Caleb Holonko returns for Scratching the Surface round two. What began as a trip to Prince George quickly turned into an unexpected stay in Williams Lake, and soon the shovels and bikes were brought out.
“Once we linked up with local legend Coco, there was no leaving,” Caleb says. “After a couple laps, we knew we were staying.”
From impressive woodwork to super fun flow, Williams Lake lived up to its freeride reputation. On his Kona Process X, Caleb styled his way through lines built by locals. Amid trail work, thunderstorms, and full sends, Scratching the Surface II shows what makes freeride special: the community, the craft, and the chaos of chasing good dirt. Williams Lake delivered, and then some.
Caleb Holonko tackled the Williams Lake trails on his aluminum Kona Process X. It's built for progressive riders (and progressive riding) who want a bike that can handle it all. From days in the bike park to freeride hits, the Process X delivers confidence, control, and good vibes, making it the perfect whip for chasing fun on every trail.
FIlmmaker Adison MacDonanld sat down with Caleb for a quick Q and A on what went into making Scrathing the Surface II.
You set out for Prince George, but ended up holed up in Williams Lake. What made you stop the truck and unpack the gear?
We originally had Prince George in mind, but once we rolled through Williams Lake and linked up with Corey, there was no leaving. I’d always heard about this local rider with amazing vibes, and the rumors were true — Coco turned out to be not just an awesome rider but also a huge part of the scene. After just a couple laps with him, it was obvious the trip had shifted. The gear was coming out, and we were staying for a few extra days.
When you’re planning a trip like this, what’s the thing you’re really chasing — the footage, the terrain, the danger, or just a good story to tell later?
On trips like this, I’m not chasing the footage or even the danger — what I’m after is the terrain and the build styles that passionate locals create. That’s what gives you the real, genuine experience of “scratching the surface.” If you go in with minimal expectations and just follow the trail of cool builds and fun riding, you end up with organic moments. The story, the footage, and the stoke all come naturally when you let the trip guide itself.
Williams Lake gets hyped as a freeride Shangri-La — 200 trails, big woodwork, bike park culture. Did it live up to the mythology, or were you expecting more?
People always talk about Williams Lake like it’s a freeride Shangri-La, and honestly, it lived up to every bit of that hype. I was floored the first time I dropped into the trail network. I came in pretty naïve, not realizing how dialed it all was. There really are trails for everyone, the woodwork is next-level, and the builders are total pros. That week, it felt like the place gave us everything we could’ve asked for.
You spent a day rebuilding and clearing — is that trail work a chore, or just part of the ritual when you roll into a zone like this?
Trail work never feels like a chore for me. With my background in building, picking up a tool is almost part of the ritual when I roll into a new zone. It’s the least I can do to give back — whether it’s clearing deadfall, filling gopher holes, or raking out pinecones. Honestly, it becomes a fun project, especially when a thunderstorm rolls in and adds some drama to the day.
Did you see any features out there that made you stop and think, “Only in Williams Lake”?
There were definitely features that screamed “Only in Williams Lake.” The way builders use terrain and local materials is so distinct. Seeing skinnies alive and well made me stoked, because you don’t get that challenge everywhere. And the sheer size of some of the structures is wild — it takes serious guts and vision to dream that stuff up. Huge respect to the builders, maintainers, and maniacs who keep that spirit alive.
Every town’s got its ghosts. Did you bump into any legends, old builders, or trail freaks in Williams Lake whose fingerprints are still all over the dirt? Any shout outs you'd like to make from this trip?
Every town has its ghosts, and Williams Lake is no different. I didn’t bump into the legendary names I’d heard about, besides Coco, but you can feel their fingerprints all over the valley. The trails and features carry their style, and now I understand why people talk about those riders and builders with so much respect.
Now that Williams Lake sucked you in, will you be back, or onto the next?
Now that Williams Lake has sucked me in, I’m 100% going back. There’s something in the water up there, and I’m already frothing to help the locals on their next psychotic build project. They clearly know what’s up, and being part of that process — building massive stunts, fast flow, and seriously fun trail — would be an absolute honor.
