When one event ends, there's always another to attend. The mountain biking community is alive and well in the Pacific Northwest, and we're here to help you take full advantage.

Northwest Tune-Up was a great ride (pun intended) but all good things must come to an end. From the world class trails on Galbraith Mountain to the waterfront concerts and beers at Kulshan’s Trackside, there were smiles and good times aplenty. But here in the Pacific Northwest we're able to ride bikes 365 days of the year, and the completion of Tune-Up doesn’t signify the end of celebrating the local mountain bike culture.

Want to keep the party going? Here’s a handful of fun events in 2026 that you can attend to connect with your fellow riders in Bellingham and beyond.

WMBC's Shoot the Trails

Shoot the Trails will showcase a handful of the best riders and photographers that Whatcom County has to offer and is a great fundraising opportunity for the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition (WMBC). From up and coming groms to local industry riders, everyone has a chance to be on the big screen at this legendary event. Submit your media to be shown to the masses or join WMBC and your riding buddies for raffles, beer, food trucks and good times down at the Fishermen’s Pavilion on October 3rd.

WMBC is the organization that takes care of our favorite local trails, from Galbraith Mountain to the opposite side of Lake Whatcom at the Y Road trails, so every ticket sold helps make the Bellingham riding scene more special.

Tickets but will be available for purchase here soon: Shoot the Trails

Woolley Fest

Woolley Fest is back for its second iteration and the Hesh MTB crew is stepping it up with a new qualifying event on the Cedar Dust trails on Galbraith. Some of the world’s top pro freeriders will converge just south of Bellingham at The Lookout in search of the big air and good vibes that only a Fest Series event can provide. Woolley Fest tickets can be purchased through the Hesh MTB website.

For those unfamiliar, the Fest Series is a collection of jump jam style events in various locations around the world where riders of different backgrounds join other professionals to escape the pressures of competition and push the limits of the sport through camaraderie and  the sharing of knowledge. The Fest Series has provided some of the biggest moments in the sport and continues to produce must watch content.

Weekly Group Rides with Shifting Gears

Are you new to town and want to meet some riding buddies? Or are you tired of solo rides and want to switch things up? Check out Shifting Gears’ Weekly Group Rides on Galbraith for party laps on the trails. Shifting Gears aims to empower women through outdoor recreation and educational opportunities and meets every Monday to help riders explore new trails, meet new people, and improve their skills. They are the epitome of the local bike community and would love to have you on their next ride. 

The Bellingham Traverse

While not primarily a bike focused event, bikes are still included in the Bellingham Traverse, and for those of us that ride that's always good enough! Grab a few friends, or your family, and put together a team to compete in one of Bellingham’s oldest races. The Traverse covers nearly 40 miles of ground through some of the best parks and neighborhoods Bellingham has to offer and there’s not one, but two, bike legs! Pick your poison between road biking or descending down Galbraith’s north side trails and have fun out there! 

This year's race is on Saturday, August 29th, and registration can be completed here on the Pacific Multisports website. 

Crankworx Whistler

Crankworx Whistler. Quite possibly the largest mountain biking event in the world. And it’s here, nearly in our backyard. A quick drive to the Canadian border followed by a jaunt down the Sea to Sky Highway and you’re in Whistler, the epicenter of mountain biking, ready to watch the world’s best racers and freeriders compete for the legendary prize of a podium finish at Crankworx.  

Crankworx is a must see event for cyclists around the world and is another reason why we’re so spoiled to live in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you only have a day to attend or have taken the whole week off from work, be sure to put this one in your calendar. The event lasts from July 24th to August 2nd with different races and competitions held each day.

The NW Cup

The NW Cup is a northwest staple, and one of our favorite local downhill race series outside of the Whatcom World Cup that's put on by WMBC. Beginning in 2006, the NW Cup has hosted some of the biggest names in downhill racing, from Aaron Gwin to local pro and Olympian, Jill Kintner.

The series continues to draw massive crowds to its local, rowdy courses in Port Angeles and Stevens Pass, and outside of the state in Idaho and Montana. Racing at Port Angeles has already happened this season, but there’s still time to sign up for the finale at Stevens Pass if you’re looking to test your speed against your fellow riders.

The Bellingham Off Road Triathlon

Inflate your dry bag, lace up your running shoes, and buckle that bike helmet, the Bellingham Off Road Triathlon is here! See what you’re made of with a half mile swim, 5.6 mile bike ride, and a 2.6 mile run as you weave your way in and out of the forest around Lake Padden.

Don’t want to do each leg on your own? Sign up with some friends and turn the triathlon into a relay instead! Either way, there’s nothing quite like celebrating the accomplishment of a race well ran, especially when part of that race is spent having fun on your bike. 

Register for the Off Road Triathlon here on the Pacific Multisports website and race on Sunday, August 30th.

UCI Downhill Race in Whistler

Now I know what you’re thinking, “Another event in British Columbia??” Yes. Our friends across the border have been spoiled this year. But thanks to a short hop, skip, and a jump north of the border, those of us that live in Bellingham get to enjoy our neighbor's hard work and watch some of the best racing in the world. As this is the first time a mountain bike race of this caliber has been hosted on the west coast of North America since the late 1990’s, there’s a chance that it doesn’t come back next year. Opportunities like this are fleeting, so make sure you find your way north to Whistler and get ready to cheer your heart out. 

The final race takes place on Sunday the 27th, but official race activities will be taking place throughout the week.

Red Bull Hardline in Vancouver, Canada

After years with overseas races down the rolling hills of Wales and on the tiny island of Tasmania, Red Bull Hardline is finally coming to North America with the finals slated for October 17th. British Columbia is getting another world renowned mountain biking event, but this race is closer to us than both Crankworx and the World Cup with riders careening their way down Cypress Mountain just north of Vancouver. Hardline can be watched from the comfort of your couch on Red Bull TV or you can see the massive scale of the trail features by taking a short two hour drive north from our office in Sudden Valley.

The Best Way to Celebrate Mountain Biking in the Pacific Northwest

Last but not least, get out and ride! Gather up your friends and take to the trails. While they can help to get us in the spirit, we don't need events, races, or competitions to partake in mountain bike culture. We simply need to go for a ride. 

We hope to see you on the trails, but if we don't, we can always be found at our office in Sudden Valley, or via our connect page here on our website. If you'd like to make Bellingham your home and to ride the trails here year round, reach out to us. 

About the Weitzel & Andrew Home Team

For more than 50 years, the Weitzel & Andrew Home Team has helped buyers and sellers navigate the Sudden Valley and greater Whatcom County real estate market. Our passion for this community extends beyond real estate. We believe in supporting the people, events, and organizations that make this such a special place to call home.

Whether you're buying, selling, or simply exploring your options, we're here to be your trusted local resource.