Show off your Mountain Bike!!!

Oh right on! We rode at the old site all day Saturday after a morning rip down King Kong. As for camping, we were set up at the Zion River Resort right next to the venue parking lot.. Weird judging as usual.

 

Haha I probably saw you drive by at some point while I was cooking breakfast. Zion River Resort is the best for luxury camping! Yeah it isn't just the judging that is off, Red Bull is a little off as far as taking care of their riders. My brother, Kyle Strait was one of the riders that refused to do a second run. After seeing Paul Bas crash and get air lifted away, it just isn't worth the little bit of money they get in return. They have a fundraiser now set up for Paul to help him with his recovery. 9 hour emergency back surgery and still can't feel his legs. So gnarly.

http://www.road2recovery.com/cause-view/irideforpaul/

 

Agreed. I went to high school with Zink, and talked to him after his run. When a guy like him is scared of his run, you know it's beyond gnarly. I agree that the risk just isn't worth the incredibly meager reward. So sad seeing what Paul is going through, but undoubtedly the MTB community will rally together to contribute ample financial assistance. The reality is however that the possibility of death at this even is VERY real. Hell, look at Nicoli's crash! That kid got EXTREMELY lucky to walk away from that one.

Kyle, Cam, Norbs and a host of others did the right thing in opting out of their 2nd runs. They don't have anything to prove and the fact that they all made it down in one piece was an extraordinary feat in itself. At some point, something needs to change with this event. Purses need to go up significantly, riders need to be provided with full medical coverage through Redbull in the event that something happens, and there needs to be a greater emphasis placed on rider safety.

Okay, rant over.

 

Couldn't have said it better! By the way did you watch Cam's movie after the finals on Saturday? Such a rad mtb movie! I grew up around Cam since him and my brother are best buds for life lol

 

I did! And I agree, great movie! I know Cam and Howie pretty well, and am super happy to see their success! Actually picked up a YT from them a few months ago.

As for Rampage, it will be interesting to see what happens. I think Paul Bas really opened everyone's eyes. Time for Redbull to either buck up and step up to the plate, or call it quits with Rampage.

 

Enjoy

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/423402/

 

is it not in Virgin, anymore? I rode some of that stuff by myself in 2004...wasn't the smartest decision I have ever made. Was all good and well, then somehow got caught up in a rut about a 100yrds from my truck and ate shit. on the way back into town I passed by some pump track and tooled around on that. this was back when Josh Bender was all the rage with his 20' drops to flat on 24" x 3" tires. i kept hoping i'd see him around town.

 

Still in the same general area, but they changed the venue site. Now it is a little closer to Zion, and a few miles in from the road. The old site is a ton of fun to ride, but this new site is just straight bananas.

 

I would take a 20 ft whip onto trad gear before riding a bike down any of the rampage lines. Those guys are insanely skilled and a little crazy. Hopefully Paul Bas is able to fully recover..

 

Saw this, it's fucking rad!

 

"Red Bull attempted to sweep this one under the rug. They stated that Paul was just fine and told the announcers the same (who in turn unknowingly told the public), when in fact he's fighting just to feel his legs and feet again, let alone walk."

http://m.vitalmtb.com/features/Opin...-Red-Bull-Rampage-Changed-Our-Perspective,932

That's appalling.

 

Prayers for Paul and his family and also all the other guys that went down hard at the Rampage. This was right when he crashed, they were trying to find a spot to land the chopper.

 

I'm surprised that it's taken this long for someone to step back and say "holy shit. this is just over the top and too dangerous." I don't know what sort of contractual agreements these guys have with their sponsors, but shit...this event has been walking the line between stupid and badass since its inception. I really don't understand why these guys go and put their livelihood in danger. I guess it's a different kind of rush than a WC course.

 

We were on that ridge line under the heli. Crazy watching it come in, clear the dust, circle around and then land.

 

They do it for themselves. No one makes them.

That's why guys bailed on the second run. It's not a contractual obligation. Most extreme sports athletes have the same issues, BMX, skateboard, autosports. They can't get health insurance because they're too high a risk. Not only that but they're travel expenses are on their own dime not the sponsors. I know Ryan Tuerk personally, the pro formula drift driver, and he barely makes ends meet when it comes to finances. Anyone pro in these types of sports unless you're like tony hawk, has this type of issue.

Yet people that play baseball and golf and football make millions to do stuff with balls.

And I get shot at by criminals and put my life on the line every day for 56k/year. The world is very annoying.

 

Come to Santa Clara. $120something is the going rate for laterals and they are hiring

But to your point, this world is well and truly screwed up with respect to valuation.

 

My SC Nomad...man do I miss this thing. Such an incredible bike.

 

Wow that's sick. But Kali is a commie state. I mean so is NY but 120 is at least a good livable wage. Then again idk how much it costs too live over there lol.

 

California is a commie state? Original!!!!

 

Wait!! Wha.....? How come I've never heard that before?