Video: Buffalo Soldiers - Episode 2
Episode 2 - “In the footprints of the Buffalo Soldiers”
After arriving in Colorado, René Wildhaber hits the trails between Silvertone and Grand Junction together with the local bike pro Ross Schnell. They check out the various terrains of the region. Although they are riding modern day bikes, they are reminiscing the old bufalo soldiers days by camping out in the wild – including sitting by the fire at night and eating dinner out of tin cans. The night out in the open is the beginning of their transition: The next morning, the two head out wearing stylish old attire and riding the ancient bikes of the old days. It’s a shaky ride – they get an impression of what it must have been like back when those mountain bike pioneers rode on their journeys full of deprivation.
Check out past episodes here:
René Wildhaber reveals the roots of the Buffalo Soldiers project, recounting the moments in his uncle's house in the Swiss mountains when he first read about these original mountain bikers who adapted their bikes for off-road use.
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12 Comments
- 8 0
taletotell
(Mar 20, 2013 at 7:23)
Feels really weird having this white European and his mustachioed side kick reenacting the hardship of the buffalo soldiers. These guys worked under a government that treated them terrible, for a country that treated them worse. Yeah they used bikes off road, but that doesn't seem like it was the greatest hardship. Something about this just feels off putting. I'm not saying they are doing anything wrong. I know they aren't claiming to understand the social hardships of the Buffalo Soldiers, but rather appreciating the roots of mtb, but still it makes me uneasy, like when Fred Astaire painted his face black and danced in honor of Bojangles.
- 4 1
Warnerja27
(Mar 20, 2013 at 10:55)
I feel ya!!!..... Its rare when I see another black person on the trail(or person of any color) It'd be great to see it more diverse. More ppl of color and more female. But I think it's getting better.
- 5 0
Ynotgorilla
FL (Mar 20, 2013 at 3:59)
There`s a discerning lack of coloured people in the MTB scene. Where`s the real buffalo soldiers? Are we discriminators?
- 1 0
Eddietwotoasts
(Mar 20, 2013 at 5:15)
Same in rock climbing, don't know why but it's a fact. Discrimination? I don't think show.
- 2 1
yeahbro
(Mar 20, 2013 at 8:12)
What about Elliot Jackson?
- 1 0
BaronVonSchwinn
(Mar 21, 2013 at 2:06)
Give it time and don't complain. Lots of sports have a public image that seems exclusive and elitist. This makes whatever activity (football, golf, etc.) that is closer to home, more appealing because one's friends are involved. If we tell the world that our sport lacks diversity, rather than just telling them we are welcoming community, then people will continue to believe that our sport lacks diversity. Skateboarding used to be thought of in the way MTB is perceived now (except for age range). That sport's own practicioners showed how they were part of a larger urban culture, and everyone saw that they could join in the fun. It wasn't complaining that brought about the change.
- 1 0
dhdemars
(Mar 25, 2013 at 14:01)
I once saw a black dude downhilling
- 1 0
Eddietwotoasts
(Apr 5, 2013 at 4:10)
Yeah true, Elliot Jackson.
- 1 0
chumpjumper
(Mar 20, 2013 at 13:48)
That was crazy I was watching and was like damn that looked like free lunch trail then damn that looks like the lemonsqueezer then zippity and it actually was lol!
- 1 0
ToddMtb
(Mar 20, 2013 at 2:27)
Imagine if the pioneers had set-up 'Rampage'......what would that have been like??
- 1 0
clemson
(Mar 20, 2013 at 0:25)
nice. great scenery and nice story book
- 1 0
Jota-Torres
(Mar 20, 2013 at 6:44)
hehe really nice video... lot of fun there !
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