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NOV/DEC 2018
6 PACK| BEND’S PROMISING DIRT SCENE
Thanks to CODA’s staff and volunteers, we have a world class net-
work of mountain bike trails. With Mt Bachelor adding lift access
a few years ago and building a park, things have really heated up
in Bend. Once details get worked out Bend will have a world class
jump park and that will take our dirt scene to another level. Bend
has world class champions in every type of cycling as well as local
competitors who are starting to break out, product innovators, and
great retail shops.
This summer I gathered together six up and coming dirt jumpers
for a photo shoot at the Lair. It took some work to just get all six
together. Once I settled on six riders, I came up with the name, 6
PACK. Really, not a beer reference at all. None of these boys are
even close to drinking age. I also reached out to other Bend pho-
tographers on this shoot to cover all the angles. Connor Bellusci
and Aaron Duarte joined in and both showed up eager to docu-
ment the session.
Right: (back row) Jacob Guthrie, Ryan McNulty,
Mongi (bottom row) Arlie Connolly, Sam Fassett,
Dash Bazemore
Below: Ryan McNulty one foots over Sam and
Dash, Instagraming like their lives depended on it.
PHOTOS BY NEIL KORN, CONNOR BELLUSCI & AARON DAUARTE
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“IF I COULD BIKE ALL DAY
EVERY DAY, I WOULD”
- CARSON “MONGI” GRIFFITH
We all met up at Bend’s most popular
jump venue, the Lair. Definitely not a
photographer’s favorite place to shoot.
The highest point of the Lair is dotted with
trees making large shadows and difficult
to use natural lighting. Without a good
flash set-up you’re at a disadvantage. The
lower part of the Lair is wide open and
much better for shooting but during the
summer months the dirt is too soft and
the jumps are toast.
The leader of this pack is a tall, skinny,
athletic, 16 year-old named Jacob Guthrie.
Jacob, quit the grind of public school and
is doing his school work online. This will
allow Jacob more time to bike. Growing
up, Jacob was a really good baseball and
football player. This past summer was his
last for team sports. Biking is number one
and that’s what he’s dedicating himself
to. Jacob’s dedication is starting to pay
off, he took second place overall in the
NW Cup Downhill series (see NEWS for
related story). He also rides for Village
Bike & Ski, and Riot Freeride.
Carson “Mongi” Griffith is a sophomore at
Summit High School. Mongi, as his friends
call him, has a severe addiction… to cy-
cling. Mongi would bike all day, every day
if he could. He rides downhill, slopestyle,
and also freerides. Mongi works part time
at his stepdads store Webcyclery and
rides for Smith Goggles.
Ryan McNulty is a sophomore at Bend
High School. Ryan rides for Cascade
Armory, Riot Freeride and Fasthouse MTB.
He races downhill, slope and freeride.
To round out the Pack we had three hard
riding middle schoolers. Arlie Connolly, is
only 12 but is already an accomplished
biker. Arlie has stepped onto the very top
of downhill podiums all over the western
states. He rides for Destroyer Equipment,
Sagebrush, and Pacific Pizza & Brew. Sam
Fassett is known for going big off jumps
and is the youngest of four kids in the
Fassett family. Dash Bazemore stopped
skateboarding to dedicate himself to bik-
ing. All three attend Pacific Crest.
Jacob Guthrie has dreams big, and goes
big to back it up.