Remy Metailler Rides Whistler's Unspoken Trails - Video
INFLUX: Is riding your full-time job ? Or do you work on the side ?
RM: Yes, riding is my full-time job. 100% of my income comes from it. I am lucky.
IN: Does riding change when it becomes a full-time job? What’s the difference between riding recreationally vs. professionally?
RM: Yes for sure it does. It is still obviously extremely fun, and I am grateful that I've been able to do that the last three years but when you get paid to do something it becomes a job. And a job means, responsibilities and objectives. You can't always do what you want anymore but as an independent, and not a racer on a team, I come to a brand with a proposal of what I can do and what I want to do, so in the end, I still end up doing what I like and I what I feel comfortable doing. No one tells me what to do, I chose it myself at the beginning of the year, so I don't feel under pressure, other than my own pressure to do good.
When you ride for fun, you do not have to give anything to anyone else than yourself. It is your own pleasure and satisfaction. It's a bit selfish but that's how it is as you finance yourself your hobby. When it becomes your job, you have to make sure the people who finance your season, trips, video (brands and followers) get their investment back. When everyone ends up happy about your work, then it becomes the nicest reward you can get.
IN: What has been the best part of your riding career?
RM: Everything in the past three years. I have lived excellent experiences, met amazing people. Travelling to the best places, and riding mind-blowing tracks with people I would have never got to know otherwise has been a huge satisfaction. But in the end, I always come back to Whistler to the bike park and it always feels as fresh as the first day. The bike park has been the hub of my career, and going there every day, sitting on the lift with random people who like my work is always a good time. Makes me want to work harder and ride better.
IN: You still ride the bike park a lot, why?
RM: Well it is the best place to ride from everything I've seen so far. The trails, the community and everything around is made to have a good time and share that with other people, whatever each other’s level is. Why would I not ride it a lot?
IN: No gaps and no rap in that last video we filmed? Was it a personal choice?
RM: Yes, for sure. Recently I really enjoyed riding more technical stuff. I still love the iconic trails such as A-line, Crabapple Hits, Dirt Merchant. Those rockstar big air trails are super fun, but riding the tech, less famous trails in the bike park can be just as rewarding. When you can feel yourself float over the rocks and roots of In Deep, the feeling is just as good as scrubbing and whipping down A-line. I also wanted to show another aspect of my riding - something more quiet, less aggressive.
Project Supported by Whistler Mountain Bike Park and Race Face Performance Products
Photo Credit: Oliver Haggren Urban
Production: Influx Productions// Chris Ricci
MENTIONS: @COMMENCALbicycles / @influxproductions / @raceface / @WhistlerMountainBikePark
Author Info:
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Full post from Remy:
"Half a second after that shot I broke my back. I have not been progressing as fast as I wanted since I starting riding because I have always made my health the priority over the results or any other thing. The past Saturday, I flipped the last jump of #DownhillTaxco and overshot a tiny bit. Just enough to take the biggest slam of my life, all on my back. I made a mistake and I landed like you never want to land. The shock was horrible and I knew even before I bounced on the floor that I had broken a vertebra. I wanted to make sure I won't move before doing X-rays. The doctors took care of me and told me it was just the muscles. At this point I was just so happy but I knew my body and that it was probably more than this. The pain was not bad. I walked and danced fine after they told me I was ok, without taking any drugs. Yesterday I went to double check in Guadalajara before flying to France. Within two seconds the doctor saw I had cracked and compressed my T6. I was just walking, holding things, bending with no real struggle. My bones were not painful. Now I am going to rest the bone, and then go back to the gym to get stronger and healthier than ever. I am so determined and motivated to work harder than ever. Thanks @interproteccion, @altiusevents, @northmanco and @mdhbikes for the support. Photo by @nicoswit_photo. @commencalbikes @maxxistires @raceface604 @camelbak @vorsprungsuspension @acros_components @e13_components @htcomponents @allmountainstyle @whistlercore @camplifecoffee @whistlergrocery @whistlertrainer @bellbikehelmets @smithoptics. Thanks as well to every other riders, fans for the support and the great times. See you very soon."
1. His feedback on suspension performance is second to none.
2. He's really good at putting himself out there and connecting with people, on social media and in person.
3. He takes his responsibilities seriously and does everything he says he will, and more.
clearly, you're not a park rat.
clearly, I am roflcopters
Not that bottoming out is a bad thing, but I thought only on really heavy hits, here it just seems on every big hits...
Damn, I hope he gets better soon this guy is one of the best riders of all time and I don't think he's ever made a video that disappointed me. Ever.
Commencal as new bike sponsor for the bikepark??
"more quiet, less aggressive"
Wow!
Totally dig these raw vids.
He needs to keep those flow secrets to himself!
You're living the dream and clearly I would rather be in your shoes.