ULTRAMONTANE No. 01

Jan 21, 2012
by Derek Dix  
Title Page. Transition of weather.

Since we released the Ultramontane Preview on December 23, we have received an incredibly positive response. This pushed us through to today, with a drive to come out the gate strong with the series.

We're releasing two parts in the No. 01 release, and it may become something worth pursuing in the future releases. The world is a visual place, and we planned to correspond to and parallel this by creating a visually heavy debut. The opening section below focuses on Connor Macleod and myself, Derek Dix, as we push to maximize our winter participation within the sport.

If you missed the preview a brief summary of the project is that as both media and riders we're combating the lull created in a sport that doesn't necessarily require an 'off-season' when faced with the climate of South West British Columbia.

Views: 39,528    Faves: 530    Comments: 53


Since our preview on December 23, we have been incredibly lucky with the weather we have faced. Balmy winter days were the regular all through late December and early January, and we took full advantage with riding, building and maintaining what trails already exist.

Hiking up into the fog.

Rain quickly set in at the start of January, which gave us a prime opportunity to focus on drainage work for some of the trails that have been a staple for us since we began riding. Conveniently they are also close to home and make for quick work in a morning or afternoon.

The labors of building.

We also have began construction and selecting a new line in an old area that has been long forgotten since logging was the last activity it has seen.

Building in the winter through foul weather has a certain allure to it... there's a dead still that carries it's own sound when you pause from the high pitched clink of your mallet hitting a splitter head. There's less people out in the forest during this time and that can leave it's own impression on you as well when you consider the solitude you're left with.

Descending some singletrack.

Bark on fallen trees new and old.

Reaper rock face pokes through with some epic lighting.

That same still carries into riding, if you pause to take in the vastness of an area it really can trigger you to consider the scale of your place in the world.

Staying nimble on this rocky and rooty off-camber goat path.

Name the trees.

Dropping into some slick trail on the coldest day of the winter so far.



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Pt. 02

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Views: 44,569    Faves: 578    Comments: 99


My father always told me-- and still does: "A man's character can be judged by the company he keeps." I feel that holds incredibly true, and its part of the reason we chose to create Ultramontane & Company.

Ascent into the snow line.

Katherine Short and Mitch Forbes are hands down our favorite power couple in mountain biking. We had our introduction to them through racing on the BC and Canada Cup Circuit. They carry such strong spirits and every time we shoot with them the woods fill with laughter.

We presented the idea of Ultramontane & Company to them and they were instantly instantly pushing us to pack our bags and go shoot. With Katherine and Mitch dog-sitting the handsome Foster we had our trail team. Over the last few weeks we aimed to put together an edit incorporating all the elements that make a ride something worth telling about, from hard-tail climbs and descents, to trail dogs and foul weather night rides, their ambition to showcase what riding was to them gave us a great deal to work with.

Climbing the service road while Connor gets some clips.

Climbing in the snow

Moving through the bowed trees and past the old-growth stumps

Winter dusting in the woods.

Cornering through a long section of winter bitten single-track.

Nature and nurture the human mark left in the woods.

Heading off the power-lines and back into the dark winter forest.

That concludes ULTRAMØNTANE No. 01 - Our next release will be on February 03.

Thanks to these guys for all the support: Mountain Equipment Co-op | Spicebox Whiskey | Sombrio | Smith Optic

If you do the social media thing don't be a stranger: ultramontane.ca | Twitter | Facebook | Vimeo

Author Info:
derekdix avatar

Member since Aug 9, 2005
19 articles

57 Comments
  • 30 1
 Beautiful edit, cool music, great pictures, winter riding, a dog and even a woman! This has it all.
  • 4 1
 i liked the night riding too! that was really cool!
  • 3 0
 me likey. just so different in style to every other generic edit. its great to see something that is both different but also entertaining
  • 2 0
 I love the part where the dog tries to pass them on the log. Great video. I love it. Next winter I'll have my bike, I'll give a shot at this. Riding those snowy/icy rock gardens must require lightning fast reflexes...
  • 6 2
 That was sweet! ULTRAMONTANE is deadly. Rippin' riding in great edits with a fun vibe. I once saw Connor downhilling wet technical Whistler Garbo laps with a 80lb pack being a assistant camera sherpa for Margus Riga at the CWX Deep Summer '11 last year and then pulling out the additional video cam at every location stop scurrying all around the local landscape looking for fresh angles. Unreal work ethic and passion with a mellow attitude too. Can't wait to see more!!
  • 1 0
 Yep, the MELLOWEST of attitudes! Great work Conner.
  • 3 0
 Random question for all the graphic designers out there..... the font used for "Ultramontane"...... Does anyone know the name of that font? I need it for a project Smile

PS I already commented that this is a nice photo haha. This isn't just some random post, as I DO REALLY love the imagery here!
  • 3 0
 It's Letter Gothic for all the pixel pushers.
  • 2 0
 Thanks man, yea I ran it through a font finder app, and that's what came up Wink Thanks for the fast reply!
  • 4 2
 This is the first time I've seen a video of all the trails I ride near Cypress. The whole area is a forgotten jem that was big in the 90's and has since been forgotten.
I'm up there 3-5 days a week and have seen Derek & Connor filming and building throughout the past couple months.
Keep up the great work guys, I wanna see more of my back yard.
  • 1 0
 Well done. Covered all bases! If you love the great pacific Northwest (or Southwest if your in BC) then you just learn to love the winter weather. You do everything regardless of Rain or snow Otherwise you would just be holed indoors up for 7 months. Great Inspiration!!!
  • 3 2
 These are so good I have to comment twice. Maybe it's the music or the people but these edits have a pretty unique vibe to them. Looks like people having fun on bikes and nothing more complicated than that. Also add in beautiful shooting and location. Wicked.
  • 4 1
 What an awesome video!!! Love the all mountain!! Way better than most dh an dj on here,,,keep them coming ULTRAMONTANE!!!
  • 3 0
 thats a dream isn't it, riding with your lady and dog, and not having to wait up.
  • 3 1
 The second video is amazing. Great riding, great music, and the night winter riding was so well done! the whole video gets me unbelievably pumped to ride.
  • 4 1
 Precedent set. No huge hucks, drops, tricks... Just solid riding filmed beautifully. Good stoke. Want to ride NOW.
  • 7 3
 Perfect couple!
  • 3 1
 Wow!!! I am putting night riding in winter i on my have to do list right now. Amazing!!!
  • 2 0
 How is she riding with the dog in her lab in the second video at 00:18, cause thats rad.
  • 2 0
 some one needs to donate a damn chainsaw!!! just watching the futile bow sawing made my arms hurt!!!!!!!!!
  • 4 1
 I can't wait for more of these, great series so far. Two spokes up!
  • 4 1
 Best content on here in some time.
  • 1 0
 Really cheered me up on this -14° saturday morning. Cant wait to hit the trails with the dog and GF this spring! only 2 more months to go!
  • 4 2
 Wonder what kind of lights they are running?
  • 1 0
 looks like the Serfas 1500. So far it has been awesome for me. Super bright! Super expensive, too. Frown
  • 2 0
 everybody should have Spicebox, flavoured whiskey as a sponsor.
  • 2 0
 SO much fun to shred!!!!!
  • 1 0
 One of the best night riding scenes I've ever seen. I think I may now invest in a good lighting system, it looks so fun!
  • 3 1
 Great to see some shredding on the xc hardtails!
  • 3 1
 thinking the same. some pretty aggressive moments; no suspension no drama. very cool edits. can't wait to see more
  • 3 1
 YES! Ultramontane!!!! Great people, great production, great riding. More!
  • 1 0
 i am f*ckin moving to canada...free health care and shitl oads of bike trails..wtf Americah!~
  • 2 1
 wow it wuold be amazing to ride with your wife and dog
  • 2 0
 Dude, this is sick! Get your own wife and dog! :p
  • 1 0
 loved the second vid, i can tell that you had fun Smile
  • 1 0
 Best edits i've seen in a while! Thanks.
  • 1 0
 the dog is just an excuse to get out and ride lol
  • 1 0
 Haha they pick fights about who gets to "walk" the dog.
  • 1 0
 Un-REEAALL!!!!! love it all. great work
  • 2 1
 I love the photos so much. This is overall really epic! Smile
  • 2 1
 That Slash 9 looks Sick!
  • 1 1
 speechless, and a big grin on my face!
  • 1 0
 Awesome.
  • 1 0
 That dog was shredding.
  • 1 0
 Well done Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Like it! :]
  • 3 2
 pretty sick!
  • 3 4
 that guy on the 1st video. he hit that rock garden and it was just too much for him
  • 1 1
 Phenomenal edits! Great music! Can't wait for the next in the series.
  • 1 1
 Yeah Mitch. Nice hardtail action.
  • 1 1
 Go Mitch Go!
  • 1 1
 Coooooooooool
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