Video: Loam Factory with Mike Hopkins

Sep 5, 2012
by Absolute Cinema  
Views: 200,457    Faves: 3,943    Comments: 158


Plans made on paper rarely see themselves realized in exact form. Sometimes, your final product is the result of a complete abandonment of initial expectations. Imagine our surprise when renowned freeride star Mike Hopkins turned out to be a wash on the streets…it was truly a disappointment. With hopes of a groundbreaking urban edit dashed, we made quick plans to redirect our focus into the forests of BC. Hopkins had sculpted a series of loam lines that promised to provide ample film content, so the cameras, cranes, and cables were hauled into the bush for a few days of abuse. We buried cameras, slung them from tree to tree, and let Mike run over them, all because he couldn’t manage a simple barspin on the streets. The things we do for visual gold…

Our time in Rossland was spent on some of the steepest, fastest forested lines we’d ever seen, hauling cables and waiting for light. We spent a week with Hopkins, a week that included some highlights, some lowlights, some crashes, some perfect moments, some rookie mistakes; we were in constant flux, from stoke to frustration. From the start we knew that the riding was going to be fast. Mike’s first run down the main line of loam was a treat to watch; he’s definitely at home on his big bike going mach speed. Interestingly enough, one of the scariest moments of the week was the mineshaft berm, the slowest of all the obstacles. Reviewing the footage, it’s one of those shots that doesn’t quite do the move justice. The corner didn’t line up well, and any fall would have required a seriously life saving retrieval. Hopkins’ only serious mishap came on a mellow berm in the forest, courtesy of an accidental bar-drag. Hitting the ground shoulder first, he let out a massive grunt and we were all certain our shoot was over. Luckily enough, after a day of rest and a nervous X-Ray, Hopkins was good to go and we were able to resume the filming. Possibly the scariest moment, though, was when Liam suffered a vicious spider bite on the trail, causing his ankle to swell to the size of a cantaloupe. Crutches and anti-biotics in tow, our second trip to the ER was in the books and we were once again shooting. Transient mountain bike encyclopedia Scott Secco also joined us on the shoot, providing the perfect mix of entertainment and stoke. Secco, it was a pleasure to have you around.

As soon as we wrapped shooting, earlier than expected because of skunky light and busy schedules, we all had to go our separate ways. Hopkins headed to Whistler, Secco went to Retallack to shoot (we’re still waiting for that BTS, Secco!!), and we headed home to get ready for Crankworx. The video we’ve created is a testament to the fact that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Consequently, Mike will likely not receive a hardtail from his bike sponsor next year, and he might have lost the respect of some adoring city slickers. In the meantime though, we hope the Loam Factory has left a few of you itching to ride your favourite “brown pow” lines.

Watch out Danny Mac
Hide your Everything...

Posted In:
Mike Hopkins


Author Info:
AbsoluteZero avatar

Member since Sep 3, 2012
15 articles

106 Comments
  • 63 1
 fuck yeah good to see some shit that isnt raped by slo-mo!
  • 1 2
 one:" there are tons of slo mo so you made me hate this video

two:" the video ended so short, not enough highlights, too much editing and the tree is cheesy.
]
expected more honestly
  • 53 0
 Boom...made my Wednesday morning...end of!
  • 42 0
 One minute of smiling and three and a half minutes of "hell yeah!" & "holy sh*t!"
  • 5 0
 Been getting stoked for this video ever since I saw the photos on his website. Dude shreds, one of my all time favorite riders for sure.
  • 27 0
 His style is like a f*cking fighter jet destroying everything in its path!!! I could watch this all day!
  • 12 2
 I call VOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 4 0
 that trail looked funking all time
  • 3 0
 Sick cable cam.
  • 23 2
 Can we give him a nick name Slider-sender? That guy has some disturbing style... he's like Senna on wet track, he just can't go straight, he drifts all over the place at full speed at full control. He is the rider most likely to invent a new component for mountain bikes - bar ends with rollers - for those who get extra low in corners!

R E S P E C T, more of this guy please!
  • 26 1
 agassiz spends the same amount of time sideways, they should make an edit together
  • 27 2
 Aggy, Hopkins and Matt Miles. Be a sick edit, all the them ride stupidly fast and so loose.
  • 10 1
 Dunno, stupid to arguee on that one, but to me Mike goes this aggro bit extra, Hopkins is a impersonation of sheer kinetic energy - I would not like to wake up as a side knobb on his tyre
  • 2 0
 Oh for sure. If I could ride like any one single person it would be him.
  • 2 1
 So... Much.. POW!
  • 2 1
 David McMillan with an edit aswel? haah thats what he reminded me of anyway.
  • 1 0
 -delete-
  • 1 0
 exactly why I like this guy. Fucking retards who ride bikes with nothing but speed. Oh don't forget he's the only dude that also made the freeride isn't dead thing
  • 12 1
 mmmm brown pow
  • 9 1
 This dude can freaking corner
  • 1 0
 i don't see why I can't do it with the same bike and trail. it's an attitude and execution thing, tell me any rider can't do it if they have the same kind of attitude --after all tell me what defines one's riding style?
  • 4 0
 wow.

laughed my butt off...

and then into one of the freshest edits i've seen in a long time. too many examples to sight them all... but the cut at 2:14 is beautiful. great work. great riding. thanks for the inspiration, and for seeing some things in some ways that they haven't been seen before.
  • 7 0
 Straight up shredding right there.
  • 4 0
 A true loamist , now i have to go ride! (and stay away from the ER) , although he need a tighter jeans to ride street!
  • 2 0
 Awesome short clip. There was some pretty big roost getting tossed up. He sure can corner. This makes me want to go build a trail like this and try my hardest to rip it up.
  • 4 0
 Great edit! WTF (what the freeride)
  • 4 0
 What did that log ever do to him?
  • 3 0
 I ride like that on my Aurum..........................................[wishes]. Awesome vid!
  • 4 0
 I'm digging the homage to Ryan Leech's segment in Roam in the beginning.
  • 2 0
 Hopkins has to be one of the most fast and technical freerider. It seems he would have a strong chance at being a top competitor if he raced. And that stump-bump... SICK!
  • 3 0
 well that was sicker than SARS
  • 3 0
 Someone tell me why he isnt racing world cups!! he is insane!!!!
  • 2 0
 Solid!!!! He made those loamy "S" turns look easier than skiing in pow.

Get to work on those bars spins though....
  • 2 0
 @Laurence-CE - not just the Wednesday - the whole week. Just awesome trail ripping.
  • 2 0
 when the song kicks in in the woods was top
  • 1 0
 seriously, can somebody tell me, who is so crazy and place the rails in the middle of the wood?
  • 2 0
 F*ck ya Hopkins!! Well done boys! The air @ 4:05 blows my mind.
  • 2 0
 Just want the vid not to end!
  • 1 0
 a whole lotta ÿes please"!! awesome vid, lots of effort paid off, well done boys!
  • 3 0
 Next VOD !!!
  • 2 0
 Damn, he destroyed that mountain. His skills are amazing.
  • 2 0
 Ryan Leech, Roam????? Sick edit.
  • 2 0
 Stick to the big bikeslol
  • 1 0
 holy tits, this is the most amazing video ever! does he race wc? if not, WHY? dang thats fast
  • 1 0
 kickin up dirt and spittin up rooster tails like hes on a moto. awesome video. just wow...
  • 1 0
 Was that bike on rails?? How the he'll dous he corner like that??
AWESOME!!!
  • 1 0
 Well, that made my morning! One of the best edits I have seen in a while, good job all that helped create it!
  • 2 0
 Stoked Hopkins can't ride a hardtail either. Haha
  • 2 1
 A winning combo: Hopkins and Matt Miles, on a trail built by the Coastal crew, filmed by Silvia...PLEASE DO THIS!!!
  • 1 0
 my days that was insane. the concept, riding and the shots were all second to none. amazing work.
  • 1 0
 Love watching Hopkins ride. His skill and style are unmatched by most in the MTB game!
  • 1 0
 godamm. that was great. everything. even the music. best i've seen in a while. thanks for posting.
  • 1 0
 mike found his sport! but it's not street riding Wink
  • 1 0
 wish I had loam in my area
  • 2 0
 awesome! VOD
  • 1 0
 Why would anyone take him off of that loam?! That was greatness.
  • 1 0
 Break out the thera-flu Mike Hopkins is SICK!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 moooooooow. berm destroyer 2:22"
  • 1 0
 Amazing... Any video with Hopkins in it does NOT dissapoint... Ever !
  • 1 0
 Digitalism makes the ride
  • 1 0
 3:58, I'm not sure even needs air in that rear tire...
  • 1 0
 Great edit, Sick concept, executed very well. Video of the DAY!
  • 1 0
 Now that is how you make a mountain bike video! Well done sirs.
  • 1 0
 wtf? O.o is there any better video than this O.o wtf??????
  • 1 0
 4:05.......... enough said.
  • 1 0
 Holy Shit! He's so fast it looks speeded up....
  • 1 0
 Dont even get me STARTED on his roost..
  • 1 0
 Needs more... Random nutcases.
  • 1 0
 what tires is he running?
  • 1 0
 damn (b)right, thats top notch! fo sure a nominee for VOY Wink
  • 1 0
 Quality riding, well shot edit. Definate VOD.
  • 1 0
 This video is seriously the best I've seen
  • 1 0
 camera man shows him up good.
  • 1 0
 SICK!!! love when he crushes the log with his back tire.
  • 1 0
 to much style in only one person
  • 1 0
 does anyone know what jersey that is???????? BTW sweet edit
  • 1 0
 I think this is my favorite bike video ever. Thanks for creating it!!
  • 1 0
 street.. LOL so gay. what an edit!!!
  • 1 0
 Video of the week right there.
  • 1 0
 FFFaaaarrrrrque................flicktastic
  • 2 1
 well he certain;y launched himself into that
  • 1 0
 my favorite edits always have MHs in them. mhopkins & mhunter
  • 1 0
 something to look forward to while getting home from school
  • 1 0
 Jahilarious, creative, daaaamn. Very nice guys
  • 1 0
 Solid video of the year candidate
  • 2 1
 Oh my gawd.
  • 1 0
 3:35 WTFFF the aim!Big Grin
  • 1 0
 awesome!
  • 1 0
 What a HERO
  • 2 1
 F**k yeah....
  • 1 2
 Sick riding, repetitive and stupid music. Sick riding more than makes up for it though
  • 2 1
 Boss Hogg.
  • 2 1
 VOD!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 2 1
 Stellar!
  • 1 0
 Fast as Fook!
  • 1 0
 erm, yeh... wow.
  • 1 0
 booyakasha!
  • 2 1
 LOVE
  • 3 4
 SICK ! Like a SILVIAFILMS .
  • 1 4
 Anyone know the song please?
  • 1 0
 Its listed on the end titles I think. Great video. Laughed out loud at the start. Inspired by the rest.
  • 1 13
flag rdeedubb (Sep 5, 2012 at 8:30) (Below Threshold)
 Ah, my bad, never have the patience to watch till the end haha. Yeah it was a top video!
  • 13 0
 Yet you have the patience to take the time to post a comment.
  • 2 2
 Yeah I know, weird ey! It's just the black screen, I just assume its done, unless the credits start instantly.
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