Ruari Hallam at Wharncliffe in Sheffield, United Kingdom - photo by duncanp

Photo of the Day on Sep 26, 2011 - more PODs

Selected by Ian Hylands - nothing I need to say about this one really. Not only is he only a couple inches off the ground but the composition is great as well...

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151 Comments

Score Time

+ 107

miki-ck (Sep 25, 2011 at 10:41)

xc riding? yeah, right... Razz

+ 26

duncanp (Sep 26, 2011 at 1:27)

our xc is always a little different.. http://www.pinkbike.com/video/195412/

Orsumness (Sep 26, 2011 at 3:11)

In lycra too? I wish I could do that on my DH bike!!!!

EddyDave (Sep 26, 2011 at 3:32)

Yeah I'm with duncanp! We that to me is XC Big Grin

+ 88

xander8 (Sep 26, 2011 at 5:18)

i looked at the pic and i swear i thought its a lady

+ 17

beneathmiskin1 (Sep 26, 2011 at 5:21)

Wow. Better pinner than i've seen a lot of DH riders do.

nason222 (Sep 26, 2011 at 8:43)

Thats like the xc were i live lol

matty-dh (Sep 26, 2011 at 10:04)

everytime i see a pic of this guy he is PINNED Big Grin

+ 10

mark1994 (Sep 26, 2011 at 10:41)

Thats UK style XC for you!! Big Grin

harveyhoman (Sep 26, 2011 at 10:50)

I believe the term is 'railing it'

stinkysam (Sep 26, 2011 at 11:31)

This is a sick shot, and really shows what an XC bike can do, but how the hell it he going to get back up after the berm aha Razz

betsie Plus (Sep 26, 2011 at 11:50) (Below Threshold) show comment

lol.... he did not hold it, just great timing with this shot.

Gruta (Sep 26, 2011 at 13:25) (Below Threshold) show comment

That bike is not even close to a XC setup, the bars are too wide, no front derailleur and look at the size of that headset tube !!!! I think that might just work ! It`s evolution baby!!!!

+ 27

harriieee (Sep 26, 2011 at 13:58)

Only idiots hate on XC. All XC means to me is a long ride with ups and downs - no comment on gnar or airtime. Some of the most challenging terrain I've ever ridden has been on XC rides - needs more skill to ride smoothly than pilot a bike down a wide open fast DH track, that's for sure.

rockyflowtbay (Sep 26, 2011 at 15:10)

sick rip!

dustingilding (Sep 26, 2011 at 19:02)

XC with Saints eh...

freirider (Sep 26, 2011 at 20:02)

He totally ate Shiz. You always look where you are going, and he's looking at the dirt.

bikerguy222 (Sep 26, 2011 at 20:12)

My XC video, not exactly this but some fun dh for sure Smile

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/218436/

cyfa89 (Oct 3, 2011 at 12:11)

Who says DH riders are instantly better than anyone else? Get educated....

stinkysam (Oct 3, 2011 at 13:02)

Yeah, i ride abit of everything tbh, and im not great rider, but everyone is great in their own fields, ask a XC guy to ride fortbill/champrey and they cant, ask most DH people to ride uphill on a 15mile XC course and they probably cant. People should respect what peoples strenghts are, and help them with their weanesses, instead of mocking them!

betsie Plus (Oct 3, 2011 at 14:24)

@Stinkysam.... most Dh boys who race anyway ride lots, train hard and are not to shabby at XC.
Probably why Dh boys have done real well at the Enduro series this year, the top juniors are ex downhillers and some still are downhillers, and events like the Strathpuffer have been won by teams consisting of downhillers.

I am a mountain biker... no need to be pigeon holed here. :o)
I can ride Fort Bill and 15 miles XC no probs.

cyfa89 (Oct 4, 2011 at 11:06)

Betsie - it isnt often like that, many people view DH as the only decent discipline.

betsie Plus (Oct 4, 2011 at 14:40)

We are lucky up here that pigeon holing is not that common, more common amongst the older riders TBH.
I am not considered an XC rider by people my age, even though I ride lots of XC, just because I race Dh.

silasfg (Oct 10, 2011 at 11:58)

ride what you have

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+ 23

bigbluebike (Sep 25, 2011 at 10:15)

going to go out on a wing and say POD.

gtaggresser (Sep 25, 2011 at 10:15)

SAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jack-sprogis (Sep 25, 2011 at 10:16)

agreed!!!!!

jakemonk (Sep 25, 2011 at 10:26)

POd 8?

Oscarmonk (Sep 25, 2011 at 10:33)

POD gotta be
yey ruari, your using clips!! Big Grin

sessionman123abc (Sep 25, 2011 at 10:53)

MOBBERRR

Rattsl (Sep 26, 2011 at 0:01)

Very sick indeed.

guy38 (Sep 26, 2011 at 0:25)

how could he come out of it?

dragan-diogoboaventura (Sep 26, 2011 at 4:20)

XC ?! hihihihihi

POD 4 sure tup

Digax94 (Sep 26, 2011 at 5:27)

that's what we call a caterpillar

RideFree420 (Sep 26, 2011 at 10:18)

just about to clip the bar-end, didnt know it was possible to get that low in a corner

Digax94 (Sep 26, 2011 at 12:59)

i would like to see that on a vid

bxxer-rider (Sep 26, 2011 at 13:01)

now thats how to ride xc!

el-nombre (Sep 26, 2011 at 13:34)

Is this the same guy that was in another super low cornering shot on a previous pod? Not hating, just wondered if it was.

RaleighVoid (Sep 26, 2011 at 14:26)

yes it is. famous Ruari.

bikerofestacada (Nov 2, 2011 at 16:59)

no pads no fullface no biggie

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+ 20

lardie08 (Sep 26, 2011 at 0:04)

i wonder if he actually came out of it

dirtworks911 (Sep 26, 2011 at 7:32)

I need a video for that claim... ^^^

MattCollettPhoto (Sep 26, 2011 at 8:58)

Yeah it does look pretty low! Fair play if he does

lane-babcock (Sep 26, 2011 at 9:03)

just look at his eyes he looks like hes about to eat it

Rob-Chapman (Sep 26, 2011 at 9:26)

I really doubt he did... But if he did ride it out props to him tup

payton4specialized (Sep 26, 2011 at 17:09)

hell yeah i wish i could ride berms being parallel to the ground!

MattCollettPhoto (Sep 28, 2011 at 7:05)

You can picture it, his bar is a 1/2 second away from digging into the dirt and spitting him off!

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johncolthorpe (Sep 26, 2011 at 0:28)

Just saw this pic come up on my Facebook feed from VitalMTB and I thought this will probably get POD on Pinkbike soon, I then jump over to Pinkbike and BOOM it's POD. Can I see the future?

+ 33

JT252 (Sep 26, 2011 at 4:28)

No but Vital MTB can

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omnomnom (Sep 25, 2011 at 10:28)

holy crap. i thought i was cool...

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gtaggresser (Sep 25, 2011 at 10:30)

the face says it all.....total commitment!

cglasford (Sep 26, 2011 at 5:14)

same thing I was thinking! wow! complete trust of his bike, tires and skills!

[Reply]

oliverbunno (Sep 26, 2011 at 0:21)

how long can you go , can you go down low, all the way to the flow , sick!

[Reply]

NailTheTrail (Sep 26, 2011 at 6:01)

That's got to be a woman surely?!

[Reply]

rafa95 (Sep 26, 2011 at 10:36)

i think he was falling at that moment ! look at the front wheel... and his right hand...
just my opinion...

[Reply]

coleski911 (Sep 26, 2011 at 13:22)

"hmm, I wonder how close I can get my face to the ground without tasting it?"

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njdfan101 (Sep 26, 2011 at 1:16)

The bland area would make him look really cool and stand out if he were wearing brighter colours. Nice pic anyways!!! Smile

[Reply]

peesh (Oct 10, 2011 at 0:13)

That's a stretch to say this has good composition. The colors are dull and the photo is overall pretty grainy. Needless to say this is POD worthy for how hard he's railing though!

[Reply]

daraxc22 (Sep 26, 2011 at 8:48)

woah theres actually dust in this picture and its in england... rare pic

[Reply]

crazygeorge (Sep 25, 2011 at 10:16)

That is unbelievably pinned. Great photography too Dunc...

[Reply]

kamikazec55 (Sep 26, 2011 at 7:20)

Why can my xc be like that? I would start ridding xc again!

[Reply]

rbee1982 (Sep 26, 2011 at 6:32)

Odd... are many people riding with the brakes reversed like this? (right lever = front brake)

pollocks (Sep 26, 2011 at 6:49)

That's the way uk brakes are setup I only know of a coue of uk riders that have them the other way around

kovaldesign (Sep 26, 2011 at 6:55)

Typical UK setup, make sense as it is the same way as on the motorbikes, however I find it strange too on the pushbikes. Most of the Europe rides with the left=front setup.

+ 16

hillatoppa (Sep 26, 2011 at 8:35)

Reversed...? You mean the right way. Not everything is like it is in America dude Wink

IanHylands Mod Plus (Sep 26, 2011 at 9:02)

Exactly, in North America for some reason we reversed the brakes on our bicycles....

emotion-captured (Sep 26, 2011 at 15:48)

good to see that you know youre wrong then

sdalsorts (Sep 26, 2011 at 15:51)

right or wrong, at the end of the day its just personal preferance Smile

justincs (Sep 26, 2011 at 15:56)

is the rear shifter on the right or left????

potatoracing2 (Sep 26, 2011 at 17:48)

good question!
i was thinking the same thing

kovaldesign (Sep 27, 2011 at 3:31)

c'mon guys!! that's a silly question. Stop thinking too much Smile

pollocks (Sep 27, 2011 at 9:24)

i can see why you would want the shifter on the opposite side to the front brake personally but as said i'd rather not get on a motorbike and have it the opposite way round again

suicycler (Oct 10, 2011 at 14:42)

Could be just personal preference, i live un canada and ride with the front on the right, mind you i was born in england.

[Reply]

psychonabike (Sep 26, 2011 at 14:35)

After riding the burm like that i bet it ceases to exist, nevertheless f*ckin quality picture... Big Grin

[Reply]

SatanHimself (Oct 30, 2011 at 14:52)

WOO thats some sick XC riding Smile

You should mount a little wheel on your bar end dude!!

[Reply]

Franco76 (Apr 24, 2012 at 8:03)

GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO incre'ble, saldrá de este peralte pedaleando o quedara en el piso???

[Reply]

Schissler (Sep 26, 2011 at 15:29)

There are so many people with $4000 DH rigs that are mad right now...well done Ruari

[Reply]

JOZLEDEACHE (Sep 26, 2011 at 15:14)

do you have the picture on a little bigger size to use it as a wallpaper Big Grin

[Reply]

Schrell (Sep 26, 2011 at 14:35)

pretty sick
except it must have hurt when you crashed with no gloves on

[Reply]

brett878 Plus (Sep 26, 2011 at 14:26)

Haha wow pinkbike has this as there POD today and vital mtb has this as the daily shot.

[Reply]

GeeDempo (Sep 26, 2011 at 9:38)

SNAP!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=269247629771010&set=t.100002563485635&type=3&theater

[Reply]

vt6spd (Sep 26, 2011 at 3:01)

defying gravity and other laws of physics- this must be put on a resume. Smile

[Reply]

Psaras (Sep 26, 2011 at 4:49)

I smell a beautiful Crash!

[Reply]

TheDude123 (Sep 26, 2011 at 15:45)

how does he go that low on that berm?

[Reply]

samminett (Sep 26, 2011 at 0:00)

f*cking mean as pod friking sic as photo man good job

[Reply]

nhillerby (Sep 26, 2011 at 0:08)

id like to know if he actually pulled off that turn at such an angle

[Reply]

bobby12321 (Sep 26, 2011 at 13:16)

thats called getting low Wink

[Reply]

phil130792 (Sep 26, 2011 at 0:20)

f#ck sake Ruari 3 pods now, great picture and pinned as ever !

[Reply]

wildkard726 (Sep 26, 2011 at 16:29)

not a chance he got back up

[Reply]

Trekalways (Sep 26, 2011 at 18:00)

his brakes are set up MX style, that explains it all Wink

[Reply]

leggyrider (Nov 4, 2011 at 13:21)

i think he is too low to the ground Big Grin

[Reply]

unleash (Mar 18, 2012 at 14:52)

any riding on dirt is good, period .

[Reply]

malloj (Sep 25, 2011 at 10:30)

pinnnnnnneeeedddddd !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reply]

BlondeViking (Oct 29, 2011 at 1:10)

Now THAT is how you rail a berm

[Reply]

latuff (Oct 28, 2011 at 0:58)

That's how 2 ride a xc bike

[Reply]

two-tyred (Sep 26, 2011 at 18:24)

I did that today! uuunnnggghhh!

[Reply]

spudlord (Oct 25, 2011 at 11:53)

This is crap mate. I could do bettr.

[Reply]

webbrider12 (Sep 26, 2011 at 12:30)

soo badass!! makes me want to ride..

[Reply]

skylerjacobtrent (Sep 26, 2011 at 15:11)

its not a xc bike if it has saint brakes and a thru axel fork and belive me hes not wearing lycra. great photo!

[Reply]

crividh (Sep 26, 2011 at 4:44)

RockShox Sektor rules!!!!

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SLOTHFUL (Sep 26, 2011 at 4:36)

ciekawe czy była gleba ;D jak wychodził z bandy ...

[Reply]

davidcelis (Sep 26, 2011 at 6:16)

POD..... whats the bike ?? Mythic/banshee Rune ?????????

bigbluebike (Sep 26, 2011 at 6:27)

yep, correct.

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lance-armstrong (Sep 26, 2011 at 5:17)

how would he ride out of that

[Reply]

chrispaulcx Plus (Sep 26, 2011 at 7:59)

Definition of shred a trail ride!

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ROL-ANDO (Sep 26, 2011 at 11:12)

castigando la cleta vato...

shreding.....

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joel1000 (Sep 26, 2011 at 12:12)

single chainring on the front, not full on xc bike.

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Ogalosh (Sep 26, 2011 at 10:54)

Oh im sure he manged to right himself! Smile

[Reply]

jack-sprogis (Oct 12, 2011 at 1:49)

Voted

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olliy21 (Oct 11, 2011 at 11:10)

how do u get so low

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nickheaslett (Oct 1, 2011 at 14:50)

get loww!!!

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sittingduck (Sep 25, 2011 at 21:16)

Winner!

[Reply]

diogodavinha (Sep 26, 2011 at 6:09)

Intense!

[Reply]

WazkaMan (Nov 15, 2011 at 11:16)

nice !!

[Reply]

qwerty784 (Feb 25, 2012 at 12:34)

Skills

[Reply]

TONYCMBX (Sep 26, 2011 at 4:54)

29" bike, I likee!

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pokalface (Oct 1, 2011 at 2:49)

yeah that's POD!

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jonnyfreeride (Sep 25, 2011 at 10:30)

get low great shot

dirtworks911 (Sep 26, 2011 at 0:15) (Below Threshold) show comment

This guy needs a DH bike and a full face helmet.. Wink

dbodoggle (Sep 26, 2011 at 0:23)

at least theres all that nice hay/grass there for him to land in

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Mart1121 (Sep 26, 2011 at 6:10)

Boooom shash that turn!

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Jake-55 (Sep 26, 2011 at 20:38)

hardcore xc man

[Reply]

howshow (Sep 26, 2011 at 21:56)

How low can you go!

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doorknob100 (Sep 26, 2011 at 0:36)

Holy men, pinned!!

[Reply]

davio615xx (Sep 26, 2011 at 0:05)

Big time status!

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epavichthesavage (Sep 26, 2011 at 0:22)

if he's gonna pull that sh** at least wear the proper kit XD

[Reply]

tschmidt55 (Sep 26, 2011 at 19:41)

id say defying gravity!

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baboony (Sep 26, 2011 at 21:20)

yes

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Patrickol (Sep 26, 2011 at 12:30)

Pure awesomness Wink

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totalydutzi (Sep 26, 2011 at 20:14)

that is amazing !!!

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patryka (Sep 26, 2011 at 4:07)

I love to go there Smile

)))

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dingo-dave (Sep 26, 2011 at 7:21)

F@ckin eh!

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Below threshold threads are hidden

- 15

Cameron95 (Sep 26, 2011 at 7:54)

Would have been cooler if it were a DH bike..

+ 12

bmar (Sep 26, 2011 at 9:36)

What makes it cool is that it isn't a DH bike. It's inspirational.

angrynipples (Sep 26, 2011 at 13:27)

for real^ i just recently invested in a Salsa SS rigid 29er and it's been treating me great. Having a DH bike, AM/XC bike and now a rigid is so awesome. you really get to be one with the trail. then when I get on my 9"er I feel like I can really shred some gnar.

[Reply]

- 16

oreo1700 (Sep 26, 2011 at 4:30)

im sorry to say but i doubt he made it out of that burm. the right side of his handle bars is 2 inches from the dirt!

ruari-rhubarb (Sep 26, 2011 at 4:37)

That's no guarantee: http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/6136465/ Wink

- 14

oreo1700 (Sep 26, 2011 at 5:22) (Below Threshold) show comment

dude that guy doesnt make it either. his right foot is way off the pedal and at the angle hes going down fi sure.

bigbluebike (Sep 26, 2011 at 6:27)

he didn't got down there, I watched it as a bystander. Just because you can't get your bar on the floor doesnt mean other people can't....

albee10301 (Sep 26, 2011 at 7:19)

RUARI-RHUBARB ... you are a freakin BEAST !!! I just went and checked out the rest of your pics that DUNCANP has on you (AMAZING shots by the way duncan) and they just blew my mind !!! I can rip it up for the most part but i got NOTHING on that, you definitely got the skills to pay the bills !!! BIG PROPS to you my man, keep it pinned !!!

albee10301 (Sep 26, 2011 at 7:40)

OREO1700 - uhhhhhhhh, i hate to tell you this but thats the same guy in both pics !!! Foot way out front off the pedal is how i would slash a berm getting that low, MOTO STYLE !!! Check out the rest of his pics, I may not have been a bystander like BIGBLUE but he owned that corner ... like several others apparently !!! Don't be hating cause you cant get low, get low !!!

bigbluebike (Sep 26, 2011 at 7:42)

haha, don't boost his ego too much!

albee10301 (Sep 26, 2011 at 7:45)

haha - LMFAO !!!

dirtworks911 (Sep 26, 2011 at 11:13)

This can all be settled by one persons statement...

DUNCANP: Did this guy ride out of this corner or not?

duncanp (Sep 26, 2011 at 11:16)

I'll post up the next shot in the sequence tomorrow morning haha.. i enjoy listening to all the theories.

dirtworks911 (Sep 26, 2011 at 11:25)

Hahaha thanks! We should should place bets on it. I bet $500 Pinkbike bucks that he didn't (At least with both feet on the pedals.)

angrynipples (Sep 26, 2011 at 13:37)

^^ they're from the UK buddy...

[Reply]

- 13

the-lorax (Sep 26, 2011 at 0:14)

video/pic sequence or he didn't ride out. sick piccture either way.

angrynipples (Sep 26, 2011 at 13:25)

to see is not to believe, artard.

the-lorax (Oct 6, 2011 at 12:17)

lol, did you stop to think that maybe i just wanted to see the video?

jaybird951 (Nov 10, 2011 at 8:19)

photoslapped...(photoshopped)

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