While you'll usually find us riding the lush forests of the Western Cascades, the rolling hills and otherworldly rock formations of the PNW's Eastside make for its own cycling playground. PNW Squad member Henry Lanman saw this land as a blank canvas with ample opportunities for riding. What started as a need to express himself through trail building soon turned into a mission of redemption. We're excited to present this video, filmed by Logan Bonwell, featuring Henry and his friends on the journey that became "Vision's Path".
In the Words of Henry Lanman
I remember going on geology field trips in college and seeing these amazing rolling green hills out in eastern Washington. I would look out the window, daydreaming, thinking about how easy it would be to build jumps into them and float over them.
I realized that I wanted this project to be beautiful. I wanted to not just dig random holes, but to be thoughtful about where I took dirt and put dirt. I had the need to create something from scratch like I had never done before.
I decided to quit my job and take about a month off to ride my bike and my goal was to film it and document all the work that went into it. About a month before I decided to take work off I was out testing the step-up, quarter pipe feature. I was trying to figure out how to ride it.
I went faster and faster, and then right when I came down from the jump I was a little off axis. I stuck my leg out and it just snapped.
I was driving out the shuttle road holding my leg and I realized this whole project was over. I think that sat more heavy than the actual break itself.
During recovering my broken leg, I needed to satisfy the creative side of my mind that had motivated me to go out into the hills in the first place. I wanted that rush of visualizing something and that moment where your heart skips a beat because you know it’s going to work. After years of rehab, thought and recovery, to actually see the vision come true was incredible. It was about being with our best friends in amazing landscapes and enjoying something new and unique. Something designed to be fun.
The way I see is why wait for someone else to build your perfect vision? You know, just get out there in it and take a risk. Create something you want to ride and be vulnerable to the possibility of failing when you build something. Get caught up in the excitement as things start to take shape. Because when they do start to build up you start to see that vision become a reality and that’s what makes the riding experience that much better and way more whole.
Keep up with the rider, builder, and visionary, Henry Lanman on Instagram.
Film by Logan Bonwell. Photos by Matt Roebke and Jules Jimreivat.