Bearclaw Invitational 2011 - Rider Impressions

Aug 5, 2011
by Julian Coffey  
Bearclaw Invitational 2011 - Rider Impressions

by MikeZinger
Views: 16,976    Faves: 96    Comments: 7


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Member since Aug 9, 2010
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82 Comments
  • 15 3
 For some reason I just think this course has Semenuk written all over it, big, technical and with 2 huge booters at the end. Quality course, should see some great runs.
  • 23 3
 what slopestyle course doesnt have semenuk written all over it? The guy just kills it
  • 5 0
 Even the riders are scared, that course is awesome!
  • 9 11
 Pilgrim written all over it
  • 3 1
 LOL! ^
  • 1 2
 You will see, its not all about semenuk you know? didnt you see the fmb world tour ranking's?
  • 5 0
 didnt u see pilgrim at crankworx? u cant ride a hartail on a such a big course
  • 3 3
 Yeah i did see him at crankworx colorado...i do remember him comming 3rd am i right? oh and the only one to flip up the step up step down. riding a hardtail. and my opinion having a better run than semenuk..
  • 1 0
 Good for you.

Cworx colorado = bmx jumps.
  • 1 7
flag flipside (Aug 5, 2011 at 16:00) (Below Threshold)
 Last time i saw bmx jumps they didnt have wooden features and drops?
  • 9 0
 yo flipside
when greg watts, the trick robot, says
"its gonna be a little weird to trick"
you know the course is oriented for well rounded big mtn riders
pilgrim throws down, but this is NOT his speciality.
anything could hapeen though.
  • 1 2
 I noticed you completely changed your comment and overwrote it from the previous written one and done some research on the what the rider's think.

But the course it basically big dirt jump's from hips to quarter pipe's, what makes you think you would need to be a big mountain rider to accomplish a good run on that, with out the technical ability alot of non big moutain riders have?
  • 4 0
 How about we just stop arguing?
  • 1 11
flag flipside (Aug 5, 2011 at 16:29) (Below Threshold)
 Oh i wouldn't call this arguing, i was just stating my point.
  • 1 0
 look closer, and though the course DOES include many dirt jump style-rythm pieces, each rider says that it requires that exact "technical ability," possed by big mountain riders, to piece the course together. from my perspective, the bigger the stuff the more akward sam looks on his bike. this would explain his success on smaller courses like colorado.
since when has sam preformed on par with the likes of claw and semmenuk on the big AND tech stuff?
  • 1 0
 Wasn't totally directed at you, but aiight.
  • 2 0
 we are voicing our opinions intelligently, we are much better than the typical pb arguement.
  • 1 1
 How would you know if pilgrim looks awkward on big stuff or not? he got a flatty twice doing a 360 of a drop at crankworx on a hardtail. he did not get a chance to show his ability
  • 1 0
 because i happen to like his riding, and watch as much vid of him as possible. crankworx a bummer, no conclusion can be made based on that.
  • 1 0
 all im saying is this course favors the most well rounded riders, from dj style stuff to rampage. pilgrims riding is best towards the dj end of that spectrum. catch ya all later, enjoy the comp.
  • 2 0
 I think it's fair to say that pilgrim is more of Dirt Jump rider than a slopestyle rider, and that will be a lot to do with being British, because we simply don't have slopestyle here. But because this isn't what he normally rides doesn't mean he can't get a good run down, he'll be getting used to slopestyle courses and he might surprise you all yet, like he surprised people at Colorado . He's got a big bag of tricks and can put some big stuff down which is reflected in his previous success at many events. He's a threat for sure.
  • 1 0
 U can ride a course bigger than 2011 Whistler C-Worx on a hard tail. Mike rode one last year ( monster drop )... Some of it is the frame brands telling them to ride slope bikes for marketing.
  • 1 0
 This course is quite tech though, I'd deffinately ride a slope bike for it because casing on a hardtail would ruin your run, but on a slope bike you would still be able to maintain more speed. Even Granieri is gonna ride his slope bike instead of the hardtail he used in Whistler.
  • 1 0
 Oh i just checked the qualifying, looks like pilgrim came 2nd. what was that i heard you say you have to be a big mountain rider and have a slopestyle bike to ride this course?
  • 1 0
 just saw he had a slopestyle bike now,pretty good for a non big mountain rider i would say though. i reckon semenuk will take the win!
  • 1 0
 Sam will be on his NS soda. I also thin semenuk has this in the bag.
  • 8 0
 Tons of people were complaining that his runs at Whistler Krankworx / Red Bull Joyride were "boring". However, I'd like to think that myself, and a few others actually know better, and this proves it. Darren is THE MAN, and in my mind, he will still be the man long after he stops riding.
  • 9 0
 I know! crazy that people were complaining. Claw had JUST recovered from breaking his back for gawds sake. Darren is one of the most hardworking pros out there.
  • 6 0
 Darren has broke his back, he has got sick in pneumonia, been to competitions and building his own course during this time. No wonder he didnt want to risk his life during his run at joyride. Kids need to read more before they speak about his run!
  • 2 0
 Hell yeah! The man knows how to put on a freeride show
  • 1 0
 Darren epitomizes the 'go big or go home' attitude which is awesome. Eventually, MTB is going to run out of tricks. And when that happens, the only thing you can do is make the booters god dam humongous. Which I think is more progressive, like Rampage last year, Zink's 360 off the drop, that is insane. And at the next rampage, hopefully instead of 70ft, it'll be 90ft, and he'll do it again!
  • 1 0
 MTB will never run out of tricks! Big Grin
  • 9 0
 such a rad and gnarly course, this is how all slope styles should be!!!!!!!!!
  • 13 0
 The skinny part would scare the shit out of me
  • 1 1
 Man, that's the best part!
So what you can throw tricks all day, do you have the balance and finite muscle control needed for Woodlot-style trellis skinnies?

[url]http://togood2die.pinkbike.com/album/Skillzville/[/url]

That.
  • 1 0
 I love our spot. May not be a mile in the air, but the technical difficulty is great... Glad to see Claw keepin' it real!
  • 1 0
 Is this gonna be webcast?
  • 1 0
 hopefully no riders do this

www.pinkbike.com/video/209089
  • 8 0
 Gah! Best event of the year and no live feed! WE NEED A LIVE FEED! Hell, I'd pay for it to see this one!
  • 7 0
 To whoever mixed this: FYI, Ryan's voice is 100% in the left audio channel during his intro. Otherwise good video.
  • 2 0
 briandiener I'd say the opposite. He does a great job on the interviews. He's calm, clear, informed and well prepared. Interviewing people, esspecially people that arent THAT used to being interviewed is a difficult thing and he does it very well.

Also who the f*ck wants a reporter thats trying to 'entertain'?? That would turn into that loud mouth brad ewan dude.
  • 2 0
 So looks like the overall rider consensus is that the course is awesome, I think they should let Darren build the Crankworks course.
  • 1 1
 PB: Your Impressions on the course?
Rider: "Er... tell my girlfriend I really loved her and my mom that I`m really sorry for having been a naughty child... and er.... who the f.... invited me to this event anyway?.... and can anyone tell me where the bleeding my life insurance policy is?".... "

Honest lads, some of the riders interviewed sounded like they weren´t that "stoked" on the course - I´d say rahter the were "weed" on the course and just couldn´t admit it in front of the camera.

Can you imagine some of them when the got the invite on the mail... they were trying to detete it when their girls came along and read the mail.... "what´s that honey? Oh they invited you to the Bearclaw event.... you ARE going, right? come on, say yes!!!, please" hahahahahaha
  • 2 0
 Stoked For this! Favorite Event in MTB by far! Anyone know where you can watch all this go down?
  • 5 0
 Mount Washington
  • 1 0
 HAHA! I wish i was there! Anywhere on the internet?
  • 3 0
 This looks so sick!! "OH YEAH!!!!"
  • 1 0
 i wanna see a top to bottom helmet cam run as soon as possible. looks like such a sick course
  • 9 0
 this soon enough? www.pinkbike.com/news/Bearclaw-Invitational-2011-Darrens-GoPro-Course-Preview.html
  • 4 0
 im an idiot. i went back to the home page, looked down a post or two, and was like "oh, there it is."
  • 1 0
 haha no worries. so much stuff flowing it's hard to keep up!
  • 1 0
 haha keep it coming
  • 2 0
 2:15: "OH YEAA!"
Big Grin

Looks sick!
  • 1 0
 f*ckkkk i cant make it this year Frown the course looks gnarlier than ever before.
  • 2 0
 there better be a live stream or im gunna cry
  • 2 0
 LIVE STREAMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 "I'm going to have fun on the course, cause it looks soooooo much fun".....-Yannick

Way to go bud!
  • 1 0
 Awesome video hearing all the impressions of the riders! I wish everyone a great ride! RidEOn!
  • 1 0
 messere is so lucky/deserving
  • 1 0
 i wanna see the photo in the thumbnail for the article!
  • 3 0
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/6952376
  • 1 0
 top man!
  • 1 0
 Rob warner beats all other mtb commentators hand down!
  • 2 0
 last clip... oh my fuckk
  • 1 0
 Oh my god, look how dump my hair is hahaha!!
  • 1 0
 Growing it or summit' like? haha
  • 1 0
 Gona be sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Great vid. Heading up there tomorroW!
  • 1 0
 CAM MCAUL what a legend, he's such a chilled guy.
  • 1 0
 Best course of the year. It is going to be great to watch.
  • 1 0
 that whip at the end was sick
  • 1 0
 i dont think ive ever seen sam pilgrim without a helmet on....
  • 1 0
 Is there any stream?
  • 1 0
 No stream?! :'(
  • 1 0
 ET phone home.....
  • 1 0
 stoked
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