For many, the Canadian Sea-to-Sky Corridor, from Pemberton through Whistler and Squamish to North Vancouver, is considered the birthplace of modern mountain biking. This is also where the fascination with the British Columbia route began for New Zealand Ergon rider Matthew Fairbrother, long before he ever set foot on Canadian soil. In his childhood bedroom back home, he watched videos of deep mud, endless root systems, steep rock slabs, and daring wooden ramps – trails that seemed like they were from another planet. The riders, the builders, and the entire scene reflected in these videos shaped his early vision of what was possible on a mountain bike.

When he first traveled to Whistler in 2022 to compete in his first Enduro World Cup season, it wasn't the terrain that left the biggest impression on him – it was the people. Even before he landed, he felt the support of the community – welcome messages, offers of help, genuine openness. For someone who came from the other end of the world and had scraped together just enough money even to make it to the World Cup starting lines, this sense of belonging meant more than the race itself.

From this deep connection, the idea for "Threads in the Dirt" soon emerged. While Fairbrother had already been to the region twice before, both times were with tunnel vision: races, film shoots, deadlines. He had only ever seen fragments of the legendary Sea-to-Sky Corridor. This time would be different. The goal: experience the entire route in one single, continuous effort: one day, four regions, riding the highest descents in Pemberton, Whistler, Squamish, and the North Shore.

The route combines everything the western Canadian region stands for. From Pemberton's alpine highlands through Whistler's raw, technical trails, Squamish's granite and clay, to the root-laced, wooden classics of the North Shore – a cross-section through the DNA of mountain biking.

Beyond all that, the numbers of this tour are also impressive:

• 332 kilometers total distance
• 10,250 meters of elevation gain
• 23 hours and 48 minutes total duration, including 22 hours and 15 minutes of ride time

Although New Zealand is blessed with world-class trails, Matthew Fairbrother realizes upon arriving in British Columbia that the Sea-to-Sky plays in a different league. The diversity and intensity of the trails, he quickly realizes, would force him to push beyond his limits. He's supported by the community, which embodies values in this region that align closely with his own attitude toward the sport. A community that builds trails together, supports each other, and wants to advance the sport. Added to that is an uncompromising "get it done" mentality that doesn't accept limits; it sees overcoming them as a challenge.

Matthew Fairbrother has hardly any doubts before the start. At its core, it's just another ride for him – only longer, higher, and with far more exposure than many before. The risk lies less in the unpredictable than in the sheer scale. More time in the saddle means more fatigue, more potential problems, and fewer simple solutions. The right equipment is therefore crucial for success. Fairbrother relies on the Ergon SM Comp Men saddle, GA2 grips, and HE2 gloves to prepare for the challenge. Once he's on the bike, everything comes down to the motto "keep moving." He doesn't think about giving up. He knows it will be hard, and he accepts that he will suffer. All of that is secondary now; he focuses on the task at hand.

The highlights of the tour await Matthew Fairbrother at the end of each long climb. On each summit, fatigue and exertion combine into the feeling "You've earned this." On the descents, everything blends – the wild mix of exhaustion and euphoria is what fuels projects like this. It's a state of satisfaction that can hardly be achieved any other way, Fairbrother believes.

The finish on the North Shore is one of those rare moments when pride swells in Matthew Fairbrother's chest. Typically, he quickly looks ahead to the next idea or challenge. At the end of this day, however, he first thoroughly enjoys the overwhelming feeling of having accomplished this ambitious plan. His respect for the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, its history, and the people around the trails is greater than ever after this extraordinary ride. 

"In the end, we all leave something behind," Fairbrother says. "That's exactly how a legacy stays alive."