Trail building is hot and heavy out in Blue Lake since the Redwood Coast Mountain Bike Association (RCMBA) and Green Diamond shook and signed to build mountain bike specific trails August 2017. The first contract of it's kind in the state of California.
RCMBA chair, Tom Phillips, vice chair, Sean Tetrault, and other members have been consistent in setting up and staging trail days drawing huge showings of workers consisting of riders, non-riders, friends, and high school riders from the Humboldt Composite High School Mountain bike team. Essentially a large portion of the Humboldt mountain bike community hard at work to build the trails they want to ride.
On work-day February 18th, 25-30 hardheaded diggers arrived on site at 10 AM ready to build despite the rain, freezing temperatures, and intermittent hail and snow. Over the course of 4 hours somewhere around a half mile of trail was constructed from scratch. A blue level trail which connects an upper road to the entrance of another blue-level trail: Stable Genius-- a trail designed in collaboration of riders with Tom Phillips.
RCMBA chair, Tom Phillips, vice chair, Sean Tetrault, and other members have been consistent in setting up and staging trail days drawing huge showings of workers consisting of riders, non-riders, friends, and high school riders from the Humboldt Composite High School Mountain bike team. Essentially a large portion of the Humboldt mountain bike community hard at work to build the trails they want to ride.
On work-day February 18th, 25-30 hardheaded diggers arrived on site at 10 AM ready to build despite the rain, freezing temperatures, and intermittent hail and snow. Over the course of 4 hours somewhere around a half mile of trail was constructed from scratch. A blue level trail which connects an upper road to the entrance of another blue-level trail: Stable Genius-- a trail designed in collaboration of riders with Tom Phillips.
With the go for mountain bike specific trails, upon completion, this system will push your limits and skills. Although there are quite a few more difficult trails in place, the plan is to have both blue trails (medium difficulty) and more challenging trails (black) from top to bottom. Currently there are a handful of trails with a little of blue and black.
The highest on the mountain is Half-rack. This trail starts with a mild, bumpy climb weaving thru the trees to a fun descent with a flowy section incorporating a few optional drops and jumps. Next down is Pits. Pits was mainly build by builder J. Lucchesi reflecting his style of narrow, raw roots, and endless whoops slicing down the side of the mountain ending with a steep shoot. After the shoot, go left to continue down the last section of pits and it's adventure of narrow epicness or go right for a less steep and aggressive trail, yet, a more open flowy trail ornamented with a few optional features otherwise known as Stable Genius.
The highest on the mountain is Half-rack. This trail starts with a mild, bumpy climb weaving thru the trees to a fun descent with a flowy section incorporating a few optional drops and jumps. Next down is Pits. Pits was mainly build by builder J. Lucchesi reflecting his style of narrow, raw roots, and endless whoops slicing down the side of the mountain ending with a steep shoot. After the shoot, go left to continue down the last section of pits and it's adventure of narrow epicness or go right for a less steep and aggressive trail, yet, a more open flowy trail ornamented with a few optional features otherwise known as Stable Genius.
The second more recently evolved trail is Wood Rat: a slaying good time of narrow, down, off-camber, tight shenanigans that never seems to end until you reach the bottom. SO MUCH FUN. The pedal out carries along the slip-and-slide where you can reminiscence about the epic ride you just experienced. The current handful of trails will keep you stoked from top to bottom depending on your style, or, like myself personally, you will simply love it ALL.
The latest trail constructed on the last trail day is so new it has yet to be named however, regardless of the fact it is currently a blue level slick and peanut-buttery good time I am fully confident it will instigate yet another priceless smile on any riders face.
Mountain bike specific trails have been long sought after by Humboldt builders and riders. The opportunity to build without restrictions or constraint is like a breath of fresh air for builders and for riders, well, to finally ride mountain bike specific trails full throttle is a slice of heaven. Furthermore, these trails are designed to progressively build your skills and riding ability as well as unintentionally build your aerobic capacity via the steep pedal to the top. If you have not been out to these trails make a trip. They are worth the steep Humboldt-style pedal to the top just make sure to take an RCMBA member with you for access otherwise the G. Diamond police might kick ya out. Lastly, be sure to catch a brew or a snack at Mad River Brewing. :D
HUGE thanks to RCMBA, Revolution Bikes, all diggers, all riders, Green Diamond, Mad River Brewing and all the labor of love put into these trails.
Thanks for reading and happy shreddin'!
Photo Credits: RCMBA members, Sean Tetrault and Finn. :D
The latest trail constructed on the last trail day is so new it has yet to be named however, regardless of the fact it is currently a blue level slick and peanut-buttery good time I am fully confident it will instigate yet another priceless smile on any riders face.
Mountain bike specific trails have been long sought after by Humboldt builders and riders. The opportunity to build without restrictions or constraint is like a breath of fresh air for builders and for riders, well, to finally ride mountain bike specific trails full throttle is a slice of heaven. Furthermore, these trails are designed to progressively build your skills and riding ability as well as unintentionally build your aerobic capacity via the steep pedal to the top. If you have not been out to these trails make a trip. They are worth the steep Humboldt-style pedal to the top just make sure to take an RCMBA member with you for access otherwise the G. Diamond police might kick ya out. Lastly, be sure to catch a brew or a snack at Mad River Brewing. :D
HUGE thanks to RCMBA, Revolution Bikes, all diggers, all riders, Green Diamond, Mad River Brewing and all the labor of love put into these trails.
Thanks for reading and happy shreddin'!
Photo Credits: RCMBA members, Sean Tetrault and Finn. :D