Category: Freeride

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Mountain Bike Video Featuring Ethan Nell & Tom Van Steenbergen

Back at it again! Monster Energy is proud to announce the worldwide premiere of the “MESA 2” mountain bike video starring team riders Ethan Nell and Tom Van Steenbergen. The new 3:22 minute video is live now on Monster Energy’s YouTube channel. As the sequel to 2019’s viral video sensation “MESA”, the high-energy edit captures innovative MTB riding on natural terrain with the Utah desert landscape as a dramatic backdrop.

Fast-Paced Video Captures Unique Freeride Mountain Bike Action in the Utah Desert

The first installment of “MESA” already garnered more than 166,000 views – and counting. With “MESA 2”, Nell and Van Steenbergen revisit their formula of building hand-sculpted jumps in the virgin Utah desert landscape while cranking up the intensity a few notches: Get ready for steep drops, natural gaps, insane speed runs, and no room for error in this next-level freeride mountain bike edit.

As in the previous video, the two mountain bike trailblazers take on the Utah desert as a proving ground frequented by riders from all across the world. The natural terrain, lined by rock constellations and steep natural inclines, pushes riders beyond their comfort zone, making or breaking dreams.

Tom on a massive Superman in the Utah wilderness.

On that note, the video shoot began under challenging conditions. Van Steenbergen returned to finish filming this edit after breaking his femur jumping a road gap in mid-2020. Nevertheless, the seasoned MTB pro, known for landing the first double-backflip ever executed in the competition, came in without missing a beat.

Van Steenbergen once again headlines the video alongside Nell, a native of the rocky mountainside in Utah. The young rookie was raised in this harsh desert environment on a steady diet of motocross, BMX, and mountain biking. And it shows: Prepare for technical airs and no-holds-barred drop-ins. All filmed out in the Utah desert where the rock surfaces are unforgiving, and the consequences can be dire.

The high-octane action and vast desert landscapes find their perfect counterpart in the ethereal soundtrack, featuring “Lay Me in the Ocean” performed by Blood Red Sun. Cinematography by Calvin Huth and Peter Jamison captures the freeride mountain biking in its massive scale via follow-up cams, panoramic vistas, and aerial shots for another worthy entry in the MESA video series.

When riders like Nell and Van Steenbergen join forces, the outcome is bound to be classic. For proof, look no further than the double lines featured in ‘MESA 2’, with both riders simultaneously attacking the same runs with heavy-hitting tricks.

Both riders link up for some Sunset magic.

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Welcome to Locked in Hellsend

What do you do when you’re locked down on the sickest farm in South Africa? Grab a shovel and get digging! When World Cup slayer, Theo Erlangsen, was lucky enough to get quarantined with young gun, Ike Klassen, on his farm in Stellenbosch, the boys stayed busy riding bikes and spraying dirt! 

Locked in at Hellsend Dirt Compound is a 3-part series following The Trails Crew getting up to all kinds of good, bad and wild. Watch the boys riding dirt jumps, shredding some downhill laps and staying “almost too busy doing cool things the whole time!” These boys have all the toys and a whole heap of ideas, so jump on board as they race pit bikes, trash rally buggies and shred anything with wheels on.

“We’re basically quarantining in heaven! I mean, it would be nice to be racing in Europe, but this is a close second!”  Theo Erlangsen

In the first episode, we meet the infamous builders, Justin Novella and Duran Van Eeden, who can wrestle a digger like nobody else, and were luckily quarantined on the same farm. First state of business was carving out the Corona track, an insane downhill course through the forest from top to bottom. The boys hit the building work hard and then set to work stacking clips and roosting turns. 

Getting the pit bike track built was a dream come true for Ike, who started his career on bikes with Moto X and was a junior national champ. For some light relief, they jumped into one of the race buggies on the farm and tried, but failed to keep all the wheels on…


“Tim shreds the BMX so hard, he’s also such a silent assassin, he comes in super quiet and then does WAY bigger and better stunts than any of us” Theo Erlangsen

In episode two, Tim Bentley joins the crew and shows the boys how to ride the perfectly manicured dirt jumps. Justin gives you an insight to the Trailscrew daily life, meet India the trail dog and watch the riders push themselves in a trick jump sessionwhilst quarantined in South Africa.

Look out for Episode 3 coming soon…

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Week in Action Ep2

Week in Action Ep 2 - Koa Smith, Donkey Bay

What a week in extreme sports this week! We had X games delivering world firsts, Donkey Bay was firing and the free ride MTB boys dropped the Loosefest XL edit. All the action from the week in the video below and I have put every featured video in the playlist below it (You can just press play, wide screen and enjoy all the videos back to back.)

Enjoy the Show

Here is the playlist of the featured Videos

If you enjoy the show please remember to subscribe!

Huge Thanks to: Chris Rogers – https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSaffabru Koa Smith – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0gp… Monster Energy – https://www.youtube.com/user/monstere… X Games – https://www.youtube.com/user/XGames Filipe Toledo – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChh_… Fest Series – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYbO…

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DarkFEST 2019 Official Highlights Video

Daryl sending it over the big kicker! Photo: Eric Palmer

Dirt Jump Nirvana

Ok, so maybe its not Dirt Jump nirvana for us mere mortals, but for the crew of A List riders at DarkFEST it sure was. Many were calling it the biggest line ever built and for those who came to watch the open sessions, they witnessed history. Clemens, Nico and Sam really pulled out all the stops on the setup and I am pretty sure we are going to see even bigger things come 2020.

Loco Double Backflip Adolf Silva

The Fan favourite at any event he goes to for good reason. Adolf was hunting the double backflips. He made one on the giant kicker and he was oh so close to landing one on the 90ft gap. He rides so wild that even his fellow riders sometimes cant believe how he pulls off some saves. One of the leaders of free ride now and a huge part of Darkfest. Not to hard to see why Monster Energy put him straight on the team.

Watch the Highlights Video

If you did not make it down to Vuurberg for the open sessions, shame! But never fear, the highlights video is here and you too can marvel at the Dirt Jump mayhem that was, DarkFEST. The world’s best were in action, with the likes of Nico Vink, Tom van Steenbergen, Adolf Silva, Brendan Fairclough, Ethan Nell, Nicholi Rogatkin, Jordie Lunn, Graham Agassis, Matt Macduff, Tom Reynolds, Darryl Brown, Theo Erlangsen and Kurt Sorge.

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DarkFEST Freeride Mountain Biking Is Upon Us!

Darryl Brown testing the big jump. Photo: Eric Palmer

Stellenbosch sees the return of DarkFEST

Friday 8 February and Saturday 9 February will see the return of DarkFEST to Vuurberg Wines, Helshoogte Pass, Stellenbosch, and for those two full days the boys are going to cut loose! Sam Reynolds might be out of the competition, but it it still going to rock out over the weekend, as only DarkFEST can.

What is it? The biggest mountain biking dirt jump event in Africa.

Where is it? Vuurberg Wines, Helshoogte Pass, Stellenbosch.

When? Friday 8 and Saturday 9 February. Action starts at 9 am, and continues until 6 pm.

The local kid, Ike, testing the not small step up. Photo: Eric Palmer

Who? There are a crew of local and international riders, including Nico Vink, Tom van Steenbergen, Adolf Silva, Brendan Fairclough, Ethan Nell, Nicholi Rogatkin, Jordie Lunn, Graham Agassis, Matt Macduff, Tom Reynolds, Darryl Brown, Theo Erlangsen and Kurt Sorge, amongst others. Local legend Sam Reynolds unfortunately injured himself on a recent practice run, and is out of the event.

How does one attend? Tickets are available here www.quicket.co.za/events/64964-darkfest-the-fest-series/

More information? Check out the old faithful Facebook event link for more information here https://www.facebook.com/events/755601598144716/

Check out the 2018 Highlights

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Darkfest Cometh – The Freeride Mega Line

Darkfest Warm Up – Photo: Eric Palmer, Monster Energy

The biggest dirt jump line in the World

It is pretty amazing that the world’s biggest dirt jump run, is right here in South Africa. For the last few year’s the Darkfest team, supported by Monster Energy and led by Sam Reynolds and Nico Vink have been creating ridiculous runs, first in Knysna and now Franshoek. Now the world’s best free ride mountain bike, hell men, return!

Sam, Clemens & Nico have been working hard creating magic at the DarkFEST site just outside Stellenbosch in the beautiful Helshoogte Valley. Two new features are being added to the end of the line this year, so the focus has been at the bottom of the course this week. The gigantic step up has had an overhaul and is slightly hipped to the right now to lead into a flat drop into the road below and then into a chute down to a big stepped up trick jump. This will make the world’s top free ride mountain bike guys very happy indeed.

The massive Jumps getting built. Photo: Eric Palmer, Monster Energy

Darkfest will have a 100ft Jump

The main new feature, the massive trick jump at the bottom is the only thing that needs more serious tweaking as the guys were getting so much speed on the run in they decided to raise the landing a few meters and dig the lip deeper to make it taller and steeper! So Clemens is giving his rocket launcher a complete makeover. The rest of the course has had a few minor tweaks. It is looking burnished and so smooth & glossy with the trademark Nico & Clemens perfection.

Nico also spent some quality time with the twisty wizard, between the big 100 footer and the hip and made it even more twisty with the landing more finned out almost into a wall ride that aims you straight at the hip with tonnes of speed. The step up is also a bit taller and the landing is slightly hipped to the right to set up for the drop, which has also been made steeper a bit after testing which now sets you up for the trick jump perfectly.

The World’s Best/Craziest Freeride Mountain Bike stars coming to Darkfest

All the biggest names in freeride Mountain Bike will be arriving next week to take on this incredible course.

Confirmed Riders:
Sam Reynolds
Clemens Kaudela
Nico Vink
Tom van Steenbergen
Adolf Silva
Brendan Fairclough
Ethan Nell
DJ Brand
Nicholi Rogatkin
Jordie Lunn
Graham Agassis
Matt Macduff
Tom Reynolds
Darryl Brown
Theo Erlangsen
Kurt Sorge
Makken
I will be joining legend, death loop star, Matt Macduff, on the mic on the open day, so come join me for a day you will never forget!

Get your tickets to the Darkfest!

You can come and join us to witness the most mental mountain biking on the the planet. Get your tickets HERE

PS: If you get a VIP, you will get to meet and hang with the world’s best 😉

Check out the Build Videos so far…

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Mountain Bikers “Send it to the Moon” at The Audi Nines MTB 2018

Adolf Silva pulling Best Trick. Photo: Klaus Polzer

Sam Pilgrim Rules Audi Nines

After six days of film shoots and sessions in the moonlike landscape of the quarry, the riders gathered on the evening of Thursday, September 14, to celebrate their successful “moon launch”. British mountain bike legend Sam Pilgrim was selected by his peers for the top honor of “Ruler of the Week,” and also won the category of “Best Slopestyle Line” at the Audi Nines.

“The Audi Nines is the best event of the year for me,” said Pilgrim. “You’ve got six days to perform to your highest level. I ended up winning two of the categories, which means a lot because everyone who voted for me, they’re all professional mountain bike riders. I’m stoked about it.”

Sam Reynolds best of Freeride

Pilgrim was joined in the winner’s circle by his countryman Sam Reynolds, whose run through the freeride section was voted “Best Freeride Line.” Winners were also chosen in the category of “Best Freeride Trick”—claimed by Adolf Silva’s incredible Cali Roll, a world’s first on a downhill mountain bike—as well as for “Best Slopestyle Trick,” where Dawid Godziek’s quadruple tail whip—also a first—took top honors.

Silva crashed repeatedly before finally landing the Cali Roll, a spectacular aerial maneuver in which the rider lets go of his bike midair and spins 360 degrees before re-mounting to land. Godziek’s equally impressive quadruple whip involved a dizzying flurry of motion, as he spun his bike around the handlebars four times in midair before landing his jump.

Worlds most unique Freeride Location

When The Audi Nines’ relocation to the stone quarry in Germany’s Rhineland-Palatinate region in cooperation with Bikepark Idarkopf was first announced, many were curious how the unusual new location would work out. However, the events of the past week have made clear that the quarry, after extensive modifications by an experienced team of trail builders, was indeed a perfect venue for a world-class mountain bike event with a unique take on its presentation of the sport.

“The location worried us at first,” said Reynolds. “We weren’t sure if it would live up to the previous location in the Alps with the epic views. But once the “moon props” came in, like the satellite dish and all the cool ramps, the venue actually had a lot more character than ever before.”

“It’s the most unique location I’ve ever ridden a bike in,” he added. “It looks like a video game.”

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African Dirt Jump Adventures with Nick Clarke

Nick falls in love with African Dirt

When Nick Clarke arrived in South Africa for the Mega Loop build three years ago, he did not know what to expect. The ultimate Dirt Jump was the goal. Turns out he fell in love with the Southern Tip of Africa. Maybe it was the awesome people, the really good riding or simply the laid back lifestyle. Whatever you choose, he chose to come back for Darkfest and two consecutive Night Harvests and would have stayed for ever, if not for a visa problem.

He loves a Dirt Jump

Nick loves dirt jumping and lucky for him, he made friends with the gents at The Trails Crew who quickly adopted him and took him to all the top spots. From Potato trails in Cape Town to the Garden Route trail park, he got a taste of all that SA had to offer. Oh and he took out back to back Night Harvest titles…

Not just riding!

He did not just ride either! Nick worked with myself as the co-commentator for Bmx at the 2017 Ultimate X event, did some work with Monster Energy and was a barmen at Aces n Spades, one of CT’s best bars. He really embraced the Cape Town lifestyle.

Check out the Video

Lucky for Nick, he got some serious video shot of the entire trip, thanks to Thomas Sandell, and now you get to watch the highlights from his African Dirt Jump trip! So sit back, pour some maple syrup over your biltong and enjoy the video, eyyyy!

Support Captain Pugwash

If you want to follow Nick Clarke’s adventures back home in Canada, he won’t be back here for a while sadly, then head over to his Facebook Page and Instagram and show him some love. I am sure he will appreciate it and you will be entertained!

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Darkfest 2017 – Official Video of Insanity

Good Lord, I thought I would have gotten used to the insanity of Darfest after seeing it for myself, but one watch of this video and it all came crashing back down. Seriously, if you are not at this event next year, you are missing out on the most crazy thing you will ever see in South Africa. So sit back, down a tequila and prepare for Darkfest insanity…

The Fest Crew made their way down to South Africa to take on the infamous Pure Darkness jumps. Sam Reynolds, with the help of Nico Vink & Clemens Kaudela, revived the beasts and added a few more to the party and what a party it was! In true Fest fashion, these boys went faster, higher and bigger than ever! With features like a 60ft roll in, 55ft gaps and a 35ft lip that sends you 25ft into the air it is definitely not one to be missed!

Best Trick: Adolf Silva – Double Flip
Best Line: Andreu Lacondeguy
Best Whip: Kurt Sorge
Biggest Slam: Adolf Silva – Tripple Flip Attempt
Dark King: Clemens “C-Dawg” Kaudela – for killing the course build, riding and parties
Cam Zink, Graham Aggasiz