Teaser: Matt Hunter in Afghanistan - Dream Capture Ep. II

 I have huge respect for the other riders that hit huge jumps In Canada... But Hunter hits huge jumps in a country at war, balls off steel

 If there's one person who don't know there's a wheel size war ,it'd be him.

 i'm pretty sure that a Westerner on a 10,000$ mountain bike riding through a country and culture devastated by countless wars, is the icing atop the cake of conquest and colonialism. what's next, send the FMB boys into Syria, so they can dodge bullets and mortars while pulling sic flip double whips?

 @sicsoma,yeah that guys bike is worth more than most people there make in about 5 years of working their A**off! It is a slap in their face! Bring on the negative props but it's true!

 Sicsoma, I'm sure the locals would rather see a friendly Canadian Mountain biker/tourist enjoying their homeland in a non-destructive way over more foreign soldiers or Drones.
Come now.

 Agree with epavichthesavage. I've travelled in countries post-war and countries surrounded by war. A sign of good change in any post-war country is people coming to visit again. People are stoked to see someone willing to come and make a long journey to see their home. People are proud of their homes and where they live. I've been in a lot of countries where people around me are way poorer than I am. I've worked in these countries with people that make a lot less than me. Most people don't hate you for what you have. There are those that do, but they are no different than those that hate you for what you have here in North America. What they have to give you in friendship and simple gifts far exceed what can be bought. That value isn't so easily forgotten in those places. What you may as poor, some may see as people rich in the human fabric that pulled them through the shittiest living circumstances that only a war can bring. We're so "object" focused here in North America, as exemplified by the comments that "that dude has a $10, 000 bike amongst poor people." The reaction of people mostly will depend on how the "rich"outsider presents themselves to the locals. You act like a pompous rich North American, you get treated accordingly. From what most people can glean of Matt's personality from his videos, and interviews, that's unlikely the case.

 I have ridden in Afghanistan too Check out my pictures......http://www.pinkbike.com/u/moutnbiker/album/All/?page=2

 @ moutnbiker - awesome pics from Afghanistan! Love the combat gear in lieu of the standard Fox or TLD gear. Now there is a story!

 moutnbiker.......props to you for doing it in full combats and boots, I know how it is a different beast when riding in that gear. And it may not be the same WAddict, but Matt is riding through some mountain tracks not through the country. It is somewhat more dangerous to ride in the FOB where you are targeted and there is a strong military presence than to ride across a mountain pass, not that what Matt is doing isn't a serious threat to his own existance.

 Never did I say that it was the same. The little free time that I actually had then, thus was the only place I had to be able to ride a bike and have a little bit of fun.

 Deepintheforest has the gist of what we did in Afghanistan. It would be naive and ignorant to pretend that traveling to far places to ride doesn't have some self-serving purpose (ie, the thrill of adventure while railing remote singletrack), but for many riders, bikes are the ticket to not just adventure but to meeting people and trying to understand first hand what goes on in other corners of our world. It's about self-education and exchange. That's what keeps me, as a photographer, heading out and shooting trips like this one. People in such places don't share our obsession with property and consumer goods (perhaps because they don't have the privilege to do so), so our arrival in remote villages on this trip was met with smiles and a warm welcome. Giving locals -kids and adults alike- a chance to ride our bikes was just part of the positive experience -for both parties. We're not condescending. We're just people who ride and shoot bikes and like to do it in places that test us physically and mentally, while sharing experiences with locals. And this trip was one that did just that.. 3 weeks & 12 days riding over passes above 16,000ft. Look out for Anthill's films and the print stories to come soon!

 Haha . . . pretty eurocentric. Guess you can't blame the mountain biker for not being a scholar, at least not too much.

 pretty sure 99% of people dont know how AFG used to be before Russians ruined it... cant blame them, world media is kinda keeping it a secret for obvious reasons

 my mom does XD

 todesengel, please, don't forget about Operation Cyclone when USA supported afgan terrorists from 1979 to 1989 (more than thrillion $ supplies overall) during that war with Russia. Guess who ruined it? Both superpowers - USSR and USA.

 I wish people; me included, learned history as it actually happened rather than how our countries leaders want us to know it.

 Matt and the rest of the team are aware people have ridden bikes in Afghanistan. What he is referring to is mountain biking in the Wakhan Corridor beyond the end of the road. We rode a point to point single track route through the Big and Little Pamir regions of the Wakhan where definitely no bikes have ever been. Trip of a lifetime! looking forward to the full video coming out Aug 6!

 @todesengel how about you tell a story how Poland used to look like before Germany And Russia invaded it in 1939... What do you say?

 acutally @todesengel it wasn't the Russians who ruined it, it was Alexander the great who diverted all the rivers and caused the landscape to drastically change during his conquest... Add all the wars that followed and all the other key players who made it what it is today... the Persians, the Huns, the Brits, the Russians, the Taliban and now a multi-national Coaliation led by the US... all those years of fightings shaped the country and it's population... There is a National Park in the Bayman province a remnant of what the country once was...

 I mean't the Mongols not the Huns

 @ericls I think Polands downwards slide began way earlier as well.

 Yes but I guarantee you no one has hit jumps AS BIG in the afghan mountains before

 Pretty sure they werent talking about riding their 3rd world special to the next jihad. More like free riding down cliffs. How narrow minded....

 I'm sure he was referring to people going up to ride the trails, not if the sight of a bike would be completely alien. But I can see that being taken the wrong way.

 same here.. everytime I'd go out on couvoys I'd be scoping out lines and shit to hit, as if I could go back and do it...

 I did mountain bike at FOB MSG. then my Sergeant Major shitcanned all recreational sports what a party pooper!

 that's right, MSG did have a massive mountain in it... could have made all sorts of lines there.. too bad your Sgt-Maj didn't allow it...

 I seriously can't thank you guys enough.

 pretty amazing

 Man that dog's awesome... sorry Matt Hunter, got a lot of respect for that dude but man, that dog doing back flips and stuff was insane!!!!!!

 @cydaps... You need to be teaching Amber!! Ha ha

 Yeah, she's just not up for any kind of circus tricks, she loves her trail running and that's about it... generally she's lazy!

 Saying she's lazy makes me feel old- I bet she could get down any of the runs at Swinley quicker than I could! Ha ha

 s'probably because he's a few hundred miles North of areas with any kind of Taliban influence.

 Thank you.

 Mines also take care of diarrhea problems as well...won't need the Pepto.

 By 'War' you mean the Invasion, Illegal occupation and Human Rights violations right?
'Murica!

 Not sure if serious or just stupid.

 Add1cted, fuck you, that is all.

 Murrikans be touchy.

 The terms of conflict may or may not be entirely just; but people are dying on both sides and that in itself is a tragedy. Hence the perceived touchiness; my lil' brother and I have both been on tours over there and while there are some bad things happening, there is good too i.e. providing water, food etc.

 add1cted.. pump the brakes buddy, our soilders are doing their job, most of them don't agree with our government's actions and would much rather be riding their bike or be home with their families, so don't start with that crap on here. Who know one day we may have to save your ass too.

 ... and the predilection for censorship comes out. People who don't approve of US foreign policy are now unwelcome. How democratic and open minded.

 you know add1cted, the country was already at war when the US invaded... they went in and helped the northern alliance topple the taliban regime... then the coalition showed up and stuck around to help the ANA and ANP take and keep control over everyting while they started to rebuild the infracstructure... You got to look beyond what you see on the tube... the news will never tell it all. We(the coalition) trained the ANA and ANP, our medics helped the local populace, our engineers help build schools and infrastructures. Our presence kept the talian away and ensured that the people could live their lives the way they did before they took over. Yes innocents died, but they were already dying because of the already on going war between Massoud and the Taliban,the repressive taliban regime, and things were way worst... The average afghanee is happy to be able to live his life freely and follow and adapt to the evolution of the world outside his country, unlike with the repressive stone-age taliban regime...

anyways, aren't we supposed to be talking about biking here???

 If you don't approve of US foreign policy why are you spouting off to a bunch of mtn bikers who don't necessarily approve either. Write letter to Congrees / President. It was low blow, like any of us here have any influence on our governments actions. I'm plenty open minded until I run into close minded people like add1cted

 man i didnt want a flame war lol. but anyway. just saying from what i know going mountain biking there just seem like a bad idea.

 denial is the tool of those who have no true position. look up the dictionary definition of imperialism and facism, and realize it is the backbone of US policy, and has been for decades. i'm american and i'm not arrogant or ignorant enough to deny that "my" country promotes the worst evil and violence on the planet, while claiming to be spreading "freedom".
BTW christian extremists have caused 1000 timers more torture and suffering on innocents than any muslim could ever hope for, for many more 100's of years running. try to deny that and point fingers

 well that's it... i'm outta here... I'll go ride my bike while you guys argue...

 Wow. Ok, then. Ever heard of toungue and cheek? Or are you blinded by your duty to defend your country at every turn.
Just to make it relevant then, I think it's pretty narrow narrow minded to look at Matt as some kick-ass explorer who is trail blazing in some forgotten country. Did he give back anything to the Afghan culture that cultivated this these trails over generations?, probably not, especially if it's Sony paying the dorrah for this trip.
No disprespect meant to the people of the US, just having a dig at the term 'War'.

 @ harriieee......Censorship and undemocratic? The pinkbike prop system is basically a voting system. That's about as democratic as it gets genius. Oh, I almost forgot... US foreign policy????? Your military is there too. ..https://www.gov.uk/uk-forces-operations-in-afghanistan...But please...don't let facts get in the way of your blind/ignorant hatred.

PS.. Thank you to all of you above who have served abroad. Your sacrifices do not go unappreciated. Please ignore the forum warrior f*ck heads who think they know something. If any of you are ever in NH... PM me I'll buy your day pass to Highland and a beer or two at the bar.

 He was saying that people who disagreed with US foreign policy were not welcome in the USA. That's censorship. You don't have much of a clue do you.

Also, you think that the fact that British troops are in Afghanistan means I support them? Oh, and the fact that I'm soon to start an MA in Middle Eastern studies and am learning Arabic and Persian probably means I know a bit more about the political and historical aspects of Asian politics than you.

 Oh, my mistake. You were arguing with a guy named "rickyretardo" and insinuating that his asinine comments in some way reflects US immigration policy? You REALLY have proven to be an intellectual giant. Whats even more pathetic is that you don't support your own troops. You're a sick, sad individual. But anyway, Congrats on almost starting your MA. While your at it maybe you should work on your self esteem so you don't feel the need to brag about something you haven't even completed to strangers on the internet. Oh, by the way I never mentioned Asian politics... So who doesn't have much of a clue?

PS... Rickyretardo. Stop being an idiot.

 only if you stop being an idiot too

 you're adorable.

 love you too

 you know I said it with love...

 To that dirty red coat.....I helped mitigate what Britain's 40 commando's did in sangin province. We succeeded in 4 months what took them four years to fail.....no surprise lol

 Hell yeah devil! Get em!

 Rah!