GreaseFest 2011

In case you hadn't noticed, it rains in Washington.  In case you're not from Bellingham, it rains alot in Bellingham.  So often in fact, that most Washington and/or Bellingham natives possess a certain level of badass that allows them to do the rad things they do, no matter what the weather.  What's the big deal about a few gallons of water saturating the earth, clothes, shoes and gear you're sporting?  To local up and coming mountain biker Brian Mullen and videographer Ben White, its not much of one.  I got to see them in action Friday July 1 as Ben and I trekked down  about a 50-degree grade, Northwest jungle trail that was difficult to even walk down, much less huck your carcass down on 30 pounds of metal and gears. Complete with sliding mud and clay action, we went from spot to spot, Ben filming Brian fly through what Brian called the classic Pacific Northwest "grease."  

I was stoked to be outside and shooting, but I may have had to remind myself of it once or twice as the mudwater slowly soaked in and crept higher up my carharts.  Some serious bro-fiving and smiles were still flying around as well though, as Brian killed line after line, shredding the way you might expect the 6th place finisher at the Northwest Cup on Mt Hood and junior expert overall champ to shred, but not an 18 year old kid. It made me wonder what I was doing when I was 18... Most likely still learning how to read.

On a nice empty Friday we had the trail to ourselves.  It was probably a good thing too, since our small media frenzy party may have sounded like a busy Tokyo street.  Somehow we settled on the uncomplicated and yet very sophisticated method of drop calling, by letting a couple of nice loud "beep-beeps," out.  Two beeps for ready, and one beep for not ready.  Although a few 'whoop whoops' may have slipped out here and there, I was impressed that it did actually save us alot of confused, loud howler monkey hollering.  

With an injury free, (and only two wipeouts) solid 6 hours worked on the slick trail of death (as I endearingly dubbed it in my mind)  We made it back out to the car.  Heres to getting out and making sure you tell yourself it is actually summer, despite what mother nature tries to tell you.  

-Rhys

GALLERY

   

A man and his dolly

Vantage point denied. Looking for new perspective Ben learns that wood mixed with rain turns into rotten wood, and also a meniscus trap.

Always a sign of a good trail when you find pieces of other bikes..