Following his injury in 2013, Martyn Ashton, trials legend, creator of Road Bike Party 2, and, above all family man and bike rider, began his inspirational journey to get back on track. Joined by his friends Danny MacAskill, Chris Akrigg and Blake Samson, this is Martyn Back On Track.
I have nothing but admiration for both Martyn, and for the whole team that continues to support him. The MTB bond is unparalleled in contrast to any other sport, truly an inspirational thing to see.
I agree with Rokan14. To add with the same feeling. Martyn's smile is worth a million words of love and praise. I recent taught my Autistic son Dale to ride with no training wheels. What was once a boring and hard thing do has become a new fun and very enjoyable experience for to have for himself and share with family. My son's smile I will never forget, ear to ear just Martyn's smile. We are a true community when something like this can come together for someone.
This has got to be the only justification for an e-bike on the trails! Combined with Martyn's insane skills he could get some help mounting up at home, and never have to touch the ground until he was done.
I want regular bike, can be even 29+, never liked pedalling, but now i would pedal it to death. Thx for kind words, it's been 10 months already, but slow and steady progression still gives me hope. But now I'm still too weak to do what Martyn did, not to mention normal biking.
Insane 4-wheeler dude: Stacy Kohut. Funny story: talking with a guy who coaches in the bike park, he was riding behind him and Stacy crashed off the trail. He asked him "are you alright?" and Stacy, with (turns out) mock panic grabs his thighs and yells, "My legs! I can't feel my legs!" These guys *know* that life has changed and can't be undone, but they accept it and push beyond, achieving amazing things. @nikifor88: Keep at it; we're all pulling for you!
Sitting in a hotel room in Tokyo at the moment, tears streaming. Can't imagine how it must feel to put the wheels beneath you again. Well done, Martin. And to you, riding mates and industry supporters, treasure your humanity.
It would need a bit of modification, since E-bikes only assist your pedalling, so you have to be pedalling for the motor to engage. Sure it would be fairly easy to do though!
This is fucking excellent. Well chuffed for you Martyn. Looking forward to seeing how you and your team might improve on this already awesome platform and hopefully allow others the chance to ride again. Great work and great to see you back on it.
Awesome vids (watched the 2 behind the scenes) shows you what can be done when you put your mind to it. Amazing and inspirational. Like someone else mentioned I too think an e-bike could be an option when gravity runs low. Great to see you back on 2 wheels again Martyn! Your still blow my mind with your riding skills now as you did when I first saw you in Chainspotting!
So awesome! Stuff like this hits you right in the feels. A good friend of mine had a very similar injury back on Christmas Day last year, been scratching my head on how to get him back on a bike... love this idea!
What an inspiration. I can't begin to explain how happy it makes me to see a rider that i grew up watching riding again.
Your a hero Mart we can all learn a lot from your determination and courage.
Amazing but seeing people get bucked is not right.
Why not put the seat on a slider system so you can slide your body weight around and maybe be able is lessen the bucks or get air!
Amazing! Absolute legend! Two of my friends have had the same injury and I have always followed you. One of my friends is now back racing motocross and the other keen to get back skiing. You all make me so humble in your strength and incredible nature.
I cant say how watching this film made me feel other than joyous that you are back on the bike!
Any idea where he got that seat made? I have a friend with Downs and something like this would help him stay in the seat a little better. I'd love to get it made for him.
Martyn Ashton has been an inspiration to me since his first MBUK shoot with Hawyes back in the mid nineties. Met him and others in 97 when Chainspotting came out. He really took time out for his fans and that was special. Shared a viewing platform with him in 2011 at the Fort William world cup, before his accident and although he's a legend of the sport no-one bothered him for autographs, which seemed strange. An all round, genuinely nice guy in my experience. Seeing this really bought a tear to my eyes, not something I can say for any other bike video.
If there is ever anybody that can overcome this Martyn can. Such a legend, been a huge fan ever since the days of the 'martins' in chainspotting and all of the other mbuk vids in the 90's.
There seems to be such a bond of brotherhood of mtbers and this vids epitomises it greatly!!
The look on Martyns face when he smashes the first jump!!
Get in my son, good luck for the future and i hope you get to read all of these positive comments and take it all onboard, dont give up brother u r a legend!!!
So amazing, when it comes to overcoming injuries he set the bar higher than anyone could imagine, the entire mountain biking world will shed tears of joy today for Martyn
Watching Martyn and the gang gave me shivers...I did not know that he is now paralysed. This is a very emotional video and to be honest I was teary eyed watching Martyn ride MTB again. All the best Martyn! You have my support too...
WHAAAT THE FUCK!!!!
I'm totally in fucking tears like a 5yr old... this is gut-wrenching good stuff and must be the greatest video ever - don't you ever even dream of pulling it down!
Heartfelt blessings to all those involved - let me go and grab my kleenex now...
Without doubt, one of the most stirring video's I've ever had the pleasure of watching!
Martyn clearly had grit and determination in spades in the first place to become the rider we all know and love, however this is simply awe inspiring.
Well done to Martyn and the team that were involved in this incredible video.
All the best,
John.
When I was a Kid growing up in the world of biking this guy was one of the Hero's... Now 20 years on Martyn is STILL VERY MUCH MY HERO'S..
I do have to say I did cryed today watching this because I didn't know this had happened to him making me think Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People.
I'm speechless, all I can do is cry and laugh at the same time. Props to Martyn for having friends of such quality, and to his sponsors for never giving up on him. His face is worth a gazillion dollars.
Hopefully when he is ready himself he will try to get other people who have suffered the same out. Maybe a day once a year or so with some backing from an uplift and bike sponsors.
Anyone got a tissue?? Met him in the late 90's - so down to earth, would chat and made you feel at ease, even though I felt like an eleventeen year old girl having just met her favourite boy band... Hero.
A close friend of mine is paralyzed from the waist down. If is not as simple as being unable to use your legs. It hurts him constantly. He struggles with intense depression. It is a bigger blow than any of us can imagine. The courage it takes to go on is amazing, and do this video is more beautiful than we can appreciate, but by trying we can can ask gain a little empathy
Amazing Martyn's back on a bike, would it not be better to get rid of drive parts & have something better than electrical tape to keep feet on? But I know you want not to be fixed to bike if did crash I could design something for you Martyn get in touch if interested Next get a e bike too for ups
That was just amazing to watch, definitely got a few things in my eye...
What a guy he is and really inspirational to see everything he has done since the accident! Amazing Martyn.
This has my vote for Video of the Forever. Each year there is a new video that stamps in time the "state of the sport," but this video is all-time: It captures the very reason for riding in the first place.
Why can't you like this video, truely amazing and inspirational to anyone who has had the same accident as him or wishes they can ride, well done to everyone part of this, keep it up Martyn smiles worth millions all round
Absolutely blown away by this. Huge smile on my face watching him smile on the way down. Next time I feel frustrated about riding my bike, I'll think of this and just be happy that I'm riding my bike.
Martyn- how about competing as a DH racer now? Not WC (right away), but at least local races and such. Gwin & Mulaly proved you don't need to pedal to be competitive anymore given the right track. Seriously- a guy with your bike skills, could in fact be quite possible. Show us how it's done.
I remember when he posted a message to me about the plan to have an epic ride at 7 summit here in Indonesia.... nice guy. What a spirit! Ride on Joe Shaft!!
I right with mate I was caring today.. Xx
When I was a Kid growing up in the world of biking this guy was one of the Hero's... Now 20 years on Martyn is STILL VERY MUCH MY HERO'S..
I do have to say I did cryed today watching this because I didn't know this had happened to him making me think Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good Peopol
Martyn, you rule.
Hopefully, these guys will have something available soon.
www.projectenduro.co.uk
and thanks for kind words, guys!
Have you thought about an e-bike to keep you speed up on the flats?
Awesome to see him riding again, surrounded by some of the best rider he inspired.
www.pinkbike.com/news/kranked-electrics-ego-45mph-santa-cruz-tallboy-ltc-sea-otter-classic-2014.html
I cant say how watching this film made me feel other than joyous that you are back on the bike!
No roadbike party style stuff though please ;-)
It's made for sit-skiing.
Met him in the late 90's - so down to earth, would chat and made you feel at ease, even though I felt like an eleventeen year old girl having just met her favourite boy band...
Hero.
But I know you want not to be fixed to bike if did crash
I could design something for you Martyn get in touch if interested
Next get a e bike too for ups
Martyn- how about competing as a DH racer now? Not WC (right away), but at least local races and such. Gwin & Mulaly proved you don't need to pedal to be competitive anymore given the right track. Seriously- a guy with your bike skills, could in fact be quite possible. Show us how it's done.
Bike=happiness
beautiful video, the bond/friendship in this sport is incredible!!
P.s where is that trail?a
There's no stopping him now . You put the "great" back in to GB.... CONGRATS
Puhhh that heatwave make my eyes sweat ;-)
go on Martyn
yea..fantastic four...
100% true friendship + 100% mtb spirit!!!!!