Home > Biking

How Mountain Biking Saved a Dying Town

Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

This beautifully shot film chronicles the revival of Downieville, California, ‘from dying mining town to mountain-bike mecca.’

On its last legs, the small town of Downieville was brought back to life by a group of rowdy mountain bikers. These dedicated trail-builders were determined to keep their town from dying. So they got busy building something that would last for generations to come.

Full of mountain history, lovable characters, and breathtaking scenery, this new film from Patagonia will have you dreaming of a MTB road trip. “Dirt Magic” chronicles how this group of dirt miners is changing the landscape, all while creating a model for struggling communities across the country.

And to think it all started with a van, a chainsaw, and a few maxed out credit cards.

Brandon Semenuk Raw 100 v5

Mind Blown: Brandon Semenuk's MTB Wonderland

Brandon Semenuk built a playground in the Utah desert to give us 100 glorious seconds of insane riding. Read more…

Subscribe Now

Get adventure news and gear reviews in your inbox!