Video: Danny MacAskill Imaginate Episode 1

Apr 16, 2013
by rasoulution  

Today sees the release of the first instalment of ‘MacAskill’s Imaginate’. A project that has been two years in the making, the first episode is aptly titled ‘In the balance’ as a persistent back problem for Danny looks as though it could stop his most ambitious project to date before it has begun.

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We follow Danny to Newport Beach in California, where he tries to identify and remedy a problem that not only threatens the project but his career as a rider.

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Under the watchful guidance of Red Bull UK’s Head of High Performance Darren Roberts, Danny trains with world renowned mountain bike siblings ‘The Athertons’ and meets trials bike pioneer and one of Danny’s heroes Hans Rey, “I definitely see Hans as a role model, it’s good to talk to him about injuries and see how you can make a comeback.”

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Regular Gym work and physiotherapy may heal the injury over time, but it is only when Danny visits spine surgeon Dr. Robert Bray at the D.I.S.C facility that he finds a solution to combat the problem without restrictions, but at what price?

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Credits: redbull.com/bike

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66 Comments
  • 126 5
 Dear Red Bull Player, why don't you like me?
Why won't you just let ME decide when to start the video and what quality it should be in? And why won't you hide my mouse cursor, so that I can enjoy the video?
Sometimes I get the feeling that you genuinely hate me and just want to make my life miserable...
  • 2 0
 yay 12 hrs later i can finally watch it
  • 1 0
 When is the next one?
  • 4 0
 i almost don't even want to watch it because of it
  • 48 3
 Very well made film, nice and relaxed with an ongoing storyline

I love the fact he just wants to ride and screw the gym, i suppose once RedBull and the like have you then you gotta perform and conform, though im glad he does not appear cheesy and corporate like the Athertons unfortunately do

we see many riders on edits and for a while you feel they are as good or better than Danny, then, well then you watch him again and there is something special in his style, his riding, his flow .. everything really, once you watch him again you realise he pretty darn shit hot, yes, there maybe others who technically outskill him, but they aint him and thats where they lose out Smile
  • 28 2
 i don't think they're cheesy and corporate , they are just driven to get good results.
  • 26 0
 There is no denying the Athertons play the sponsorship game very well.
  • 15 0
 Professionals.
  • 12 0
 The Athertons do this for a living, and they owe that to their sponsors who sign their checks. I don't see anything wrong with that. They're being professional. Most of us could only dream of being in their position.
  • 2 0
 I do like how Danny is one of those people who doesnt want to be held up in a gym waiting for the next time he can ride, he wants to be out there, getting creative and doing what he loves and even if he cant do it 100%, hes still happy to be riding. I think that nothing conditions you more for biking than...well... biking.



You go Danny... you go...
  • 2 0
 Such a shame to see an artist like Danny in that physical shape.
I pray he has some real "screw you" money on the side so he can really enjoy riding for himself and not in order to make vids because he has to.
I too cringe at the idea of him being somewhat captive to the contracts he's signed... I hope RedBull isn't a faceless corporate vampire squid à la Goldman Sachs but something tells me they're very good at making money from their "protégé's" injuries...they just seem to be able to milk the "fanboi effect" to the max IMHO.

Anyhoo Danny - here's a big CHEERZ from Switzerland! Get well, ride on, and enjoy life

Paul
  • 16 0
 Really good to see Danny has alot of support not just from Red Bull but from fellow riders. Hans is awesome ! The Athertons are super ! Best of luck to you Danny and go kick some butt !!
  • 17 0
 That manual up the stairs.......... speechless.
  • 11 0
 I'll be keeping an eye out for this series from now on. Pure brilliance and a real insight into what pro riders have to go through.
  • 7 0
 really appreciated seeing this, been recovering from a disc injury myself (L5/S1 moderate herniation and Grade 1 Spondylolisthesis) for the last 8 months or so that kept me off the bike for most of last summer. I've been able to avoid surgery so far, but really interested to see how Danny recovers from this procedure. I know for me recovering from this has been the slowest process I could imagine. Even with regular physio exercises, lots of swimming, everything I can find to help strengthen it, seems it just takes lots of time, and patience. Still have some limited range of motion and glute pain but I'd say back to full strength and feeling good on the bike again. Whistler flights booked for July and looking forward to a great summer of riding, fingers crossed.
  • 5 0
 Same here, I suffer from the same injury. Its no joke. Healing process is unbearably slow. not to mention painful. But, keep up all that strength training because it gets stronger before it gets better. Mines been healing for 11 months now. Proud to say im finally shredding again. It took along time to get back on the bike. I still suffer from soreness and aches, but hell im back on my bike so thats really all that matters. Nothing I love more than riding my freaking bike. I can finally pick up my daughter again too! My Dr. released me to no restrictions a few months back. Greatest thing I've ever heard. Literally almost cried when he said I could ride again without limitation. The key is knowing your own limits. The other big things are Physical Therapy, rest, strength training, and determination. Cheers! and good luck!
  • 6 0
 It's tough to watch your riding heroes go down.....especially as a Physical Therapist. All of you would benefit greatly from a PT that specialized in "manual therapy." There are a ton of small muscles that guide your spinal movements (which can contribute to/keep discs irritated). They may need deep tissue work to release spasm and "guarding," as well as re-education with PNF (too much to explain), muscle energy techniques (MET) which use small graded contractions to guide precise movement of the spine (usually into a more proper alignment), and THEN gym training/movements. Also a good myofascial release (MFR) practitioner can make rapid changes in back pain, and allow fluid pain-free motion (both early on and throughout treatment). A good PT should use them all for "average Joe" rehab, but ESPECIALLY for high level athletes. That's why I'm in negotiations to buy a clinic in Bellingham, WA. To keep the shredders shredding......
  • 3 0
 i just had the exact same surgery on the 09/03/2013 on L4 L5 , i have no pain at all down my right leg and back, i´m now doing deep running on the swiming pool on physio , its a slow recovery but its worthy..i have no pain at all since the second week after surgery. its amazing to see this kind of videos, it gives me even more strenght to recovery and go back on the bike. props
  • 1 0
 Im glad I had my spinal surgery before I started riding 9 months in a brace and 14 months off work and no riding would kill me now. At least with 3 discs fused my neck is bulletproof!
  • 9 1
 Well that was crazy! crazy to see that amount of injures that have effected him sweet that he it looks like he is back though.
  • 3 0
 Yeah! I can't wait to see what he does at the end!
  • 8 0
 This kid deserves the best treatment, it can be amazing how humble and simple he is
  • 6 0
 Killer vid. Rachel's cute,Hans is a legend and Danny comes from some from some crazy bike planet that has less gravity.
  • 5 0
 So throughout that entire vid Danny is riding at 50% which is a 10000000000 times better than my 110% will ever be :-/
  • 3 0
 wow...i'm not an athlete....i'm just a plain joe ....but i can relate to this...being restricted from doing the thing you love the most...riding...this is inspiring.....
  • 4 0
 Such a influential and innovative part of the sport, always "Inspired" by Danny, No pun intended!!!
KEEP RIDING!!!
  • 3 0
 As somebody still recovering from a bad spine injury and just getting back on my bike after learning how to walk again this inspiring to say the least.
  • 2 0
 Hans' neighbors have to be cool with a bunch of blokes on bikes jumpin all over the place and you know you're dealing with pros when no-one bothers to move their car out of that tiny driveway.
  • 1 0
 Legend can't wait for next episode ! Met him at redbull hill chasers Edinburgh and he was a top bloke as I expected said the back was much better and he was riding that night too, but did not fair too well lol.
  • 1 0
 I recently undergone a wrist corrective surgery, watching this video has really inspired me and made me feel much better about this sucky recovery stage. cant wait to go back on a bicycle.
  • 1 0
 Ha, used to think I couldn't ride like Danny MacAskill because I didn't have a bike like his. Now I know I just need to have the same injuries. I'm off to hurt myself now so I can do a manual.
  • 3 0
 the support redbull gives to their athlete is just outstanding in the business
  • 1 0
 Keep it up Danny, really good video. The wait whilst injured is always horrendous, and I've only been off the bike 6 weeks... Much more sounds horrible! Looking forward to the next episode
  • 5 0
 Hans Rey, what a legend.
  • 1 0
 Glad to see hes starting to train at the gym it will keep him strong and well balanced for years to come! So he will be able to keep doing what he loves and that is ridding his bike!
  • 2 0
 It always amazes me that people on the street are totally oblivious to these guys riding and doing insane stunts right in front of them
  • 1 0
 turns out this article isn't your regular bike video. its a well made documentary on how danny's gonna recover and pull off his ambitious project. can't wait for the next episode!
  • 2 1
 Rachael Atherton wearing a woolly hat in California?! Cannot believe Redbull go to such extreme lengths to show their logo on the vid.
  • 1 0
 Girls prefer beanies to New Era...
  • 1 0
 Let's be honest, if it turned out crap, the series wouldn't have started, and also it's Danny MacAskill. There's no way it wont be phenomenal.
  • 1 0
 Danny you're freakn awesome buddy! Great to see all your support. Heal well! Hope you got in the ocean there, always made me feel beta.
  • 1 2
 ok great story is it RED BULL UK or RED BULL USA looking after danny MacAaskill . this country does not do enough for any athlete's here in scotland they all have to move to away from scotland or to the USA .i love my country and don't want to leave scotland . all i read about GREAT BRITAIN is fat greedy lying government MP's take and taking more from the people that vote them in . good luck to you danny MacAskill you go for the $ cos there is f##k all here . both my sons skateboard they got some sponsors tshirts , decks ,wheels , clothes , photos they are happy but there are some people making lots of money out of this .
  • 1 0
 Couldn't have a better more positive ambassador for the sport of mountain biking. Hope to see Danny healed up and blowing our minds again and again!!!
  • 1 0
 I just can't watch another Atherton Video to be honest, its like trying to watch Orlando Bloom act. Danny Mac even looks uncomfortable around them.
  • 1 0
 What a great story!! Best wishes Danny, and speedy recovery, hope all goes well!! You are an inspiration to all!!
  • 1 0
 FIRST ....Hans Rey.. after Jeff Lenosky..Last Ryan Leech... u Danny need ride on real mtb bikes 26" cheers!
  • 2 0
 Total stand up guy , wish him all the best in his recovery
  • 1 0
 As much as I would love to watch it, I cant as its in microwave quality.... which sucks
  • 1 0
 Oh my god redbull sort your media player out ! ! it's sucks at the fact it wont allow me watch such an awesome video ! ! !
  • 1 0
 Danny Mac is such a chilled guy, I can't wait to see what he does next !
  • 1 0
 Is it just me or has this been released before?
  • 4 7
 WTF are the Athertons doing on there, how many places at one time can one family be. Boiling hot California weather and The girl Atherton has a massive woolly hat on with Redbull plastered all over it. Take a fucking break why dont you. Just ruined a good bit of film.
  • 2 0
 great vid!
  • 1 0
 Hans is still killing it. awesome
  • 1 0
 Danny!! Get well soon!!!!
  • 1 0
 WHAT VIDEO? NO SEE VIDEO!!
  • 1 0
 well, how to download this video?
  • 1 0
 hans GT is amazing
  • 1 0
 Danny's back!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 What a life
  • 1 0
 Awesome!
  • 3 6
 That was wicked, the bit with Hans was great and it must be very cool for Danny to hang out with him. The RED BULL ATHLETE and RED BULL RIDERS gets annoying!!
  • 1 4
 The surgery must be really expansive.
  • 4 4
 I don't see how the surgery will make anything bigger. Unless you are talking about the localized swelling that is sure to occur right after the surgery.
  • 2 0
 A blown disc (the levels are bulging->herniated->sequestration) will cause either a chemical irritation or direct mechanical pressure on the adjacent nerve roots that power your legs (strength, endurance) and allow them to feel sensation (light touch, vibration, pressure). If this irritation is not relieved (one way or the other), permanent damage can result (permanent weakness, numbness, etc). I do agree that any surgery is invasive and will cause its own problems, but profound improvements are possible.
All the best Danny......and if you wanna send over a Red Bull squadron to pick me up, I'd be happy to be your PT!! Cheers!!
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