This Is Why I Don't Ride Downhill Bikes at Parks | Highland Mountain

[@ToeTag1968]

I'm not a mountain biker and don't know who you are, but based on this video, you're known and well-liked. I enjoyed watching you interact with your fans. Your willingness to engage, encourage, and even learn from the others really impressed me. I'm just a guy on the internet, so I'm sure my thoughts won't mean much to most, but I wanted to say that I wish you all good things.

[@upnorthupdate919]

Namaste bro i see you

[@Cory.Robson]

Sappy

[@Chunkywhop]

Hey that's me too.

[@MichianaMadman]

I love how Phil talks us through the absolute shredding he is doing.

[@BrettEngel]

Might be my favorite part of the videos. One of the best POV talkers IMO.

[@MichianaMadman]

I couldn’t agree more. Phil seems like a super cool dude.

[@grizz4608]

That's actually a challenge in itself. And then he compliments himself when he saves a bail. Fuck he's good.

[@norcodaev]

I know right! Most of the time I’m just trying to hold on and not hit a tree or a rock. I don’t have the ability to narrate what I’m doing at the same time, at least not coherently like Phil, lol. And lets be honest, I’m going waaay slower than him too, lol.

[@m1chaelsc]

@@MichianaMadman having met him at seaotter 2019 I can confirm he is a really nice guy

[@jarn4742]

has anyone else notice Phil is riding like he's racing absolutely shredding everything I love how he just switched up so quick with his riding

[@DinnerForkTongue]

I mean, that's how he always rode, at least for as long as I've been subbed (about 5 years). He's an animal that thirsts for speed and flow no matter the chunk or the curves!

[@jonathandefoy6376]

“It’s not that fun” proceed to eat dirt hard. Bike park was offended Phil!

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Haha thats exactly what Hailey said! 😁

[@meganNefarious]

Shit was hilarious lol

[@halfgeek1394]

I’ve gotten flat tires (and destroyed my rear wheel) the past two times I went to Killington, after I crashed and slid down on my back for 10 yards. Each time before my bad luck, I made a comment about how I want to ride some other trail network. Always bites me but I keep doing it, even though I enjoy Killington.

[@spuddo123]

It's genuinely impressive how Phil can give great commentary while shredding that hard. Keep it up!

[@nathaniel2630]

19:08 that was just pure unadulterated freeride

[@doubletrackdodger2512]

He was doing full on Mario kart shortcuts

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

That is so big in person. The features there are insane

[@upperparkranger5665]

I know you said at one point you were bored posting pov ride videos but thank you for picking those back up more so I can live vicariously again

[@nickaustinmusic]

It was great to finally meet you Phil! (I met you at the top of the lift and got pictures) made my day there!

[@MTBScotland]

I was just thinking at the start of this video is that one of the things I like about your vids is the way you ride. You just seem to float effortlessly over obstacles and jumps and then you fell off 😂

[@carsonpearce5980]

Me: **reads comment** “Huh, I wonder when he is gonna fall” Him: **falls**

[@loominal2009]

i completely appreciate 100% how he even shows us his fails / falls. It's Incredible to also see such a great rider even fall. It kind of provides me confidence believe it or not knowing that my falls "are just falls" and they happen to everyone. Sometimes when Videos are made an they edit out anything bad, you think that's how good riders are and that your never good enough. Thanks Phil! This is fun to watch. Now we just need the same trail done at Phil's speed and then softer music at Hailey's speed.. those where great video's too :D

[@BN99239]

Yeah, he is an amazing rider. Stays calm when he knows he is about to fall and then rolls off it. I would probably freak out and end up breaking something.

[@crimescene25]

Its a “bail”

[@tagiajohnson3548]

Yea but that first bail was sick asf

[@fabian.kyburz]

7:50 most people would've crashed already in the landing! Phil just rides amazing!

[@jimjohanson8152]

That transition at 23:52 is insanely clean

[@ToaMuzz]

dude, i thought i was going crazy

[@KyleSantisi]

How did he actually. How?????

[@da3driccax327]

That line at 19:07 was so insanely gnarly.

[@invisibleazn9330]

I was just about to comment about that.

[@nuclear9977]

@@invisibleazn9330 same

[@nuclear9977]

@@invisibleazn9330 hey have you subbed NorCal Cycling ??

[@SoberGarage]

Thanks so much Phil for letting me take a pic with you me and my dad were really exited

[@fresh6843]

23:53 DAMN THAT CUT

[@whyyamad]

Man I don’t know if it’s just the camera audio but you’re bike sounds so light and effortless as you’re hitting all that gnarly stuff.

[@meganNefarious]

"Are you making a video?...No I'm just wearing a camera..." Dying...lmao

[@1bulletaway]

To say that you beat Joris and Vincent at BMX, at any point.... MAJOR kudos. Those dudes are beyond legit.

[@WilliamCronin]

FAX

[@ArmorOfZeus]

I love Single crown bikes too but there's something special about a dual crown set up properly. My 27.5 Canyon sender is PLENTY poppy and playful for park/free ride. Race bikes tend to be more planted out of the box.

[@Gavinbelson]

Really impressive riding man, and you are such an amazing teacher with her. We need more people like you teaching/advocating for the sport. Its really intimidating to get into but also expensive =/

[@donkey-dude2515]

For anyone wondering, here's the video where he falls down the dumptruck drop: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ6mqKarYpp1bsU

[@toddouellette482]

I remember that from eight years ago! Wow time flies

[@radlyfe]

That save was so smooth!!!

[@wb2194]

Cool video. I have been riding MTB since 1990. I'm 58 and still ride. I have never used a ski lift to get to the top of a hill. I'm not sure what to think about it. I started out riding the Black Hills of SD. I've done the Black hills Ultra 50 where we had to actually ride, carry or push the bike up the ski mountain. Also in 1990 almost no one had suspension.

[@peterpositive4565]

Love the playful riding, the nose tap at about 3:23 was just perfect!

[@Umpireboy]

Awesome meeting you Sunday! I was with the group talking to you about the drones

[@SkillsWithPhil]

I remember that! Hope you had a good ride :)

[@Umpireboy]

@@SkillsWithPhil sure did, definitely not the most advanced riders but finally was able to clear all the features on cats paw and start to clear some jumps on Hellion

[@Shirocco7]

Super positive attitude, love it. Also pretty insane to watch, and you're somehow talking the whole time! Awesome, keep it up mate

[@Kinofspawn]

I find it quite amazing that you can talk and run though some of that simultaneously.

[@DominicVictoria]

The speed at which these guys go through these trails is amazing! I can’t even go that fast on a regular sloped street.

[@crimescene25]

You need about $6,000 worth of bike and it helps…

[@Island-RC]

@@crimescene25 It can be done on a $4000 CAD bike from 19/20 but not sure how much lower you could go than that.

[@crimescene25]

@@Island-RC i ride a 2014 transition bandit i got on craigslist for $1,100 and fixed up. Has all the goods including drop axles, dt swiss rims, and a turbine 150mm dropper. I fckin love it so poppy and feels like a happy dog bounding through the woods lol!

[@Island-RC]

@@crimescene25 I was more thinking something that had a brand new msrp is that price range bone stock. I have a bike from 99 I have 150$ into that I could still ride anything I would do on my newer bikes. It was still a nice bike in its day.

[@Lord_Squirrels]

Never done or watch these kind of videos but im absolutely hooked, great videos Phil

[@alainpfammatter8224]

First time on your channel. Incredible how fast you can ride these trails. Wow, its insane. Fun to watch. Thanks

[@dennispikephotography]

Dear lord that was fast. That last run with your gaps was absolutely bananas. Come down to Mtn Creek before the end of the season! Would love to see a creek video.

[@eziola]

I wash out on burms like that too. I always get all scraped up and bloody. Thanks for not editing that out, Phil!

[@pierinovatta1391]

I gain new found respect for your skills every time I watch your channel. You are extremely talented and humble man. Respect 👏🏼

[@autumnjk]

I think more videos of watching Phil ride in second or third person mode would be the best idea👍

[@vt6spd]

Dude, you are nuts. Highlands is steep and gnarly! Wow, seeing you ride there is like jarring to watch on video and scary! 5 minutes up, 30 seconds down...

[@cz3chmonkey]

Videos like these will help the resort industry. We need more downhill, people are willing to wait in line for 30mins, how is this niche not filled

[@enricosantini3154]

cause its hard ahahah

[@underbikedoverconfident1142]

"Good save Phil" it's the calmness of your commentary which contradicts the madness on screen that makes this video so griping to watch.

[@MTBMA]

The one person that gave this a thumbs down only rides a DH bike at bike parks.

[@AmericanRustWorker3369]

I didn’t give him a thumbs down, even though I ride a downhill bike at bike parks because i can’t afford an enduro lol

[@KarstRats]

@@AmericanRustWorker3369 wut

[@Jer0da0sniper]

I haven’t watched Phil for the last few months for whatever reason, and damn I forgot how hard he shreds!

[@abrahambox9857]

This just came up on my feed, thanks for giving me the push to get on my bike more!! Thanks

[@Jesusprayerwarriorbw]

Phils the BEST! Pure stud on the mountain & totally chill gentleman bravo Phil

[@AlexDelMTB]

Thank you for inspiring me brother! I created my channel when I started watching you! Once again appreciate it!🙌🙏

[@EvilestGem]

amazing skills. I couldn't help but think that I'd still be negotiating the first 10 meters while he's coming up for his second run.

[@tthemonkey8420]

That rock @7:54 looked closer than I'd ever wanna be to a rock that size.

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

You sir are a mad man. I had to check my KZbin video speed setting twice to make sure it wasn't on 1.5x.

[@gavinkelley3314]

Always a good day when Phil posts!!!

[@gyorgosgyorgos1133]

It was very nice to see the speed of your riding , thanks

[@lkb3rd]

I love the cheers from the lift riders. "PHIL!" "WOOOOOHOOO" etc as he manuals the speedbumps :)

[@macswanton9622]

An absolute pleasure to watch, front to back. I can totally taste the dirt

[@gymjake7619]

My man is shredding while holding casual conversation with us. Insane dude!

[@Madsmechanic]

Watching you build stuff for months then watching this I forgot just how insanely good you are.. I said holy shit like 6 times watching this vid.

[@betterthannotgoodmtb]

Would ya look at that folk! The judges give Phil 10's across the board for that dismount! Haha! Thank you very much sir for keeping your channel family friendly! It's so nice not hearing expletive after explevtive. Shalom and thanks for all the great videos!

[@datboi3577]

the speed he glides over rocks and makes precise corrections is absolutely mindblowing

[@crimescene25]

A nice carbon frame and $2,000 shocks make that a lot easier..

[@datboi3577]

@@crimescene25 of course, but i guarantee he'd still be able to absolutely shred on a good entry level bike

[@crimescene25]

@@datboi3577 yeah i actually shred a 2014 transition bandit 27.5 got it for $1,100 off craigs and fixed it up. In fairness though the msrp for its year was $3,600

[@allenkvextreme]

that was an awesome video... not only your riding is one of the best but also the editing

[@justgo4033]

I agree with you , some parks i enjoy my hardtail better than my dh bike , it seems so much effort just to get the bike going and i get winded so much faster .

[@SCAPE0GOAT]

Wow. That's one incredible video fella. This is the first Skills with Phil video I've ever watched and I'm blown away. I think this was on my list as I like watching mountain bike tricks guys like Sam Pilgrim, but this is next level. Love it mate . The facial expressions I had watching this would be a video in itself 😄. Just awesome. Subscribed for sure 👍😉

[@RIMTB]

Hi Phill I was here this past Saturday did reef drop for the first time great vid as always

[@markphilips9107]

Phil that was so much fun to watch! Thank you man!

[@willperry9722]

Those are some gnarly trails right there Phil. If it looks that rocky on camera it must be REALLY rocky 👊🏻

[@cubbykovu8955]

This is gonna sound odd but I love the tonal qualities of your voice its really nice and relaxing

[@harrygrimley4352]

Some of that place looks hard. Rough. Some looks like a blast. Thanks for sharing this with us. Camera looks like it did good.

[@FullsendTV]

That secrect drop tho!! Just WOW...😮😮

[@pdublt3d]

Phil's bike is always so dialed. That muted patter of a tight bike is just the best sound. Not like my stack of clattering pots and pans of a bike.

[@connorbettencourt1125]

My friends and I take the line under the lift all the way from the top. It’s gnarly but reeeeally fun as you probably noticed.

[@RumfordSledhead]

Nice transition or cuts in the video there at the end, looked soo seamless!

[@highcuisine5075]

pure joy to watch mate

[@marctreebarc]

Thanks I have another video to watch 9,000 times. Love the house and yard, but please keep up the bike park content 🤙

[@blakebolton6018]

Alright bro, like i did a blue square trail in knoxville and my front forks completely broke and this man is hittin things i wouldnt dream of walking down let alone riding

[@rusterkat1188]

Ive always wanted to say I have had a run as good as Phil... And now I can 7:58.

[@sebub7766]

My one and only time in Highland I rode the lift with Kevin Sweeney and he was so casual about his riding skill. Kid is an absolute animal

[@stepseldinski]

What a hell! I just hear that RATATATAT....RATATATAT.. when the bike shortly touches the ground between the roots and rocks. Looks so smooth..sounds like wasting the bike completely :D So much fun to watch you vids! I just started park biking in my mid 30s. Just an awesome hobby!

[@caylorbella1245]

Awesome riding Phil!!!! That run on threshold at the beginning was fast!! #1Rider in the world

[@shemshem9998]

Regarding the title for those wondering, most places you don't need a DH bike anymore, but in some places it's nice to have a DH bike, yes enduro bikes can do anything now, but there is a big difference between riding things, and riding things without almost breaking your wrists. There are some double black diomond trials in bike parks that I have ridden on my 455mm reach, 118cm reach trail bike with 150mm suspension (I'm 188cm for reference, most brands I'm between a L and XL), and there are some blue trails that I came back from with visibly brushed and swollen hands (less orres bike park, trial is called riding red in case you wanted to know, and it s tecknicaly a red with is badialy a black trail but it leans towards the blue side if you know what I mean). In most places you will be fine with a properly set up enduro bike, but if your gonna be hitting laps of the real chunky trials it might be worth having a DH bike.

[@kangsterizer]

imo what really changed is that trail bikes dont really exist anymore. enduro bikes do bike park fine, and yes dh are better when its rough. and xc bikes can do all the trail stuff and light enduro lol.

[@shemshem9998]

@@kangsterizer trail bikes don't exist anymore? They definatly do, just ride a 180-160 enduro and a 130-150 trail bike back to back, you can definitely notice the difference, climb faster, more nimble, and are way more playfull (in general of course). And a xc bike does not have the geo to be as playfull or capeble as a trail bike, plus your welcome to ride enduro on it, just make sure to remember the times before that ride, when your wrists did not make weird clicking noises. For example my 150mm trail bike has a 455mm reach, 66° head angle, 425mm chainstay and a 1180mm wheelbase. 170mm enduro bikes in the same size would have some where close to a 490mm reach, 64° head angle, 440mm chainstay, and a 1250mm wheelbase. Those are very different numbers, that is without even going into suspension platforms and how trail bikes linkedge is usaly designed towards giving more feedback. And a xc bike is the same case, but in the other direction. The trail bike is the literal do it all bike, I'm not taking my enduro on a xc ride, but I would take my trail bike. And I would not take my xc bike on a enduro ride, but I would take my trail bike. Its the perfect bike for those that enjoy the more mellow downhills, or a realy pakyfull and responsive bike, or just realy love flow trails.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Downhill bikes are great if you ride bike parks a lot to keep the wear and tear off other bikes and the extra travel gives you more margin of error if something goes wrong. That being said, as a former downhill racer, i rarely recommend them unless it's going to be a second bike, or you plan to race downhill. They are fun on steep trails but are a lot of work on anything remotely flat. if you can only have one bike, enduro/trail bikes are the bees knees.

[@shemshem9998]

@@SkillsWithPhil 100%, if i had one bike i would only have a playfull trial bike, good enough for most things and about half of the bike park. id love a DH bike if i could have 3 other bikes first, otherwise i would go with a free ride/big enduro bike like the propain spindrift

[@MyPrivateGeek]

​@@SkillsWithPhil Hi Phil...love your style & vids! I'm look'n for some advice on a big purchase I'm planning on make'n (Husqvarna - Extreme Cross 9). I've been out of the pedal world for over 10 years and currently ride an FE501S (Enduro/Dual Sport 249lbs Motorcycle) on black diamonds OHV trails. I found (put a deposit down) an EXC9 that should arrive this Oct., but that fact that you would "rarely recommend" a DH bike gives me reserve as you mention it's "a lot of work". Could you elaborated on that comment and try to relate it to the Husqvarna EXC9, an electric downhill bike w/ 200mils of travel, 630Wh battery, Magura brakes and an EP8 motor? I feel/want the motor to help keep me motivated, but plan on riding it everywhere and fear I'm making a costly mistake. www.husqvarna-bicycles.com/en-int/models/downhill/extreme-cross-9-2021.html (bonus advice would be to critique the EXC9 and it's stock setup as I'm not edumacated in good componentry vs bad componentry, brands, models, etc.) Thanks a million and stay safe ​@Skills With Phil!

[@zep4426]

Freaking terrifying. Thanks for the ride:)

[@willeaton2592]

6:48 he just bunnyhops down a double black tech feature

[@feelfreemtb3474]

Dude you are the ShredKing. The first minute already blows my mind.

[@EdRochon]

An enduro bike definitely fits your style better. Sweet vid as always!

[@ragomtb]

Oh hey Phil!!! Wish I could’ve been there! It’d be awesome! 0:11

[@beerenmusli8220]

You dont have to be so hard with you, everyone has bad moments! 7:58 : ) Also sick gapping over Cats Paws, that was super impressive tto watch!

[@realmentalpulse2622]

Phil has some serious skills! Even factoring out the gopro affect - you still rip!!

[@taintlessproductions]

Dude I went there for the first time a few weeks ago. I got offered a job there when I was a kid (because they liked the local trails I built) but I never went because I've only heard horror stories. My uncle used to life flight people outta highland all the time and claims he picked up a kid with his handlebars going all the way through his leg. Anyway, I was eyeing that line from the lift and wondering if people actually hit it, you're a madman Phil

[@13LAIR-R]

Why wouldn't they encourage you to get the job especially since it should be an obvious choice if you built trails yourself. You have to listen to yourself and not others it change your life.

[@taintlessproductions]

@@13LAIR-R I mean it's also cus it was an hour away and I was like 16 lmao

[@13LAIR-R]

@@taintlessproductions aww well fair enough but my point still stands listen to yourself I wish I done it years ago

[@planeandsimple431]

I love how everyone recognizes you, even from the lift as you're blasting by below. Sam Pilgrim has 3x the subs and a missing front tooth but you don't hear people yelling his name when he's riding his local parks. Admit it Phil, it feels good.....

[@RicardoPetrazzi]

One of the big differences between Phil and Sam Pilgrim is that people respect and like Phil for his amiable personality. People follow Sam for his stupid antics for a laugh, I doubt they respect him in the same way.

[@sharpbrothersmtb7519]

@ricardo petrazi And also, Phil’s gt is easily recognisable

[@jacobferrante1610]

@@sharpbrothersmtb7519 Also Northern New England is small and local af.

[@fergusoh5092]

@@RicardoPetrazzi don't respect Sam Pilgrim? He won FMB world tour! People definitely respect him!

[@duroxkilo]

:} you're funny

[@squirrelsmovingpictures]

dude. that gap run. ridiculous! lol. i really hope i can ride like that some day, it looks like so much fun! :)

[@Hazehill]

Both my wrists shattered in the first 2 minutes of this video. Impressive skills.

[@EverythingMTB1]

I saw you talking to your GoPro and it was hilarious

[@dryzalmynelli9600]

Highland goals. I've been eyeing the drop under the lift off NE style for a while. I knew it was doable 😂

[@timquain5341]

Seriously fastest riding I've seen in 1st person view. It looks sped up but I know it's not. That's insane. How are you still alive? Some serious endor shit right there!

[@S1LKYYsmoothHD]

"ive actually had some nasty crashes at highland" Crazy riding dude any fall is gonna hurt! youre a beast

[@JIWfab]

Hey Phil, not sure if you remember me, Travis Westerkamp, but definitely miss the Camaraderie of the old Diablo days and being a great. Once the sport got more popular and the trails got paved i sort of lost interest. Always appreciated your riding style and your jokes.. are you filming? No just wearing a camera… hope all is well with you and hopefully I stumble across your videos more often. I just ordered a Surron since I’m fat and older now. Maybe your videos will inspire me to pick up a trail bike.

[@stephankyle6460]

I ride cc and cx and that terrain he's just crushing makes me anxious just watching it.

[@BigMikeSRT]

Amazing video, love to see Highland from this POV! It's like playing Bikes with a cheat code

[@miguelortiz4446]

I subscribe to alot of KZbin mtbers and Phil ahs somebof the dopest rides! Hands down one of my top 5 senders!

[@MrNamesjeff17291]

I can’t believe you had a rough day there. You normally slay all those double blacks like they’re blues.

[@ireazy11]

Haven’t been to highland in a few years since my bike got stolen in college but I will say that’s always been the downfall of highland on busy summer days is that long lift line. I understand from one perspective that if they bought a new faster lift it would crate a problem of downhill issues with overcrowding on trails but on the other hand 30 mins for one run is so tough

[@Razzy1312]

Unfortunately this is one of the issues I see with the sport. As it's popularity increases it will become far less fun. Downhill mountain bike trails are designed to be run solo and overcrowding will kill the sport. Soon you'll be waiting 1+ hours for a single run at popular bike barks and going down with 3+ people. There's no easily solution though because of the nature of these courses. Running more bikers down the trail at the same time is not a solution I want but it's probably the only one. Also I've seen a growing issue with groups sticking around certain parts of the trails (jumps especially) and doing them over and over again. They don't understand how this crowd things or don't care.

[@Olives_ia]

Thank you for explaining how to load in the bikes. I went to highland for the first time last week and kinda struggled.... -_- now I know! lol

[@SkillsWithPhil]

It can definitely be tricky especially when they are a bunch of people staring at you!

[@Mtb_sends]

What GoPro setup are you using in this video? The stabilization and POV is amazing!

[@SkillsWithPhil]

I gotchu covered! kzbin.info/www/bejne/f17Zp6l-lNOMd8k

[@corycombsbass]

Watching your videos always gets me contemplative - how in the world does someone get so good at something so intense!? Bravo and thanks for your inspiration

[@slimshedridah7184]

Love this POV contents man!

[@joshbailey6767]

Killing it!!! Love the videos!!!

[@skippylegrandgourou2069]

I ride DH bikes at bike park because the frames are strong AF. I have a 2015 Scott Gambler 710 with 200 park days in the Alps and Whistler, the frame has no crack. I have been 3 times in Whistler with a Norco Sight and I cracked the frame on Crank it up. DH bikes are more comfortable to ride and more reliable. I do 10-15 runs per day in Whistler/Chatel/Champery/Morgins/Morzine so it is better for me to have a suitable bike for steep trails and big jumps.