WHIMPs - Our History

Whatcom Independent Mountain Pedalers

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While the WHIMPs have been a major force in expanding the opportunities for mountain bikers and thus other trail users, none of this would have been possible without a visionary and accommodating partnership with our Parks Departments and private land managers. A huge thanks and nod of encouragement goes out to them.

On the public side of things we thank Bellingham City Parks, Whatcom County Parks, Larabee State Park, Skagit County Parks & the DNR.

On the private side of things we thank Bloedel-Donovan, Trillium Corp & Crown Pacific.
Jim Sullivan, or Sully to most people, is the original WHIMP.

A local activist, professional mountain biker many years for Team Ritchey and Allsop/ SoftRide, espresso artist and generally great guy to be around, Sully sparked the initial WHIMP's flame.

1989 Sully in top form

Sully was the WHIMPs Leader from it's origin in 1986 until 1995 when Mark Peterson took over the reigns. Sully had to move back to San Francisco to help with his family. He's still hammering as always and rides with us whenever he's back in town.

It was great for the first decade of WHIMPs to ride with a Mountain Bike World Champion, oh by the way, Sully was veteran World Champion in 1989 and 1990.

For us locals it was really fun to catch a casual ride with Thomas Frishneck or Joe Murray as part of a WHIMPY ride. Other Galbraith dignitaries include; Allison Sydor, Bruce"Rack" Spicer, Henrik (3x World Sr. Mens MTB Champion) Djernas, Lisa Muhich, Ruthie Mathes, Tim Rutherford, Steve Tilford, Earthquake Jake Watson, Golden Brainard, Lumpy Leidal, Kris Otter, and Ramon Shirkak.

Former WHIMPs VP, Tom Anderson is one the original WHIMPs. Mark and Tom both kept the original flame burning hot, in fact the WHIMPs currently are the best trail machine we've ever been. Many WHIMPs make one killer trail machine.

The WHIMPs have several past World, National and State Champion racers as members. We are a club that understands both the environmental as well as the social aspect of trail use.

Most of our members are activists that lobby, contribute, act, ride and race bikes. Well, maybe 2 or 3 of the prefaced.


1994 WHIMPs at the Oyster Dome



Trail maintenance started in earnest when the WHIMPs decided to host the Padden MTN Pedal way back in 1993.

1992 WHIMPs at the towers

Few remember the days of the "Drop of Death" that used to be, well the Drop of Death, on the upper loop of Padden.

The WHIMPs knew even back then that the biggest factor to trail degradation was poor trail design. The Drop of Death had an incredible 40% grade to it!! Not exactly a sustainable grade. IMBA and Forest Service trail standards require no more than 15% grade for VERY short sections. 8-10% grade is what is really preferred.

So we took our case to the Bellingham City Parks Dept. and offered to do the trail work necessary to bring the Lake Padden loops up to standard in order to handle regular non-motorized multi use (i.e. mtbs, equestrians, dog walkers, runners hikers etc.). The list of WHIMPs trail accomplishments is lengthy and impressive.

The Muddy Mile R. I. P. - Lake Padden Recreation Area-probably one of the single most important WHIMPs projects. Literally impassable in the winter or rainy season the mud was at least a foot deep.

More than a few shoes have disappeared in there. WHIMPs improved this section so much newcomers have a hard time understanding its namesake.

Eliminating this mud section was what really increased the overall usage of the upper loops by ALL trail users. Now it is passable by any and all users. The WHIMPs currently maintain the entire 3.7 mile loop of upper section of Padden Trails.

Want to be a part of the future WHIMPstory?

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Questions or comments?
WHIMPs President