Spencer Arps flowing into mid-July sunshine. A recent graduate of Western Washington University’s Visual Journalism program, he knows what’s gonna work in front of the lens and has the style to get it right.

Photo: Colin Wiseman

It’s Always Sunny in the Pacific Northwest

After the rain.

Author:
Colin Wiseman
Jun 27, 2024

It always rains in the Pacific Northwest. Or so the story goes. That’s the narrative that keeps our dirt fresh and trademark façade rolling. That and 39 inches of annual precipitation.

Deep, dark woods. Mist and mud and slippery roots and chutes and all that PNW goodness that we are lucky to ride year-round.

Sure, cloud cover dominates the winter months here while our lowlands stay open to tread, thanks to well-draining soil and super soft rubber. But summers are pretty damn nice here.

I used to avoid sunny days when it came to shooting in the woods, favoring the subdued transitions of that trademark mist to the challenges of hot light and sharp shadows. It’s a lot easier to add contrast than take it away.

Mountain bikers riding in the sun Bellingham Washington on Galbraith. — Photo: Colin Wiseman

There’s not much left to be said about Hannah Bergemann’s riding—she rips. She’s also a very hard worker and has a very low-key, pleasant personality. Here, she taps into the first morning of sunshine after an atmospheric river brought several inches of rain.

Frankie Devlin in the Chuckanut Mountains. We went out hoping to score some clearing light on a couple techy trails that see a little less traffic than your typical Bellingham-adjacent options. Sometimes you find the light you’re looking for in the least expected places as was the case here, on a short climb linking the two descents.

Aidan Casner and Flynn Mogan on a mid-morning lap down one of the many trails in the Broken Tools portfolio. Unlike some diggers who fiercely protect their creations, the Broken Tools crew invites everyone to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

If we did go out under a cloudless sky, I’d seek the shady side of the mountain to flatten highlights and create clean compositions that fit our visual status quo. But those misty days started to feel a bit drab—too predictable, in a way. A perpetuation of the cliché.

Here in the temperate rainforest, the best riding is usually after the rain. Saturated, grippy dirt—roots that provide a hint of traction. And, often, the best light comes with a breaking storm, too. Fully flared ferns. Saturated mossy greens. Rising mist. A forest of abundance. Emergent wildflowers. No swampy shoes drying in the garage. Weather that might even inspire you to wear shorts.

Iain Stewart grew up in Salida, Colo. And moved to Bellingham in 2020. After meeting Talus Turk and Spencer Arps at the skatepark, he quickly became friends with the up-and-coming Bellingham crew. Here, he throttles along the edge of a clearcut in late summer with afternoon sun lighting the way.

Drew Stuesse leads Roberto Bonometti down a trail of their own. Both avid diggers and blue-collar shredders, Drew does private builds under the Broken Tool Trails banner. Roberto is a commercial fisherman.

A classic sunset lap on Galbraith Mountain above Bellingham, Wash. Spencer Arps and Margeaux Bailey midway down the ever-evolved and highly-trafficked trail known as SST.

Hot light and hot laps featuring Drew Stuesse.

So how about this new narrative: it’s always sunny in the PNW. (From June to October, most of the time—sometimes even in the winter. For 157 days of the year according to official statistics.) And when the skies clear, there’s always a way to document good riding, with the right angle, shutter speed, and timing. Shooting in the woods when the sun’s out might lead to less predictability and consistency of light, but it allows for plenty of visual exploration and experimentation beyond the six stops of winter. Less Bill Withers and more Bob Marley. Those 9pm sunsets sure are nice, too.

With a fast-growing presence in the freeride scene, Talus Turk is on the road more often than not these days. Still, he makes sure to find a few projects at home every summer. Last year, it was the Cedar Dust Pro Line on Galbraith Mountain, which he helped rebuild with the support of Tenet Components. Usually more of a sunset spot, this was taken early morning for a video project they did around the line and how it has shaped his progression over the years.

A mountain biker eats berries on the trail — Photo: Colin Wiseman

Spencer Arps snacks on huckleberries mid-ride. Apparently, there are six different types of berries to eat on Galbraith Mountain during summertime if you know what to look for.

Talus Turk and a feel-good moment after the sun set on a midsummer night on Cedar Dust.

This is a celebration of sunshine in the self-proclaimed City of Subdued Excitement, featuring early mornings, late nights, and everything in between. Let it shine.

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