Red Bull Rampage with Long Nguyen

Jan 7, 2013
by Long Nguyen  
Rampage; probably the gnarliest mountain bike event ever. For us gravity riders who are familiar with the sport, we know that it takes a special breed of riders to ride it, and we know what it means to be a part of Rampage.

Rampage is an event that I look forward to. I may not be a rider, but there is something about the desert, the heat, dust, equipment getting destroyed, and scenery that always puts a smile on my face. Call me crazy, but I think it’s being able to personally witness the sport reach new levels, and also capture images while doing it.

Luckily, this past Rampage was my third attendance (at the new site). That may not be much compared to others, but more than most. I first witnessed Rampage in 2008 when Red Bull brought the event back. I worked as a bike herder. Personally, I was terrified when pushing the bikes up the hill. There were cliffs on both sides of me, and getting out of the way when riders came down made it even more interesting. When I had the opportunity, I would take photos in between lugging bikes. Thanks to my friends at Red Bull, I was allowed to take photos on show day. After leaving Rampage with a 12 hour drive back to Albuquerque, tired as hell, camera covered in dust, I told myself I would try to make it back every time.

Four years later, I was on a flight bound for Las Vegas, NV, then a 2 ½ hour drive to Hurricane, UT to meet up with Brendan Howey, Brett Rheeder, Mike Zinger & Ace Hayden. I was as anxious as ever to return to Virgin, UT. Mainly to see what lines riders have came up with. Rampage in 2010 was pretty crazy, with Cam Zink’s 360 off the drop, and I didn’t know what to expect for 2012.

When I arrived at the site, I worked my way up the hill. I was blown away by what the riders had come up with. In 2008, riders were pumped to make it down the mountain. For 2012, Rampage was on a whole new level compared to previous years. It was crazy to see how much hard work everyone was putting in the lines, and the mass crews that were making it happen.

2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
  Katie Holden was lending a hand to anyone who needed it

If you ever have the chance to make it, do it. Personally, I feel that film and photos never seem to do Rampage justice. It’s crazy to be there in person and really take in what these riders are doing. It is also cool to see what the media and logistic guys have to go through. You have the Freeride Entertainment guys running around with heavy gear on their heads all day long, photographers in random locations hoping there isn’t a rattlesnake next to them, some people (Stan Evans) rappelling down to get a new unique shot, or me tumbling down the hill in an attempt to scramble to my spot. It really makes everything unique.

2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
  Brandon Semenuk's crew (Logan Peat, Intern, Kyle Jameson, Ryan Howard, COB) hard at work to get his gnarly transfer line completed.

I’ll stop my rambling as everyone surely has seen the footage and images. I thought I would share my images and rider quotes from Red Bull Rampage and hope you all enjoy them. See you guys this year in Virgin, Utah.

2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
  The Utah desert took a toll on everyone's camera and video equipment.

2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography

bigquotesYeah, I liked that jump a lot, with a big boosty tall wood lip, you can just sit back behind your rear end and go to the moon! I love jumps like that. - Brendan Howey

2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
  The riders enjoyed whipping it out before making their way to the top for some practice. It was a good way to warm up for some of the riders.

2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
  Rampage was a new experience for Martin, he knew how to whip it out.

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2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
   Unfortunately, there is always a little bit of carnage at Rampage. It comes with the territory and shows that the riders are pushing the limits. Mike Hopkins sent a gnarly step down, but had some unfortunate luck. I was glad to see him walk away from this crash.

2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
   Most of us have seen the photos and footage of Zink going down. Glad to see him come out of there with nothing to major.

2012 Photo of the Year Contest Submission Photo Credit Long Nguyen Photography
  The Claw himself boosting the quarter for some GoPro footage

2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
  It's one thing to build your line and it's another to guinea pig it. Something all the riders had to do. I would say it is a bit stressful to build your line and hope that it works.

bigquotesThis step-down wasn't the biggest thing on my line, but it had a super short landing which meant I had to hit it right the first time or else it was gonna hurt. This was on the last day of practice, the night before finals, and I knew that if I cased it or landed flat then I'd potentially injure myself and not be able to ride the contest the next day. The landing was blind and not very wide, so I had a friend stand on the left corner of it so I could hopefully see him as I was coming in and know where the landing was. I probably took about 10 to 15 run-ins, which is a lot, but it was the last piece of my line that I had to hit in order to link it all together and I didn't wanna screw it up. When I finally hit it I landed about an inch or two down from the top, right where I wanted to be, and it felt damn good. - Tyler McCaul

2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
  Qualifying was nuts with with everyone sending it. We all knew that Finals were going to be even more wild.

2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
  The morning of finals was quieter than others. Everyone was nervous and the pressure was on to perform. Martin Soderstrom getting his game face on.

2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
  Even though the Canyon Gap has been around for a few Rampages, it never gets old. Cam McCaul sending it.

2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
  Kyle Norbraten had a crazy line with two 360's off a drop in his run. Hats off to him. He made it look too easy.

bigquotesThe idea of trying to spin a drop at Rampage was one of my goals going into the event. The idea of spinning two drops came after I qualified for finals and I knew I had to step it up. The set up for my second 3 drop was a hipped landing to the right, so I had to spin almost 450 to stick the landing smooth. I ran the motions through my head all night before finals and felt super confident. I figured, if I eat shit or stick it, it's still going to be memorable. Fortunately I stuck it in both my runs, making for good memories and one of the best feelings I've experienced on a bike! - Kyle Norbraten

2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography
2012 Red Bull Rampage www.longnguyenphotography.com https www.facebook.com LongNguyenPhotography ref hl Copyright Long Nguyen Photography

Check out more work on my website. New website launching soon.

Author Info:
longnguyen avatar

Member since Feb 10, 2003
75 articles

41 Comments
  • 188 7
 Just so nobody forgets..... NORBS GOT ROBBED!!!!
  • 16 2
 although the rampage was 2 months ago, still i think who the run of norbraten deserved a major score
  • 12 2
 As soon as i saw this on the homepage i hoped for this post to be here. Thank you sir.
  • 13 9
 Pilgrim got robbed!!!
  • 31 1
 yeah by some poorly made halo wheels.
  • 14 2
 We'll be reminding it till the judges officially admit that they robbed Norbs ! Big Grin
  • 7 2
 Great article and pics! Def reminds me that Norbs got robbed. Aaaaaand another thing: The TV coverage, although giving our sport great exposure, had probably the worst announcing/commentating I have ever seen for an event like that. Sal even looked like a dude they dragged in from the crowd. Apparently 'mericans think that if they throw a dude with an accent on TV it makes it cool. Don't wanna be a Debbie Downer, but nope.
  • 8 2
 I think cam McCaul got robbed as much or more than norbs.
  • 7 0
 dig the shot of Sorge at the end enjoying the glory Wink
  • 2 0
 @vhp4315 I agree. Nice tv coverage and all that sh*t... but bad narration! Did any of you perceived that they shortened the polemic runs? Take Norbs for instance... they didn't show the whole run, only highlights and commentary saying things like: his line was not the best and bla bla bla...

lamentable!!
  • 1 0
 10-15 run in's! Heck!
  • 2 1
 Agreed
  • 3 0
 Referring to cam gettin robbed
  • 2 0
 Yup Cam got screwed bigtime too. I also agree w/robbienroll.
  • 13 1
 I really know what you mean when you say photos and videos never do justice to Rampage, and I haven't been to it, but extrapolating from what I've seen when I compare real stuff and videos, Rampage in person must be something completely out of this planet. I'm sure no words, photos, or videos can describe it.
  • 12 0
 Can't wait for the next Rampage!
  • 9 0
 Long is one of the top 3 mtb photographers out there, hands down ...
  • 5 1
 No giant man you are wrong!! It is mike in that picture it is a green and blue norco
  • 4 0
 I think giantman7 is on about the sequence thing which is gee
  • 2 0
 Some killer snaps - in a couple of them there seems to be a fair few people with their cams / gopros out. Is it a free for all or media only?
  • 3 0
 those people have permission to shoot. There is a hand full photographers but they travel world wide. You can't shoot anywhere unless you have the right credentials
  • 3 0
 Thanks for this pictures and emotions!
  • 3 0
 I never get tired of reading and looking at photos of rampage!
  • 2 0
 first time to me seeing Sorgey-man howling (in pics) .. Big Grin great job!! bring in 2013!
  • 2 0
 PAUSE AT FRAME 9!! He is waving goodbye to the contest and hello to the emergency helicopter.
  • 2 0
 Awesome photos Long, best pics of Rampage
  • 2 0
 epic picture of gee caught while he crashed get well soon gee! Big Grin
  • 1 1
 Norbz was just one of many whom got robbed this year...take the McCaul boyz....both had killer sessions and judges gave them really shitty scores...always next year!!!
  • 2 0
 still cand belive that I rode with Long back here in albuquerque!!
  • 2 0
 that's cute
  • 1 0
 Does anybody know if they're going to run the contest in 2013?
  • 1 0
 they are
  • 1 0
 Pic number one is insane!!! Where's the landing???
  • 2 1
 And Norbs totally got robbed!!!
  • 2 0
 Amazing pics, just wow!
  • 1 0
 Kind of sends chills down your body doesn't it?
  • 1 0
 Amazing pictures. Smile
  • 1 0
 Best pictures!
  • 1 1
 Most memorable moment from Rampage? Norbz gettting robbed!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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