The Southeast's Newest Bike Park (Greens to Blacks) | Ride BHM | Birmingham, Alabama

[@in_10z]

Heading there with a crew this weekend. Looking forward to it. This vid helps a lot. Thanks.

[@allenkvextreme]

top notch trails, and you rode it like a king. great video!

[@_Aitch_]

Thanks, Mr. Dropper! I’m a fan of your stuff. Keep shredding

[@4RNRLIFE]

Solid video and great run down of the park. Now I know what to expect and look forward to!! Thanks man!!!

[@Mtbdrumrunner]

you're making this look easier every video man, great job, crushing it riding new stuff like it's your backyard!!

[@_Aitch_]

Thanks, working on it! May or may not have gotten a couple attempts at some of these tho 🤫

[@unityxg]

Dude you inspired me to get my first bike and begin riding MTB. I ended up with a GT Avalanche Comp 29er. Definitely not your bike but I love it! Your videos are awesome!

[@bama3dr608]

Very nice! I think this is the best video showing everything that RideBHM has to offer that I've seen yet.

[@_Aitch_]

Thanks that’s awesome. Glad it was helpful!

[@patrickwoods2165]

That bike park looks sick! Your riding's improved from your early vids. I really like how you keep it real - no pretense. Just you doing your thing on the trails. Keep it up!

[@_Aitch_]

Thank you! I appreciate both of those points. That’s what I’m trying to do - show the trails I visit for what they are and improve as I do it. Also, definitely… the park is sick! They did such a good job. Go check it out if you get a chance

[@jacobcrawfordmtb]

@@_Aitch_ Yo H!! Rock Creek just opened! You gotta do a video there. Also I see you havnt been posting??? Everything ight??

[@_Aitch_]

@@jacobcrawfordmtb hey man. Everything’s good I’ve just been getting a lot of stuff together. I just moved to Denver and got in late Wednesday night. A lot of logistics, packing, moving truck, etc. Haven’t gotten a chance to ride in like 3 weeks other than the GoNuts Enduro at Baker Creek this weekend. It’s been crazy and it sucks leaving the Southeast. Hopefully will get some stuff going out here soon but may just post some old race videos to fill the gap. Appreciate you checking in but that’s what’s going on. So probably won’t get a chance to do Rock Creek anytime soon 😢

[@jacobcrawfordmtb]

@@_Aitch_ So sad you left us southeasterns…😕 It’s ok, Glad you’re doing good man! Rock Creek jus opened with amazing trails and they even have 1 Proline trail called Stampede

[@_Aitch_]

@@jacobcrawfordmtb I know man it was a hard decision but I’ve lived in Atlanta for 24 years and I’ve always wanted to learn how to ski. Just wanted to try something new. I’ll keep posting once I get my things together. I’m sure I’ll come back to the southeast sooner or later. I don’t plan to be here forever

[@aos1401]

Going to ride there tomorrow! This was super helpful 🤘🏽 thanks!

[@_Aitch_]

Glad I could help! Place is a blast

[@RideBHM]

Thanks for the review! You made a lot of hard stuff look easy

[@_Aitch_]

Y’all did such a good job over there. Keep it up!

[@TwoHorndUnicorn]

pretty cool park, great showing and knowing what path is still out of reach. safety first.

[@_Aitch_]

Safety first, indeed. Once you have that first big crash, you start to be a little more cautious. It's better to skip a feature and progress over the next 2 months than to force it, get hurt, and not be able to ride

[@vietle-xg8oi]

You got a sub here too. Thanks for keeping it real!

[@The24Invincible]

youre sending those jumps bro!

[@edt5276]

Great video without too much yapping! Thanks for letting the trail be the 'star' of the video. GoPros give a very good (but never great) virtual trail experience. Side to side translates perfectly, but hard to get a feel for the extent of ups & downs (jumps, drops, etc.) of the trail. Very helpful when trailing very close behind another rider and keeping them in screen. But I was shocked at how helpful your bike's shadow was at helping illustrate those ups & downs! Guess I'm not use to seeing rides through bald forests on sunny days.

[@SecretSpots]

Well done trail preview! Place looks fun. 🤙

[@_Aitch_]

It’s one of the best out there rn!

[@skipdempsey32]

I have been wanting to get down there. Thank you so much for this video. Awesome Job!!!!!! Definitely going to ride it soon.

[@_Aitch_]

It's a blast! Everything is so well made over there

[@aceprater5397]

SICKNESS!!! I totally will be own there in the spring.

[@_Aitch_]

Do it! Worth the drive and the ticket price for sure!

[@vietle-xg8oi]

Great run!

[@vockrodtmusicproduction]

Hey man your channel is great. I have a few suggestions though. #1 your profile pick for the channel is a road bike, I think you should change it to a picture of you in mid air or something. #2 your username is pretty basic maybe Change it to something like southern MTBing or something that will get you on the algorithm more. Keep it up. I subscribed a few days ago and you gained 15 more. I already know this is going to be a very successful channel. 🔥

[@_Aitch_]

Thanks! Just hit 1k today which is really cool! Maybe I'll change the prof pic to celebrate. My cousin designed it for me when I started my channel last year so I've been holding onto it a little bit. I've had a couple people say that so I'm considering it. As for the channel name, I'll consider that as well. Never really thought about it. Appreciate the sub!

[@williamrobbins5773]

Well done,thanks for the tip.

[@_Aitch_]

No problem! It’s awesome!

[@edmorgan5532]

Crazy trails!! Going to have to make the drive for sure! Thanks for the vids

[@_Aitch_]

Totally worth it! You can get tons of laps in and there’s so much variety in the trails

[@jackbaileymtb2441]

Sick video really nice to have good footage of all the trails I was there opening day and I’m already ready to go back

[@_Aitch_]

That park is amazing. Birmingham is up and coming with MTB trails. Super underrated city as a whole

[@kmanproductionz9172]

this place looks insanely fun and flowy!

[@_Aitch_]

It was awesome! Definitely check it out if you get a chance

[@cjones7692ify]

Good tutorial of the place

[@jacobwolford3840]

Heck yeah bro, you make it look easy. I like to go up to peak 2 and just session kanuga table tops for a hot minute to try and recover from the climbs.

[@_Aitch_]

Kanuga is probably my favorite blue trail there so I don’t blame you! Those first couple at the top are nice.

[@chandlerburrell3001]

Yess. Haha I was hoping you would post a video from here!

[@_Aitch_]

Well there you go! You been yet?

[@chandlerburrell3001]

@@_Aitch_ I haven’t been yet. I wasn’t able to go to the grand opening.

[@motosloth8988]

awsome looking place, those little kids hitting those jumps after I just thought, wow, big gaps no way ill hit those really just made me question everything

[@_Aitch_]

Ha right! I was like eh maybe I’ll save those for next time and then here comes an 11 and 8 year old making it look easy. 8 year old cleared it too but I didn’t want to keep sitting there filming these young kids 😂. Place is really awesome tho for sure and not too far from ATL

[@_Aitch_]

Bro they commented on the video and apparently the 11yo back flipped it after I left

[@motosloth8988]

@@_Aitch_ ?? Unbelievable, always very humbling when you get smoked by a 8 y/o 😳

[@cubrTM]

Great stuff. May make the trip out there from Atlanta. Also love that you skip features I’d most likely skip too haha

[@_Aitch_]

It's not too bad of a trek from Atlanta. 2.5 hours is definitely worth it for a day trip here. Would recommend it for sure

[@jamesmathews243]

Sold! Headed there on Black Friday!

[@_Aitch_]

It’s awesome. There’s something for everybody

[@jamesweldon8118]

I can’t wait to ride here

[@_Aitch_]

Everything is awesome

[@dmille462]

This place was awesome! Didn’t get to ride lower eureka though

[@_Aitch_]

Guess you'll just have to go back!

[@jacobcrawfordmtb]

When you repeated yourself at 9:24 I was laughing so hard😂

[@_Aitch_]

Haha I thought that was pretty funny too (if I do say so myself)

[@jacobcrawfordmtb]

@@_Aitch_ Har Har

[@jacobcrawfordmtb]

@@_Aitch_ Yo H! I just found out Hammies and Gonuts might be doing an enduro race next season here! at RideBHM

[@topspot4834]

Place looks dope ... Great video and love the channel. You should mix in some Berm Peak type content like Seth to attract a wider audience, but you've got some of the better MTB content out right now!

[@_Aitch_]

Thanks. I’m pretty comfortable with the POV right now and I’m not really sure how to begin producing videos of that style and quality. Appreciate you thinking I’m capable of that. I have a project bike that I want to turn into a dirt jumper. Maybe I’ll work on that

[@topspot4834]

@@_Aitch_ I'd definitely watch that! Another thing the algo loves is top 5 lists ... Like the 5 best tech trails in Alabama, or best trails in Birmingham, stuff like that ... Regardless love your content. I'm in PA and with the bike parks closed there's not much downhill riding in the winter. Next year we're gonna do a Tennessee/Alabama road trip (hence how I found your channel) and this place is definitely on the list! Edit: Is the dirt just as good as it looks on KZbin?

[@_Aitch_]

@@topspot4834 yes the dirt is usually awesome unless it’s been super dry over a couple of weeks. The southeast is technically a giant forest and the dirt stays really good because the trees protect it really well. Have fun when you visit! You’ll love it

[@chiefchero6198]

I’ve been waiting for this one. I’ll have to make the drive over soon. How long was the climb? Btw I’m a fan of the level-headed riding. No ego and such a good barometer for the common rider like myself.

[@_Aitch_]

Thanks that means a lot. I can’t stand when I see videos of people screaming “YOOoOooO” “YEEWwWwW” and forcing “the stoke” or whatever. I had so much fun out there though and like I said there’s something for everybody! Definitely go check it out if you get a chance. I think the total elevation is about 250ft if I remember correctly so not bad at all and they certainly make the most of it. I think the climb took me 6 minutes for peak 2. You can get a ton of laps in.

[@_Aitch_]

Been thinking about my original reply a little bit and felt like it came across a bit harsh… people can express themselves however they want, like idc if you’re screaming and hollering if that’s how you’re feeling but that’s just not me… and sometimes I feel like people force it just to be doing it. That’s how I meant to communicate that thought.

[@chiefchero6198]

@@_Aitch_ it’s all good man. Different strokes for different folks. 🤙🏼

[@VisualSOLUTIONSMedia]

@@chiefchero6198 Different stokes for different blokes... 😆

[@jacobcrawfordmtb]

Awesome bro! Gotta look at Temerity sometime!

[@_Aitch_]

I looked at it and did the drop in but couldn’t commit to the step up out

[@jacobcrawfordmtb]

@@_Aitch_ Oh you mean the step up “in” haha. After that step up there is a 20 foot drop then followed by a rock roll called “Science”.

[@Oper8or]

You do such a great job of showing a place off man. When we head back down to FL next year I'll check that place out. Do you know if they allow E-bikes? The wife can't ride unless they do. I had to sell the other bike because we needed the $$.

[@surftheearth]

Ebikes encouraged! Just bring a tow strap for my fat ass

[@Oper8or]

@@surftheearth I'd have to bring two! She'd have to tow us both up!

[@_Aitch_]

@@Oper8or thanks Oper8or. I always appreciate your comments. Like Bryson said, Ebikes encouraged! From what I heard they plan on having a rental fleet of ebikes at some point too so check on that when you head back to FL

[@JustTyIer]

@@_Aitch_ Just a heads up, I believe they just got their rentals in this past week for the grand opening

[@_Aitch_]

@@JustTyIer sweet! They’re gonna make some $$$ with those. I was wishing I had an ebike by the end of the day!

[@gutjos]

cool video!!!

[@_Aitch_]

Thanks!

[@jamestaylor3075]

Nice!

[@_Aitch_]

Thanks! Nice name, love your music haha

[@anthonytauriello4975]

Do you do any pre-load or anything on these jumps? Or do you just do nothing and stay centered

[@jamesconnell323]

I’m 65 and as soon as I get back in Pain Management, I’m going searching for Bike Parks in Alabama up to N.C.

[@MrRandomhero07]

Curious how to take the turns/corners, on the green tails. I’m moved onto the blues, but it is bothering me that I can’t clean up, Sunday and Local. Any tips?

[@_Aitch_]

I’d say your best bet is to lap it over and over again and session a particular berm or two that you’re having trouble with. Just repetition. What you don’t see in the videos sometimes is me trying a feature multiple times until I get it. I’ll usually show a couple attempts but sometimes I’ll edit them out if it makes it flow better. If you’re out for a ride and you see features you think are in the realm of possibility, give it a couple tries. Like the other day I was out for a ride here in Denver and there was a rocky pedal section I tried to clear 13 times but couldn’t ever get. I went back the next day and got further in 3 tries than I had on the previous 13. Just stick with it and keep building on the skills. Specifically for cornering, you want to make sure you’re standing up but in an athletic position balanced over the bike. Brake with front and rear as you come up to the turn but avoid braking when you’re in the turn. Try not too, but if you have to brake in the turn try to use only the rear brake because you don’t want to lose traction on your front wheel. Look forward and out of the corner where you want to go rather than down and right in front of you. Especially for local flow, you’re doing a lot more leaning and putting pressure into the bike than you are actually “turning” There’s a bunch of good cornering videos on KZbin too if what I said doesn’t make any sense. Just keep at it and you’ll be nailing them in no time

[@theshorty_]

YESSSSSSS ITS THE BEST BIKE PARK EVER!!!! I LIVE REALLY CLOSE TO THAT BIKE PARK!!! ALSO BEST KZbinR EVERYBODY SO SUBSCRIBE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@_Aitch_]

YOU’RE SO LUCKY YOU LIVE CLOSE! I WISH I LIVED CLOSER!

[@theshorty_]

@@_Aitch_ Well thanks bro!

[@joeshawcroft7121]

My brother lives out in Birmingham. I'm gonna visit him next year and maybe ride here. If you only had a day to spend biking would you rather do RBHM or Oak Ridge Mountain? Thanks for the preview!

[@_Aitch_]

Rid BHM has it all... Jumps, flow, tech. Oak Mountain is just classic good trails. Both are great but if I only had a day, I'd probably say Ride BHM would be my vote. Gotta at least check it out. I wouldn't want to ride there all the time though because it's $29 per day so that would add up too much for me to justify going there al the time. But for a single day... Ride BHM imo

[@joeshawcroft7121]

@@_Aitch_ Cool Thanks!

[@harryls1283]

I am sorry to say this dude but it looks all the same except a very few exceptions. Same thing, a few jumps, a few burms and thats about it. Is like all the parks in Alabama and North and South Carolina. My preference is the different ones in Vancouver and Squamish. Anyway glad you like them. 🤙

[@gustavovazquez5465]

Have you gone to Pine Mountain to do the "secret" downhill trails?

[@_Aitch_]

I’ve never been but I’ve heard about them. Not sure how I’d find them tho… since it’s a secret 😂

[@adamlilly5236]

Hey, what camera setup are you running?

[@_Aitch_]

I have a GoPro Hero 9 mounted to the chin of my Troy Lee Stage 3 helmet. I cut a GoPro mount down with a saw and then JB Welded it to the helmet

[@destinhook3826]

Thanks for the in depth video. Would love to check this place out. How long does it take to climb up?

[@_Aitch_]

No problem it’s an awesome spot. It’s roughly 250ft in elevation and took me about 6-7 minutes to get up there

[@destinhook3826]

Could you make a similar style video at the new Ride Rock Creek in NC?

[@_Aitch_]

@@destinhook3826 if I get a chance, I will. I’ve been hearing really good things about it.

[@deggens]

Great preview of the new park. Super helpful! How long would you say you need at the park to do most of the trails?

[@_Aitch_]

You could probably do them all in 2-3 hours maybe? Takes about 6-7 minutes to climb the 250ft of elevation.

[@Lawsonbbiking]

Sick almost 1 k subs

[@_Aitch_]

Yo that's awesome! Didn't realize I was that close!

[@leerollins2801]

Is that a stumpjumper? Hope you liked BHM!

[@_Aitch_]

Close! It's an Enduro. Loved BHM!

[@JeffRevell]

The park looks great. I do however wonder what criteria these park designers/builders use in determining a skill level designation for their runs. Honestly, I am finding a tendency to rate higher skill-gap trails as greens when they should probably be blues or blues that should be blacks. Multiple drops and jumps probably should probably not be on a green trail. Most new riders interpret green trails as the designation for beginners but drops and jumps aren't something that most beginners are suited for. If you go to a ski mountain you will find that the green runs are very flowy and tame, which I find is becoming less the case with mountain bike trails. I've had beginner friends drop into some green trails and they were in way over their heads. They had crashed due to not having the skills for some features and were very discouraged to continue riding.

[@_Aitch_]

That's a good question but I'm not sure there is a good answer. I've found that generally trail ratings are relative to the trail system you are riding. For example, a black trail at Ride BHM is probably not as gnarly as a black trail at Windrock. Beyond that, trail ratings are often relative to the region you're in. For example, a black trail in North Georgia might not be close to the same difficulty as a black trail in Pisgah National Forest. Beyond THAT, Colorado guys will tell you a Southeastern black isn't on the same page as a Colorado black. I think you're on to something here... and I think there needs to be more uniformity when it comes to rating trails. That way you know, as a rider, exactly what you are getting into when you start a trail. Theoretically, that would also make your rides a lot more fun by allowing you to ride trails knowing you're not going to run into a rogue feature or something. You don't always have the time or opportunity to pre-ride then re-ride. Let me know what you think... my response was kind of just one long thought Also, what I didn't show in this video was that this park had 2 trails rated below green "Sweet Pea" and "Tootsie Roll." Also, I think the part you're talking about with "drops on the green trail" was when I got onto "Drop Zone" (which is a blue trail) after riding "Sunday Driver" (green). I could have gone right and continued on "Sunday Driver" but went straight instead.

[@natemtb4807]

Another new bike park is opening in North Carolina it’s called ride rock creek

[@_Aitch_]

I've heard that name a couple of times. I'll have to check it out when I get a chance. Same kinda style as Ride BHM and Ride Kanuga? (pedal access, not a ton of elevation, etc.)?

[@natemtb4807]

@@_Aitch_ it’s similar to kanuga because the guy that built kanuga (neko mullaly) also built rock creek. Rock creek will have a shuttle open all year round though so that’s nice.

[@natemtb4807]

@@_Aitch_ I don’t know exactly how much elevation it has all I know is it has more than kanuga

[@_Aitch_]

@@natemtb4807 Oh cool. I just assumed it was similar pedal access because it was "Ride" Rock Creek like "Ride" Kanuga and "Ride" BHM. Thanks for the intel

[@ChrisMcGhee89898787]

What bike are you riding?

[@_Aitch_]

2022 Specialized Enduro Expert

[@dmille462]

Are all trails ebike friendly?

[@_Aitch_]

E-bikes encouraged!

[@dmille462]

@@_Aitch_ 😁I will be there next Friday

[@bradyessary5668]

Are you in Atlanta?

[@_Aitch_]

I was in Atlanta so most of my content was around that area. I moved to Denver in December

[@Boost_Bro123]

Were is that?

[@_Aitch_]

Ride BHM in Birmingham, AL

[@TrioBehindBars]

That's us in the Video!!!! Not exactly local as we are Florida. To bad you video taped us then as those where the warm up. We ended up cleaning them and the 11 yo back flipped that line.

[@_Aitch_]

I saw him clean it but didn’t get it on tape, unfortunately. Would’ve stuck around had I known one of you were going to BACKFLIP it… but didn’t want to be weird video taping you guys enjoying the day! Impressive for any age! Keep up the good work guys!

[@TrioBehindBars]

@@_Aitch_ it's all good lol. Here is the Video kzbin.infoBSlmCBCk5Ww?feature=share

[@chiefchero6198]

You racing this on April 2?

[@_Aitch_]

No dice. I moved to Denver in December so I’m missing out on Go Nuts events this season. That’s why I’ve been MIA too. Snow has been sticking around so I haven’t been able to ride or make any videos. Hopefully it will melt soon. I’ve been going stir crazy waiting to get back on the horse

[@chiefchero6198]

@@_Aitch_ Denver is awesome! Action sports year round if you ski/snowboard. Enjoy!

[@midlifemtber2888]

Where is this and what bike park ?

[@theRCspot]

RideBhm in Birmingham AL

[@jacobcrawfordmtb]

Man I wish this place had shuttles. It would be so much better. Why do you think ridebhm doesn’t have shuttles?

[@_Aitch_]

It would be nice for sure but I don’t think the elevation is enough to justify having one this early. I wouldn’t be shocked if they implemented one after they get all their high priority projects finished.

[@jacobcrawfordmtb]

@@_Aitch_ Well here’s the thing. The point of a “Downhill Park” Is to have a lift access up and then a narly/fun decent down. It doesn’t matter HOW MUCH elevation there is. I have asked a lot of people to come out here to Ridebhm and you know what they have all said? “No because theres not a shuttle”. I kind of feel the same way lowkey I think a shuttle service would really attract so many more people to the park. I’ve also thought about this, even if they DID do shuttles maybe they could just do them on the weekends or something so its not a hassle during the week. Just confusing to me why Ridebhm and Kanuga DONT have shuttles. All it does is just creates a worse picture on your park? Also I know for a FACT it’s not a money problem, If you’re a bike park you’ve literally already put hundreds of thousands of dollars to build it… It is certainly not an issue with “money” to bring in shuttle trucks. What do you think?

[@_Aitch_]

@@jacobcrawfordmtb You make some really good points, Jacob. It isn't really a "downhill" park if you have to put in the work to get to the top. It definitely makes it less attractive overall but it certainly didn't turn me off from making the trip from Atlanta multiple times. I get what you're saying though and I definitely understand people saying "why would I drive there, pay to ride, and then have to do all the work, when I could just ride my local spot or somewhere closer for free." Maybe they'll implement one in the future? But I bet if they do, ticket prices go up. Maybe it's intentional so they rent more ebikes?😂 There's also a lot of associated costs with shuttles. Truck, maintenance, trailer, steel/labor for constructing the racks, gas, insurance for equipment operation. Like you said, it might not be a money thing but there are a lot of logistics that go into it and maybe they didn't think it was worth doing... yet. Next time you go, ask the guy if they're planning to do it ever and the questions you asked me and report back. I'd be interested to know what he says.

[@jacobcrawfordmtb]

@@_Aitch_ Will do. I am really close friends with the Owner. So I will ask him this asap. I live 5 minutes from Ridebhm so I can make it back out soon. I think yes maintenance is a big thing but you have to think there isn’t only 1 guy working there… Theres an entire crew the works and volunteers there so im sure a lot of guys would like to get hands on. In this area charging money for a shuttle isn’t really that big of a deal to people as long as they have a SHUTTLE. If the park is super focused in investing more money then I think getting some shuttle trucks would be a great idea.

[@jacobcrawfordmtb]

@@_Aitch_ I heard it’s also a problem with a the steepness… Last time I checked the steepest trail there is OK BOOMER which is not even half as steep as some of the blue and blacks at windrock… It just seems really lame and Outlandish to not build a DOWNHILL park with no shuttle. Honestly makes no sense but I don’t want to complain to much

[@jwise7114]

Nice! I'm old and looking for downhill near by.

[@_Aitch_]

This is the spot. Pedal access so you can get your workout in too!

[@jeremiah-lo-mein]

Silent hubs what are they onyx vesper?

[@_Aitch_]

Roval Traverse aluminum wheels, rear hub: DT Swiss 370 Ratchet LN 18t internals, SRAM XD driver

[@02mtb]

damn I wish I had something like this local to me

[@_Aitch_]

We’re super lucky for sure! Feels like something new is popping up every couple of months