Thanks for making a great Bidwell park video. Good job cleaning so many technical sections blind. Most people walk a lot of it the first time. I read a funny review the other day by a guy who said the whole place was terrifying.
Damn, missed you on this one but glad you came out to check it out again. There's almost as many "non-official" trails now in some other areas I think you'd enjoy if you make it back up here.
Well done, son! Respect! The trails here in Chico are real and you cleaned so much of the sketchy stuff. Interesting route choice. Up Live Oak, down Live Oak, up Live Oak!?!?
Oh cool! I'm really new to mtb-ing (less than a year now) and ride in Bidwell Park. I am finding it challenging to say the least (tons of rocks, lava cap, loose gravel and 100+ in the summer (summer of 2021 we had 63 days of 99 or higher). I wondered if it was just me. Glad to find out from a pro mtb-er like you that you also find it tough at times and do some hike-n-bike. Gives me hope that I'll somehow figure this sport out...well, at least a little :)
Welcome! It's quite an awesome sport! If I HAD to choose just ONE cycling discipline, it would be mountain biking. Love road riding and unicycling, and have considered devoting some time on the velodrome, but if it had to be one and I were banished just to one bicycle (oh the humanity!), it would be the trail mountain bike. Climbs & descends, takes you everywhere, does everything! Now it would be easy to assume you're completely new to this, but I realize you could be new to mountain biking, but have BMX and/or motocross experience. If so, then you know what you're up against. If you have zero off road two-wheel experience, then that's a whole different kettle of fish! 20 years ago, I'd point you toward William Nealy's "Mountain Bike" illustrated how-to masterpiece. But since we have TH-cam, there's no need (although the book is still a masterpiece); you can find everything you need - and stuff you don't - to learn this new sport. Enjoy! PS You picked a pretty challenging place to learn. Good on ya!
I've ridden Bidwell once. On the '85 24/26" Crack-N-Fail rigid! Good times! (Hate to admit it, but that was when riding was fire road for me and hadn't really discovered single track yet. So I was happy, but my eyes hadn't yet been opened to the true goodness of off road riding! Now I say, "Friends don't let friends ride fire road!" [or drink Starbucks!]) Thinking back, if someone had said to me then, "Hey Dude, can you imagine if someone built basically a BMX course down this entire mountain?" I'd think he were dreaming of an impossible nirvana future that could never ever come to fruition. No way, you're dreamin'! But now behold the flow trail!!! Who knew? (I obviously didn't.) Rode Soquel Demo flow two weeks ago and hit two flow trails above Nevada City this week. Oh how good life is!!! Even on a cold day, Brian is sans gloves, a la Mo & Hannah. I just don't get it, especially while riding through very technical, rocky terrain, replete with very coarse lava rock! You're a glutton for punishment! But wait... ha, common sense wins the day!!!
Looks as though you (or anyone else for that matter) had a hard time getting your momentum going on these trails. Sure keeps you on your toes though!. Definitely worth the trip there.
As a local to these trails, I can say you are spot on! If you're riding the tough trails, momentum and flow is key. One thing you learn how to do here is to keep your speed up, otherwise you're just fighting the trail. Similar to the rough sections of Butcher Ranch in Downieville.
I can't recall ever watching a video I simultaneously hated, and loved. That first part...I would have thrown a fit like a 3-year-old on those loose rock straight-down crap trails. But that last part....looked like something I would drive a long way to ride. Probably not clear from Arkansas, but it did look fun!!
Two thoughts: One, recently created a checklist for mtb rides in order to hopefully prevent forgetting anything, as one does. Checklists: they work. Two, you can have more fun in an xc race if you finish last or near to it, like I have; no crowding at all! 🤣
If you want to know the elevation along a route (like Chico->Everstoke) just ask Google Maps to direct you there using a bike rather than a car. It will show the exact elevation changes along the way. Thanks for the video.
At the beginning you said that Central Park is the largest municipal park in the country… South Mountain in PHX holds the claim on that fame, it’s also badass for mountain biking but that goes without saying
That looked like a trail I did today. I'm very new to mountain biking (less than a week lol). Looks gravel and rocks everywhere. I spent a lot of time walking the bike. :(
Sounds like your new bike has developed a new rattle noise.....maybe it's from all the rocks! I don't mind a few rock gardens but a whole trail of them....I dunno....
Great video as always. What wireless set up are you running with the shifter, derailer, and dropper. Thanks and maybe I’ll see you on the trail one day.
It's funny how the microphone tends to make the bike sound like it's bouncing & careening off of everything. I've observed this on so many videos of riding dry, rocky conditions. Gives the impression that tire pressures are WAY too high, as are shock settings. It really makes it sound like riding rigid. That the rider's brains are being scrambled. But the reality is plush goodness getting through that gnar! (But having a big beer belly does increase suspended mass, allowing the wheels & shocks to do better work. You should work on that aspect of your riding, Brian! 😁.)
Hi Brian I love watching your videos in TH-cam and this next month I go buy mountain bike I never try ride on trails Do u have any tips for beginner ride on trails
What gear bag are you using in your van? You posted about it changing your life a while ago but I cant remember the name or the video you mentioned it in.
@bkxc how is your Lyrik Ultimate so quiet? I just installed a new one (2021 model) and it is constantly chirping on big hits. I read that it's normal but then I watch your video and I am like what gives? Yours is so quiet!
Back in the 90s, my brother-in-law ran over a rattlesnake coming down B line . It got caught up in his front wheel. Being from Chico its so close and nice to be able to park and do a ride after work. We are lucky enough to have such a great place to ride. Its a workout for sure. Watch out for the lava rocks.
This is true of most mountain biking; if it's less technical, you often just up the speed, resulting in similar risk. Probably not the best activity to do alone. Yet I find myself riding alone 99% of the time. Did it before cell phones, so today at least you have that bail-out option if there's coverage. Better than nothing though!
A tip I use when I know there is a longish creek crossing is to clip a pair of crocs to the outside of my pack. They weigh nothing.
When I went to school there (a million years ago) we rode upper Bidwell on rigid MTBs. So fun! The dip in Bear Hole after was a must!
That’s it I am getting back in shape man I miss riding, your videos bring me back so much fun memories
I went to Chico State also rode the park about every day, BS in business in 76 been riding 🚴 all my life.☮️
Welcome back to Chico! Bummed I missed you. Hope you had a good time.
I grew up riding these trails, have ridden all sorts of places since then, Bidwell Park is still the nastiest!
Thanks for making a great Bidwell park video. Good job cleaning so many technical sections blind. Most people walk a lot of it the first time. I read a funny review the other day by a guy who said the whole place was terrifying.
These trails are so much fun on my hard tail. Give it a whirl!
When those California hills green up in March it is so beautiful.
Damn, missed you on this one but glad you came out to check it out again. There's almost as many "non-official" trails now in some other areas I think you'd enjoy if you make it back up here.
respect Brian. Since 2016!
trail asmr is just so good
Well done, son! Respect! The trails here in Chico are real and you cleaned so much of the sketchy stuff. Interesting route choice. Up Live Oak, down Live Oak, up Live Oak!?!?
Oh cool! I'm really new to mtb-ing (less than a year now) and ride in Bidwell Park. I am finding it challenging to say the least (tons of rocks, lava cap, loose gravel and 100+ in the summer (summer of 2021 we had 63 days of 99 or higher). I wondered if it was just me. Glad to find out from a pro mtb-er like you that you also find it tough at times and do some hike-n-bike. Gives me hope that I'll somehow figure this sport out...well, at least a little :)
Welcome! It's quite an awesome sport! If I HAD to choose just ONE cycling discipline, it would be mountain biking. Love road riding and unicycling, and have considered devoting some time on the velodrome, but if it had to be one and I were banished just to one bicycle (oh the humanity!), it would be the trail mountain bike. Climbs & descends, takes you everywhere, does everything!
Now it would be easy to assume you're completely new to this, but I realize you could be new to mountain biking, but have BMX and/or motocross experience. If so, then you know what you're up against. If you have zero off road two-wheel experience, then that's a whole different kettle of fish!
20 years ago, I'd point you toward William Nealy's "Mountain Bike" illustrated how-to masterpiece. But since we have TH-cam, there's no need (although the book is still a masterpiece); you can find everything you need - and stuff you don't - to learn this new sport.
Enjoy!
PS You picked a pretty challenging place to learn. Good on ya!
I never expected to see a BKXC Bidwell Park episode
Yoow! Nice upload before i ride, video just come out! Cant wait to watch later😍
Must’ve just missed you! Just graduated from Chico State and I ride Upper Bidwell almost every day! Great video
It would be really cool to have something like an inclinometer gauge on the screen to really grasp the steepness of the trail..
Seems like the stuff across the river is definitely more enjoyable lol
This is so cool, very similiar to the rocky ridge trail in the Bay Area, but on a whole other level. I call it flowy rock gardens 🙃
So cool! Nice bike dude.
Great ride....trail has everything.
I've ridden Bidwell once. On the '85 24/26" Crack-N-Fail rigid! Good times! (Hate to admit it, but that was when riding was fire road for me and hadn't really discovered single track yet. So I was happy, but my eyes hadn't yet been opened to the true goodness of off road riding! Now I say, "Friends don't let friends ride fire road!" [or drink Starbucks!]) Thinking back, if someone had said to me then, "Hey Dude, can you imagine if someone built basically a BMX course down this entire mountain?" I'd think he were dreaming of an impossible nirvana future that could never ever come to fruition. No way, you're dreamin'! But now behold the flow trail!!! Who knew? (I obviously didn't.) Rode Soquel Demo flow two weeks ago and hit two flow trails above Nevada City this week. Oh how good life is!!!
Even on a cold day, Brian is sans gloves, a la Mo & Hannah. I just don't get it, especially while riding through very technical, rocky terrain, replete with very coarse lava rock! You're a glutton for punishment! But wait... ha, common sense wins the day!!!
Looks as though you (or anyone else for that matter) had a hard time getting your momentum going on these trails. Sure keeps you on your toes though!. Definitely worth the trip there.
As a local to these trails, I can say you are spot on! If you're riding the tough trails, momentum and flow is key. One thing you learn how to do here is to keep your speed up, otherwise you're just fighting the trail. Similar to the rough sections of Butcher Ranch in Downieville.
Brian, I didn't think there was a trail that was too brutal and rough for you. The rain ruts are too brutal and rough for me.
Oh my god!! I was just at Bidwell Park last week. Bidwell was BRUTAL!!
The South Rim DH shuttle track was amazing.
That last ride was pretty nice though!!
Awesome video, man!
Nice bike trails 🔥🔥
I had a water crossing once in a 100 mile gravel race. While it was refreshing, it sure did break my stride.
I can't recall ever watching a video I simultaneously hated, and loved. That first part...I would have thrown a fit like a 3-year-old on those loose rock straight-down crap trails. But that last part....looked like something I would drive a long way to ride. Probably not clear from Arkansas, but it did look fun!!
Next time you ride chico you should ride with the chico state cycling team! It would be a blast and we could show you around the park.
Yassssssss BK-type XC! 🤙🤙🤙
First half of video was Brian providing a valuable service. Riding random rain ruts so we don't have to.
Two thoughts: One, recently created a checklist for mtb rides in order to hopefully prevent forgetting anything, as one does. Checklists: they work.
Two, you can have more fun in an xc race if you finish last or near to it, like I have; no crowding at all! 🤣
Oh my god! It is so steep, rocky and loose. The trio I hate to ride on. 😍
The terrain also looks like the one that we have here. So identical.
Epic riding man! If you ever head towards virginia id love to show you some trails!!!!
Sick ride
Definitely some chunk there B
If you want to know the elevation along a route (like Chico->Everstoke) just ask Google Maps to direct you there using a bike rather than a car. It will show the exact elevation changes along the way. Thanks for the video.
Damn you were'nt lying. That looked serious lol.
I’ll admit. I was nervous watching. One wrong rock could ruin your day. Great riding!
At the beginning you said that Central Park is the largest municipal park in the country… South Mountain in PHX holds the claim on that fame, it’s also badass for mountain biking but that goes without saying
That looked like a trail I did today. I'm very new to mountain biking (less than a week lol). Looks gravel and rocks everywhere. I spent a lot of time walking the bike. :(
Foot cramp in ski boots is the worst
Come for the sheer nastiness, stay for the poison oak and rattlesnakes.
Sounds like your new bike has developed a new rattle noise.....maybe it's from all the rocks! I don't mind a few rock gardens but a whole trail of them....I dunno....
Beautiful view,,
Looks like the goat and cow pastures out my way. Hard to tell exactly where the trails were on a few of those.
Come ride with me in Sedona this week brother!!
Great video as always. What wireless set up are you running with the shifter, derailer, and dropper. Thanks and maybe I’ll see you on the trail one day.
dude cool adventure
That trail looks rough! lol!
Nice bike
Looks fun but confusing 😅
Side note: Griffith Park in Los Angeles is 4210 acres - larger than Bidwell and Central Park combined.
It's funny how the microphone tends to make the bike sound like it's bouncing & careening off of everything. I've observed this on so many videos of riding dry, rocky conditions. Gives the impression that tire pressures are WAY too high, as are shock settings. It really makes it sound like riding rigid. That the rider's brains are being scrambled. But the reality is plush goodness getting through that gnar! (But having a big beer belly does increase suspended mass, allowing the wheels & shocks to do better work. You should work on that aspect of your riding, Brian! 😁.)
Hi Brian I love watching your videos in TH-cam and this next month I go buy mountain bike I never try ride on trails
Do u have any tips for beginner ride on trails
Love the video you should go ride up at whiskeytown by Redding!
@BKXC would you do that same XC race on the ripmo if you had the desire to do that race? As opposed to some more XCish bike like an exie or something.
What gear bag are you using in your van? You posted about it changing your life a while ago but I cant remember the name or the video you mentioned it in.
I carry a pair of water shoes in my pack for river crossings. I hate foot injuries.
You’re “up and at them” this morning...
Chico State=party school lol
@bkxc how is your Lyrik Ultimate so quiet? I just installed a new one (2021 model) and it is constantly chirping on big hits. I read that it's normal but then I watch your video and I am like what gives? Yours is so quiet!
My butt was hurting watching you. What chamois shorts are you wearing, if any at all?
Sweet 👍
Yeah! 🤘🔥
Janky, Rocky, Nasty!
Wow..those trails are tire-eaters. Holy smokes.
awesome ride and video, but the trail is way too difficult for my skill level.
Would have liked to seen you and grabbed a sticker.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Back in the 90s, my brother-in-law ran over a rattlesnake coming down B line . It got caught up in his front wheel. Being from Chico its so close and nice to be able to park and do a ride after work. We are lucky enough to have such a great place to ride. Its a workout for sure. Watch out for the lava rocks.
Next time you are in town and need a guide hit me up. If you want to ride solo I can give some trail recommendations.
Those dark rocks in the trail look like metal teeth sticking out of the ground ready to tear you up if you don't take care.
That looked teeth chattering!
from India - tamilnadu
Was it Worth it???
Super Jank
Serious question, and I mean no offense, but how do you stand all that RATTLING??!! You're running AXS stuff, what is even rattling like that?
19:28 Any Steve Wallis fans here? 😂
some of the ugliest trails and beautiful scenery mixed. Nasty terrain, kudos to you for being able to ride it.
so glad that was you and not me. ugh
Australia mountain bike trails be like:
I would never get an Ibis if they all sound like this.....sounds like gravel in the frame.
Coca-Cola should sponsor you.
Poor bike
Comment so you get paid.
Should you be doing stuff like that alone? We know you're good but what if heaven forbid an accident happens? You could be stuck out there.
This is true of most mountain biking; if it's less technical, you often just up the speed, resulting in similar risk. Probably not the best activity to do alone. Yet I find myself riding alone 99% of the time. Did it before cell phones, so today at least you have that bail-out option if there's coverage. Better than nothing though!
First
gj bruh
I can tell why you've never rode here before. Awful looking trails
kind of pointless .... poor bike was brutalized for not much fun in return...
lol, I worked at the Orion designing ads. Tehama Hall Communication Gra[hic design FTW!
That's too cool!