Truvativ : Bellingham : Committed

by SRAM
May 19, 2011 at 21:39


Back in January, Truvativ swung through Bellingham, Washington and witnessed the supreme creativity and perseverance a diverse group of trail builder’s had. Committing yourself to months in the woods for a trail no one is asking for is a special skill. It’s an unlearn-able and thankless task.
This edit is a little tribute to the calloused hands and sore backs that make our trails a reality. These things don’t just happen. The images shown here are from a nameless trail that is still under construction. Consider this part one of two. Second edit will drop upon the trails completion. We are as excited to see it as you are.





The boulder was almost a deal breaker. It rolled onto an access road from a cliff wall after night of heavy rains. There was no getting around it. Move that earth or turn around.
  The boulder was almost a deal breaker. It rolled onto an access road from a cliff wall after night of heavy rains. There was no getting around it. Move that earth or turn around.


Turns out boulders are heavy. This took 6 dudes, the biggest pry bar I've ever seen and tie-downs to get it off the road. No progress was impeded this day.
  Turns out boulders are heavy. This took 6 dudes, the biggest pry bar I've ever seen and tie-downs to get it off the road. No progress was impeded this day.


Supplies. Only the best.
  Supplies. Only the best.


Straight to work. Cut and debarked beams are laid to span the length of the creek.
  Straight to work. Cut and debarked beams are laid to span the length of the creek.


Some proper craftsmanship happening here. This bridge will stand the test of time.
  Some proper craftsmanship happening here. This bridge will stand the test of time.


Carhartt's. Flannel. Cut hands. Official builder uniform.
  Carhartt's. Flannel. Cut hands. Official builder uniform.


Tools of the trade.
  Tools of the trade.


Helping hand
  Helping hand


The fuel.
  The fuel.


The food.
  The food.


"Always be honest, always be courteous, and most importantly once you start something don't you ever stop until you're finished." - Daniel DeLaVergne


To the debarker.
  To the debarker.


Nature's fridge.
  Nature's fridge.


The plans, the foundation and the people involved with this project are beyond solid. Looking forward to ripping down this trail with its creators some day. Thanks for letting us crash your trail day.
  The plans, the foundation and the people involved with this project are beyond solid. Looking forward to ripping down this trail with its creators some day. Thanks for letting us crash your trail day.


Every Ride Has a Story
Photos : Adrian Marcoux
Video : TSage
www.sram.com/truvativ
Must Read This Week

93 Comments

  • + 60
flag darrentheclaw (May 20, 2011 at 2:24)
 I have nothing but respect for these guys! Trail building is an important aspect about Freeriding, a fact a lot of riders unfortunately don't acknowledge
  • + 3
flag youngFR (May 20, 2011 at 6:52)
 bulding is almost as much a part of freering ,down hilling and,dirtjumping as riding.also when your riding with out bulding you take advantage the bulder. why would he want to come back and build if you do that?
  • + 6
flag matt-bike-baha-2 (May 20, 2011 at 8:53)
 was thinking about doing the same thing in my 5x5 garden....
  • + 17
flag MiloXC3 (May 20, 2011 at 8:56)
 I didn't understand you, YoungFR. Partly because of your appalling spelling.

Did anyone else think "what the f*ck" when they saw that dog carrying that giant log!?
Nice one guys, looked like lots of effort was put in. Keep it up! Smile
  • + 3
flag ziggyzuggy (May 20, 2011 at 17:20)
 this inspire me to keep building
  • + 2
flag kaptankaos (May 21, 2011 at 2:20)
 Milo that dog tripped me out for awhile too.... It looks like he has no bottom jaw!!
  • + 2
flag philipstonier (May 21, 2011 at 11:53)
 awesome
  • + 2
flag leelau (May 24, 2011 at 14:00)
 Special place in mtb heaven for all builders
  • + 1
flag transitionbikekidd (May 25, 2011 at 13:57)
 he must not have a mac that spells for him Wink
[Reply]
  • + 6
flag courtneywylie (May 20, 2011 at 9:51)
 Of course I am totally biased, but as someone who watches how hard these guys work on a regular basis in the worst of conditions with often very little acknowledgment, it makes me really happy to see this finally show up on PB. They are some of the most dedicated unpaid trail builders I've ever met. (And the log-carrying dog is our 10 year-old lab/great dane mix, Shasta. He's probably helped build more trail than most bikers out there...)
[Reply]
  • + 7
flag woodline (May 20, 2011 at 3:19)
 wow big respect to you guys!! looks very great Wink
sadly many riders often don't know how much work and time it takes to build such an awesome trail Wink
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  • + 6
flag globemc2 (May 20, 2011 at 1:24)
 I remember meeting the digging dog at 1:58! If it's the same one, he could climb trees to fetch a stick! Now to find that footage...
  • + 1
flag sgsrider (May 20, 2011 at 1:39)
 maverick, it's not the dog you are thinking of. that was thad's pit, this dog is erics, but still one hell of a trail dog. lol
  • + 1
flag globemc2 (May 20, 2011 at 1:49)
 Bah yeah, when he put the stick up in the tree that pit was doing frickin pull ups to fetch a stick! Insane!
  • + 0
flag pbrider (May 20, 2011 at 6:56)
 Who's the paddler wearing the Danny DelaV shirt?
[Reply]
  • + 6
flag soutie1 (May 20, 2011 at 2:49)
 So sick , Wish the UK had more mountains!!!
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  • + 5
flag zeroack  (May 20, 2011 at 7:25)
 Thru building comes respect for trail. You must earn something to truly respect it.

Epic job.
  • + 1
flag Bjammin (May 20, 2011 at 20:23)
 Amen. Just came back from a build session, and riding fresh trail that you've just built is truly an amazing feeling.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag combee (May 20, 2011 at 11:10)
 To everybody who drives trucks into forests and using chainsaws to build trails; You are lucky as hell!
If I would use a chainsaw in the woods here, I would be inprisoned within the hour
  • + 1
flag dubprof (May 20, 2011 at 12:58)
 you gotta move somewhere else then....
  • + 1
flag combee (May 21, 2011 at 12:53)
 Easier said than done..
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag MirraCo3 (May 22, 2011 at 19:23)
 sweet trails guys wish my town had even half of the length of that trail, i have respect for builders cause i am one to and started building a new trail as a one man crew cause freeride is dieing in georgetown un forutnately, anywho cant wait to see the finished prod of this. Keep up the good work guys
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag White-Chocolate (May 22, 2011 at 18:13)
 This is what makes me proud that I go out evreyday after school and work on trails, doesn't matter who's it is, I have made over 15 trails in this little town. And I still will never make anything as respectable as these guys do. And that dog was amazing.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag charliefandango (May 20, 2011 at 10:15)
 Nice editing on that video, it could literally be an advertisement for the brewskies that they are tossing back.

LIVING THE HIGHLIFE!

-CF-
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag g-man27 (May 20, 2011 at 10:53)
 that looks like such a fun time. hangin out with friends nature chilled beer, building trails in the forest, and cookin some dogs on the stove. we don't do that kind of thing here in the desert.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag Vorar (May 20, 2011 at 22:09)
 Where is this? North Fork? I want to help. Getting tired of just hitting Evo and U-Line all the time. It would be a bummer if this stash stays secret.
  • + 1
flag northwestripper (May 23, 2011 at 12:50)
 it looks kind of like snake... im wondering the same thing though
  • + 1
flag Vorar (May 23, 2011 at 20:46)
 Demming.
  • + 1
flag sgsrider (May 24, 2011 at 20:04)
 definitely not snake. keep local trails on the DL.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Condro714 (May 20, 2011 at 7:49)
 This is nice to look at. I cant imagine Sage in flip flops and a tank top out there in the cold though. That must have been why they brought the High Life. A few HLs and you can get Sage to do just about anything. Nice work.
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag devil1143 (May 20, 2011 at 1:14)
 this is documented and filmed so well
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  • + 1
flag voltageyz0 (May 21, 2011 at 2:34)
 full commitment guys, just a tip for splitting those lengths if you have a splitting maul, if you lay the log on a flat surface inbetween your legs those logs will split pretty easy.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag dankuskhan (May 20, 2011 at 7:23)
 love to see articles about building on pb. this is legit more riding communities need to come together like this.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag leehead3 (May 20, 2011 at 7:38)
 what a feel good story, always good to see people coming together to build trails
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag fraserbritton  (May 20, 2011 at 8:53)
 We had one hell of a week. Thanks to SRAM for showing up and helping out!
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag dhclum (May 20, 2011 at 1:14)
 even the dogs helping
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag zelmer (May 20, 2011 at 23:35)
 building trails by my own hands and then ride them - there`s nothing more wonderful in the world - big love for yall trail builders
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag vlad-x7 (May 20, 2011 at 5:12)
 Fantastic article! keep the great stories coming
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag jumpingman (May 22, 2011 at 9:19)
 So sick if only it wasn't so flat in Connecticut i would build shit all the time Razz
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  • + 1
flag pmpete (May 22, 2011 at 8:50)
 the reward for building trails is when other people use them and like them, much like cooking a meal or a good song or picture.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag jpeteh (May 20, 2011 at 14:50)
 Man,,Think about it. To be free in the hills and to build something with your Bro's. Man it does not get any better.What more could you ask for???
  • + 1
flag Bjammin (May 20, 2011 at 20:25)
 who is this Man you are referring too, grasshopper?
  • + 1
flag jpeteh (May 20, 2011 at 20:53)
 Man as in if we are all talking.Having a beer after ridding .Grasshopper..
  • + 1
flag Bjammin (May 21, 2011 at 8:50)
 Sounds chill, grasshopper.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag nesbit (May 20, 2011 at 13:43)
 I lived in bellingham until last year and it is impossible to describe how much i miss all the devoted builders and riders. great to see them getting some appreciation!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag MisterHuckMyself (May 20, 2011 at 18:42)
 Thank god i have cousins in bellingham! I'm bringing my bike next time i visit!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag phdotd (May 20, 2011 at 4:50)
 awesome whish we had more guys like all of you down here.
  • + 1
flag fghjk (May 20, 2011 at 11:10)
 I agree bit there a few committed builders up in Boksburg. dirt jumps are my life!!!
  • + 1
flag phdotd (May 23, 2011 at 2:01)
 so when are you cutting a gnarly line down that mine dump of yours?
  • + 1
flag fghjk (Jun 9, 2011 at 11:43)
 HA HA ya it sucks to have plentiful mountains of dirt bit if you want to have your bike self destruct one run down a mid dump will do the trick bit big things are going down hear soon!!!
  • + 1
flag phdotd (Jun 20, 2011 at 2:02)
 ha for sure, did a sand board run down the benoni one a couple of times, was pulling find sand out of my arse and every orrifice in my body for days
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag k2dan (May 20, 2011 at 4:26)
 an army of men can do alot ,props to those guys ,wish we had that here
  • + 3
flag fraserbritton  (May 20, 2011 at 8:55)
 The trail building army in B'ham is unmatched.
  • + 1
flag k2dan (May 20, 2011 at 16:14)
 i can see that, ,and keep the good boys
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag transitionbikekidd (May 25, 2011 at 13:57)
 i used to live in bellingham.. i wanna move back and help. keep it coming guys!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag MotoXer (May 20, 2011 at 9:50)
 wanting one of those shirts.... wondering where to find one??? anyone?
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag sngltrkmnd (May 20, 2011 at 12:42)
 killer. i wish i could escape my cubicle and help out
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag WADAS (May 20, 2011 at 0:32)
 amazing !!! great work,great story, as the vid says
"the and of the road is just the beginning"
  • - 3
flag drewscottjeremykorck (May 20, 2011 at 2:50)
 it clearly doesnt say "...and..."! read it again
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag parkboy (May 20, 2011 at 7:37)
 Ah good old trail building work bees,... i miss home cant build stuff like that in Victoria!
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag bigmtnrider (May 20, 2011 at 12:26)
 i love bellingham!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag DirtyB1ke (May 20, 2011 at 16:01)
 "I want to go to there" - Liz Lemming (30 rock)...
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag ebxtreme (May 23, 2011 at 9:19)
 The screen grab of Morgan eating the Brat is ridiculous! Straight creepin'.....lol Great stuff, fellas.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag ShaolinWood (May 20, 2011 at 4:56)
 Awesome photos. Awesome effort.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag robc10 (May 20, 2011 at 19:09)
 The satisfaction from building and then riding it isnt something you can explain, you have to go out and experience it
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag robspair1 (May 21, 2011 at 14:34)
 It's the best feeling, to ride a trail, that you have built before, the first time and notice everything went perfect!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag shred-i (May 20, 2011 at 16:21)
 leverage and or a rock bar, leverage and or a rock bar.....work smarter especially when someone's taking photos.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag tornateo (May 20, 2011 at 13:38)
 This could be V.O.D. As much as I love seeing the finished product I love seeing how fellow trail builders work!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Shurdle (May 20, 2011 at 8:34)
 Build it...ride it! Such a dedicated crew. Proud to be a Hamster.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag dirtman04 (May 22, 2011 at 13:40)
 love building and love riding... this is the greatest
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Nithzen (May 20, 2011 at 9:59)
 I love this kind of hard work!!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag ac9294  (May 20, 2011 at 21:36)
 Its amazing how many long hours go into one second of riding. thanks guys!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag rodriguez (May 20, 2011 at 6:50)
 You guys rock!! Oh and the dog too!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag propel409 (May 20, 2011 at 19:14)
 Too bad they are logging so many of the trails up on that mountain now =(
  • + 1
flag fraserbritton  (May 23, 2011 at 12:43)
 Different location.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag streb (May 20, 2011 at 7:55)
 These guys are the real deal. Nice work.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Forrest66 (May 20, 2011 at 1:18)
 thats so rad guys keep building
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  • + 1
flag TrailbuilderDK (May 21, 2011 at 12:17)
 Pure awesomeness right thereSmile
Nothing but respect for you guys!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag seanlegan (May 20, 2011 at 13:34)
 Going out to build in a few... Great motivational pictures!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Graku (May 22, 2011 at 10:24)
 A bit dull video. I enjoyed giving it a retro touch.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Thewail (May 24, 2011 at 9:58)
 Cant wait tell the snow melts!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag mountguitars (May 20, 2011 at 12:03)
 props and respect to these guys!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Riddick23 (May 20, 2011 at 6:12)
 Respect 4 this guys good job Smile)
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Azhiaziam (May 20, 2011 at 11:49)
 Where are these trails being built? Galbraith?
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag DenverEliteDH (May 20, 2011 at 0:25)
 sick!!!!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag blackpegasus (May 20, 2011 at 0:21)
 fantastic
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag ummevan (May 20, 2011 at 10:28)
 artists
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  • + 1
flag tjneutral (May 20, 2011 at 0:19)
 Great story!!!
  • + 3
flag cazneaux (May 20, 2011 at 15:45)
 I would have liked to see the end product though..
  • + 1
flag airsoftesneeto (May 20, 2011 at 15:50)
 love love love it
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag largextracheese (May 20, 2011 at 12:07)
 Great job guys! Shasta!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag reecewallace  (May 23, 2011 at 21:42)
 DEDICATED
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag haitman (May 20, 2011 at 10:58)
 wow
[Reply]

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