The Gathering vol. 4: Recap

THE GATHERING RETURNS FOR VOLUME 4

Earlier this month, Forbidden hosted its fourth annual Gathering in Cumberland, BC. After taking a year off, getting the crew back together felt pretty damn good.

The Gathering is our excuse to bring Forbidden owners, staff, athletes and friends of the brand into the same place for the same reason: riding bikes on the trails we love best.

The day kicked off at Gravity MTB Garage in Cumberland, where folks were supplied wtih Laneway coffee and pastries, plus a chance to catch up and get acquainted before rolling out. From there, over 60 riders descended upon the Cumberland trail network. Old friends and new faces joined the mix. E-bikes and analog bikes. Pros and weekend warriors. Different bikes, different riding styles, but all the same reason for being there.

The crew tackled the Sobo No Michi climb trail and then made their way down New Vanilla, over to Upper Climax, Field of Dreams, Blue Collar, Trestle, Scat/Brat, and Bonestorm, with only a few questionable line choices involved.

After the first ride, everyone headed back to Gravity MTB Garage for some lunch, provided by Bibliotaco, a Cumberland favourite. We were also greeted with unexpected dose of October sunshine, and on Vancouver Island, that’s never something you count on.

The keeners rolled out for a second lap while the rest stayed back, grabbed a beer and settled into the afternoon. Huge thanks to Cumberland Brewing for keeping the keg flowing.

Once the second ride wrapped up, Dylan Siggers and Liam Morgan treated the crowd to exclusive screenings of some upcoming edits.

The rest of the day unfolded the way the best bike days usually do: a few bevvies, lawn games, snacks, swag bags, and plenty of time to appreciate the people who make this community what it is.

One of the best things about the Gathering is seeing how quickly titles disappear. Pro athletes, warranty staff, operations, engineers, customers; it doesn’t really matter. Out on the trail, everyone is just another rider looking for a good line and a good time. That’s something worth hanging onto.