@wilrides with his finished #bamboo #mtb. Um not sure what the panda costume is for... if a panda at
Journeys

@wilrides with his finished #bamboo #mtb. Um not sure what the panda costume is for... if a panda at

We're not entirely sure why @wilrides is wearing a panda costume, but we're absolutely here for it.

The bamboo MTB is serious kit though. Maxxis tyres for proper grip. Suspension fork for trail abuse. Geometry that says this bike has seen dirt, rocks, roots, and probably a few things pandas shouldn't attempt.

The frame itself shows trail-ready proportions. Short chainstays for agility. Sloping top tube for standover clearance when things go wrong. The golden bamboo tubes contrast nicely with the dark components and, well, the black and white panda suit.

There's something wonderfully absurd about the juxtaposition. Technical mountain bike engineering meets full-body animal costume meets concrete block wall. Peak internet? Peak bamboo community? Both?

Mountain biking on bamboo still surprises people, but the material handles trail demands brilliantly. Natural vibration damping smooths the rough stuff. The frame's resilience absorbs impacts that would stress other materials. And apparently, it works fine in costume.

We love our community. People who build bikes and then do whatever they want with them — including, apparently, dressing as endangered species for the photo. Respect, Will. 🐼