Rampage: A First Time

This last year I had the opportunity to travel a bit more than 320 miles from my home in Northern Utah, to Virgin, Utah to watch one of the most progressive events in mountain biking. To a 15 year old amateur, who works in a bike shop and spends his time riding and building trails, this was the ultimate experience. I'd spent hours looking at photo's of Rampage and watching video's and now I could go and see the glory first hand. A 15 year old with 2 camera's.


Kyle in finals


The excitement in me was tremendous; I was pretty much hyperactive the majority of the car ride down, thinking of the amazing things I would see. Though full of anxiety and nerves that were prepared to be shattered I wanted more than anything to go. Even the night before I had trouble falling asleep (I didn't fall asleep till 2 A.M.) because I could not stop thinking. I'd only see these people I praised as professionals in video's and picture's, but to meet them in my mind was a whole new experience to anything else in my life.


Watts in qualifying


Mike right before his crash


Being in the parking area was even exciting, the atmosphere was just enhancing. As an amateur photography and rider, I was in heaven. After riding into the zone I looked around and saw line after line. All the features I seen and read about in second-hand information. All I could do was ramble on and on about everything I saw. As my dad and I climbed to look for the best spot to see all of the action, we saw a nice niche that seemed accessible and was a good place to see it all. After climbing up there we realized we would be perched next to judges. To hear them talk and make their judgement's was very insightful and yes to be a judge at an event like this is much harder than it seems.


Norb with his three. So sick and clean, one of my favorite moments of Rampage.


After the morning qualifying, we headed to the finish area to meet some of the riders. Getting down there I was extremely fidgety and would have to fiddle with something to keep myself in-check. The first "pro" I was able to talk to was Casey Groves. The only thing that came to mind was, "Is it windy up there?". Being the crazy nice guy Casey is, he answered all my questions and was completely happy to talk. After talking to some of the other riders I was shocked.


Cam McCaul had such a clean and stylish run.

Tyler McCaul on Friday.


After talking to Casey, the McCaul's, Brandon Semenuk and other "pro's", I had a revelation. They are normal people. It seems childish to think that they weren't but after looking up to them for years, one might not think so. They were all extremely nice and just normal people with incredible talent's. Everyone at the event was immensely nice and just happy to be there. At that point I realized how unique and great the mountain biking scene is. Unlike any other.