all of those stunts were really impressive and the level of skill is huge in that video/group... but did it remind anyone else of that Ryan Leech article that came out a week ago? About Idiocracy and gladiator mentality and pushing oneself too hard when the spotlight's on and people are craving it? That's the vibe I got from it. The riders are clearly skilled... and they're also high as f*ck off the adrenaline of the crowd and each other. What about those awful crashes? And the 2 guys in moto gear who came out 1 with a cane the other with a walker? www.pinkbike.com/u/RyanLeech/blog/ProVisions-2-On-a-Crash-Course.html
I don't mind this stuff going on and it sure brings a crowd and a lot of money but it just seems so fake. I'm sure if I were in the arena watching though I'd be screaming my lungs out and chanting too.
Yeah, there has always been this side of riding. The Evil Knievel, big stunt, circus type show. X-games, Dew Tour, etc. I am always impressed by new big stunts. As a kid, shows like this are what exposed me to the possibilities of leaving the ground on a bike. However, I now appreciate flow and style much more. I watch way more videos of trails in the woods. People riding trails that are so twisted and hairball, that just doing a whip is impressive and a 360 is insane. Contests and shows are great, I enjoy them once in a while, they expose a lot of kids to riding. Sure, some of them may break themselves trying to be Evil Knievel, some will also create amazing art in the woods, but that has always been the way. There's just more people riding now.
@ rbka,the 2 guys with the cane and zimmer roller was doing that because a 15 year old fmx rider like themselves challenged them both to a best trick contest and that was their way of taking the piss out of the kid kinda saying they are passed it. but yeah i totally get what your saying about the riders feeding of the crowds hype and letting it efect their safety level, as its quite clearly visable in afew of them.but hey who wouldnt get hyped up when in a gig like that. awesome balls on all of them..
It seems nonsensical (slightly retarded) to relate these type of shows to being fake... MOD and Nitro Circus are just demo shows with flair thrown in to make it more appealing to a wider audience. To think they are anything beyond that is senseless. Demos have been going on for decades and unlike demos in the past, these are good shows to watch even if you've never been on a bike. If it makes you feel comfortable, think of them as updated and jazzy demos! OMGOSH! They bring in a wider audience (more money and exposure) and these shows are another outlet for the guys to make money that dedicate their lives, literally, to these sports.
There is not one reason to be against these kind of shows. It doesn't change anything and it won't other than maybe bringing more people into each sport that's on display. Remember that these are not mindless sacks of meat that are hostage to the wills of the crowds they are preforming in front of. Give them a little credit in risk assessment. People get hurt doing this regardless if there's a crowd in front of them or just their buddies cheering them on. Blaming the crowds as some sort of "gladiator effect" is about as lame as being diagnosed with restless leg syndrome.
rbka - Sounds like you're having a jealous hissy-fit. Dirt riding across ALL disciplines (bmx, mtb, moto) has always been about getting your adrenaline pumping. So now that its in the big arena in a more spectacular light somehow makes it wrong? Many, many peoplehave copped gnarly injuries doing this OUTSIDE of the arena, as im sure there a few who have received horrible injuries doing these big shows. In fact, probably everyone who is into dirt riding has endured some heavy injuries - I have my fair share of metal in my legs, but I keep doing it anyway.
Get over it, or take up/follow a different sport.
Mad respect to all of the riders involved. Some serious skills and kahunas are on display!
thx for the replies, guys! I really liked the other perspectives. Sorry if my comment was perceived as a "buzzkill" I didn't mean it to be -- just some critical thinking skills at work.
The guy that really started all this is Jose Yanez. He was the first to ever backflip a bike, invented ramp to ramp trick jumping, and he was doing it in the actual circus! He was the only one doing back flips for the next ten years after he invented it.
When I first started hearing of these shows, i.e. Nitro Circus, Nuclear Cowboyz, I thought they were kind of gimmicky. I still think they are kind of gimmicky, albeit if I was a pro rider and was offered a deal to ride in one I would definitely take it. It is a another way for our 2 wheel brethren to make some more cheddar, and whether you realize it or not they don't make millions so this is a welcome method of making some extra cash.
Nitro Circus, to me, is the most well executed. All the others are too "bro" moto scene. Nitro jumps everything from boogie boards, scooters, coolers, you name it. For this they have a better entertainment value, for my personal tastes atleast. They also dont seem to be so "dark" and "hardcore" if you know what i mean, more of a light hearted atmosphere. I don't know which show came first, but Nitro has set the bar that all others try to reach. And the others just dont work. I would most definitely go see the Circus if they came to town, not the Cowboyz or MOD. And I just had this feeling when i saw Nitro was picking up steam, that there would be many a spinoff and someone would eventually get hurt. This video definitely validates my prediction, someone is going to get seriously hurt eventually. One thing I do not agree on, is the very real fact that riders get bonus's for doing more dangerous tricks/stunts. I saw a episode or behind-the-scenes or something at a Nitro show, and the manager was talking about how they basically put a price tag on a trick(i.e. double flip, usually something high risk that not many in the world are doing) and if they stomp it they get the check. These are supposed to be a demo, something fun for all involved, riders and spectators alike. With the premiums they put on landing high risk tricks, these demo's are now no different than a contest. Counter-intuitive if you ask me.
WHO CARES!!! If you follow Hucker or Vishneviy or Linus or Martin, they always update their status nevermind is Instagram or Facebook... they talk of having a blast, being stoked and happy being on MOD... because they do. They ride for fun and the experience, not for beings "PROS"... or tell me... do you ever think about being a pro when you started riding bikes??? The only thing you think was having fun.. like it is suposed to be nowadays!
I always wondered how the conversation went about making this event... "Okay cool then you could do a backflip on fire, then you'll backflip a rhino, the bikers could defy physics with tricks and last but not the least the moto people could do everything else.....simple really".
No North American shows planned. f*ckin weak. Maybe its an insurance thing or something. That would be an awesome show to go see. www.mastersofdirt.com/events
First off, I don't live in the US anymore, second, where I live has nothing to do with it and third.....It was just a question.
I didn't know snowmobiles can just ride on dirt so seeing one on it seems odd to me.
No need to be a cunt here
I think the point is obviously that this IS a circus / show and an amazing one at that... don't be jealous. Just enjoy their hard work and preparation.
Agreed. I'm not able to put my finger on exactly why, but my gut tells me this isn't a good thing for the sport. Are these bikers athletes or circus performers?
Whatever, as long as you find stuff that does make you want to ride your bike, than it doesn't matter what everyone else does, right? I for one enjoy watching this, but I would much rather watch Gwin or Danny shred a DH course, or some homegrown talent slay a big line in Kamloops. That makes me want to ride, but I don't begrudge people if this is what they are into. Something for everyone, that's what's great about our sport.
I agree with you also. I don't think its bad for the sport, or any of the sports. I ride fmx, bmx, and mtb. I really enjoy watching the videos of Masters of Dirt, Nitro Circus Live, etc, because they are so insanely choreographed and such a crazy level of skill. I just feel slightly detached from the events because they are such a high level of skill. But no one can deny they are jaw-dropping.
this is what happened with DH a while ago. it got too big for its boots and big money started coming into the sport, but take away the pyrotechics and showgirls and people lost interest in it. there were insane prizes too, but the sport couldnt maintain it. in the states if you won a race you could get $10k and a truck, in the UK it was £100 and a new set of bars. why would the big names want to travel all the way here to lose money? I dont want to see it happen again, but the sponsors will back out and leave a lot of people high and dry.
wow that's harsh, it was an understandable mistake... nitro circus is and advertised, but masters of dirt is not as advertised, leading him to the conclusion (just as i did) that this was a brand new event (that looks sick)
I love how the MX dudes are all decked out in protective gear and the bikers are in t-shirt and jeans takin their licks. Laid back. That what mtb is all about. We just do what we do.
I love both sports but a mt. bike dose not weigh over 200lbs. screw up on a trick and have your ride land on you i would wear more gear on a dirt bike too.
Trying to make bikes sound more badass than MX is like winning the special olympics..... I love riding my MTB but as far as I'm concerned.. if it don't got a motor its not as badass.
true but let me ask you this... What goes bigger MX or MTB?, Who gets paid more MX or MTB riders?, and most important what gets the babe's MX or MTB?. And Don't get me started on us Pro Snowmobilers.. we be pullin all the bitches
I realize there is a lot more risk involved and hence the protection so I understand why they have it. I was mostly referring to the lightness in which we treat our sport. T shirt and jeans is all I need to go out and ride. I don't need a fox jersey or a fox riding pants to go riding. You get into the racing scene and you see a lot of that, as people need to support their sponsors but on a daily basis who cares about the flashiness of it all. Me, my bike in some jeans and a t shirt. That's the simple life my friends. So neg prop me all you want, I'm sitting in my jeans and t shirt right this very moment and I'm happy.
Yeah thats probably what I love most about MTB.. the simplicity of it, because for me after the snowmobiling seasons over, with all the fueling of the sleds, maintenance, getting all geared up, filming and dealing with sponsors I'm ready to just throw a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a helmet on and go and flow through a set of jumps.
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