WORST RETIREMENT EVER - Mt. Baker Hillclimb - Bellingham, Washington

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[@Outsideville]

Can't believe you didn't let Patrick touch your bike after you violated his cello. 😂

[@roadglide]

It’s on video. He totally violated his Cello. 😮

[@Zwiesel66]

🤣

[@BrooklynDuo]

Was great seeing you! Congrats again on the win and thanks for letting me show you around Bham. Oh, and don’t touch my cello again 😂

[@matthewlefthand8177]

Oof….. Phil goofin ;)

[@stevenmeyer9674]

@@JR-qb7qt Canon In D? The scourge of wedding musicians everywhere.

[@secretagent86]

I have followed both of your channels for years. Cool that you got to meet. Patrick if you ever come up to Vancouver Island’s Comox Valley it would be a pleasure to bike with you. (Old and slower here 15-17 mph). Cello is one of my favourite instruments…but i am a guitar hacker lol. Hi to your wonderful family from a dedicated fan.

[@secretagent86]

I lived i. Nearby Abbotsford Canada and drove up Mt Baker several times. Gorgeous mountain

[@nanxihins]

Omg so good to see you on Phil's! The best of both worlds right there haha

[@joerossa1112]

Patrick didn’t think the cello joke was funny. 🤦‍♂️😂 But to his defense I would be pissed if someone took my S-Works for a spin but didn’t know how to ride. 😂😂😂

[@dan.p.8060]

You’re right, they were lying about the weather. During the warmer months it’s often BEAUTIFUL.

[@janefreeman995]

WWU grad and worked weekends at Mt Baker. Gorgeous place! Did a leg of the ski to sea a million years ago.

[@1519Spring]

My dad (mentioned in another comment on this vid) was a WWU grad, too. He played football for WWU 4 years before WW2, then served in the Navy during the war, then was recruited back by his coach to play 4 more years (Google tells me the 4-year limit we all know wasn'tin place until 1972). He was a good student and ended up with 6 degrees!

[@BestSideCycling]

Great seeing and meeting you at the event! I know lots of locals joined to see you ride :) Come back to take Hurricane Ridge!

[@brandonrittenour5905]

I second this!! Nothing beats that climb.

[@nostooge]

Thanks for posting. I "raced" this event something like 20 years ago, in < 40º rain, with snow covering the upper slopes. There were just two categories - stud, and spud. I raced spud, and finished 4th, IIRC. There were probably ~300-400 starters, with ~200 in the spud division. After crossing the line, I pulled on the windbreaker I had in my jersey pocket and began the descent. Within a few hundred yards I was shivering so violently I could barely control the bike. So, turned around, rode back to the finish and let the organizers know I was in trouble and that they were likely looking at a disaster. Quickly joined some of the studs huddling in the cinder block toilet where we shivered together until the organizers began stuffing us into volunteers' cars for heat and a ride back to the start in Glacier. They brought our bikes separately, piled in the back of a few pick-ups. After driving to Bellingham where I had access to a friend's vacant house, I soaked in a warm bath for at least an hour before the shivering completely stopped. Type-2 fun defined.

[@bilwit]

weather was like this for the 2019 and 2020 MT Baker event too, torrential freezing rain. Looks like all other years it's been beautiful though

[@stevocanuck]

Rob is insanely fit for a 40 year old its actually impressive and very admirable. He rides at times i cannot even get close to for someone half his age

[@goldenretriever6261]

40 is not old... coming from a 53 year old

[@1519Spring]

@goldenretriever6261 reminds me of the old half-joke, "Oh to be 80 again, said the 90yo." Whatever age we are, 10 years younger isn't "old" to us, but 10 years older is.

[@tedrowcranberry8733]

There's 40 year olds in the Tour de France.... 40 isn't even old in cycling

[@galenkehler]

Used to ride up baker a few times a year, was a perfect 160k ride from my house, this is inspiring me to go back up 🙏

[@TimIrwin26]

I hate to admit it, but after 50 years of living in Washington, I finally made it to Mt. Baker this summer. Definitely need to go back when I'm in shape to do the hillclimb.

[@chasepalpatine170]

As soon as he found out you didn’t play the cello he clearly thought you might break his beautiful instrument.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Crazy that that guy followed you from LA with his bike while you drove. That gap was very respectable

[@samreynolds5694]

Best episode in a while. Congrats and now I feel like I should visit Bellingham. ❤

[@mottohorn]

Love the Mozart A major in the background!

[@LastLamplighter]

Fantastic ride Phil. Looks like a beautiful art of the world 👍🏻

[@Airtruksrus]

As a first time rider on this event, and as watching you fly past on my struggle up to the finish, thinking how stupid I was to use a road bike with no hill climbing gears, feeling the ultimate struggle and not kill myself on the way up. Got a much better bike for 2024. Congrats on one hell of a fast ride to the top!

[@SnowMongoose]

Was not expecting a video from the 'City of Subdued Excitement'

[@EpohDerf]

I visited Bellingham this year and loved it. Even nipped to Canada for a day. I took some beautiful photographs up Mt. Baker.

[@ShawnIsBatman]

An awesome video and effort, congratulations! It is great to see some more of the more class 'Worst Retirement' style of videos!

[@JG-pm9ty]

There are a lot of great rides in Washington. While not extremely challenging, Randle WA to Windy Ridge is a very fun and beautiful ride

[@1519Spring]

Hello from Atlanta. My dad grew up in Bow, Washington, along Chuckanut drive about 15 miles south of Fairhaven.

[@juliuscaesar4802]

Today I rode from Sedro Woolley to concrete did my first 50 mile ride I’m a amateur in the sport but good god riding up baker … Imma get it done one day , I live close by that mountain

[@jordanfrazin6650]

Lived out there for a few years, great riding! I liked making an annual pilgrimage from my house in Bham up to artists point and back (always undertrained of course). Made for a beautiful day out. Did Ski to Sea once as well and it was a blast biking down toward town.

[@joanneleyva4942]

Phil, come on up to the Methow Valley in Washington to nab the KOM to Washington Pass (next year) when the road is still closed to cars in the spring.

[@jiyangchen3472]

Never thought I would hear Mozart in this context, but I like the selection!

[@lisaerickson8379]

Bellingham!!! My hometown, so fun to see the place, and Mt. Baker.

[@jorgevillavicencio2955]

I love the Brooklyn Duo. Great guys.

[@Cnith]

Interesting and fun video over all! 👏 Grats on the win!

[@worstretirementever]

thank you!

[@williamsylvia3962]

WOW! I only watched this because it’s an event in my local area and I thought, “Wow! Phil did the Mt Baker hill climb!” Then he he introduces Patrick Laird who I only knew from Strava as the guys who keeps taking my KoM’s 🤣

[@matkrek]

Great to see the Rob Watson feature

[@duncalistair]

Can’t say I was expecting an Eastman grad to feature in one your videos, Phil!

[@kathyljohnson6203]

Yay Sam! Have loved your work since the days of BTB 👊🎉

[@geeoffchin]

Was waiting for this to come out. Great to say hi and ride with everyone at the start even for a second as the front group said goodbye literally right from the gun lol.

[@kevinderung8524]

beautiful scenery! not sure you needed to worry that much about who's behind you lol, beast effort!

[@secretagent86]

I LOVE the Brooklyn Duo

[@RMaier2249]

Would love to see you do some videos competing in the UK hill climb scene

[@kevin._.farren]

Nice win, congrats! Love that area! Lived there for a few years and always look fwd to visiting.

[@secretagent86]

Great video. Please come to Mount Washington in Comox on Vancouver Island. Much smaller mountain but a lot steeper and also longer. I would love to be your support team. Peter.

[@stevenqirkle]

What an awesome climb. Congrats on the win and the KOM!

[@michaellundquist6072]

AAAAAAHHHHH!!!! I can't believe I was there that day and totally missed you. I was backpacking and getting back to Artist Point when the hill climb was finishing. It would have been awesome to meet you and see you ride in person.

[@shopvice]

My hometown. Cool to see you crushing the road I traveled every weekend to ski and treated as a rally course in my tuned Subie GL wagon. I.re.spon.si.ble teenager.

[@13squared2009]

Great vid and congrats on the W!

[@blairphelps7215]

I hope he does Hurricane Ridge next.

[@will_jennings]

16:04 Best Side Cycling creeping in

[@Xhadp]

Its hilarious to see you with your head up while everyone else's head is pointing down during the pack riding portions. Still, awesome ride! Too far out for my liking but glad you enjoyed it and got the KOM.

[@manfredseidler1531]

I drove up there a few times and was scared because how close one drove to the edge with monster drop-offs... I can't imagine anyone riding a bike up there, way cool

[@chrisnelson5770]

That Ralpha jersey LMAO!! I'm gonna get online and get one of them!

[@Scrooks1]

Nice climb, Mr Baker is a good ride. I also recommend Deer Park Road over near Port Angeles. I think someone beat you to my KOM on Deer Park though. When I do Deer Park Rd, I start by the KOA campgrounds and go all the way to the top which includes about 8 miles of gravel road. Hurricane Ridge is a little further west near Deer Park Rd and is much more popular. I think Levi still has the KOM on Hurricane Ridge.

[@madpeddler8263]

Ok Mr. Gaimon sir, did you ride back down to Glacier or return by car? Having climbed MB countless times the opportunity to descend without traffic provides the ultimate opportunity to fully take in the beauty of this Alpine climb.

[@01FozzyS]

Well done,Phil! Congrats!

[@ttmallard]

The water's too cold, it's snowmelt, you need a drysuit irrc, the website likely has a note for swimming. Have ridden to the ski resort a few times & climbed from the east side, Mt.Baker is an active volcano, in places it's alive. Cheers best 🍺

[@santiagobenites]

You were so close to Canada, you could probably smell it from there! Congratulations on the KOM! 😁

[@lordalfa600]

Patrick is wearing a Monton jersey. The Thursday jersey. Does he have everyday for all the days?

[@irondistance4313]

Well done Phil I will check this event out in the future, funny I live about three hours away and never heard of it

[@Lynxswild]

Mt Constitution on Orcas Island?

[@keitmo]

There used to be an annual event called Down and Up Mount Baker (a.k.a. DUMB). Start at the top, ride downhill to the base, then ride back to the top. I never had the chance to do it, but it sounds like "fun" (for some definition of the word).

[@smshing_lee]

looks like a awesome event and those views!

[@PiquePictures]

I live in Vancouver and have always wanted to ride up Mount Baker! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@worstretirementever]

Do it!

[@PiquePictures]

I will!!!!!!!!!!!!@@worstretirementever

[@1519Spring]

Pine trees? In Washington? You do know that most of the evergreens in Washington aren’t pines, don't you, Phil. That ain't Georgia. Douglas Fir, Spruce, Hemlock, Cedar...

[@peterbkrogh]

Hah! Thought it was just me. "Those ain't pines, Phil."

[@timboonstra1756]

Oh my goodness! Didn’t know you were in Bellingham! Would’ve loved to meet you. Guess I should’ve signed my 185lb ass up for the hill climb.

[@stevesnailfish]

Bloody good stuff again !!!

[@hhueter]

congrats on the win.

[@lukewarmadventures]

Great video and congrats on winning. I rode this myself last year (recreationally); it was one of the highlights of my 2022. Do you have a link to the route you took for the Chuckanut Drive ride?

[@Ryan-fj5se]

Phil seems like a stand up dude with his post race stuff with fans hopefully cookie Fondo 2024 and I will meet the legend of Koms

[@livinglifeontheedge4261]

Love the Bread Farm Miche!

[@Yeahwhatdoesthatmean]

you need a stabilizer, the IBS is trying so hard keep everything level hahaha

[@shauryasinghmusic]

Hi Phil , how you deal with people who fake koms by holding a moped or car for speed boost & not making it an obvious cheating but cheating for few kms then getting back to the effort,been facing this issue where i ride & don’t understand what to do ?

[@gchiriac48]

knowing musicians, its impressive he let you touch the cello

[@pakelly99]

Wood would? Wood would? But! But! Ding! Ding!

[@alanwllms5172]

Dorky bike? Not compared to my Raleigh 😂😂😂

[@jiangchenzheng476]

Do hurricane ridge !!!

[@user-qr8ki8ue4i]

Nope. Gotta do the Tyee Hillclimb on the other side of the Cascades. It's a bit of a thing.

[@macho_burrito]

we just calling CX "a gravel bike kinda course" now?? hahaha (I'm all for it)

[@ZachTheExcitedViper]

Hope you visit Bend, OR sometime, we have all the volcanoes and your recent MTB or gravel desires will be satiated.

[@Xhadp]

That is where Chris Horner is from and I don't think Phil would want to be in that vicinity given their clashing views. But I do agree he does need to visit some places in Oregon! Tons of hills to pick from, even some that are right in my backyard.

[@ZachTheExcitedViper]

I travel full time, if I had to avoid a city because it has someone I disagree with in it I would need to change lifestyles. ;) @@Xhadp

[@Xhadp]

​@@ZachTheExcitedViper Both Chris and Phil have niche careers in making cycling content on KZbin, that is about as close as you can get between the two without being labelled as friends. So it is understandable if he doesn't want to be associated with him any closer than he already is. And the world is huge, who cares if Phil doesn't visit one city for a personal reason? There are a thousand more he can pick from.

[@dmv4554]

Horner and gammon have beef?

[@worstretirementever]

I'm really not afraid of being in the same town as Horner. I went to Greenville and I'm more salty at Hincapie. Just haven't had a chance to do Bend yet

[@matthewcole4823]

Can’t believe you missed the opportunity for a Mt Baker snowfall/KOM joke. Sheesh

[@pinkcilantro4758]

I used to live in Bellingham, now I live in Boulder. :P

[@CycloKermit]

Can I just ask - some time ago you were advertising and getting sponsored by Nove Bikes, then suddenly all videos with those bikes vanished and we did never hear from them again. What happened there?

[@worstretirementever]

Those guys turned to be assholes and cancelled their agreement while I was in the hospital after crashing in 2019. I thankfully found a new and better sponsor. As with pro teams, most of my sponsors are 1 or 2 years agreements so you’ll see some come and go. Nove was an extreme case and things have been a lot more stable since then

[@CycloKermit]

@@worstretirementever Oh man. Sorry to hear that, thanks for clarifying!

[@thecitizen49]

I heard that Bellingham was also called Drunkingham. Is that true?

[@Alistair_Spence]

I had not heard that, but I have heard it referred to as "Canada's Tijuana..."

[@straderi]

Went to college there. Yes

[@NeedSpeedRC]

Glad you made it to the PNW!

[@Happy_Biker]

Ski to Sea sounds nuts. 👍🎿⛷️🚴‍♀️🛶

[@stephenwhitaker4491]

Challenge for you: Ride from Big Pine, CA to the Methusela Tree

[@peterbkrogh]

SO WEIRD. This video just came across my feed as I'm sitting in my van in Bishop, CA. Tomorrow I'm riding from Big Pine to Methusela. (It will take me twice as long as Phil.) But that's just weird you wrote this here.

[@stevec505]

You’re not a real dork if you don’t ride your dorky bike. Chapeau.

[@Toca9990]

Damm, I've been doing a lot of trainer, I need to go back to the road!

[@TheGotoGeek]

Is that a Luis and Clark cello?

[@adamkevern8764]

Do the Fred whitton bike race in UK. I don't know if there is prize money tho . Can you put me up for a week, training holiday. Okay thanks

[@stevenhadcroft5113]

He was not happy about you touching that Cello!

[@triatheletewolf7279]

Congrats...That will piss Levi off for sure.

[@guitargoalie27]

Came here to watch Phil suffer and came away learning a lot about carbon fiber cellos

[@eloyanzola]

Sam!

[@boringsoaring]

Not pines

[@RO8YO]

Yay B-ham!

[@jamesenloe2791]

Wait! What was the name of that river?

[@treyquattro]

Nooksack. Probably not what you thought you heard?

[@SmileyEH]

Is that a Factor?

[@worstretirementever]

Yes O2 VAM rim brake

[@SmileyEH]

@@worstretirementever sorry was a reference to your remark about the Cello 😂

[@KO20412]

BELLIGO

[@DanTuber]

Ex pro beats a bunch of amateurs. Not exactly a fair race.

[@kovar2344]

seriously wide handlebars

[@dmv4554]

It’s weird that this race only has age categories not p12 3 4 5 cats. More like a triathlon with ppl trying to win their age cat

[@cmcclo1]

What is a doper segment?

[@peterbkrogh]

a Strava KOM that's been set by a known-doper

[@boshiken4914]

Funy how you only really see the views in the video

[@firstnamelastname9013]

👏👏👍👍