Video: Brendan Fairclough in Southern California

May 31, 2013
by SCOTT Sports  
Views: 107,507    Faves: 1,241    Comments: 41


Brendan loves to head to California every year to enjoy the sunshine and the trails. We recently sat down with Brendan for a quick chat.

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What makes Southern California such a sweet spot for riding and filming?
bigquotesIt is not only the nice weather, which is quite the opposite of our horrible conditions in the UK early in the year. It is also the really good riding over there that motivates me to go there every year with friends and my brother. The trails there are not so good for real, hard, bike testing, but rather for getting the feeling back on your bike.

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Where did you mainly shoot?
bigquotesBasically, we shot at three different spots around Los Angeles, Ventura and Laguna Beach earlier this year. There is tons of excellent riding, perfect for riding downhill, but also trail riding. It is very different to all places I know in the UK. There are no lifts or infrastructure as we know it. You have to shuttle a lot, ride or push your bike, but it is definitely worth it. I also do a lot of XC riding there and I train a lot with my road bike too.

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What are your goals for the 2013 Downhill season?
bigquotesI can't wait to be back into World Cup race mode again. It kicks off at Fort William, which is not my strongest track, but it is always an amazing atmosphere. Plus the UK fans are some of the craziest of all. With the support from my fans there, I desperately want to land on the podium. For 2013, a World Cup win is the biggest goal and I'm training hard to achieve it.

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Best of luck, Brendog.

Much thanks to Clay Porter and the entire Metis Creative Crew.

All Photo Credits: Ian Collins

Author Info:
SCOTT-Sports avatar

Member since May 29, 2013
235 articles

133 Comments
  • 248 1
 In my head i look like Brendog when im riding, my gopro says otherwise.
  • 52 0
 I've ridden one of the trails in this edit, and not until now did I realize the bitch speed I went.
  • 3 11
flag pevensey (May 31, 2013 at 8:25) (Below Threshold)
 That's because your gopro can't see you
  • 3 13
flag Bdusty1 (May 31, 2013 at 8:33) (Below Threshold)
 MA b looks like creastline a lil?
  • 52 0
 If you feel like Brendog while you ride, you are doing it right.
  • 1 8
flag dylansageyo (Jun 1, 2013 at 0:05) (Below Threshold)
 What trails in la and SB Ventura county
  • 2 4
 good luck dylansageyo about getting trail names over the internet....
  • 1 2
 @kleinblake what trail is this
  • 113 0
 We need more Brendog edits! easily one of the most stylish riders out there... so sick
  • 17 1
 makes a huge difference that hes a nice guy aswell too! those gamblers look awesome
  • 26 0
 I would kill to watch him win a world cup
  • 15 1
 I love to watching him ride. The way he rides really shows how much fun he has on his bike, and that's why we all ride right? For the fun of the sport.
  • 17 0
 I ride because I like the sound of my fork going squish squish Smile
  • 1 0
 Thank you Clay for yet another Edit that just makes me want to ride and just have fun.... btw that scrub, yes please... now i just need another bike......
  • 44 2
 Style for miles..... Less slow-mo Clay!!!! I want to see the speeeeeeed!! I hope Brendog achieves his goals this year \m/
  • 10 0
 Clay has been doing a lot of awesome Moto stuff too lately!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FguIQ7ISQYE
  • 7 0
 Dem Scrubs
  • 3 0
 wow, not generally a moto fan, dont know what made me click, but thank you. mind. blown.
  • 1 0
 Woooooow. That mid air shifts in slow mo were crazy.
  • 13 1
 He was on world cup podiums the season before his knee injury. I can see no reason why he couldn't podium this season if he stays healthy.
  • 6 4
 Have you seen his results so far this year in bds rounds etc.....they dont speak volumes
  • 8 0
 Have you seen the tracks in this years bds so far, not exactly favouring anyone who rides with skill rather than leg power.
  • 4 2
 Skill alone isnt going to carry you through your race runs to win podiums. Fitness, drive, skill, speed. Im no elite rider but I know what wins races......the whole package. Pietermaritzburg last year was a mega pedally track.....hence ur fitness needs to be up there. Just saying!
  • 15 1
 As Hill says, a DH track with a minute of pedaling on the flat is hardly a Downhill track.
  • 7 1
 I totally agree. But it doesnt matter what hill says, he doesnt choose the venues, so you have to adapt to whatever terrain infront of you, whether it be a pedally track or not. This is why working on your fitness, is a major part of a riders training. As gee said in 3 minute gaps.....its whos prepared the most in the off season.
  • 9 0
 just remember during the 2011 world champs, when Danny Hart had that epic win, Fairclough took third.
  • 2 0
 No taking away from his previous results, I just think that he wont place this year. Its just my view though. Gota prove his fans wrong now. Steve smith is getting my vote this year.
  • 1 0
 @ airsoft, 4th actually but I see your point.
  • 1 0
 woops my bad, yeah ur right
  • 2 0
 ...and with a knee brace on
  • 23 11
 Brendan Fairclough = Style over substance. Great rider to watch but he'll never win a world cup against the current crop of riders.
  • 3 4
 I hate to admit it, but word. Id love to see him on the top step, and itd take close to a miracle or faultless run for him to take no. 1 at a race. Or if for some reason the top dudes forgot its Sunday and decided to CHILL.
  • 2 1
 I want to say you're wrong but the past seasons say otherwise. But I keep my fingers crossed every time he goes down the track, It'd be awesome to see him podium!
  • 3 0
 Podium is not the question, its winning one. Hes been there before, but after the knee it was all downhill. No pun.
  • 9 0
 Since when was top 10 in the world no substance?
  • 7 1
 NO! The only reason he isnt on a podium is that the tracks are shit. Bring back Schladming, Maribor and Champery and there is no doubt he would be a contender.
  • 9 0
 'Brendan loves to head to California every year to enjoy the sunshine and the trails.'... Who the hell wouldn't! Seriously, I know that places Like Whistler and BC are biking nirvana, but Cali just has everything, including a rad vibe. I've been once, and if I had the cash I'd go back every year for a month!... And then to whistler and BC for a month later on!
  • 8 1
 Well now I feel like I shouldn't take advantage of the fact that I live in the middle of all of these trails haha its funny how socal is so exciting to others but if you lived here, you'd think otherwise.
  • 2 1
 It takes alot to excite us out here! haha
  • 3 1
 Once you get acclimated to that rad vibe you see the other stuff. Expense, traffic etc. The weather's perfect tho.
  • 2 0
 Hmm. Seems like the Cali folks are jaded. I'm the same. I primarily see traffic, rising costs, and jackasses, too. I'm going to try to be more like clarky78. And Brendog. And my dog. Just less like me.
  • 16 10
 I like to watch riders go mac 10 in edits to show how fast they really are. Brendog seems slow in comparison to the speed of gwins recent edit......gwin looks turbo fast!!!! But maybe this edit is meant to be a more chilled with regards to how fas he can ride. Its good to see brendog is showing his motivation for winning though......but I just cant see any WC wins from him this year......ill go as far as saying no podiums either, other guys are just way faster than him.
  • 9 2
 ↑This
  • 6 0
 Seems fitness has always been his downfall. If he's got that right this winter then he'll be right up there. He has the talent. Guess we'll see at Fort Bill.
  • 5 10
flag foghorn1 (May 31, 2013 at 9:23) (Below Threshold)
 I think he has the talent to win, but when he's leaving 30% of pedaling power on the table by using flats...
  • 5 2
 He did say he was "taking it easy till race day".

The power difference between flats and clips is nowhere near 30%, if you know how to ride flats. For the level of riding these guys are on, it's maybe 5%, max. That can still make the difference between the podium and not making top 10, when the times are so close, though.
  • 3 0
 30% what?!? How on earth could falts cost 30%?
  • 3 0
 The bulldog won on flats last year........30% myth quashed!!!!!
  • 8 0
 Brendan please win a WC round - you are long over due! This is your year! Good luck!
  • 8 0
 Love the new TLD German kit!
  • 10 4
 me, too! haters gonna call it the McDonalds-Kit but haters gonna hate!
  • 19 1
 Damn, now I want McDonalds >
  • 13 9
 Apart from the last 30 seconds or so, I wasn't that blown away by this. Considering what Brendan is capable of, I'm thought this was pretty tame by his standards. I (like everyone else) would love to see Brendan in a film with another top stylish rider like Gracia in 2013.
  • 3 20
flag junkyard11 (May 31, 2013 at 2:02) (Below Threshold)
 Gracia?? He was stylish for his time but would be way out classed by Brendan.. Someone like Danny Heart with his burly whips and style would be better suited.
  • 14 3
 Sorry dude. But Gracia pulled a no hander during his World Cup run at Fort William a few years back. The man's an animal!
  • 1 8
flag junkyard11 (May 31, 2013 at 3:01) (Below Threshold)
 lol
  • 5 1
 i picture gracia as a roman god in a toga outfit holding a scroll or some sh!t. hes that rad.
  • 1 2
 if i could give more than one prop to jumpman i would
  • 8 0
 Best of luck this season! Hope to see you on the podium!
  • 6 0
 2:40: im riding my bike, im with all my buddies and its pretty amazing.
good vibes,,
nuff said
  • 3 0
 He's ALIEN...that's the only explanation which makes sense when it comes to the amount of skill he has. As far as DH goes, if he focused on his power he would be unstoppable. However, as exciting as he is to watch...he can keep doing what he's doing and I'm good!
  • 3 0
 "...The trails there are not so good for real, hard, bike testing, but rather for getting the feeling back on your bike." Head North Brendog, we'd all love to show you the best tracks for "hard bike testing" Wink

Guy's such a beast and such a well rounded rider. He may not be on the podium as much as some racers would like, but he's just such a great rider and appears so down to earth and so lacking in "cockiness" that you can't help but root for the guy aye. That "Enduro in Santa Cruz" vid where he hits that HUGE natural gap will forever be burned into my memory.
  • 4 0
 You are right scarletmeista his bds results are nothing to write home about but on his day, on a track that suits him he could be up there. Val di Sole or Vallnord maybe?
  • 2 0
 I hope he does get up there, the more brits the better I say. No denying the blokes skill, amazing to watch, but even if he doesnt, im still a big fan! :-)
  • 3 1
 Awesome rider! But pedal Brendon pedal if you want to win a WC. Having fun is good, but you have to train and have quality training not just quantity, I just dont see it, does not look fit to me, hope Im wrong, big Brendan fan, sometimes the most talented just dont reach theyre potential it comes too easy, at the top level work ethic out plays pure talent, combine both you get Gwin, Nico, Peaty, Hill, just not sure the dawg is really that hungry! Good luck BD, FB will be telling!
  • 5 0
 Always excited to see this chap ride..
  • 5 0
 that step up at the end...Awesome!
  • 4 0
 That thing is MASSIVE, it's right up the street from me. It's insane how easy he makes it look. And the scrub into it? Blows my mind
  • 1 0
 i live in LA. whats up with the no call, Brendog? jk. i do want to know where that trail is in LA though. And i will agree with what he said about socal being great for getting feet wet again for dh but not a good place for product testing. all the terrain is very similar around here and it's loose and dry all the time. i guess thats why maxxis dhf is so good - lotsa testing out here.
  • 1 0
 Yeah i use to live in LA now i live in ventura i hav no idea where any of those trails might be
  • 1 0
 Rocky Peak in Simi Valley has 2 or 3 decent downhill and freeride trails. Suicide in Agoura is pretty legit too. Im from Camarillo always looking for new trails to shred
  • 1 0
 I'm from Oxnard and don't know where those trails could be either. I drive to Altadena every weekend to ride the Shuttle Run. 11 miles of downhill heaven...
  • 1 0
 ^ yeah i just did shuttle-run on memorial weekend. its so dope - i cant even believe we have something that close by.
  • 2 0
 one of the trails is in lake elsinore
  • 4 1
 Scott sure do know how to make one beautiful bike.
  • 3 0
 "Fairclough going wild for no real reason !!!" -Rob Warner
  • 3 0
 I hope he wins something he is such a fast stylish rider
  • 2 0
 High Desert sucks... Its too rocky and there aren't that many long hills. Just short steep bursts.
  • 1 0
 thats funny mabe u should look around more and ask
  • 2 0
 I just got his bike the scott gambler10, and have to say it is so nice to ride, no other bike can compare to it
  • 2 0
 I like how Brendan doesn't even live in Cali, and he is more steezy and fast than many locals there.
  • 1 0
 I absolutely enjoy wathing Brendog ride. He's making it look so easy, with so much style! All the best to you this season Brendog!!
  • 3 0
 I love how the name of the song I just dubs for clay. Sick riding brendog
  • 3 0
 Those shots near the end were sick!
  • 3 0
 Is this an enduro video? I heard its the next big thing?
  • 3 0
 That scrub to step up is rather spiffing
  • 2 0
 I wonder what stuff was in ventura?
  • 2 0
 ''Living the dream'' with the usual Brendog style..........
  • 2 0
 Brendog yea! Dam dawg you rippin!
  • 2 0
 that booter at the end is mental!
  • 1 0
 Happen to stumble across them filming
www.pinkbike.com/video/302468
  • 2 0
 brilliant video! he sure is living that dream well!!
  • 2 0
 The steeze is strong with this one... /,,/
  • 2 0
 Classic Clay Porter, killin it!
  • 1 0
 Neon green frame and red rims, seen that before www.pinkbike.com/photo/6933847 LOVE the look of all his bikes !!
  • 2 0
 Brendan for president...or prime minister, whatever.
  • 1 1
 Amazing rider, seems like a nice guy, but he needs to start winning some world cup races soon if only to justify that privileged "lifestyle" he has.
  • 1 0
 We're pretty stoked as well
  • 1 0
 Its a 850mmm......for fun!!
  • 1 0
 Next man has some serious style Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Awesome video, though my god that soundtrack made my ears bleed!
  • 2 1
 Please, where are these trails around Los Angeles???? Looks unreal!
  • 2 0
 Rob is a big part of making this sport more exciting
Everytime I show someone the Sam Hill / Steve Peate champ. Race they get soooooo pumped
And there hooked after that
  • 1 0
 His little knolly whips are so rad.
  • 1 0
 Yeaaah, Brendog has the sickest riding style, I love it.
  • 2 0
 Love his style he rips
  • 1 0
 this fool crushes the scean like a limeabean.
  • 1 0
 I want to win, I want to win a wor... I just won the World Cup.
  • 1 0
 Still better to ride california than snow and ice in switzerland!!!! ^^
  • 1 1
 even with a rocket on which ever bike he will ride,he'll always be a out of the top 10
  • 2 0
 sooo sick
  • 2 0
 better that gwin´s
  • 1 0
 I WANT your bike!!!!!
  • 1 0
 was that actually snow?
  • 1 0
 That's his norm I think
  • 1 0
 More Style than speed
  • 1 1
 Awesome video! Song please?
  • 1 0
 STYLE 4 MILES !
  • 1 0
 just killing it..!
  • 1 1
 1:51 is a pretty amazing sight... Brendog pedalling.
  • 2 4
 Hello guys,

is brendan bar 780 mm or the 810 mmm from funn? Wink

THANKS Wink
  • 2 0
 785mm
  • 2 1
 and how much rise? Wink

Und wieviel rise? Razz
  • 1 0
 25mm but he is on Syncros now.
  • 2 5
 Gambler + DVO= MADNESS!! SEXY MADNESS
  • 2 2
 Fox?
  • 2 3
 im saying if he had a DVO on there it would be sexier
  • 3 6
 Hello guys,

is brendan bar 780 mm or the 810 mmm from funn? Wink

THANKS Wink
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