Forums Latest Members
  1. eugeneandresson 'I used a hammer, a chisel, and my fingers' Nov 5, 2018

    Posts
    5,000
    Likes
    14,588
    [Edit : this years event happens tomorrow...for those who would like to tune in.]

    And now for something completely different...

    For years I have sat with sweaty-palms watching the awesome insanity that is the Redbull Rampage, wishing I had 1/10th of the skill involved. This year was no different.

    Major difference this year is, for some reason, POV clips have taken more than a week to come out, and even then the winning run POV is not out.

    If you have no idea what I am talking about ... its a competition akin to big-mountain-skiing, but on bicycle, without any soft snow, so much higher risk, and a bit more skill involved (IMHO). Riders are allowed to bring 2 buddies, and have 10 days to build their line.





    2018 Winning run ...



    2018 Second place run ...



    Anybody else follow? For those that see this for the first time...how sweaty are your palms?!
     
    Edited Oct 24, 2019
  2. neilfrancis Nov 5, 2018

    Posts
    580
    Likes
    1,485
    totally insane.
     
    Wivac, dscoogs and eugeneandresson like this.
  3. Om3ga321 Nov 5, 2018

    Posts
    474
    Likes
    674
    These guys have got big balls or no brains.I am undecided as yet.
     
  4. Tet I prefer Dilmah do try it Nov 5, 2018

    Posts
    1,684
    Likes
    5,057
    Balls of steel and skills of a cat, absolutely incredible.
     
    Wivac and eugeneandresson like this.
  5. Canuck Nov 5, 2018

    Posts
    13,344
    Likes
    37,312
    An unfulfilled death wish, as I see it.
     
  6. Lucasssssss Nov 5, 2018

    Posts
    622
    Likes
    966
    I watch this every year, and have been lucky enough to ride with some of the UK guys who have competed in the past. I thought it was a good year this year, but would have given first to Andreu, but I come from a BMX background and favour the tricks rather than the technical MTB drops and lines.

    Whenever I watch Rampage, I am really nervous for the guys out there, am always reminded of the famous crash by Cam Zink in training. He was fine, but it really shows what is at stake.
     
  7. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Nov 5, 2018

    Posts
    12,446
    Likes
    49,398
    My mountain bike is underutilized these days but when I was riding back east, the one thing you needed to learn was to pick a line, shut your brain down and trust your bike, (Same as skiing really) ... Still I used to bleed a fair amount and all I was doing was taking on the short rocky down hills on trails. These guys make the incredibly hard look effortless.
     
    DaveK, eugeneandresson and Wivac like this.
  8. Wivac Terribly special Nov 5, 2018

    Posts
    1,897
    Likes
    16,977
    My big drops days are a long way behind me (I'm happy with not increasing the % of me to titanium thangyewverymuch, although I have just started rebuilding my surviving Trouble Maker :D ) however, I would have been in a lot more trouble had Rampage been around back then as inspiration, next level stuff.

    Rampage has always been super nuts, the lines, the gaps, the risks. I'm aware some of the Pros view it as a no-go given the risks vs the perceived reward / kudos ,one small mistake and that could be your career over, guess it depends on what drives you in sport.

    Having said that, think RB have done well with the series, its one of their more entertaining events and certainly seems to have captured folks attention.

    [Edit] The old banger in a new suit and boots for those that are interested
     
    20180917_193811.jpg
    Edited Nov 5, 2018
  9. Waltesefalcon Nov 7, 2018

    Posts
    3,050
    Likes
    8,199
    Maybe a combination of the two.
     
  10. vbrad26 Nov 7, 2018

    Posts
    4,107
    Likes
    21,304
    I love watching it.
    In Florida, there is not much "mountain biking" to speak of, although we do have some good trails and built up tracks.
    Used to do it a lot but I am more of a rodie now...
    However huge respect to those guys, they certainly have guts I'd never have hah.
     
  11. MCC Nov 7, 2018

    Posts
    589
    Likes
    529
    Never seen this before, it is completely nuts !!
     
  12. sdre Nov 7, 2018

    Posts
    2,460
    Likes
    7,448
    Very cool but I definitely get that sinking feeling whenever I see this.
     
  13. eugeneandresson 'I used a hammer, a chisel, and my fingers' Nov 7, 2018

    Posts
    5,000
    Likes
    14,588
    Let’s not forget Kelly Mcgarry (RIP), the first guy to backflip the 72ft canyon gap...



    Or the first guy to attempt to front flip it...

     
    DaveK and Wivac like this.
  14. Wivac Terribly special Nov 7, 2018

    Posts
    1,897
    Likes
    16,977
    Yeeeeeeeeh.....Nope from me.

    Stunning though.
     
    vbrad26 likes this.
  15. Wetworks Nov 7, 2018

    Posts
    996
    Likes
    1,789
    I'm pretty much a roadie, but I have started to dabble with MTB, and that's the hardest part for me. What's weird is on the road I'm pretty fearless descending, so you'd think that part of my brain would kick in for MTB as well, but thus far no.

    What's always impressive to me about these runs is that people figured out the runs in the first place. Lots of math and trial and error I would think
     
    vbrad26 likes this.
  16. Lucasssssss Nov 7, 2018

    Posts
    622
    Likes
    966
    Having built a load of trails from dirt jumps to downhill, after a while you get a feel for it and for how fast you should be going. Also bear in mind that you probably have about 30% leeway with the landing depending on how you ride the jump, pulling up/squashing/breaking to go shorter and pushing through/cranking to go further. I don't think there is any math involved, trial and error on the other hand...
     
    Wetworks likes this.
  17. Vercingetorix Spam Risk Nov 7, 2018

    Posts
    3,228
    Likes
    5,202
    I always thought this was a rampage.::puke:: dodge-rampage-min-768x454.jpg
     
    eugeneandresson, kkt and Mad Dog like this.
  18. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Nov 7, 2018

    Posts
    9,217
    Likes
    23,875
    And Danny MacAskill!




     
    Edited Nov 7, 2018
    eugeneandresson likes this.
  19. Wivac Terribly special Nov 8, 2018

    Posts
    1,897
    Likes
    16,977
    MegaAvalanche was always the one I wanted to do.
    Racing down an entire mountain, every type of terrain, always good value to watch. I can't find the hilarious vid from a couple of years ago where there are a big group of riders all piled up together sliding down the mountain with the bikes riding them, so this will give you an idea if not familiar:

     
    eugeneandresson likes this.
  20. vbrad26 Nov 8, 2018

    Posts
    4,107
    Likes
    21,304
    You missed one of my favorites!

     
    Wivac, oddboy and eugeneandresson like this.