Video: Riding Through Ashes After The Devastating Fires in California
On November 8, 2018, at 2:24 pm, a fire broke out near Simi Valley, California that would become one of the largest fires in Los Angles County history. At 5:15 am, the fire crossed the 101 freeway and burned towards Malibu, California waking up residents with a thick plume of black smoke. It seemed like the world was ending as winds upwards of 50 miles an hour whipped massive walls of flame through the canyons and mountains.
Marshall Mullen recalls his experience, “while the majority evacuated, some residents stayed behind and defended their homes. Many were successful, and I was fortunate enough to be one of those people with the help of my two friends. We owe our gratitude to the firefighters and everyone who stayed behind to protect anything they could. Considering the magnitude of the fire, an exceptional amount of homes were saved.”
By the end of it all, many people were less lucky, with 1,500 structures and three lives lost to the Woolsey fire. 88% of the Santa Monica mountain range we call home burned.
The area was left desolate, closed off for weeks with residents going a month without power, and even longer without cell, landline or Internet. The open space we know and love was reduced to smoldering remains, resembling another planet more than the brush-covered hills we knew so well as mountain bikers. Roads were impassable, covered in fallen trees, debris and downed power lines. The landscape resembled the moon, with varying shades of black, grey and white being the only thing visible.
Out of the ashes, however, came the rare chance to explore terrain that rider Marshall Mullen had never seen. Old, overgrown roads became open again, and trails long gone could once again be used. It was a short window before the winter rains brought re-growth, but from the ashes came a unique opportunity. Watch as Marshall Mullen explores the Martian landscape his home has become.
"There was a brief moment in time where the riding was some of the best I have ever ridden. That window is now gone as the hillsides are covered in new growth which is a symbol for the new beginning in Malibu." - Marshall Mullen
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"I would like to take a moment to thank all the firefighters and first responders who spent countless hours defending our town during this disaster. Those who stayed back showed an incredible amount of courage, and without you, a lot more would be lost. "
"My deepest gratitude goes out to my two friends who stayed and defended with me for the full 20-hour long fight. Thank you." - Marshall Mullen
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It's just irresponsible riding, unfortunately there are too many idiots with bikes out there ruining it for everyone else.
www.facebook.com/watch/?v=353412625296675
go.rallyup.com/campbike?fbclid=IwAR3nw61B-kadRkhYVdnHh3c3-7W5VAh310XJEO1avUtG1wlhNG5eKEdDV_Y
Mountain bikers are not the only people that can be upset about videos like this.
Live in Socal and bank on rain and regrowth= Morons.
Same thing with Hurkey Creek in Idyllwild, last 3 times I called they still hadn't opened the fire damaged areas even after 2+ years after the burndown because the area hadn't returned to its previous status yet.
People think that mustard plant growth is a sign of rehabilitation of the landscape while the gloss over the fact that its a weed and thats what weeds do.
LOL, lots of idiots on this site unfortunately.
Looks like they're riding not where trails used to be, but over whatever areas of bare hillside they could find.
what happened
Ya calling someone an idiot for acting like an idiot, isn't exactly going SJW, but hey I wouldn't really expect anyone who starts their sentences with "guess what tree boy" to be throwing around any quality comments.
Nowhere in my comment do I say what they're doing is offensive, just irresponsible. If you are going to be stupid, at least be relevant and stupid
Your initial comment was "go hug a tree bro" which I thought was immature for a 12 year old, let alone a 40 year old. Then you continue to do this petty shit, further illustrating your immaturity.
I'm not judging you because you said things I disagree with, I'm judging you because you are 40 and you write comments like "tree boy", and instead of arguing my point you just attack me personally.
Good luck being a 40year old child.
lol, go for it. Again, personal attacks when all i did was point out your immaturity. Is that why you're upset? being told how to behave by someone almost half your age?
toodles buster
Gotta do better than that, bro!
There is plenty of evidence out there, but most has been deleted?
Just like this & other comments on here?
The truth is out there, but your not aloud to talk about it!
My point of view is this: Riding isn't about dominating mother nature or trying to prove how badass you are in her presence; it doesn't matter how many squats or leg presses you did that morning, it doesn't matter how hard or long you can spin, it doesn't matter how fast you think you are, it doesn't matter if you're a World Cup pro - the mountain always wins in the end and by extension, so does Mother Nature. You'll always chase that perfect run and Mother Nature dictates the rules, terms, and conditions under which she allows you do so. The dirt is always moving, the rocks are always moving, and the conditions are always changing. Respect that. Understand that. Embrace that. It's Her domain; we're just inserting ourselves in it for our own self-motivated pursuits.
The fires that happened here - people died, people lost their everything. Homes, pictures of loved ones, family heirlooms, written traditions, all gone. The fires were "Biblical" as described by a friend who was on the ground there during that time. For someone who questions the existence of a higher power, that's pretty heavy. It was like the whole world went away and something else took the place of reality - you couldn't see the sky, you couldn't see more than 30ft in front of you with a wall of fire around you.
The way this edit was put together - I get that it is a fun prospect, but it lacks self-awareness. Self awareness of what the land and environment has suffered and must recover from and a lack of self-awareness of the human loss. To me, the idea of riding here would be like standing on a plateau overlooking Korengal Valley in Afghanistan and saying "DUDE, those abandoned forward operating bases and artillery craters could help us make a SWEET flow-line!" It doesn't make any sense.
Respect your environment, be mindful of your surroundings, and endeavor to be in balance with both.
P.S. - No one noticed that the guy at the beginning of the vid bragging about the area looking like Mars is Tim Commerford, the bass player from Rage Against the Machine.
How about just don't ride illegal areas that just had a wildfire come through to keep it simple?
Excuse one idiot and you'll have to excuse em all.
You can watch his tires go right over new growth.
As far as the free-riders changing the landscape, i don't think those are equatable situations. If someone builds a line in luscious squamish then it probably doesn't matter, vs building one in an area where the wildlife/flora is barely holding on/bouncing back.
Are you related to the Malibu mayor?
HOLY f*ck DO YOU GUYS MISS THE FOREST FOR THE TREES.