45 dig 93 by dolecki LYNN 250 POSH
14 Jun 2023

Trails Closed - The End of Posh Woods

Why the legacy of Posh will absolutely endure

By Brian Tunney

One week ago, Jay Lonergran was posting videos from the Posh Trails in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. With summer quickly approaching, he captioned a video of himself with Chris Stauffer, “Ahh, it’s that time of year. Grooving in Winder to Dippys with Stauff.”

On Monday June 12th 2023, everything changed. According to the Posh Woods Instagram, “A few days ago we were notified that the large quarry renovation project next to the trails would be expanding and that it will likely encroach into the Posh trails area. For contractual reasons, our landlord has had to suspend our access to the property. We are working closely with the landowner and while they are making every effort to preserve the trails in their current state, it does not look good. They have expressed sincere interest in continuing our relationship if possible when the scope of the renovation work is complete in the next few months. We will know our fate at that time.”

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing
  • Posh pages spread
  • 022 029 DG68 ignition 8

of 2

Many saw the caption, the “Trails Closed” sign next to the “No Loud Brakes” sign and thought Posh, the legendary East Coast trails in existence for 29 years, were done for good. Landlords, contracts, suspended access, it didn’t sound good, but many held out hope that it was just a passing project. Just in case, an impromptu jam was held on Sunday, with a good number of riders in attendance.

“If it is the end, it was one hell of a run,”
said Lonergran.

Tuesday, a John Deere excavator had leveled the trails. It honestly doesn’t feel real to even type that. A photo of the leveled trails started to spread on Facebook, Instagram. Soon, everyone was paying respects to the most legendary set of trails to have ever graced the East Coast scene.

Started in 1994 by Mike Gentilcore, Mike Walker and crew (Jay Lonergran would join in a few months later), Posh was the product of a few Lehigh Valley scenes colliding into one location that would soon revolutionize the world of BMX trail riding, which wasn’t really recognized at the time within BMX. Part race, part dirt, all do-it-yourself, Posh helped to spawn a new discipline within BMX: Trail riding.

“Posh has been the holy grail of trail riding since day one,”
said longtime visitor and trail riding pioneer Robbie Morales.

POSH Trails simultaneously evolved alongside DIG BMX Magazine almost since the very beginning, making its first appearance in issue 5 in 1995, featuring photos of Posh and a Keith Gower interview. POSH would go on to be featured in what feels like almost every issue of DIG after its inception, creating an East Coast focal point for BMX trail riding that pushed the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania into an internationally recognized destination for trail riders the world over.

POSHSEATINGAREA 2

The best of times - Photo by Rob Dolecki

And while riders from all disciplines share a bond with the land that they ride on, the riders and dirt sculptors that kept Posh running for 29 years formed an almost symbiotic bond with the land that Posh was built on...

- Brian Tunney

Posh boots dig 18

All work - all play. DIG issue 18, 2001. Photo by Sandy Carson

In many ways, Posh Trails was largely responsible for the rise of East Coast “trail riding” that burst onto the scene in the ‘90s. Alongside streamlined bikes such as the Standard Trail Boss and S&M’s trails and race frames, trail riding became its own scene within BMX, less about commercialized dirt jump competitions and more about quiet innovation in the woods. It gave rise to the art of constructing rhythm sections and helped push trail riders to become full-time dirt jump construction artists. In many ways, the act of creating the jumps, berms and dirt sculpting techniques became just as much of a passion as riding the finished product.

And while riders from all disciplines share a bond with the land that they ride on, the riders and dirt sculptors that kept Posh running for 29 years formed an almost symbiotic bond with the land that Posh was built on. Specifically, the bar tap tree:

“It was a tree your handlebars always bumped into walking up to the starting hill. After a while it became customary to tap your grip end on it. Over 29 years, the tree slowly formed around the riders hands over thousands of laps at Posh. Tonight I made my last tap, or so we think for now, and got to ride my last train on Chillers. God bless everyone I ever took a lap with, the memories and camaraderie will last forever,”
said Mike Gentilcore on Sunday.

Working quietly in the woods, Posh Trails and the many riders that built the trails created a DIY revolution that lasted almost three decades. Though the trails may be plowed, the legacy of Posh will absolutely endure.

“I can proudly say, it’s that I gave it my all for 29 years, for myself, BMX and anyone who shared a lap and a smile.”
- Jay “J-Bone” Lonergran

Posh map color

Posh trail map 2014

001 DIG 93 cover UK

Mike Aitken, 2008 - Photo by Keith Terra

The Halahan Express -as seen in DIG issue #2020. Photo by David Leep

Chris Doyle, S&M Bikes ad DIG issue #2022 - Photo by Rob Dolecki

Related Video

Jay Lonergan - Blood, Sweat & Trails

Posh trails and a different breed of human - More Info

About that intro photo...

45 dig 93 by dolecki LYNN 250 POSH

John Lynn - POSH  - November 18th ,2012 - Printed in DIG issue 93 - The Trails Issue

John Lynn - POSH - November 18th ,2012 - Printed in DIG issue 93 - The Photo Issue

Previous

The "Full Coverage" Interview

Never underestimate the camera guy!

Next

Postcards from Ohio - Photo Journal

3 cities, hundreds of spots

Related Content

Catty / Posh Labor Day Weekend Trail Jam Photo Gallery
Catty / Posh Labor Day Weekend Trail Jam Photo Gallery
Catty / Posh Labor Day Weekend Trail Jam Photo Gallery
Catty / Posh Labor Day Weekend Trail Jam Photo Gallery

Catty / Posh Labor Day Weekend Trail Jam Photo Gallery

Talk about a trail rider’s dream...

20 Sep 2014
HALLOWEENJAM THUMBNAIL
Play Button

Catty and Posh - Halls of Weenies Jam 2015

This Is The Season of The Witch

30 Oct 2015
2014 TRA Double Cross Photo Gallery
2014 TRA Double Cross Photo Gallery
2014 TRA Double Cross Photo Gallery
2014 TRA Double Cross Photo Gallery

2014 TRA Double Cross Photo Gallery

Who Needs Goofy Carbon Fiber And Clipless pedals?

7 Oct 2014
2022 mosh posh catty halloween screen
Play Button

2022 CATTY HALLOWEEN / MOSH AT POSH JAMS - DIG BMX - IN THE CUT

The Churches of Dirts' epic jams

21 Oct 2022
Brian Foster  - Caption This!
Brian Foster  - Caption This!
Brian Foster  - Caption This!
Brian Foster  - Caption This!

Brian Foster - Caption This!

"...there were just screws and sharp edges everywhere, but it just seemed normal"

5 Jul 2015
BRIAN FOSTER BMX SETUPS RD 8

Brian Foster - Setups

Two years old and still kickin'...

2 Jul 2015
SNAPSHOTS: Women’s Weekend in the Woods
SNAPSHOTS: Women’s Weekend in the Woods
SNAPSHOTS: Women’s Weekend in the Woods
SNAPSHOTS: Women’s Weekend in the Woods

SNAPSHOTS: Women’s Weekend in the Woods

At Catty and Posh

23 Sep 2021
Gilly Posh

Shovel Work

"Grab a shovel, stick it in the dirt, build your own fun" - Magilla

1 Sep 2014
Mk Qobox Drbshqdefault
Play Button

Five Trick Fix- Brian Foster In 'Holy Fit'

Classic style, classic spots...

26 Dec 2014
Gnomes In The Woods Catty Woods Halloween
Play Button

Gnomes In The Woods - Catty Woods Halloween

Shovel boom mic in full effect...

27 Oct 2019
Terra Climate Trails Img 8230

Does a Broken Planet Equal Better Trails?

Keith Terra discusses a new climate for the meaning of 'Trail Season'

25 Apr 2016
https://cinemabmx.com/search?type=product&q=reynolds+wheel

Latest Content

C0 G Unj H b I4hqdefault
Play Button

MIR NG - "TAIWANS GOT IT"

DIG LOCALS

8 May 2025
Xz0 VK8 Pt2zshqdefault
Play Button

'CHICAGRE'

Grenoble, France

7 May 2025
Renato relapse thumb
Play Button

RENATO RANCSO - 'RELAPSED' | LUXBMX

Welcome To LUX!

5 May 2025
7 JQEG Vlz Iq Ahqdefault
Play Button

TOM MARSH - INTERVIEWS EP3 - BMX Direct Thailand

Scotland in Thailand

5 May 2025
It Hsd B Fav Qkhqdefault
Play Button

Dennis Enarson Game of Bike: Jason Watts Vs. Kevin Peraza

High level heaters at Clairemont

2 May 2025
Michael dickson x dig thumb
Play Button

MICHAEL DICKSON X DIG

Whip it real good

1 May 2025
HR55 De6 DEQ4hqdefault
Play Button

Sietse van Berkel - Thread - 2025

Signature style from one of the best.

1 May 2025
Zqqpc P1 Xpu Ehqdefault
Play Button

KINK - Best Of THIRTY Compilation

Choice cuts

1 May 2025
Lqi T5 W Wue Gkhqdefault
Play Button

Launch Box - Spring 2025 - A Profile Mixer

Spring season randomness

1 May 2025
Upa XUT1r Ctkhqdefault
Play Button

CONCRETE PARADISE

ft. Jack Hennicke, Willem Jorgensen & Kevin Bass

30 Apr 2025
Kx6 Pew BD2 V Ahqdefault
Play Button
Mt1 Zn6 N Go Uhqdefault
Play Button

Radical Sabbatical - NorCal Mix

Off the job training

28 Apr 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Features

Swampfest 2025 mcgrath 9

Photo Journal: Swampfest 2025

Mud, sweat and beers.

26 Mar 2025
Manny Kilpack Elf Handoff Ektar100 35

SHAWN 'ELF' WALTERS & THE MAKING OF 'DOUBLE OR NOTHING'

"As long as I’m healthy and into it, I see no reason to slow down."

17 Mar 2025
SS 2025 digbmx mcgrath 37

Simple Session 2025 – In Photos

Celebrating 25 years strong!

14 Mar 2025
Francina 03 RGB Raisa Abal

HIGH FLYERS - AN INTERVIEW WITH FRANCINA FERNANDEZ

"Little Francina would not believe everything that is happening now in my life."

13 Mar 2025
Jack Miller vans intrv leader

HIGH FLYERS - AN INTERVIEW WITH JACK MILLER

"One time I took the day off school and went to the skatepark and snapped my knee..."

24 Feb 2025
Yanosharches 1 sur 1

HIGH FLYERS - AN INTERVIEW WITH JANOSCH KLAUS

"My close friends inspired me the most."

21 Jan 2025
Will and NJ

BMX AFTER 30 - The Hard Dad Jam

"Watching old friends step into the unknown..."

8 Jan 2025
Mankind Catalog Cover jpg
2024 E FISE WOLVERHAMPTON 0009

E-FISE Wolverhampton - In Photos

6 teams and one untapped UK city

3 Oct 2024
KG drone shot

KEEPING IT LOCAL - 20 YEARS OF KELVINGROVE SKATEPARK

Happy Birthday to our local Glasgow park.

18 Sep 2024
Jamie Pipe Tribe

A Brave New World - The history of KHE Bikes, Part 2

Taiwan, a pornstar, and innovation in a can

18 Apr 2024
Dragon Higa gap to manual copy

PROJECT X

This is Project X - This is BMX

9 Apr 2024