Cruz FEST: A Photo Epic

Apr 29, 2015
by Fest Series  



From day one, I've felt very lucky to be a part of the Fest Series. For a while there was an awkward time where all the freeride guys tried to find their place in the slopestyle contest scene. Taking events into their own hands was a huge step in the progression of freeride. To me, the biggest thing the Fest Series does is give the riders a platform to freely express themselves on the bike while not having to fit into a certain criteria of riding. The pressure to push yourself comes from yourself. To me there's nothing more rewarding than accomplishing my own goals that I set out for myself. Sure the riding level pushes you to go bigger, but in the end, you are your own judge, jury and executioner.

Last year at Hokkfest in Norway my roommates Kyle J, R-Dog and I, had the talk and decided that we needed to be more than just riders in the series. We knew we needed to take it to our home soil, and contribute to the series that has us all more excited and inspired than ever before on our bikes.

Talking through the potential locations the name Arik Swan came up. We knew he was a badass local moto dude in the area. So KJ gave him an intimidating phone call and he was stoked on the idea of us getting something together before he even knew what the Fest Series was. He invited us out, showed us around his property and blew our minds. He took us back to a steep valley with an grown over moto track in it and asked, "What do you think about this zone?" It almost seemed too good to be true. A slightly downhill slope covered in large piles of freshly rained on dirt, winding its way down a valley, yeah right. Terry Cox at College Cyclery generously rented us a machine to re-arrange the dirt and get our course mapped out and piled. We had some keen friends that volunteered to help do lots of the shovel work, thanks to all of them, you know who you are. After getting the course together, it was just a game of logistics and coordination to make sure all the other pieces fell into place. Special thanks to the event sponsors that made lodging and shuttling the crew around possible. Thanks to Clif Bar, Five Ten, Deity Components, Kali Protectives, and Smith Optics for supporting real core biking. Without them I’m not sure how we would have pulled it off.

Now that it's been quiet for a few days in our house, it's great to think about the good times we had, and how we can make it better next year. In the meantime, I'll be doing my physical therapy and getting ready for Aggy's Reunion!

CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
What better way to start the 2015 Fest Series than to send the riders down a never-ending fire road on Beach cruisers?
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
Unfortunately Jordie Lunn wasn't able to keep her out of the cabbage on The Klunker ride, suffering a gnarly gash to the leg.

CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
Kyle Strait having the time of his life before going over the bars and deep into poison oak.

CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
En-route to the Arik Swans property, aka The Swanpound.

CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
For anyone hoping to try and find the Swanpound, there will be a number of pitbulls awaiting your arrival.

CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
Jordie taking a break in the submarine after colliding with a tree higher up in the course.

CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
The boys were having a hard time getting enough speed out of this berm for the last hip, luckily it didn't take long for them to make a few changes and get it dialled in.

CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic

After watching the boys start to throw down on the course, it didn't take long for pro moto rider Tyler Bereman (second from left) to gear up and start sending it as well. Soon after property owner Arik Swan (Far right) followed his lead. It was pretty unreal to watch moto and mtb riders following each other into jumps. Seeing Andreu and Tyler both in the air off the same jump really puts into perspective how big these jumps actually are.

CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
The legend Randy Spangler made it out to Cruzfest and was throwing down until a heavy case off the shark fin left him injured and unable to ride the last few days.
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
Tacos anyone?

CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
Current whip-off world champion Ryan 'R-Dog' Howard

CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Best whip winner Brandon Semenuk.
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest best Style winner, Arik Swan with a nasty bermslider out of the shark fin.
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
CruzFest Photo Epic
Cruzfest 2015
CruzFest Photo Epic
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Tyler Bereman showing just how big the CruzFest jumps are, unfortunately he crashed on this same jump later that day, injuring his ACL and leaving him off the bike for the next couple months.

Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Logan Peat on rails through this berm.
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Andreu took home best line and best trick with a Flatspin Indian-Air Seatgrab.

Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015
Cruzfest 2015

Photography by Toby Cowley.

Cruz Fest was made possible with the support of Clif Bar, Five Ten, Deity Components, Kali Protectives and Smith Optics. Thanks to them, the good times will keep rolling out.

For fresh Fest shirts - check out the Fest Web Store.


MENTIONS: @FiveTen / @deityusa / @KaliProtectives / @SmithOptics



Posted In:
Stories


Author Info:
TheFEST avatar

Member since Apr 21, 2014
64 articles

87 Comments
  • 133 4
 Love the new format PB! Hope to see it more often.(the riding is cool too)
  • 27 1
 They've been doing it for a few stories now and its always so good. I love how haggard Jordie looks in that car hahaha.
  • 5 2
 dat pic of the jordie with the door open, is the most raw shit i've seen in a while! anyways all the pics here are just so damn good.
  • 4 0
 I hope they keep doing photo epics like this too. I loved how the pictures told the story not the words
  • 4 9
flag fracasnoxteam (Apr 30, 2015 at 4:01) (Below Threshold)
 Pics are a bit too big, not easy to see it whole. Can't explain it but I have ctrl+scroll back one click to really appreciate.
  • 4 0
 Have you got an odd shaped super wide screen? Lots of toolbars? Try F11 to fullscreen the window and you should get the top and bottom of the image in there.
  • 2 0
 Jordie looks like GG Allen these days… woah
  • 2 0
 Haha just imagine running into Jordie in the woods if you didn't know who he is. O.O
  • 1 0
 ^ First thing I'd look for is a hatchet... one in his possession and if not, one for my own protection. That dude is outta his mind and he gave it away in Roam (I think it was) when he freaked out over a snake going into what he describes as a "snake hole". Jordie loves jumps. Jordie builds jumps.
  • 1 0
 @Patrick9-32 I have a 30" UHD screen and am almost fullscreen, it's not the problem. My eyes are probably not big enough to enjoy so big pics... Don't know. But it's still awesome!
  • 106 7
 Best thing to ever happen to mountain biking.
  • 4 46
flag torero (Apr 30, 2015 at 6:34) (Below Threshold)
 This is not "mountain biking", is dirt jump.
  • 11 1
 ....on downhill mountain bikes
  • 29 7
 I picture @torero sounding like this with fist in the air: "Dis eez no moan tane bike eng", eez durt joomp".
  • 5 2
 Dirt jumping is mountain biking if done on pedal bike in mountains.
  • 3 2
 Freeride?
  • 5 0
 All killer, no filler.
  • 99 5
 Finally, a fest series article! Im liking the new sliding/zooming words and pictures.
Only one thing missing...

VIDEO?VIDEO?VIDEO?VIDEO?VIDEO?VIDEO?VIDEO?VIDEO?VIDEO?VIDEO?VIDEO?VIDEO?
  • 5 2
 Thank you to all the people involved in the FEST SERIES it is truly inspiring to get a glimpse into what you all do every day!
  • 38 3
 This looks like the most fun it's possible to have
  • 37 3
 Lacondeguy for president!!!
  • 5 0
 the tricks he just pulled out of the bag on a bigbike are just unreal...
  • 22 3
 This might be the best photo epic post ever to grace pinkbike!
  • 15 0
 Vintage pedals, kickstands, bars with no plugs... I want to see the cruzzzer bike check!
  • 14 0
 "Andreu took home best line and best trick with a Flatspin Indian-Air Seatgrab", when your trick is half a sentence, you might need to tone it down.
  • 1 0
 No, no I don't think so. How do you figure that? When your trick's half a sentence, you know you're on the right track.
  • 17 1
 Randy Spangler!!!!
  • 5 1
 He is the man ! my fav rider from drop i TV , always on such a high and so stylish
  • 1 0
 I was growing up on Spangler videos respect for still shredding yeeessss !!!
  • 13 0
 Semenuk's whip though!!!
  • 10 2
 It is a rare thing for me to look at the list of sponsors and think "Thanks guys, i am proud to own your gear" but the fest series is the kind of thing I want to see more sponsors behind. it is awesome.
  • 6 2
 That's what biking is about - mates getting together hitting some jumps, pushing the limits and having a good time! No crowds, hype etc. Good to see the moto's mixed in as well.
  • 8 0
 And tacos
  • 6 0
 Doobie? Always wondered which athletes smoke lol.
  • 1 0
 Best one yet, I'm shocked/stoked to see pretty much all the big boys in on this one. I thought Zink was supposed to be there? O.o

I hope Strait got the poison off him quick. When I's a teenager 2X in 4 weeks I got it all over while out in the woods building. Like on the nuts & bolt too. :s Gotta be careful when ya hang a piss. Shoulda had Zink there to hold it for him. Haha.
  • 7 2
 Seems legit
  • 2 1
 Seriously, the Fest thing that has ever happened to showcasing the beast level of these riders. Not to mention the clunker ride looked awesome too!! So stoked for the progression of this event series...
  • 2 1
 So awesome. The fest series is the coolest thing I've ever seen in mountain biking. All the guys I've ever looked up to in mountain biking getting together with the sole purpose of having fun riding bikes.
  • 1 0
 Cook Bros. Racing TTFMF! Don't know who that is on the super rad yellow OG CBR, but dude, I dig you style! Oh yes and I second Lacondeguy's nomination for president of the universe.
  • 5 1
 Lacondeguy is fearless. Holy crap.
  • 3 1
 My computer wanted to explode and die after trying to load all of those pics!!! Great quality and amazing pictures tho!!
  • 3 0
 Some great captions could be made for some of these photos
  • 3 0
 Rad work Toby! Love the shots
  • 3 0
 One of the best Photo Epics ever. Noice work Toby
  • 3 0
 Andreu is one of the sickest motherf***ers to ever ride a mountain bike.
  • 3 0
 Randy Spangler, haven't heard that name in a while.
  • 2 1
 Saw you guys in the office the week this was going down. Next year you gotta talk to the powers that been and Giro/Bell involved.
  • 1 0
 I can hear ppl's laugh when looking at the photos. is it PB new feature?
amazing fest btw..
  • 6 5
 Awesome photos, awesome event, but couldn't shake the massive obvious grammar issue! Should be tacos, not taco's...
  • 1 1
 Right now........today............I will say that I think 'Lacondeguy' is the new godfather of MTB! Pushin the sport 'beyond'!!!!!!
  • 2 0
 Since when did Jordie become a chick?
  • 1 0
 This is format is awesome! And big ups to the photographer for capturing such a candid perspective. More like this please.
  • 1 1
 It`s awesome how all of this in my backyard! This event is awesome, just having a good time like that, is what the freeride community needs more of
  • 1 0
 all accounted for...BUT Aaron Chase, because he is here @ Highland...hell yeah!!!!!!!!!!
  • 4 2
 FEST SERIES....The best Thing Ever!!!
  • 2 0
 That was a photo epic. Well done PB.
  • 1 0
 I just want to go witness one of these! I hope a job lines up that puts me close to one!
  • 2 0
 Damn! Talk about capturing the vibe and telling the story. Killer shots.
  • 2 0
 Great to see Lacondeguy pushing the limit of big bikes
  • 2 0
 Semen not planning to cork 720 for best trick?
  • 1 0
 Haha Jordie has some more shots for his Instagram now. There are a few bloody ones on there already.
  • 2 1
 Boooooze , Dubbzzzzzz, n Cruzzz FEST !
  • 2 1
 It's funny because the little pitbike actually almost fits Andreu...
  • 1 0
 Good One
  • 1 0
 Bereman kills it, cant wait for the video of them all riding together
  • 4 3
 fire road + beach cruisers = no helmets. the way God intended.
  • 2 1
 amazing! pure love pure mtb pure fun
  • 1 0
 sick Photos but we all want a Video !
  • 1 0
 Bikes and Beers, match made in heaven I think!
  • 2 0
 fugg yeah
  • 1 1
 Just goes to show you BIKES are BIKES and all BIKES are fun Leave the bike snobbery to the hipster fix crowd
  • 1 0
 i clicked this article with an ol' yeller in my hand
  • 1 0
 they forgot to mention the Swan-pound!
  • 1 0
 4th picture: Kyle is a tank!
  • 1 0
 I hope decline mag hope has a few pages for each fest series.
  • 2 0
 Stoner fest?
  • 2 1
 how many tons of beer and how many joints they should have smoked...
  • 1 0
 jesus christ, enough vsco lightroom shit
  • 1 1
 Those trophies are badass
  • 1 0
 That vein!
  • 1 0
 Damn that looks huge
  • 1 0
 make your how History !
  • 1 1
 Where's the video?
  • 4 4
 Freeride ain't dead.
  • 1 2
 THESE ARE ALL BANGERZZ
  • 1 4
 Bazinga!
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