who bitched and complained a good portion of every trip!
This is how I discovered all of my local trails, which are all now well mapped and signed. It is an interesting thing to think how easy and accessible trails are now, but I'm thankful I had the opportunity to explore when it wasn't as easy.
Just be sure to wear your wet muddyass riding kit, including knee pads and riding shoes, out to the brewery afterwards so that everyone else there knows that you got rad earlier
Transition really needs to parody this glorious phenomenon at some point. Or include a pair of post-ride sweatpants and adidas slips with every bike…
Trailforks is great, but its popularity rating is not at all accurate. Not everyone who rides local trails uses Trailforks, and not everyone who uses Trailforks records their rides, especially the locals who know how to get around. It's even worse in less frequented areas where a few people posting ride logs make a trail highly recommended, even if it's just a tiny connector that a couple people just happened to ride. If I'm riding a new region, I try to talk to actual people or at least look at the descriptions of the trails that seem interesting.
This do be true....but it's a good place to start! We intentionally picked the "least popular" and can confirm... didn't see another biker (did see 3 total hikers though) that day so I think we nailed it LOL
@christinachappetta: not trying to argue that we aren't moving away from being a "small town", but questioning why shining a light on the city helps our community. As a born and raised local I love having people come and visit our amazing community. I fear though, that with the rapid amount of "out of towners" buying fancy houses, bham will eventually lose what made it special in the first place. Great video, and great idea on your behalf, I bring this up mainly because I think it would make for an interesting story; how a "small town" now holds "some of the best bike trails in the world."
@mtb2233: I get your POV on wanting things to stay the way they were but I would imagine the local outdoors industry is quite keen on the growth. That means more jobs, more dollars, and more expansion on the things we love. Bc idk man, to me nothing remains in stasis forever and to hope for that is a losing proposition. As new locals as of 6 months ago, we certainly sympathize for the challenges that may bring to a community and bc of that we will certainly look to be good stewards of what makes Bham great. Ill just say that your new neighbors are pretty cool once you get to know them. You’ll find we have a lot in common
@Trailfingers: whoa dude. I certainly never said that. We were priced out too which is why we came to Bham. Home prices have doubled nationally since ‘08 so it’s something we’re all feeling my guy.
@Deanosuar: 6 months isn't going to give you the perspective you need... you felt the effects of being priced out, so you should understand why locals don't like people moving here, especially people that can afford Evil's with Push coils
@5afety3rd: Yes the tourists as well as all the new comers who bring an attitude of entitlement. Was a great place, I always ran into someone I knew out on the trails or restaurants. Now the trails are overrun and the restaurants and brew pups you can even get into
It's not so much that those are unpopular mtb trails, they're really just hiking trails. That I guess bikes are allowed on? I lived in Bham for a long time and went to these trails a lot to hike with my mom or non-biking friends.
That's the best part! A trail is different to every rider/walker/person. Tom and I had a hoot, maybe won't do that again, but I've had a few messages from people saying that's their go-to lap on Chuckanut haha amazing! And a few that would recommend an e-bike next time.
Gotta be honest, with flowy/bermy trails becoming way more prevalent everywhere I definitely get the itch to ride some old school hiking jank from time to time. Will it suck? Will it be fun? Sometimes it's fun to feel like you're maybe not supposed to be there.
@christinachappetta: Yeah, not saying it wouldn't be a fun ride, just that Pine and Cedar lakes is such a lovely hike it seems weird to to see it presented as an "unpopular ride", haha. I was in Fairhaven for a couple years and would literally walk out there on the Interurban Trail and right up the mountain. Just an amazing place.
Something I didn't appreciate about Bham until having lived several other places is how the trails are basically right in town. Which isn't special compared to Squamish, but definitely compared to most places.
@christinachappetta: I've ridden a variation of that route and yeah, once is fine. The people that ride it as a regular route are masochistic old men on early Pivot Mach 5.7s, Talas fully engaged and still believe in front derailleurs.
@bkm303: I love old school hiking jank. We still have a lot of it out here in Virginia. I weirdly enjoy riding uphill on trails that were clearly not made with bikes in mind.
My sister and husband live in Bellingham. In visiting them early December last year from Michigan we rode the same trail. By far better trail rides then here in SE Michigan. Great fun and will be going out again. Video was great!!
Stoked for more ideas from both of you!
This video really shows the experience I had of searching for trails in a new home after I moved just before shutdown. Glad to be at a point where I can connect with riders and get toured around. Although I can't wait to get up to BHAM to ride, I think I'll skip that climb.
And for lunch did you keep the theme alive and choose a one star dining experience? Or did you search for something tried and true?
Also, I just brought my kids to Raptor Ridge and according to at least one of them - even after all the pushing - it was the best trail they’d ever ridden in Bellingham.
@christinachappetta: come climb Ashland, Oregon. Lithia park trails. Consistent 15-30% grade. I just dry my tears at the top cause the downhill is so worth it!
@christinachappetta: I have done this area a handful of times over the last several years. The road up is better, but not a lot haha. Hardtail fun for sure. Hush hush up there is a good one. But yeah....there are a lot of easier ways to have fun.
@Fifeandflow: We did consider the road as well bc we love road climbing here in BC, but we wanted to keep it true to the trails. And we got to see that nice hiker!
I went to Bellingham before the pandemic (need to go back!). What surprised me the most, the locals had no idea what the trails were like. It' was always "I don't know I only ride X trail". An entire mountain of singletrack and most people have the "one" trail they ride.
It was the newer to the area riders that had the most knowledge of the Galbraith and what the different trails were like.
I also have my favorite Galbraith laps, and rarely stray away from them when I visit, which is why I thoroughly enjoyed making this video. Got me out of my own comfort zone and those trails kept me brutally honest with the fitness and skills.
@christinachappetta: To fully enjoy ALL that the Bellingham area has to offer (popular and unpopular, published and not), one MUST be brutally honest with their fitness and skills!
@frenchlinesandfrenchfries: And that is precisely how a popular riding area like Bellingham can sustain popularity AND still remain relevant for the locals! Everybody knows the only trails worth riding in Bellingham are Evo and Uline, let's keep it that way!
Transition really needs to parody this glorious phenomenon at some point. Or include a pair of post-ride sweatpants and adidas slips with every bike…
In all seriousness thanks for coming down. Lots of cool funky stuff here. Plenty of room for everyone.
Something I didn't appreciate about Bham until having lived several other places is how the trails are basically right in town. Which isn't special compared to Squamish, but definitely compared to most places.
Also, I just brought my kids to Raptor Ridge and according to at least one of them - even after all the pushing - it was the best trail they’d ever ridden in Bellingham.
I had the poor sense to try it on a cross bike during one of my first exploratory rides after I moved here, couldn't ride the ups or the downs
They have bikes there?
It was the newer to the area riders that had the most knowledge of the Galbraith and what the different trails were like.