MUST WATCH: Chris Akrigg, Trial Trails

Sep 13, 2013
by Matt Wragg  
Stop what you're doing, make a cup of tea and sit back to enjoy this for the next five minutes as Chris Akrigg rides a trail bike like only he can...



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mattwragg avatar

Member since Oct 29, 2006
753 articles

209 Comments
  • 217 0
 I have those shoes, the similarities end there though
  • 26 2
 I too have white suspension
  • 81 0
 Silly Akrigg, that trail is for sheep, not people. You don't even have hooves.
  • 16 0
 by far the most amazing tech riding on a trail and trail bike I've seen, and even cooler that he shot, edited himself..........thanks for making me feel inferior!
  • 68 1
 Silly sheep. That trail's for Chris. You don't even have a bike.
  • 12 0
 Definitely defines the meaning to the famous, "Don't follow me, you won't make it", sticker. This video does not do justice to the technicality of Chris' riding; that edit was absolutely incredible.
  • 6 0
 The thing is that the G forces in the planet that he is from are higher than the ones on planet earth and thats why he can do it with no effort. Big aplause to him, it really makes you go out and try harder. Cheers
  • 4 0
 physics dont apply to that man.
  • 2 0
 You sir mr Akrigg never fail to amaze me!! That wall ride was sick and riding down a tree that quite frankly collaped in amazement as it watched you ride... wicked!! Keep it up chris love your vids!! :cherrs:
  • 6 0
 Yeah, after watching this i came to two conclusion 1-i really suck at ridding 2- i should ride more...
  • 2 0
 He's riding the Harden-Moor and St-Ives Estate, Bingley, West Yorkshire, England. Pretty local trails to me. Not ridden em like that thoWink
  • 1 0
 i just wanna know, what psi in his shocks?
  • 2 10
flag lyrill (Sep 13, 2013 at 19:45) (Below Threshold)
 err dude, it's not called technical trail riding, it's trials method trail riding vs most freerider wanna-bes "shredding" a trail just like they got nothing worse to copy

btw are people really just here for the stupid jokes in comments..those that do ride more just skip to the end and ask for song names right? right?
  • 7 0
 Not with akrigg you dont skip to the end with akriggg
  • 3 0
 Thaaaaat shit was off tha heeeeezy, yo'!!!!!!! Wasn't it? I think it was, at least according to my understanding of "tha heezy". Martyn's out for a while so it's all up to you & D-mac for a while buddy. Keep killin' it!
  • 69 2
 I think they clear people off trails for their safety when Chris is riding...so men's eyes don't burn out of their sockets from the awesomeness and to stop all those ladies from becoming pregnant at the mere sight of his manliness.

Mongoose must treat him well, but I don't think even he could afford all that alimony.

PS - This edit = my new fav.
  • 18 0
 Where can i get this videogame? It looks awesome!!
  • 59 6
 now THATS how to throw a bike around - none of this CRAP about screaming at guards and stropping like a kid - this is skill with shed .. and i mean SHED .. loads of personality and talent .. and he makes it look so damn easy and effortless all the time

yep .. solid, smooth, stylish and well worth watching again + plus he has some pretty good editing skills to boot
  • 8 7
 Screaming at guards?
  • 19 1
 he means matt mcduff in his new FREAKIN AWESOME edit.he throws his bike around like 1-2 times and for an unknown reason everybody lost their minds....sick akrigg edit btw..this dude's crazy
  • 5 0
 He might be referring to the Matt Macduff edit from yesterday.
  • 3 0
 Ah, just watched that vid, now I understand.
  • 8 3
 Yeah, Akrigg is very good at throwing a bike around, but just because macduff has problems with guards and throws his bike doesnt mean that he too isn't extremely talented at riding a bike. the way i see it, akrigg probably cant do everything macduff can and vice versa. big difference being that akrigg doesnt have guards telling him not to ride where he is most at home on a bike, macduff on the other hand..
  • 3 1
 Man it probably cost lama a lot less to replace matt's bike than he himself. Most was just to prevent injury.

Pretty sure what akrigg does on the fence lines and walls is technically illegal too. There just aren't any guards to stop him. Completely agree there sweet. Two incomparable styles.

=/=
  • 3 0
 Well, we know the MRP G3 guard is fit for purpose - it takes a beating. I was wincing at the bits where he does big drops, hoping that leg isn't going to break for a third time. Chris used to throw his bike round a lot and have tantrums too when he was a young bloke, just nobody around filming it in those days. Got a cool head now though, do doubt.
  • 33 1
 If I'd have to be a bikepart, Chris' chainguide would be the last one I would like to be...
  • 33 1
 it would be so much goddawful fun to be able to interact with your surroundings like that.
  • 12 0
 Crazy inspiring! About halfway through... I stopped trying to figure it out and broke out into laughter.
  • 19 0
 Akrigg is a riding category all of his own... Seriously skilled dude , he even turns up at UK national DH events time to time and posts top 30 times...
  • 1 0
 He can do better trials on his road bike than I can on my true trials bike, complete with high BB and no seat! He is clearly a versatile rider with skill for days.
  • 16 0
 Damn... Just the week before I did all of this stuff, on EXACTLY the same trails, to test out my new Bronson C only to find that Mr Akrigg beat me to the edit and consequently steals my kudos... Oh, and then I woke up and had a luvverly breakfast! #dreaming
  • 1 0
 this comment is gold
  • 17 0
 Invite that man to rampage. Minds will be blown.
  • 1 0
 Bioty=Best idea of the year!
  • 1 4
 it's a fresh idea but that's why i think it's a good one. people like me without any idea what the op meant just be like nah man that's not really gonna fly, or be like err well i guess we'll see
  • 13 1
 I both love and hate to see videos from Chris and MacAskill. They are so creative and awesome on the bikes but they make me feel like I can't ride at all even if I smoke most of my friends on the trails Wink
  • 7 62
flag tjet (Sep 13, 2013 at 6:18) (Below Threshold)
 Don't feel bad mate, we all can't be good at everything, but we all were made to be good at something. I dare him or MacAskill to keep up with me at any XC trail, you name it. And I'm not hating here, I'm a big big fan of MacAskill and would not even try what he or Chris does. Awesome video by the way!
  • 58 0
 @tjet: sorry to break it to you mate but Chris and Danny would definitely beat you (and me and probably 99.5% of PB users) at any XC trail. They are top pro athletes, and we are just average joe internet users who are best at bitching on discussion forums etc.
  • 7 0
 Whether they can beat me or not, I would still like to ride with them! I could learn a thing or 2 Smile
  • 10 0
 Seriously, I don't even know if what I'm doing is actually mountain biking anymore.
  • 5 0
 @tjet Watch this video and try tell me you can put the power down better than Akrigg...http://vimeo.com/15356627

I know it's not XC but if he can win a hill climb comp on sinlgespeed and has the skills to ride off-road trails like in this vid and others I think he would leave you for dust.
  • 2 4
 that's cus your trail is too generic and you are just easymoding on things way past your skill level with people way b elow your skill level--way to progress and push the limits of freeriding spirit, if you had any at all
  • 1 0
 Thats not a nice thing to say at all, you think? Its always easy for someone to be "better" than the person they want to insult when behind a keyboard.
  • 9 0
 Great vid! Great skills! Filmed round Bingley, St Ives Estate, Druid altar possibly and Harden moor etc, my stomping ground, if I'm not mistaken. Anyone know where the little dam crossing is filemd or the bit where he goes along the crenellated wall top?
  • 23 0
 +1 for the use of the word "crenellated".
  • 1 0
 I was on a bike ride the other day (Bronte mountain bike challenge for Sue Ryder) and saw 2 walls that looked really similar to the one in the video. They are next to Lower Coldwell reservoir and this is about half way between Oxenhope and Burnley.
Like you St Ives is one of my stomping grounds, but I would advise trying some of the bridleways over in that direction if you haven't already. The Calder Aire valley link is a good starting point.
  • 12 1
 .. what did i just watch... man.. i'll go back to ... walking or smth..
  • 9 0
 I've said it before, to me Chris is the best all round rider in the World. He even won a BDS at Llangollen, the boy can race DH too!! Great work Chris.
  • 1 2
 i've said it before too man, not that you aren't less entitled to your opinion, but just so you know there are less people that thought of it than there are that didn't, but then you are not alone
  • 7 0
 I quit...
I love seeing trials skill applied to real trail (and no trail) riding, on a FS trail bike. So why does it make me feel like I should never ride a bike again? Awesome skills, strength, balance, courage and vision.
  • 10 0
 He should be workig as an alpine pizza delivery boy - I´d tip him good.
  • 4 0
 ...but when your pizza arrived, you'd have to eat it with a soup spoon...
  • 10 0
 Oh, so that's how much we all suck at riding.
  • 7 0
 The worst part about Chris Akrigg's vids is that I can never add to favorites...
  • 2 0
 So true... About 1 min in, I cursed Vimeo for not allowing me to favorite this.
  • 2 0
 You can add the news item to your favourite news items.
  • 3 0
 Why not just follow him on Vimeo?
  • 4 0
 I just got back from a UK mountain bike trip. At every sheep pasture, I stopped, got off my bike, opened the gate, rolled through, and closed the gate. Didn't realize I could've just been hopping them! Thanks for the heads-up, Chris Wink
  • 2 0
 skipWorkGoRide. Well chosen moniker.
  • 5 0
 I thought "a hill in Spain" would take some beating,but i think he may just have done it?I think "whatever doesn't kill you make you stronger" applies ten fold here.
Well done Chris,another awesome piece of skill.
  • 1 2
 nah man, you need luck, not faith
luck=science that we don't yet understand
  • 7 0
 I want to see an Akrig vs McAskill style off!
  • 8 0
 Game of BIKE?
  • 1 0
 No contest. Akrigg all the way. Watch 'Five' and you can see that Akrigg can do it all: XC, DH, Freeride, Trials and more besides...
  • 3 1
 I`ve allways tears in my eyes , want to sell my bike and buy a e-bike, when I see a video from Chris.
I could get 150years of age and will never even close learn to ride like him.....I am depressed now ...thank you PB for doing this...sniff...
  • 1 0
 Wish I Could get over a fence in 2 secs and without dismounting..He really does make you think your e not worthy to ride a bike..but in an Oh my god that was freaking amazing way. Everything he did was amazing and with his own slow Mo..Good to see he has recovered so well from his massive crash...
  • 5 1
 BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING!!!!!!!!!

hes just using a 26"
how ordinary
pfffff....
  • 3 0
 Lmao. Wait for the new 29er Akrigg edit. Actually, one of his earliest edits was that fixie with 700c wheels....
  • 4 2
 if he would have used the all new, sizzling and superstunning 650b carbon prototype mongoose "get-new-bikes-26-is-dead-you-oldschool-wankers-!-give-money-do-it-do-it-do-it" now with dw-link and 146,43mm rear wheel space........
....well.....
i probably would have loved the video
  • 3 0
 Could tell that was Yorkshire a mile off - beautiful. I miss pedalling into Yorkshire from Lancashire across fields and woods like this. That video was boss. F me.
  • 4 0
 I'm not even sure what just happened... How do you even...?... How does...? How did he...? Is it CGI...? oh forget it.
  • 1 0
 It's called magic.
  • 2 0
 Nah its all magnets bro
  • 1 0
 Never considered magnets. Yea, could be. :-P
  • 1 0
 Maybe if I ride like this mongoose would sell me parts. LOL. Need parts for 3 black diamonds. Mongoose can not / will not help me.


Great job akrigg. Always look foward to seeing him in a new vid. Impressive how fast he recovered.
  • 1 0
 Phenomenal riding skills. Not certain but it would seem that using a full suspension bike would require more power to make some of the trials type moves that he does. I noticed on another video of his where he talks about recovery after his injuries that he is riding a single speed hardtail with a rigid fork. Doesn't appear to matter what he rides, he just rides. It would be interesting to know what gear he is pulling the moves from. Light enough that he generates the movement, but high enough that he is able to use the torque from the pedal stroke and not spin out.
  • 5 0
 Poor guy. He seems to be missing the point of a fence all together... Frown
  • 4 3
 You've got to be shitting me... I'm awestruck by the comments here. None of you seriously believe that this video was real do you? I know the guy is a legend in his craft but that video was as believable as every Godzilla and King Kong movie ever made!!
  • 1 1
 Why neg prop this comment? It is an expression of amazement couched as disbelief, as I read it.
  • 1 0
 I don't understand why these kinds of epic vids from unearthly riders provoke so many 'I'm just gonna give up riding now' type comments.... This makes me wanna ride til I die, then share a grave with my bike!!! Yet another baller edit Mr. Akrigg... you define precision and flow
  • 1 0
 makes me smile that people feel the need to say "that's my stomping ground" or "I live 5 mins from those trails". As if it somehow gives them an affinity with Chris Akrigg? Nobody cares if you live near the trails...it's Mr Akriggs fine riding we're interested in.
  • 1 0
 I am so happy to see another amazing video of the unbelievable talent of Chris Akrigg. Cause honest, when Chris went off that cliff... super sad! I have to agree with an earlier post, and that the vid, Hill in Spain is one of my favorites ever, but I think this vid just topped it. Thank lots to Chris, his sponsors, and the camera crew for an amazing, INSPIRING, video.
  • 1 0
 Okay....an artist has a paintbrush....he uses a bike....his balance and control are stunning...his use of the front brake for control....amazing....he's making decisions so quickly with how to react to everything he's doing....blows me away.
  • 2 0
 Very cool to see this style of riding. Havent had a good "trail trials" rider since Von V-Dub Williams in the old Jib movies on that Ellsworth Dare
  • 2 0
 Good one. +20 mana for important oldschool reference Smile
  • 1 0
 Ryan Leech in Kranked 6 was a pretty impressive application of trials trail riding on a fully.
  • 2 0
 00:52 pure gnarl!
If there is someone who embodies The Soul of anything vaguely "all-terrain" (all mountain being too reductive) it IS Chris Akrigg.
  • 3 0
 1:16...

F.U. gravity! He slept in physics class so don't tell Chris what he can and can't do.

Amazing!
  • 4 0
 Goddamnit! now i have to clean up all this semen off the floor!
  • 3 1
 Chris is bloody amazing as usual! It seems like he's one of the very few who understands and feels the link between a man, a bike and the rest of the universe...
  • 3 0
 id give up my left nut to have bike skills like that. that branch ride at the end to drop was insane.
  • 2 0
 There are surgeons who can perform that extraction for a nominal fee.
  • 2 6
flag pellphoto (Sep 13, 2013 at 22:16) (Below Threshold)
 Look closely at his rear wheel (and the branch) at 4:07. An unfortunate glimpse into the fact that that shot wasn't quite as bad ass as he edited it to be. With skills as incredible as his, it's too bad he had to try to piece together that shot. Still amazing to watch.
  • 3 0
 Going out on a limb here, but it looks completely legit to me. If you look at the head-on shot there is a nub of a branch on the right, and I am convinced that the wheel came off at that point, and he simply stayed with the line, got the wheel back up on the branch. Watch it a couple of times and it is simply an amazing recovery and evidence of a phenomenal sense of focus and trust.
  • 2 0
 Ahhh... I see what you're saying. It does look like he came off just before a nub. I feel like a dick for doubting him now. I'll show myself out.
  • 1 0
 @pellphoto- never a worry. Call it as you see it, and be open to alternative perspectives. Don't think anyone could ask for a more decent response.
  • 1 0
 Skinny at the end...rear tire slips. He holds on and sends it.........There used to be skinnies like this on the North Shore. Now the Shore is fast and gay. Bring back the gnar!!!!!!!!!
  • 2 0
 I don't have that balance and control standing on my own two feet! Awesome edit! Thanks PB!
  • 1 0
 I wonder if Chris and Danny Mac would get along... a duel video between them would be sick! At ten pedal strokes, turn and bunny hop!
  • 1 0
 WOW! That is one great video by the master of two-wheeled entertainment. That really got my adrenaline pumping and I loved how it was all shot away from the city. WOW!
  • 1 0
 Absolutely top notch edit, it's not often Chris releases a new vid but when he does, it's nothing but the best and this is no exception.
  • 1 0
 Talking about best all around bike handler, think we got our nominee here.. Wonder, if he got invited to rampage which line he'll choose..
  • 1 0
 I may have just jizzed my pants at this video. He's like Danny Macaskill, but with a mountain bike, and more badass to me..........
  • 1 0
 I love the way that at 1:46, even though the gateway is pretty much wide open he STILL chooses to go up and over the stone steps!! Legend! lol
  • 3 0
 The guy just floats..
  • 2 0
 Easily one of the most entertaining riders to watch
  • 2 0
 This guy!! puts a new perspective on trail riding!
  • 2 0
 he's already better than me at 4:32

...a goddamned mtb-whisperer
  • 1 0
 awesome edit !! he deserves so much more recognition, definitely of my favorite riders
  • 1 0
 Ever is good to see new videos from Chris, this guy has an insane skills that leave me impressed!
  • 3 0
 PURE AWESOMENESS!
  • 1 0
 Awesome video! What does he have under his chain ring so he can jump onto the fence at the :30 mark?
  • 1 0
 That is a bash guard, and comes in two varieties: the most common is one that attaches to the crank arms on the bike (and is more commonly called a bash ring). The type less-frequently used is usually part of a chainguide that mounts directly to the frame and wraps around the lower part of the chainring (this one's usually called a "taco").
  • 1 0
 When Chuck Norris saw Chris Akrigg riding, that's when he started punching that hard!
  • 1 0
 Freaking amazing. Danny Mac and Chris needs to happen, such insane skill between the two.
  • 2 0
 This guy definitely has his Weetabix
  • 2 0
 He never fails to impress.
  • 1 0
 Where in the peak district is this filmed??

Awesome edit
Awesome riding

JUST AWESOME
  • 1 0
 these are my local trails 5 mins from my home ride them all the time its st ives bingley harden moor an shipley glen
  • 1 0
 Great rider and producer. Chris, Danny & Ashton should get together the ideas would last a lifetime!
  • 1 0
 Just had to watch this again to make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me. Absolutely awesome
  • 2 0
 eddie tongue....blast from the past that.
  • 1 0
 one of the few guys, who knows what a 'style' means for real... im impressed
  • 1 0
 legend! certainly bounced back well after the big fall a while ago. He wouldn't be too bad at some downhill.
  • 2 0
 The way he rides, he must break bikes in the weirdest ways
  • 1 0
 I would pay him good money to compete a Fort William UCI World Cup and/or a BDS!
  • 1 0
 I so much want to see what happened after 3:02.

Skills I can't even dream about.
  • 1 2
 I can imagine the next roadbike/trials ad for Mongoose. There's gonna be a race on the great wall of china, and Akrigg is gonna pull out in front, and ride the very top of the actual wall.
  • 1 0
 It's hard to choose who my favorite rider is between Chris and Macaskill. Amazing talent, awesome video.
  • 5 4
 Chris does more mountain biking, and he uses full suspension. I think Macaskill has more skill, but I still like Chris better because he does everything the right way, not on a long-stemmed dirt jumper. Mountain biking for the win.
  • 3 2
 They both ride bikes with two wheels, cranks, pedals and a chain. There is not "right" or "wrong" way.
  • 1 0
 What about roadies and bmx'ers? They demand some respect, but surely not as much as a mountain biker on a site like this? My point is that Macaskill seems to be a bmxer more than a mountain biker. I wish he'd do an edit where he gets out in the woods.
  • 1 0
 Okay, so I should clarify that I was just nitpicking at the whole "does everything the right way" comment. I understand that it does take a lot of skill to ride the way Akrigg does, especially with how many different bikes he rides. I do agree that certain riders demand more respect, but I feel that the way a rider affects the community should be more a deciding factor in how much respect is deserved. That's the heart of my thinking.

Warning: Tangent-

Take for instance, roadies and bmxer's. In my area, cyclists are frequently complained about because of roadies' common disregard for road rules, and the fact that they ride in packs through rural residential areas talking loudly enough to be heard through closed windows (my parents are woken up on most summer days by road riders who don't seem to care that people live where they're riding). On the BMX side of things, the bikes appear to be the same bikes that the hoodlums ride (Y'know, the ones who just use the bike to get from place to place and vandalize things and crap). They get complained about a lot, and unfairly, because not all BMX kids are like that.

But that's a pretty big tangent and only makes an example of my opinion..
  • 2 0
 If there was one person for me to model my riding on, it'd be this guy.
  • 3 2
 You don't suppose he'll be posting a video of all that in a 29er anytime soon would you??
  • 2 0
 Am I the only one who has tons of problems with vimeo?
  • 1 0
 I saw the tree part and just say noooooo he cannot. He is back ! Or he still the one that kill the trail
  • 1 0
 How do you get to this level? As always stunning riding from Chris, its as if he can just go where ever the f*ck he likes!
  • 1 0
 What gate, what fence. Those tricks would be so usefull! Sick riding!
  • 1 0
 as always - amazing. he is the best
  • 2 0
 totally insane.
  • 2 0
 Epic !!!!!!!!!!!
  • 2 0
 Mental!
  • 1 0
 i can do some of that... on my trials bike
  • 1 0
 i miss shipley glen! such a sweet place to ride
  • 1 0
 music cut at such a perfect point. nice sequence//crazy riding!
  • 1 0
 Where is the RedBull's logo at the end ... This guy is awesome !
  • 1 0
 Video of the month! Callin it early.
  • 1 0
 That guy has some serious skills on a am/enduro bike
  • 1 0
 Is this guy human? Unreal, awesome talent
  • 2 0
 The man's a genius.
  • 1 0
 how is his shock setup i wonder. sag rebound..
  • 1 0
 That my friends is a master class in "how to ride a bicycle"
  • 1 0
 Yeah akrigg some of the best riding I've seen
  • 1 0
 If I were the rims, I were very hurt right now........ Chris your awesome!
  • 1 0
 Awesome! Huge tricks combined with style and flow.
  • 1 0
 30 sec in: How many bash guards does this guy go through?!
  • 1 1
 SO MUCH TALENT! Just wish he didn't ride Mongoose. :/ kinda ruins it for me personally. BUT SICKKK VIDEO!
  • 1 0
 I want a new trials trail race series.
  • 1 0
 simply amazing!! I miss trail riding after watching this.
  • 1 0
 Holy crap this guy can ride a bike. Unbelievable!
  • 1 0
 Poor guy. He seems to be missing the point of a fence all together... Frown
  • 1 0
 Chris smith+redbull rampage=won
  • 1 0
 That was absolutly insane! Guy has the talent of 100 others! Props!
  • 1 0
 Pretty sure he's a mountaingoat
  • 1 0
 What happens when Red Bull realize that they are sponsoring the wrong man?
  • 1 0
 He's from Yorkshire. There is nothing more to say
  • 1 0
 Thank you PB that was epic
  • 1 0
 What chainguide/bashguard does he use?
  • 2 0
 Xo my friend
  • 1 0
 Amazing. That gets my day off to the proper start.
  • 1 0
 thats a new way to use a bash guard
  • 1 0
 Never again can I bitch and complain about a line that sucks -
  • 1 0
 Akrigg re-defines technical riding once again!
  • 1 0
 Holy Crap! incredible skills
  • 1 0
 always amazing riding from this guy... in a normal bike
  • 1 0
 give me back my beer I cant do this
  • 1 0
 bike handling wizardry ,truly astounding
  • 1 0
 WHATTTTT THEEEEE FFFF__________KKKKKKKKSmile
  • 1 0
 One of my favorite vids of all time.
  • 2 4
 DH riding takes a lot of fitness,and a certain amount of balls & skill
This is just pure SKILL
The 1st bit with the gate is TIP TOP !!! wish i could do that
  • 6 0
 This takes a lot of fitness too, they've got to have really explosive power to get over all these obstacles.
  • 6 0
 And it requires insane balls! Imagine if any of these moves went wrong and he's plummeting toward a sharp rock with an XC lid on!
  • 2 1
 DANNY WHO ?????
  • 1 0
 Stiles with style Smile
  • 2 1
 Christ!!!
  • 3 1
 ...actually Chris. I can see how one could make the error... he only RIDES on water.
  • 1 0
 half man, half rabbit
  • 1 0
 Jealous!
  • 1 0
 Brilliant!
  • 1 0
 aff
  • 1 0
 id high 5 him for that
  • 1 0
 speechless...
  • 1 0
 Where is this?
  • 1 0
 einfach genial!
  • 1 0
 1:35 DAM thats cool
  • 1 0
 Amazed! No words!
  • 1 0
 double post
  • 1 0
 Best 5 minutes spent
  • 1 0
 Woooowwwww
  • 1 0
 TOP DEMAISSSSS
  • 1 0
 Master
  • 1 0
 I have whiskers
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