Fabien Barel presents #1 - At home and on dirt with Cam Zink

by Zack Vestal 
 
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Former DH world champion Fabien Barel has a new project for 2012: he's traveling the world to meet up with his riding bros, some of the greatest riders around. Fab's mission? To get a glimpse at what life is like at home and on dirt where these guys roam. You could say that the terrain makes the rider, and this film project is a case study in the dirt that shapes these guys's lives.

First up is Cam Zink outside of Reno, Nevada. Who would have thought that the riding there is so killer? Fab checks out Cam's homestead, complete with a dirt jump set in the back yard and dry ribbons of trail not much farther afield. Most importantly, Cam's sense of personality comes through, with a chill household and an even chiller canine companion.

Not many riders have dogs that can stand in for riding buddies, but Cam Zink does. Check it out to see what else makes his life in Nevada unique, and how it influences his personality and style.





www.mavic.com

90 Comments

  • + 22
flag jaketinnelly (May 15, 2012 at 0:18)
 It was sweet watching it in HD. Awesome place to live too.
  • + 5
flag MecDude22 (May 15, 2012 at 13:50)
 Living in Reno and knowing the trails he rides is sick! The biking here is awesome too.
  • + 1
flag doorknob100 (May 16, 2012 at 15:47)
 Cam seems like to me the quintessential American rider.
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  • + 9
flag HUGEen (May 15, 2012 at 4:01)
 Yesssss... that's the sticker I designed for Cam... love to see it on his fridge (2:25) and in the garage (2:46) :-)
www.pinkbike.com/photo/8122789
  • + 4
flag Draggon (May 15, 2012 at 11:38)
 Cool story bro......haha, I'm just messin' with you, that actually is pretty damn cool Salute
  • + 1
flag HUGEen (May 15, 2012 at 12:51)
 Really fresh style... I designed it in 2009! :-)
  • + 1
flag cyfa89 (May 19, 2012 at 3:23)
 Claim to fame right there!
  • + 1
flag HUGEen (May 19, 2012 at 14:46)
 I dreamed to design some stuff for pros since I was a child... and now I'm very happy to see my artwork is appreciated from a pro! :-)
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  • + 6
flag kabanosipyvo (May 15, 2012 at 1:08)
 Nice footage of Cam and the trails around Reno, but not sure why the narrator mentions California at about 2:15. Maybe I missed something.

Also, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like Cam took him by the Little Nugget downtown for an Awful-Awful! Can't have an authentic tour of Reno without hitting that place.
  • + 1
flag jptothetree (May 15, 2012 at 1:58)
 LOL you know it man
  • + 1
flag aalbmx (May 15, 2012 at 5:43)
 he said california because of tahoe that its right next to it
  • + 3
flag jptothetree (May 15, 2012 at 17:09)
 lake tahoe has a nevada and california side to it
  • + 1
flag EvilD (May 16, 2012 at 14:35)
 Gotta stop and say hi to Deb everytime I'm there.
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  • + 3
flag Da-Moose (May 15, 2012 at 0:33)
 Haha I love Zader. He's so friendly. He will slobber all over anyone willing to pat his head. One time Cam and I were digging at some jumps with a group, and I headed down to my truck to grab some water, and Zader followed me. I was so nervous. If I lost Zader, Cam would kill me.
  • + 30
flag whatwillhedonext (May 15, 2012 at 1:06)
 looks like you dropped something there...
  • + 2
flag scott-townes (May 15, 2012 at 5:54)
 ^ a couple times... haha
  • - 1
flag scarletmeista (May 15, 2012 at 6:57)
 This one time at band camp, I stick my flute up......his ass!!!!!
  • + 8
flag mikedekoning (May 15, 2012 at 9:13)
 I have nothing but respect for Zink. Super solid dude, and one of the hardest shredders ever. Nice edit Fabien
  • + 4
flag fullbug (May 15, 2012 at 10:53)
 great to see Fabien enjoying life and riding with pure enjoyment after all those years on the dh circuit.
  • + 2
flag scarletmeista (May 15, 2012 at 11:13)
 Personally for all you confused people out there. I'm referring to the name dropper ^^^^^.....NOT Fabien and Zinc. Your Neg props don't count :-)
  • + 2
flag Da-Moose (May 15, 2012 at 14:04)
 I wasn't trying to be a name dropper, but whatever. I got nothing but mad props for Cam and Fabien. It was a sick edit. Can't wait to see who Fabien is visiting next.
  • + 4
flag scarletmeista (May 15, 2012 at 14:08)
 Ha, it's all good banter mate, people need to chill on this site
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  • + 6
flag applewhat (May 15, 2012 at 0:23)
 Perfect bedtime dose of inspiration. Sweet dreams!
  • + 9
flag SwitchbakLtd (May 15, 2012 at 1:12)
 Your off to bed. I'm getting ready to get on the trails!!!! Smile
  • + 1
flag cyfa89 (May 19, 2012 at 3:27)
 Night ride? Or your up early.
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  • + 2
flag ibex-rider (May 15, 2012 at 8:04)
 that's a really cool web episode !It is cool to see how rider are on everday life, and the beauty of their garden ! Therefor, it is pretty hard for french speaker to understand what american riders say ! and I hope for english speaker, that Fabien Barel isn't too wors to listen !
  • + 2
flag pigman65 (May 15, 2012 at 16:08)
 Hey,it's hard sometimes for us English to understand what Americans say !!
Fabien's English is good,his ridings not bad either ,i'm,driving down to Marseille then Garda in July,any good spots you could suggest ?
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  • + 4
flag Jack398 (May 15, 2012 at 13:31)
 I love the dog at the end you know he's thinking 'you can get stuffed if you think im going of that drop!'
  • + 3
flag cyfa89 (May 19, 2012 at 3:29)
 Nah he sizing it up, any good 'rider' evaluates stuff like that first Big Grin

He will go bigger than cam and fabien when he does it.

Double doggy flip or something.
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  • + 3
flag dirtworks911 (May 15, 2012 at 0:47)
 Cool edit. Hopefully Hyper bikes pays Zink well enough so he can move into a house where the yard is big enough to hold more than one jump.
  • + 2
flag Da-Moose (May 15, 2012 at 0:54)
 Hmm. If you saw his house you wouldn't want to move. It's so huge and so nice. Plus he has a massive DJ spot about 5 mins from his house.
  • + 1
flag dirtworks911 (May 15, 2012 at 1:11)
 That wasn't his house in the video with the single jump in the backyard? The title of this article mislead me to believe so.
  • + 2
flag Da-Moose (May 15, 2012 at 1:13)
 No, it was. You don't get a good look on his house from the vid though. It's an awesome house.

He just has th big booter for working on tricks, but there's hundreds of jumps just 5mins from his house, so why build a lot in your yard when you can live so close to an already well established spot?
  • + 1
flag kabanosipyvo (May 15, 2012 at 1:16)
 It is his house...plus that's actually a good-sized yard for a new house with a view in Reno.
  • + 1
flag cyfa89 (May 19, 2012 at 3:27)
 You can see he is well off. Has everything he needs.
Doesnt need to be greedy and is living pretty large anyway.


'Im just going to do some backflips in my garden'. Not many people can say that lol I dont even have a garden!
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  • + 2
flag cyfa89 (May 19, 2012 at 3:34)
 Cam is good, no doubt about that. Fabien doesnt even look like he is trying though. Still a few tricks left in this old dog.
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  • + 1
flag FRguild (May 15, 2012 at 7:23)
 I thought Zink had moved to SoCal. Looks like he bought a house in the land of Reno 911.

Anyone that lives in the Reno-Tahoe are spends time riding in California + Nevada. Too much good stuff up that way.
  • + 2
flag northshorebmx (May 15, 2012 at 7:32)
 Reno 911 is filmed in So Cal, ever notice the palm trees?
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  • + 1
flag schwing (May 15, 2012 at 9:39)
 That's some inspirational shit right there is someone cutting onions?? Have a couple knee surgeries in the bag and another couple to go, it's always good to hear of success after all that.
  • + 2
flag lalodh (May 16, 2012 at 9:43)
 My friend, dont worry. I had open heart surgery one year ago exactly with 4 by-passes and already riding and racing DH again at 50.You will be fine with your knees.

Cheers from México
  • + 1
flag cyfa89 (May 19, 2012 at 3:28)
 Crazy stuff!
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  • + 3
flag Timmy2stroke (May 15, 2012 at 14:02)
 I liked the part where it wasn't ruined by some shitty generic dub-step song
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  • + 3
flag novocaine Plus (May 15, 2012 at 7:29)
 I just remind my old boxer, my friend who died 5 years ago
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  • + 2
flag timrippeth (May 15, 2012 at 7:48)
 Its great to see the hometown trails getting some props from big time riders.
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  • + 2
flag LTmtb (May 15, 2012 at 22:19)
 The riding is sick, the vide is spot on, and that Cadillac made it a perfect video.
  • + 1
flag christiankay (May 19, 2012 at 3:03)
 Is it a '59 Eldorado?
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  • + 3
flag ManuelMTB (May 15, 2012 at 6:50)
 Nice to see Cam actually riding rather than just jumping. Cool edit.
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  • - 1
flag WAKIdesigns (May 15, 2012 at 1:10)
 I have no experience with dogs, but everyone I know that got one of the "pure breed" in latest years, has problems with it being unable to cope with any form of longer or intensive movement - 2h walk and the dog is close to agony, no matter if doberman, shepherd or boxxer. So that is impressive from Zinks riding buddy.
  • + 13
flag hugslyh (May 15, 2012 at 1:41)
 well ma wee collie seems to cope really well and he comes on 3-4 hour walks... sheep dogs ftw! never taken him biking with me though cos he gets car sick... tried once and the car still smells so not doing that again...
  • + 3
flag WAKIdesigns (May 15, 2012 at 3:31)
 I am only suspecting the "pure breed" freaking upper-middle-class mob being responsible for that. They must have increased the demand for dog-show dogs which are crossed to look good not be strong. I am laughing my ass off when my father in law talks about his fine shepherd being allergic, having digestion problems and looking like a folded paper bag after an hour walk... he asked afterwards if he can get a german shepherd like those that Police or military uses - forget it...
  • + 7
flag 3lfd3wd (May 15, 2012 at 5:06)
 We have a pure breed belgian shepherd who doesn't want to stop, so I think you might be over generalising there WAKI
  • + 7
flag neimbc (May 15, 2012 at 5:24)
 At the end his dog stops and looks over the ledge and just thinks to himself, "Okay, I give up!"
  • + 3
flag johnwright1982 (May 15, 2012 at 6:19)
 My Border Terrier (previous life as a show dog) rides with me, she only as big as a cat but can seriously move. The origins of the breed are to run with horses so guess bikes aint to much different. Think it depends on the breed.
  • + 1
flag bigalscrap (May 15, 2012 at 6:31)
 my fanny is a cairn terrier,...5 yrs old...basically floats thru the trails and passes on the switchbacks,...like your average micro-bot,...cracks everyone up and runs 15k while still hunting on the trail,...(straightaways are challenging tho)
  • - 6
flag WAKIdesigns (May 15, 2012 at 6:40) (Below Threshold) show comment
 3lfd3wd - mah belgian shepherds are different, they eat mayonaise with fries and lots of dark chocolate!
  • + 2
flag ManuelMTB (May 15, 2012 at 6:48)
 I have a 4 years old blue heeler and she can go with me for a 20 km ride, no problem. Next day she barely moves but next she is realdy to go again. It is just like us: lots of training, good hydration & good nutrition
  • + 7
flag Milo123 (May 15, 2012 at 7:06)
 My collie is the worst trail dog ever, he stops in the worst places and he takes forever to follow you because he is always rooting around in some hole or eating/rolling in shit
  • + 4
flag breakfasthero (May 15, 2012 at 7:22)
 I'm not being funny waki, but everytime I see you make a comment you're moaning about something or other and dont get me wrong i love a discussion but starting a sentence off with 'I have no experience with dogs' and then having a bitch about pedigrees doesnt really make sense. i have a 5 generation pedigree gsd and shes fine after a good four hours on the cross country trails with me, shattered obviously but no physical difficulty. you can blame a dogs problems on the breed, if its a show dog its probably spoilt beyond belief and no suprise it doesnt have any stamina etc. there are plenty of working pedigrees that cope just fine, andi hate to break it but the military and police use pure breeds too, they wanted mine but the breeder would rather her go to a home. its about how you raise it and train it > genetic problems. theres nothing to say cross breeds cant have genetic disorders from being inbred etc, source your dog properly and its straight ballin wit yo homies.
  • + 1
flag WAKIdesigns (May 15, 2012 at 7:44)
 I just wanted to learn about it... well I have issues, I always need to start a tiny conflict, I can't ask: "Are all dogs that fit? My friends and step father's ones seem to suck big time though they claim how great bred they are"
  • + 2
flag OlSkoolJake (May 15, 2012 at 8:38)
 Yet again the comments are filled with WAKIdesigns random comments/arguments about stuff that has nothing to do with the MTB edit. Wasting time talking about dogs breeds?!?!?! GO ride your bike bro!
  • + 4
flag fullbug (May 15, 2012 at 11:03)
 you definitely get people talking, Waki. You need your own site and i mean that in a good constructive way. allthingswaki.com or wackitangents.com. you should make it happen. i'm always amazed when you write something off-topic it instantly creates its own legs and starts runnin'. always entertaining. who woulda thought I'd learn about dogs after that edit. brilliant.
  • + 2
flag pigman65 (May 15, 2012 at 16:10)
 English Springer Spaniel,he runs back inside when i put my backpack on,he's cool without it though, a while back he went off with some random other biker,took me an hour to find him !
  • + 1
flag WAKIdesigns (May 16, 2012 at 0:29)
 OlSkoolJake - there was a dog in teh edit and it was super fun to watch it run behind those guys - There are quadri-fartillions of vidoes like this one, that really, apart from hearing Fabien speaking in French accent it was only the dog that made it click for me...

Fullbug - I can't start allthingswaki, I do it for the fun of interacting with people, Thanks for info breakfasthero Wink
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag timkoerber (May 19, 2012 at 5:57)
 Sure is an interesting/highly unrecommended way to bleed brakes @ 3:38. Don't try that yourself unless you want to invest in some new pads and a new rotor
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag jptothetree (May 15, 2012 at 2:05)
 Reno is definitely an awesome place to be a mountain biker Cool
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag Plasticpylo (May 15, 2012 at 5:05)
 My Westie Rips DH and trail rides, and the little fecker can drift.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Racerx7734 (May 15, 2012 at 9:47)
 Great guy, I have been on all those trails, some yesterday and more tonight : )
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  • + 1
flag michealcain (May 15, 2012 at 15:20)
 Cam you are always a force to be rekoned with , so much style and skill and balls of steel !! good luck this riding season
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  • + 1
flag DBomberMan (May 16, 2012 at 11:51)
 That last clip where they both do that litte drop then the dog pokes his head over the lip was awesome!
  • + 2
flag six66 (May 16, 2012 at 13:23)
 Yeah, it's like "Im not hittin that!"
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  • + 2
flag ingridbrasil (May 15, 2012 at 7:30)
 Nice!!!!! Miss Barel at WC...
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  • + 1
flag adammaufort (May 15, 2012 at 10:20)
 I was hoping the dog would huck that drop after he spotted it out at the end there!
  • + 1
flag cyfa89 (May 19, 2012 at 3:32)
 They had to cut it because that dog came back and did some crazy stuff, too insane for the camera.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag jyemen (May 15, 2012 at 11:04)
 Finally got a real look at Cam's new Hyper frame, looks pretty sweet, wonder when production will begin?
  • + 1
flag cyfa89 (May 19, 2012 at 3:32)
 Is it the same company that make hyper bmx's in the uk???
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag coloradodownhill (May 21, 2012 at 10:27)
 The dog at the end..."well f**k you too..."
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  • + 1
flag Twoxstreem (May 20, 2012 at 6:52)
 The best riding buddies have 4 legs.
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  • + 1
flag azonicjake (May 19, 2012 at 3:16)
 pooch! hes a pretty cool guy!
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  • + 1
flag Argyle98 (May 16, 2012 at 5:45)
 Why he isn't riding evil bikes? Or i'm just don't seeing it?
  • + 1
flag cyfa89 (May 19, 2012 at 3:33)
 He is with hyper now?
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  • + 1
flag gnarbar (May 15, 2012 at 7:49)
 04:25 = cool ....... chill vid
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  • + 1
flag Lucas-Alcalde (May 15, 2012 at 5:14)
 probably the most chilled mtb video i've ever seen! REALLY COOL!
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  • + 2
flag BrandonGreenawalt (May 15, 2012 at 10:14)
 Lovin the pooch!!!
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  • + 1
flag dylandoe (May 15, 2012 at 7:51)
 Nice goin Cam! See you at Northstar...
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  • + 1
flag voltagerider Plus (May 15, 2012 at 8:03)
 Cool to see Barel riding bikes with zink!
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  • + 1
flag PKMR (May 15, 2012 at 1:54)
 realy realy nice man
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  • + 1
flag emersonfnogueira (Jul 15, 2012 at 15:58)
 Top
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  • + 1
flag kkroto80 (May 15, 2012 at 5:19)
 that car is so sick.....
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  • + 1
flag devin-m (May 15, 2012 at 0:14)
 brb going riding..
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  • + 0
flag ashlaar (May 15, 2012 at 5:09)
 Nice dog discussion there guys! (Y)
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