What happens when you put two of racings most uncompromising characters together away from the race course?
Fabien Barel and Sam Hill have always been racers who do things a little differently. They're both big game hunters, setting their sights each year on that most elusive of prizes - the World Championship title.
Competition like that builds two things - respect and curiosity. To win they each knew they had to give everything and some years it went one way, some it went the other, and the natural result of such competition is utter respect for the person who pushed your limits so far. Yet with that focus came isolation. In the high-pressure world of preparation, racing, then aftermath there is no time to pedal off into the woods.
Despite having raced like this against each other for nearly a decade, they had never just ridden bikes together; they had seen what the other could do on the clock, but never had the chance to follow their wheel.
So when Fabien headed down to the Southern Hemisphere to start filming the fourth season of his Fabien Barel Presents series, there was only one rider he wanted to join him...
| Sam and I have always been chasing for gold. For many years we were racing together with very tight times - Fort William, Les Gets, Livigno... There were only a few tenths of a second between each other and it was definitely very good racing. - Fabien Barel |
| I love all mountain, just going out on my trail bike and exploring new places. You put your hydropack on, take some snacks, and whether you're by yourself or with some friends just have a day on the bike. You have fun and an adventure, find new places and ride some fun trails. - Sam Hill |
MENTIONS @mavic @Canyon-PureCycling @ChainReactionCycles @urgebikeproducts @troyleedesigns
Which quote was it?
www.rootsandrain.com/compare.html?i=2940x11706
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-IPcVaif3Q
His fans are also unique, very absolute standpoints ''Sam is the best, period''.
Watch Nascar if you wanna, although I couldn't imagine why. Its basically just a load of cars turning left in single file.
(2002-2006, 2008 ). I don't think watching from home and cheering on a fave is anything but great for the sport (by way of numbers for redbull), regardless of what people say. The numbers are needed for redbull to feel they are getting $$ out of their investment, which allows me to watch the races at home, which would be financially impossible to do otherwise. I'm not sure where being a fan is a problem. Just enjoy the sport.
"because he's one of the greatest athletes in cycling, period''
''Thats the proper way to win a dh race.''
''Its basically just a load of cars turning left in single file.''
''No-one can touch him"
again, people dealing with absolutes and devaluating the rest, is like talking to a Real Madrid....Fanatic
I don't care for the drink itself, but if it means being able to enjoy the sport more, all the power to them.
Indeed the fans are amazing. I go to races quite often. I have never heard a single boo. I once had a crash in a race run cos one of the spectators said something so funny I lost my concentration. Not many sports you can say that about the fans.
@Narro2
Cheer up man.
@WAKIdesigns
As usual, what you say is mostly true. As usual, I assume you are only saying it to antagonize people
Carry on.
And Steve Peat IS a legend. He gave me a t-shirt once cos I fell off in front of him and ripped mine. Legend status achieved
I won't tell you anything. You're some angry dude, so why bother. I'll enjoy the sport I both worked and competed in (you did neither), and now spectate, and I will enjoy it. You can keep trolling. You are great at it. A legend here on PB.... for trolling.
Don't be so down on people being fans man. Yes it is not good to try and glean some vicarious glory by spouting off about how great so-and-so is and how you have been their fan longer than anyone else. But at the same time, respect is due to people who have achieved something I would very much like to achieve myself, but know I won't. There is nothing wrong with being a fan. Yes it is true that being a fan does not give you the right to mob pro's and demand their attention/autographs/infinite patience. But thats not being a fan, thats just being demanding and selfish.
I don't give a flying fk if DH is on Redbull TV, CNN, or nowhere. Keep up the good work with racing on high level
But hey, we both know you just wanted a 'fight' today (it is Tuesday after all). Too bad you picked one you both can't win and make zero sense on. Yes, you made no sense, because nothing you claim actually happened.
Keep up the good work with your doodles.
Ooh look, I just did a bracket within a bracket. Like Inception, but with fonts.
Commenting here displays a desire to be part of the group dynamic.
I don't know what group you would be in in Lord of the Flies, but right this minute, it seems you might be one of the guys taking the piss out of the fat kid, and we know where that led....
Being mean to people here is silly, and in the long run will affect no-one but yourself.
"Come on kids grab Grandpa so we can all watch together how Sam goes through those off camber turns"
sorry guys but I just don't see that happening, Happiness only when shared.
And speaking of hypothesizing things, @gabriel-mission9 good points. Although no worries on taking the piss, anyone with a good understanding of the English language knows nothing said was actually valid in this situation and is the usual *rant at things I just made up because I'm angry* diatribe. @WAKIdesigns cheer up bro. Kids grow up and you'll need to teach them understanding. Start here.
NOT REALLY
was reading the comments for some usual pinkbike stuff
and this guys/girls just ruined the stoked level I had.
It's a good thing i only need to watch the video again to get me through till the weekend
and wash away all that bad vibes
and Mike Jones is one lucky Kid, probably why he was so fast at Lourdes.
youtu.be/5DHIqUkmj-o
A lot of people can tell you why Sam is one of the greatest of all time. Rob Warner who knows a thing or two about the sport summed it up with a few statements over the years:
"For a lot of people Sam hill is downhill, rides fast and loose and on flat pedals" (2014 uci commentary)
"Not maybe the most consistent, but for all out speed . . . there's never been anyone like him" (3 minute gaps)
"I have never seen anyone, since or before, ride a mountain bike like that "(won't back down movie regarding sam's race run in val di sole)
Regarding his supposed lack of personality, that's the least of our concerns. His riding does the talking for him.
I'm a Hill fan obviously but I respect all the other riders and I think the same goes for other Sam Hill fans. I don't think there are a lot of blind fanatics as you implied.
Cheer up my friend.
anyway I didnt mean to sound so whiny. If it sounded like that my bad.
I'll cheer up
On the topic of Aaron Gwin and the championship
Chuck this a read!
I say that as someone who thinks Gwin is in the running for greatest ever. But the stats dont back you up.
On that note, there is possibly nothing better than a full english breakfast. 3 different types of pork in one meal, plus eggs. + beans and fried tomato if you wanna go all healthy on us. :p
mmmmmmmmm
Obviously followed by a pint of tea and a few bits of toast.
lovely
Sounds more like a "full californian"
Never heard of vitamin green either. Or is that just slang for another californian "speciality"?
Does sound a bit like the lunch I just ate tho. Half an avocado, spinach leaves, handfull of rasberries, handfull of prawns, lambs lettuce, raw broccoli, a few chopped tomatos, and a few cashews (hand smashed, more to make me feel a little more manly about eating a big salad than anything)
Plus an excessive amount of olive oil and vinegar.
It was actually f*cking delicious.
In other news, I got mild sunburn yesterday. In April. In the UK! I also fell in a patch of stinging nettles. I think this particularily lovely breed of plant is fairly well confined to the UK. I recommend all johnny foreigners come over here at least once in their life and experience "falling over in a patch of nettles whilst slightly tipsy" Not something you'll forget in a hurry.
I thought I had some sort of special English super powers or something.
Stephen King once wiped with poison ivy as a kid. He had a bad time. Turns out you can't understand the true depths of horror until your anus feels like a cat carrying a cactus tried to tear its way out of you.
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