Freeriding Virgin in Utah

The future of freeride mountain biking isn’t looking too bad. Young freeriders Bryce Helbling, Reed Boggs and Ethan Nell head to the proving ground in Southern Utah

“You come here because you can ride anything you want,” says Bryce Helbling of the seemingly perfect mountain bike terrain found just southwest of Utah’s Zion National Park, “From slope lines, to big mountain lines — it’s got it all.”

Considered freeride mountain biking’s most hallowed ground, this particular zone in southern Utah has attracting the planet’s best riders since the sport’s pioneers held the first Red Bull Rampage in the area back in 2001.

Today, a new generation of riders have assumed the challenge of Utah’s rare topography.

“I just moved out here four or five months ago,” says Cleveland, Ohio, transplant Reed Boggs — now living in nearby St. George, Utah, “To pursue more freeride stuff on my bike.”