As I recall this isn't your first trip out to Washington. Do you go out just to mountain bike? Have family in the area or work that brings you out there? I love what I see from out there, but it seems easy to find plenty of awesome trails with half the distance. So I don't know if I'll ever make it out there.
I have family in Washington so while I have taken some trips solely for MTB out there most of my trips are dual purpose. But I'd say that the PNW is my favorite place to ride right now. There are so many great trails and they scratch an itch for me that other riding areas don't. It is a trek from the midwest but well worth it in my opinion.
Appreciate the self-reflection and honesty. I'm older than you and struggle with similar thoughts, although my jumping sucks compared to you. Another awesome video!
Thank you! Sometimes I feel like I have to overanalyze everything, but that is part of what I like about mountain biking - trying to figure out why I do the things I do on a bike.
Dude, this resonates for sure, great video!! Gaps are scary, and I really like that methodical approach of one at a time. It’s like walking on air after you conquer something like this! Gaps looked huge, congrats!
Thanks Rob! It feels great when you can set that fear aside for a second. With all the new jumps trails we've got around here, it's been easier to work on the progression and incremental gains.
Yeah Buddy! This is so refreshing to see. Being in that same aging category, I feel like every season takes longer to get back to that point of progression and hopefully does not end in regression. The fears are real and even seeing this is a boost to the mental game! Keep on crushing!
Oh man, the regression is real. I've gone from being a passable jumper to a terrible jumper to now being almost competent. It's tough when you're older, it takes longer to heal and you've got more responsibilities and obligations. One thing that I've noticed is that it takes me forever to warm up. I'll feel terrible for the first half of the ride and then suddenly everything gets easier and the flow comes. It's weird.
@@KrisYahner Sooo true on the warm up. We're not kids anymore shotgunning out of the car. I've noticed it the most on back to back days. Waaay better the 2nd day. Its crazy. 🤪
Nice job on that line! Those jumps look super sick and the berms! Chefs kiss for sure. Gotta make it down there sometime. Maybe we can link up next time you’re in WA and you can tow me thru those.
Thanks Paul! Would love to ride with you next time I'm in town. You've got so much good riding out there but Port Gamble is definitely worth checking out.
great video! i'm stoked to make it out to the trail again this year, my first trip was cut short by a pinch flat on the fat bike which I couldn't get a patch to seal nicely on trail (mtb was out of commission with a broken rim). Tubeless is key out there!
I live like five minutes from that. Didn't even realize. But I'm also pretty novice even though I've been biking for years, and 37 going on 38 is starting to feel a little old to START doing features like this.
Nice job on the video Kris!!! Very well done. I rode part of it last year with my Leb volunteer group. We started in Beaver Bay and didn't do all of it. It's very technical and challenging as you describe. From what we did, a lot of it is way beyond my skill level, but was worth trying it and the views are Awesome!!
Thanks! It's tough to ride everything out there in one go, especially if you stop the session all the optional lines. But you are right, the views are beautiful.
It was great to put faces to the names and hear some of the history. Splitrock is the real deal, true test of bike skill and endurance! The views and vibe are all time out here.
@@KrisYahner I’d love to get out here with you; I’ve got a pretty dialed rout I like to take. And FYI I have 100% confidence that you have that Step-up. But you said it right, these solo missions in remote zones need to be taken with caution! I’ll pass up anything I’m not fully feeling on solo endeavors. Also nice moves on Diggin’ dirt! That thing scares me more than anything I’ve done out there I think.😂
That looks awesome! First off, GREAT work on the video! Super cool you included the trail stewards as well. Great job on the whole video, awesome mix of story telling with the voiceover and POV! Second, how do these trails handle the rain? And what are the best times to head out there to ride? Might need to plan a trip myself!!!! Thanks for making this vid!
Thank you very much! I appreciate the comment. Most of our trails in Minnesota cannot be ridden in the rain. This trail is one of the exceptions. There are a couple of clay sections that got pretty rutted during a couple of weeks of wet weather last season but Dave told me that the goal was to get all of those sections capped so that this trail could be ridden even if it was raining. That trail will be snowed in for most of the winter so it will probably be May before it is ready to ride again. June through early Oct are good times to be out there. It can get hot in the August and Sept in MN but being pretty far north and being close to the lake keeps that area cooler than the rest of the state. If you ever find yourself out this way and need a guide or any info, let me know!
Thanks for the reply!@@KrisYahner I may just end up visiting one day, I've ridden BMX in Minneapolis a couple times as a teenager mid-August and yea, it got HOT! Would sure be neat to see that, as well as the UP trails. Hard to validate flying from the to Mn just for the MTB riding tho!
@@JeffKendallWeedit should not be that hard to justify coming here just for riding! Between the trails in this video, Duluth, and the iron range there is tons of great riding all within a couple hours of one another. Hope to see a vid of yours from here sonetime!
Thanks for sharing this, Sent it to a bunch of friends that missed out this year. I need to get back up there to ride the sections closest to the state park. I had to skip it on the day I went because I got up there later than planned. When did you do your filming? Looks a lot more overgrown than when I was up in early August.
I was out there in June. The group they had out from the Conservation Corps had some trouble with their camp (It got ransacked by a bear ) so some of the trail hadn't been cleaned up for the season yet when I was there. Definitely check out that little hub by the state park. Those were some of my favorite sections.
I was out there for 3 days when I filmed this. I stayed at the Shipwreck campground in the state park which was right next the trailhead. In fact there is a spur that dumps out right in the campground. Very convenient.
Glad this trail system is getting more coverage. Backing up the planning accordingly and limiting yourself if solo, almost washed out on castle cream and broke a derailleur (had a spare) on diggendirt. Being prepared for backcountry riding is a must if you don't want to walk for a couple hours back out! Amazing work OTM.
Awesome all on levels, you captured the essence of Split Rock Wilds! There have been some exceptionally creative minds at work out there. Thanks for the shout out --Adam, Dirt Candy
Alright, I definitely need to go ride here. The raw tech shoots look so good! Great job on the video buddy, super well done. 👍🏻 Big thanks to Tracy and OTM foundation! Making the world a better place to ride in 🤙🏻
Yeah you do! I think if you go into it with idea that it is a tough XC trails with a bunch of fun and technical b-lines and offshoots then you have the right mindset to have fun out there.
Excellent overview of this gem of a trail system, midwestern riders are fortunate to have this nearby and OTM has been expanding the system even more with several new trails built this year. Had the exact same experience on the Castle Cream step-up jump, felt like it was there but didn’t want to push limits riding solo in the back country. Great job clearing Diggen’ Dirt, did not have the same experience on that one and I had a pretty traumatic OTB!🩸
@@KrisYahner It sure is, passed by it several times on solo rides before finally attempting it with Dialed in. Rode into it confidently but something about the turn or front brake usage sent me over the bars, 27.5 rear wheel would have helped too. Bruised my hip and sprained my shoulder pretty good, but was back riding XC trails the next day with Jeremy.
One of the best systems in the Midwest. Such a challenge, but rewarding and fun, and what a beautiful place to find yourself in. Happy Tracy and Dave don’t care about the Super Bowl! 😂 OTM is really helping out the Minnesota MTB scene!
Missed that on the last trip. Need to hit that at some point. Such great terrain up there. Dave has a good eye for fun trail too. 🤙 Boot at Spirit is a fun one as well.
Since my Karver sole is delaminating despite several atempts of gluing it back, so I'm searching for a replacement with fibula protection and mud flap for laces. Shimano SR9 looks decent but a pain to find in EU43 US9.
Dang you make this look easy. I went on a single track trail for the 1st time on Saturday. You must practice a lot to have that much control over the bike
Yeah, if you ride out the on the all weather trail Knowlton will be on the left after you cross the road. You drop in from that parking lot on your left.
