We Rode The Highest Rated Mountain Bike Trail in the U.S.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

So this video was recorded several weeks ago, and the timing is a bit unfortunate. East Burke and the surrounding areas got hit by sever storm dumping 8.5 inches of rain in 6 hours. The day before this storm, KT had just finally re-opened all their trails after another devastating storm came through while we were in Quebec. Weather like this is not normal and it’s taken its toll on the area. While many trails are closed and being rebuild the area and local businesses could really use the extra business this summer.

[@rascal1234]

I heard about the rain. Terrible news. I was considering a trip up there soon. But I guess later in the season or next year. Love KT and the whole area. Most of the trails are XC, but are super fun. A great adventure, with 100 miles of trails.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

A lot of stuff is already opened, just check the trail statuses and stay up to date with KT status updates and you should fine.

[@Kevin-ex2yb]

We had a family vacation there in between the two storms. My heart goes out to everyone affected. We love that part of the world. One of our family's happy places.

[@JeanFrancoisRaymond]

@skillswithphil Vélo MSM is worth the detour … 1hr from Ottawa… guaranteed Boneshaker doesn’t disappoint

[@asacron]

You’re a dream bike sponsor… “Here is an even shorter travel bike I can ride like a maniac and look… the bike survives!”

[@kbellanti]

You summed it up great Phil. Definetly a trail anyone can enjoy. As an intermediate rider, it's at the top of my list as it had me stoked the whole way down and was super confidence inspiring. Great video as usual!

[@DuleeMac]

Come to Frederick, Md at watershed to ride Boundary Line, Albatross,and more!

[@el_cap_i_tan]

Would love to watch phil rip the shed

[@Ben-m3r]

I haven't ridden much outside of Maryland, other than Pisgah, but Frederick seems to be on par in terms of fun factor. Especially the new albatross

[@jamesgardner7695]

Nice shout-out to Green Mountain Pro Tune! Also try Sonny's up at the top there, fun and flow!

[@SkillsWithPhil]

We did! We rode for 2.5hrs but you are seeing only 12minutes of the ride here.

[@jamesgardner7695]

@@SkillsWithPhil Nice! Would like to see someone so the Sonny's triple but properly!!

[@draggonhedd]

That looks like a super fun train to have locally. I'd be running laps of that on my lunch break if i was local! Just fun, smooth, interesting but not overly challenging, a good workout.

[@nathankovach7414]

Reminds me of a trail in Killington called Sherburner, super flowy blue where expert riders can find some crazy gaps

[@kevincamara]

Sherburner and Black Bear are my two favorites...I compare them all the time.

[@JJ_MTB_15]

Very similar, Sherburner has quite a bit more features I may like it better.

[@nathankovach7414]

The only negative is the climb 😂

[@cameronplourde5902]

This was THE spot to take our mountain bike campers. A long climb up with a well-worth downhill!

[@feldybikes]

3:09 Black Bear is the rare trail where the descent is more physically demanding than the climb (the upper section anyway)

[@DIYManiacJohnP]

Absolutely love Black Bear!!! I did it 7 times in one day

[@andrewalcott3138]

Awesome runs. I'm in NY and I need to get up there.

[@keenannorton9012]

looks like the kind of track i would feel comfortable riding pretty fast as a beginner rider but still very enjoyable for folks like you with lots of riding experience :)

[@bscjake]

Yep. People have called it a downhill pump track. Basically smooth and all flow.

[@SkateOrDie666]

It's a quad killer!

[@charlied4001]

East haven was my go to for years on my way home from work. But, on my days off, I'd never touch KT, I'd drive right by.

[@mysterious_tim]

Wily Coyote is a pretty fun way to let loose at the end of black bear too

[@SecretSpots]

Definitely looks really fun.

[@sebmour]

Hey Phil, If you ever come to Mont Ste Marie, let me know. You’ll love family jewels, boneshaker, Maiboch option, growler, lager and the wu trails.

[@jc9301]

That wet downhill looked real sketchy, Glad you werent seriously hurt.

[@cleggycyclist]

Incredible trail and riding ability

[@MTBChuckQC]

Wishing the trails I rode at Bromont were that smooth today! Sucks for the storm breaking all of this though :(

[@RoninMon2012]

About 40 mins of climbing up and its totally worth it.

[@chickesnssurfclub3970]

bucket list

[@cedriccinqmars3516]

Those Québec trails, god dam !!!! 😮‍💨🙏😎

[@MrSupermugen]

Is the rotor/s rubbing or something everytime you load the bike?

[@FoCoFlowShow]

Fredrick watershed is literally the polar opposite of this trail 😂😂😂 The Shed is so gnarly 🤘🤘🤘

[@nobodyspecial9035]

❤Burke and KTs

[@tinshield]

The pump is real!

[@TwowheeledadventureVT]

This is my backyard trail! I love the East Haven Trails! Most fun part of Kingdom trails in my opinion

[@JTFoote]

Hi Phil and Hailey! 🍻

[@mxracer-mg5il]

Is your bike okay

[@DandyHippo]

Very high rate

[@Nick86mtb]

I was just there for the ESC race and left the day before the rain. 8.5 inches is crazy

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Yeah, we were out riding on the other side of vermont when the storms were rolling through. We could see it looked super dark but we saw barely none of that storm. It's incredible how isolated that storm was. I nearly spit out my coffee when i saw what KT posted the following morning, i didn't suspect anything more than a normal thunderstorm

[@Nick86mtb]

@@SkillsWithPhil yea same it was so nice when I was there, totally did not expect that

[@SHRED_MAFIA]

We were just there last week

[@philippebenard1075]

Great video and definitely stop by msm and try boneshaker next Time your in Quebec ! Well worth the visit

[@SkillsWithPhil]

It's on my list of places to visit :)

[@GoodTrails]

HIGHLY recommend Boneshaker at MSM in QC. I'd be happy to show you around!

[@skiingbikingpov]

I just rode that a few days ago and also I just rode skid marks and damn that trail is legit I have a video on my channel and I tagged you on the video but I could not do much because the trail was soaked

[@JJ_MTB_15]

Figured you woulda sent the gap on stormin norman. Good video.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

I did but this was a video about black bear.

[@The_Backsmith802]

Oh man when I saw “highest rated” trail and Kingdom, I thought for sure it was a video of Freeride. Have you or do you have any plans to make upper mtn Burke trail videos?

[@SkillsWithPhil]

I raced the burke EWS there so theres a few videos from upper Burke!

[@The_Backsmith802]

@@SkillsWithPhil awesome, I’ll check them out. Would love to see a run down Freeride from the perspective of Phil!

[@VentureMTB]

I saw Phil and Hailey in the parking lot on this day and just posted my video of Stormin’ Norman and Black Bear lol

[@detrexninja1334]

Hey Phil will you be going to whistler bike park this year

[@SkillsWithPhil]

I have no plans to at this moment

[@John-ml1mh]

PHIL when where did you ride these trails? I have been up here all week riding the kingdom trails

[@SkillsWithPhil]

A few weeks ago

[@John-ml1mh]

@@SkillsWithPhil oh probably for the better there’s a summer camp at the college right next to the trails for the Pennsylvania cycling league

[@beniii593]

I ride black bear a lot if I’m looking for a fun lap to do but I ride bike park if I want jumps around burke

[@ericrobertson425]

Wheres the new beauty GT red and black bike?

[@SkillsWithPhil]

In my garage.

[@ericrobertson425]

@@SkillsWithPhil Bring that out for some vids man, thing is sweet!

[@beniii593]

Will you ride the other parts of kingdom trails?

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Probably not. It's a great place to visit from time to time but there are other places im more interested in riding

[@beniii593]

@@SkillsWithPhilof course

[@beniii593]

East haven are my local trails so I can just ride from my house straight there and do a lap or 2

[@ZAYDAWG23]

When are you gonna go to whistler?

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Probably not going this season.

[@ZAYDAWG23]

@@SkillsWithPhil oh ok

[@WilliamLevesqueineX]

Today I learned, what "people" like isnt what I like haha. I got to check out Mont Sainte-Marie as well at some point tho, I hear a lot of good.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Theres very few peoples whose recommendations i listen to for that reason. This trail is fun and enjoyable, but its far from my favorite trail in the world. But that's okay, opinions are subjective.

[@JohandreMuller]

You should come ride at South Afrika

[@chestypuller1300]

Come to nc and ride browns creek you haven’t seen a long trail. One lap is 14 miles.

[@jimwing.2178]

I can see why Black Bear is popular - it is the blandest trail I've ever seen. That trail is so sanitized that they might as well seal it in plastic. It makes my local "Family Trail" look like a black diamond pro line.

[@roccopietrofesa7914]

I prefer Stormin Norman but BB is fun no doubt.

[@markiusgalfordii9248]

I'm playing a game where I'm building trails.For a mountain bike people.Well, I'm watching you LO.L

[@drewkenna4878]

I'm surprised Captain Kangaroo was ranked #1 in that article... super fun trail for sure but I wouldn't call it the best trail in North America

[@SkillsWithPhil]

I agree, it's the same for black bear. Overall it's a great trail but it's not a trail I would put in my personal top ten. It did get me thinking what makes something a "top rated" trail, and I concluded it's similar to pop music. Pop music is enjoyable to a large/diverse group of people but most musicians and music enthusiasts wouldn't consider pop their favorite genre.

[@nobodyspecial9035]

Reason it’s so popular: It’s the premier riding destination for the Northeast. The NE is jammed packed with people and very few noteworthy riding spots within a days drive. Northeast Kingdom rules

[@Friskee62]

180...

[@TrailFire]

Never trust Trailforks.......