How Trails Transform Communities: Biketown

We partnered with Freehub Magazine to create a 45-minute documentary that reframed the story of mountain biking, from rebellion to stewardship. Filmed over four years in four trail communities, the film highlights how riders and land managers are building a more cooperative future. With national screenings, Vimeo Staff Pick recognition, and over $136,000 raised for local trails, the project became both a powerful story and a catalyst for change.

Deliverables

45 Minute Documentary

Multiple Teasers and Trailers

Photography Package

Services

Creative development

Pre-Production

Production

Post-Production

Candice Sjogren, Josh Venti, Eric Brown

Emotional Goal

To leave audiences with a sense of hope and pride. We wanted viewers to recognize that when communities come together, real transformation is possible. Mountain bikers and land managers alike should feel seen and inspired to collaborate.

The Mission

Our goal was to elevate a story born in our backyard in Bellingham, WA, and spark national momentum. We set out to showcase how mountain bike communities across the U.S. have evolved from rebellious beginnings to become collaborative partners in trail stewardship. The film serves as both inspiration and a roadmap for building thriving, cooperative trail systems.

The Insights

This film was inspired by the collaboration between mountain bikers and land managers in our own backyard, despite a turbulent past. Further research uncovered a fundamental truth: while trail access started as a fight, the future of mountain biking depends on partnership.

We discovered:

  • A historical tension between riders and land managers
  • A nationwide pattern of formerly rogue trail builders becoming stewards
  • A deep need for hopeful stories in advocacy and access
  • A growing hunger for practical frameworks that local communities could adopt

Chisholm, Minnesota

The Approach

This project unfolded over four years and followed a deeply immersive process. We started by exploring the historical arc of mountain biking, how it moved from underground to respected recreation. Then, from 20 potential communities, we focused on four that best demonstrated transformation:

  • Bellingham, WA
  • Pacific City, OR
  • Chisholm, MN
  • Snowshoe, WV

Supported by a number of sponsors including: Specialized Bicycles, Maxxis Tires, and Ten Barrel Brewing, we cast a diverse range of voices: trail builders, land managers, politicians, and educators, to reflect the layered dynamics behind successful partnerships. Hours of pre-interviews were distilled into a narrative framework. This scripting phase guided location planning, character arcs, and interview structure.

Filmed over 31 days across four states, we combined formal interviews with vérité-style b-roll to capture each community’s rhythm and humanity. The 15TB of footage was edited over 8 months.

The premiere in Bellingham, Washington

Distribution & Impact

Through our partnership with Freehub Magazine and IMBA, this film played in 44 bike communities around the country. Between ticket sales, beer sales, and sponsor-contributed auction items, these communities collectively raised $136,000 for their local trail systems.

  • 482,000+ total video views
  • 865,000+ total audience reach
  • 3.2M+ impressions
  • Selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick
  • Played in 44 towns across the U.S. with 4,400+ in-person attendees
  • Raised $136,000 for local trail organizations via event partnerships and activations
  • Screened at the Sedona and Wasatch Film Festivals

Credits

Directors:
Brandon Watts, Cole Heilborn

Produced:
Brandon Watts, Cole Heilborn, Jon Grinney

Executive Producer:
Jon Grinney

Cinematography:
Spencer Astra

Camera Operator:
Chris Grundberg, Harrison Mendel, Hiram Stelzig, Joey Schusler, Scott Calvert

Aerial Cinematography:
Dennis Minor, Michael Dyrland, Nathan Harris

Photographer:

Brett Rothmeyer, Eric Mickelson, Oliver Parish, Riley Seebeck

Edited:
Liam Tangum, Liz Astra, Spencer Astra

Additional Editors:
Brandon Garcia

Colorist:
John Rogers

Sound Designer:
Jeffrey Yellen, William Berridge

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Running a Safe Set: Filming Mountain Biking

Be quick to listen, slow to speak

Give the audience a reason to care

Lead with empathy

Goal first, story second

Ask harder questions

Bellingham, WA
360.383.7721
cole@portsidepro.com
Proud member of The Conservation Alliance