Photo Epic: Godziek Finds His Freeride Roots in Kamloops

Sep 3, 2014
by Dartmoor-Bikes  
Mecca, applied in the English language, is a word that refers to a place that draws large numbers of people.

Kamloops is the English version of Shuswap 'Tk'əmlúps', meaning 'meeting of the waters.'

The significance behind these two words lies in a story that has been developing since a time many years ago when an unknown kid grabbed a shovel and headed toward the grassy hills of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. This story could decades old now and the kid a grown man but the City of Kamloops would never be the same after that day. Despite the moody Canadian weather, Kamloops started to attract those who wanted something more from life than easy living. Those people are now called 'the grandfathers' of freeride.

For the last twenty years, riders from around the globe have come to experience the hard soil of Kamloops and have produced footage of their attempts to stay alive whilst hucking to flat and sending massive road gaps. By the end of the 90’s Kamloops was a Mecca for big bikes.

Riders tend to stay on the road to find locations that are worth coming back. In the eyes of the Szymon Szaman Godziek Bartek Jaws Krzyszto and Bartek Wolis Woli ski Kamloops is one of those places.
  Riders tend to spend years on the road finding locations to ride that are worth coming back to. In the eyes of the Szymon 'Szaman' Godziek, Bartek 'Jaws' Krzyszton and Bartek 'Wolis' Wolinski - Kamloops is one of those places.

Well whole Canada looks like a promised land in the eyes of European shredders but there is no easy way to follow your dreams. Couple of days after the Crankworx Whistler Festival this wolf pack travels through the BC s 99 highway up to the Thompson river s crossings.
  All of Canada is a promised land in the eyes of European shredders but there is no easy way to follow your dreams to experience it. A couple of days after Crankworx in Whistler this wolf pack traveled through BC's Highway 99 up to the Thompson River crossing.

If you picture now how the local shredders might look like you will definitely think of the smiling lads taking a shuttle in the big pick-up truck ready for a session with their bikes and beers.
  If you picture now how the local shredders might look you would definitely think of smiling lads taking a shuttle in the back of a big pick-up truck, ready for a session with their bikes and beers.

The origins of our lifestyle lays down there near the meeting of the waters . How many of you still love to put on a flannel shirt and have a good time with your friends in the woods goofing around We can t help it we are the mountain people.
  The origins of our lifestyle lays down there near the 'meeting of the waters'. How many of you still love to put on a flannel shirt and have a good time with your friends in the woods, goofing around? We can't help it, we are mountain people.

After the years of hard work under the wings of Red Bull and Dartmoor Bikes Mr. Godziek may appear to the most of us as a lucky guy but when you see the bigger picture he is rather a successful man
  After years of hard work under the wings of Red Bull and Dartmoor Bikes, Mr. Godziek may appear to most of us as a lucky guy, but when you see the bigger picture, he is rather a successful man.

He made it to the top by his own hands not by the lottery ticket. That s why he enjoyed his journey across the British Columbia so much.
  He made it to the top by his own making, not by winning the lottery. That's why he enjoyed his journey across British Columbia so much.

His main goal for now is getting into the infamous Red Bull Rampage going down by the end of the month. We know he will have enough speed on those tiny ridges.
  His main goal for now is getting into the infamous Red Bull Rampage going down at end of the month. We know he will have enough speed on those tiny ridges.

Put some style into the hips.
  Put some style into the hips.

And stomp hard even on the biggest lips.
  And stomp hard even on the biggest lips.

Hiking up to clean the lines.
  Hiking up to clean the lines.

Bombing hills as the secondary job sounds fun.
  Bombing hills sounds fun.

Stomping new lines always feel like a long awaited birthday present.
  Stomping new lines always feel like a long awaited birthday present.

Pressing the boost button.
  Pressing the boost button.

While sessioning the legendary jumps in the middle of this mountain playground seems like a highlight of a rider’s life, Szymon stays hungry for more. Life doesn’t give a lot of second chances and as a professional rider, Godziek craves to hit every line he spots on his Devilish Red Roots. Some of his attempts go well, some not so much but taking a bail is still much more satisfying then thinking back to those jumps you never tried.

British Columbia soil is perfect for those spit adrenaline.
  The British Columbian soil is perfect for those who love adrenaline.

Hammering fork will give you an extra few inches in your forearms after a day here.
  A hammering fork will give you an extra few inches on your forearms after a day of riding here.

Dropping in.
  Dropping in.

Kamloops may appear to us as a Hollywood of Mountain Biking. Recognize this spot
  Kamloops to us is the Hollywood of Mountain Biking. Recognize this spot?

To steep to walk down to fun to leave it.
  To steep to walk down, to fun to leave it.

Oh Canada.
  Oh, Canada.

Szaman s Roots bikes got his name from the Pinkbike s community a while ago. Finally it is exploring the places where it belongs. Will it be tested in at the Utah s soil
  Szaman's Roots bike got his name from the Pinkbike community a while ago. Finally, it is exploring the places where it belongs. Will it be tested in at the Utah's soil?

The City of Kamloops.
  The City of Kamloops.

Still Szymon and the crew didn t forget to bring some working equipment. Lips don t build themselves.
  Szymon and the crew didn't forget to bring some tools. Lips don't build themselves.

You can t predict the weather in the mountains. From the clean sky to the storm clouds in a no time
  You can't predict the weather in the mountains. From the clean sky to the storm clouds in a no time.

Szymon has quickly discovered how to stop on those steep hills. Grab the nearest cactus technique still brings back some sharp memories.
  Szymon quickly discovers how to stop on the steep hills. The "grab the nearest cactus" technique still brings back some sharp memories.

Szymon Godziek in Kamloops BC.

Couple of seconds in the air are always worth minutes of hiking.
  A couple of seconds in the air is always worth minutes of hiking.

Sunsets here are on the different level.
  The sunsets here are on the different level.

Taking chances and living your life to the fullest that s Szymon s goal.
  Taking chances and living your life to the fullest, that's Szymon's goal.

Getting it dialed.
  Getting it dialed.

Double grabs in the natural terrain during a sunset like this Perfect.
  Double grabs in the natural terrain during a sunset like this? Perfect.

Photos by: Bartek Woliński
Words by: Mateusz Szachowski

Author Info:
dart-bikes avatar

Member since Oct 10, 2009
89 articles

24 Comments
  • 46 8
 I'm glad he found his roots in the loops, maybe he'll hit some woops and shoot some hoops to the sound owl hoots.
  • 124 3
 Alright, calm your tits Dr. Seuss.
  • 14 1
 An bunch of Pods in there for sure
  • 7 0
 Amazing photography! And biker too.
  • 5 0
 Can't stop looking at that last double grab photo. Incredible shot!
  • 4 0
 Insane photos and riding, Szymon!
  • 2 0
 Oh, BTW - Dartmoor Roots there?
  • 2 0
 sure !!
  • 2 0
 Roots is an INSANE bike. Saw the one of Kris in Kluszkowce - serious machineSmile
  • 5 5
 good old kampoops. more meth than breaking bad, more liquor stores than grocery stores. but there is some fun riding if you are willing to make the trip.
  • 1 0
 the last pic looks like E.T. phone HOME 2014 Wink
such great pic's and rider.
keep shredding
  • 1 0
 This article just rekindled my flame to get out and make the most of things.. Great shots.riding.everything.. PROPS
  • 3 0
 Those pics are awesome
  • 2 0
 Now thats how you party
  • 2 1
 I wonder if he ever rides hips?
  • 1 0
 Bartek, you are amazing with your camera!
  • 1 0
 Too vs. to... come on dartmoor Smile
  • 1 0
 Representing! Huge props!!!
  • 1 0
 WoW!
  • 1 0
 awesome job guys!
  • 1 0
 awesome photos!
  • 1 0
 Sick photos!
  • 1 0
 Amazing shots! !!







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.055253
Mobile Version of Website