What Does Rampage Mean to the Longtime Builders? - Interview
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They are the first ones to show up and the last ones to leave. They know the terrain better than anyone else. They have spent more time on the mountain and they know how dangerous every little nook and cranny can be. They know how to survive out there; working in the heat for long hours. And they know how to build massive jumps, carve lines, and pack trannies. They are the Red Bull Rampage Build Crew.
A couple of them are past competitors (one was even on the podium at the very first Rampage back in 2001) and some of them travel the world building trails and pump tracks for the biggest and best mountain bike parks. When the weather threat pushed Finals to Friday, I found myself hanging out with the build crew at 'El Builder Rancho' with my spare time. After an impromptu celebration for the riders on Friday night, Saturday was a pretty interesting day at the ranch, no one did much of anything...all day. A couple of the guys drove to the site to make sure everything was okay, Adam laid on the couch, Robbie made a steak dinner, but overall it was a well deserved day off after weeks of toiling in the desert. I took this time to ask some questions that I thought would give some perspective to just who it is building these 75' canyon gaps and what they love about the greatest mountain bike show on earth.
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Age: 36
Hometown: Bracebridge, Ontario
Current: Whistler, British Columbia
What was the first year you attended/worked/rode at Rampage?
First year for me was 2008 working with Big Red Ted and Kenny Smith.
How many years have you been involved with building at Rampage?
I have been on the Rampage build crew every year since 2008. (6 years)
What is your favourite thing about building at Rampage?
Favourite thing is being part of the best mountain bike event on the planet.
What is your least favourite thing about building at Rampage?
Least favourite thing is building something that could seriously injure a rider or worse.
Do you feel that the 'diggers' that help out at Rampage is a good or bad thing? Has Rampage lost its raw big mountain feel?
The diggers are absolutely a good thing. They build this event more than we do. We'd be back in 2004 without them. If you think it's lost it's big mountain feel you've clearly never stood on the start deck.
Do you think there needs to be more or less pre-built features?
I think there is a good amount of pre-built features. If the next venue is bigger than the current one there may even be room for 1 or 2 more. Every rider that has won since '08 has ridden a pre-built feature.
Which rider do you feel had the most difficult line this year?
Nico Vink's line was pure insanity, but there are so many 'most difficult' lines.
Which rider were you most impressed with this year?
I'm impressed by so many riders there. I don't think I could pick one single person.
In your opinion who had the best run?
I think Brandon had the best run.
Final words, thoughts or comments?
I really hope this event continues. It is the best mountain bike event. Several things need to change for it to happen again, but they are all possible. I'm proud to be a part of it and hope to be there again.
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 Where old tools go to die - the Rampage tool graveyard. |
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Age: 48
Hometown: Auburn, California
Current: Nor Cal, above Sacramento
What was the first year you attended/worked/rode at Rampage?
The first year 2001. I attended and rode; placed 6th.
How many years have you been involved with building at Rampage?
I feel I've been helping build Rampage since the beginning (metaphorically), in the sense of verbal out reach to people, the videos that have come out, mag shots, etc. I feel everyone that has been involved has helped build Rampage in their own way along the way.
What is your favourite thing about building at Rampage?
Knowing that I have been selected to help build at an event that pushes new limits and progression to the next level.
What is your least favourite thing about building at Rampage?
For me, my least favourite part of Rampage is knowing that it's only for a few weeks.
Do you feel that the 'diggers' that help out at Rampage is a good or bad thing? Has Rampage lost its raw big mountain feel?
Riders having dig crews is good and bad. The positive: your friends are out there keeping you pumped and focused to ride, keeping your energy up to finish your line. I like seeing how creative some of the builders attack and achieve their visions. The negative: you start to see some lines become too overly buffed out and some of the raw or gnar goes away.This started as a big mountain event and needs to stay that way in some aspects.
Do you think there needs to be more or less pre-built features?
The pre-built features are now in places for access points within the course. If we didn't have them in place, riders would be [more] limited on their line choice.
Which rider do you feel had the most difficult line this year?
I can't just go with one; Nico Vink and Cam Zink. Must be the 'ink'.
Which rider were you most impressed with this year?
Probably Sam Reynolds, seems like he changed up his big mountain game this year. For his first year at Rampage he had a good showing.
In your opinion who had the best run?
I think this answer needs to refer to a judging questionnaire.
Final words, thoughts or comments?
I've been super lucky to have been involved with this thing we call Rampage, love seeing what it's done for our sport and all the friends I've made from something I really enjoy doing. Thanks to Todd Barber and RedBull for making this bad ass event happen.
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| Sunday was a big work day, tearing down jumps, crushing lips and dismantling features. Perfect day for a Rampage site BBQ! |
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| Bourdo working on his own special creation. |
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| Gourmet cuisine in the desert. Filet mignon topped with gorgonzola cheese and Sriracha sauce a la Bourdo. |
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Age: 37
Hometown: Hempstead, New York
Current: Lake Tahoe, California
What was the first year you attended/worked/rode at Rampage?
2004 was the first time I saw the glory of the Rampage site.
How many years have you been involved with building at Rampage?
2008 was the first year Todd got me a black wristband; I got to help Pondella hike camera gear around and help random riders dig. I've been involved with the official build crew since 2009.
What is your favourite thing about building at Rampage?
My favourite thing about building Rampage, among many, is working in relatively cooperative earth surrounded by mind-numbing grandeur.
What is your least favourite thing about building at Rampage?
Least favourite thing is watching people get owned on things you helped build. Luckily it is far and few between.
Do you feel that the 'diggers' that help out at Rampage is a good or bad thing? Has Rampage lost its raw big mountain feel?
The digger question is hard to answer, I think the riders should be more on their own to kick in lines between features we build.
Do you think there needs to be more or less pre-built features?
I think we need to build more. Three zones worth of equal scoring features with the riders choosing their own lines to link everything together.
Which rider do you feel had the most difficult line this year?
Zink had the most difficult line for sure, but that isn't the only criteria in this event.
Which rider were you most impressed with this year?
Andreu's line and run was the most impressive. Blowing shit up literally.
In your opinion who had the best run?
Andreu had the best run for sure.
Final words, thoughts or comments?
Rampage should always be held in the highest regards, and spoken about with accelerated heart rates. It has made so many riders careers and truly is the premier event to showcase the progression of the sport. There would be a hole in a lot of peoples lives without it. Hope the world is well.
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| Good-bye canyon gap take-off, see ya next year. |
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| A few days earlier this place was a zoo, today eerie silence... |
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Age: 34
Hometown: Nelson, British Columbia
Current: Nelson, British Columbia
What was the first year you attended/worked/rode at Rampage?
Rode in the first Rampage, it was an unknown event and I had no idea what I was in for, pretty much no one did, we were just figuring it out. Worked out though; I got 3rd place.
How many years have you been involved with building at Rampage?
Started officially building the first year of the Oakley sender, me and my brother Dennis built the tower.
What is your favourite thing about building at Rampage?
The best part of the build is just being out there with a good crew and makin' shit happen.
What is your least favourite thing about building at Rampage?
There's really no bad part for me.
Do you feel that the 'diggers' that help out at Rampage is a good or bad thing? Has Rampage lost its raw big mountain feel?
They are good and bad in my opinion, I just think that there are to many diggers and too much actual dig time. There are no raw lines anymore, it's all like packed wide trails. Lame!
Do you think there needs to be more or less pre-built features?
I think what were doing now is a good amount of features.
Which rider do you feel had the most difficult line this year?
Too many to name.
Which rider were you most impressed with this year?
Antoine Biset, he was definitely goin' for it.
In your opinion who had the best run?
So many close runs, it's crazy, I couldn't decide who should have first.
Final words, thoughts or comments?
If we lose this contest, big mountain comps will be done, there's nothing that matches it. It's all just slopestyle comps and big jump contests. Rampage is what mountain bikes are made for!
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| Late night bonfire shenanigans with Billinghurst and Bourdo. |
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Age: 33
Hometown: Northfield, New Hampshire (Highland MTB Park)
Current: Olympia, Washington
What was the first year you attended/worked/rode at Rampage?
I was asked to be a judge in 2012, that was my first year attending Rampage.
How many years have you been involved with building at Rampage?
I have been building for 2 years.
What is your favourite thing about building at Rampage?
One of my favourite parts about building Rampage has to be just being in the dessert day in and day out from long before the event until after everything is torn down and gone, the cycle is really cool. Also, building features and seeing what the best riders in the world can do on them is pretty special.
What is your least favourite thing about building at Rampage?
Watching crashes and tear down.
Do you feel that the 'diggers' that help out at Rampage is a good or bad thing? Has Rampage lost its raw big mountain feel?
I think that the diggers are paramount in the progression of Rampage and what the riders are able to create and ride in the time frame of the event.
Do you think there needs to be more or less pre-built features?
I think the few features spread out toward the bottom of the course works well. The features are designed and placed on the course to try and accommodate all of the athletes.
Which rider do you feel had the most difficult line this year?
I think Vink’s upper line was the most difficult I have ever seen and some may think that it wasn’t possible, but I think if he dialled in his landing a little more he could land it.
Which rider were you most impressed with this year?
I was impressed with the usual powerhouses, they all seemed to step up their lines and I thought the Rampage rookies rode really well too.
In your opinion who had the best run?
I am not sure who had the single best run, I feel like the top 6 all had winning runs but there has to be a 1st and a 6th.
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| What you do when you need to dispose of a bunch of wood? Burn it. |
MENTIONS: @Lunchboxlarry / @redbullbike
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Member since Apr 28, 2010
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Glad it's been put on and continues. Rampage has Inspired me as a rider and makes me realize it's not only possible, but normal riding.
Great to see people pushing limits.
He must hate everything he built for rampage then