Photo Epic: Rocky in Argentina - Part 1

Jul 13, 2012
by Margus Riga  
Every winter Rocky Mountain Bikes takes a select group of team riders to an exotic locale to search for new trails and get stoked for the up-coming season. This year the location was the vacation town of Bariloche, Argentina.

After landing and spending a long night in Buenos Aires, we had seven days to sample the goods in and around the very European looking town of Bariloche. We hired some local rippers as guides and the rest was smiles for miles.

Day one was a warm up ride around the lake in Cerro Catedral ski area where we quickly figured out this place was the real deal. We ripped high speed, wide open mountain bike trails through a surreal forest of massive, gnarled trees called Coihue. Day two we sampled the budding bike park at Cerro Catedral ski area. It's only been three years since the locals convinced the ski area to host a bike park in the summer, but judging how fast and fun the trails are, this place will one day be a hub for DH in South America. Day three was epic...an up-and-back to a "Refugio" (Mountain Hut with staff and food) on Mount Lopez. The views were outrageous and the rip back down from the hut was some of the best tacky, snaking, high speed trail I have ever set tire to.

Stay tuned for part two, where the team steps it up a notch and goes for an overnighter on a very active sounding volcano.


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  The Rocky all-star team. Thomas Vanderham, Wade Simmons, Geoff Gulevich and Andreas Hestler.

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  Buenos Aires is rad if you like to party...not so rad if you don't, because that appears to be the only thing people do in Buenos Aires.

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  Mount Tronador in the distance...our goal for day four.

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Bariloche Argentina

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Is this Margus' best Photo Epic yet? Do you want to ride in Argentina?


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42 Comments
  • 20 0
 oh man, this is so awesome. all stars for sure, i grew up watching all these guys, personal heros for me. Love the photography, great photo essay!
  • 15 1
 where is Tippie though.
  • 6 0
 True, and Gulevich. Too bad Schley is no longer with Rocky. Can you imagine having the Fro riders still together, on top of all the other stellar talent Rocky has? Would be fantastic...
  • 3 0
 Gulevich is in there! He has a beard and is wearing all-blue kit in some shots.
  • 1 0
 my apologies, so he is!! awesome. how about Tippie?
  • 4 0
 Amazing photos. I live in Bariloche and having all these guys riding here was awesome. And they only went to some places around here, there are many more to ride. I love my place!!
  • 2 0
 Top class photography and a great "traveler's perspective". Patagonia catalogs don't look as tasty. Spent 2 months in South America in '07 , 1 month just in Argentina, and the best thing was at the end of the day you got to eat the best steak you ever had with a little chorizo sausage oftentimes brought to you on a mini grill , and all the beer/wine you could drink for under $10 US.... makes me proud to ride a Slayer , and very hungry/thirsty.
  • 2 0
 Probably this were one of the best days riding of my life, to have the chance to guide the Rocky Mountain guys all around my place was awesome. And the best part of it, its was the humility that they have. Thank you guys for give me the chance to ride with our idols!!!
  • 2 0
 AMAZING!!! Can't imagine how great was riding with such idols of the MTB world class riders.. and here in my own country!!! I'm stoked!! and margus!! your work is spectacular!
  • 4 0
 The best that this legends visit our lovely south america. Great Photos!
  • 1 0
 I should really consider taking my bike next time i head to Argentina to visit the famz. I didn't know there was soo much to ride. and no better way to finish than with a quilmes y un buen asado!!
  • 2 0
 This were probably one of my best days riding, to had the chance to show the Rocky Mountain guys our places to ride was awesome!!! Stay tune part number 2 its great.
  • 1 0
 Aesome photos as always. I wonder if the photographer rides along and stops for photos or has to climb / hike all day long. Dream job though.
  • 1 0
 Just awesome! The shot with Vanderham and Simmons climbing up over the ridge with the lake in the background is amazing Margus!
  • 1 0
 very nice first or second time i see Argentina in pinkbike amazing i cant wait for the part 2 ^_^. I hope the team enjoy the argentinan party bro
  • 1 0
 It's the second time i see Argentina in pinkbike its awasome see this. I hope the team enjoy the party and come back to film other scean .
  • 3 0
 Very pleased this kind of people show argentina just as it is. Good job!
  • 3 0
 Can't wait for part two!
  • 1 0
 Epic pics!
  • 1 0
 I would love to ride in the Andes it looks brilliant. Photos like those just make it seem even more appealing. Well done.
  • 2 0
 this is what its all about for me!.... WOW...

how many POD's by the way??
  • 1 0
 to many...
  • 1 0
 Nice... Well someone should come and ride in my "area" search images from Chapada Diamantina.... it's awesome... *-*
  • 2 0
 ..best fotos..¨
  • 1 0
 amazing views!!! amazing photos!!! on my wish list
  • 1 0
 Marcus Rigas is the best!!
  • 1 0
 Ja chce z ziomkami tam jechać !!! Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Why wasnt Gully in the rocky mtn all star team picture?!
  • 2 0
 amazing..
  • 1 0
 So ready for part 2!
  • 1 0
 The Andes are the place to ride!
  • 1 0
 OMG. Can't wait for part 2! Like a few said: here are some great POD's!
  • 1 0
 Beautiful photographs how beautiful's Argentina!
  • 1 0
 I never even saw the best of the country. I gotta get back.
  • 1 0
 Margus Riga for President!
  • 1 0
 Great work! nice pictures!!
  • 1 0
 hell yeah i do!!!!! here i come...
  • 1 0
 Are they riding the new 2013 slayer 70?????
Look pretty cool!!
  • 1 0
 Bravo markus!!! epic trip!
  • 1 0
 INSPIRING ...
  • 1 0
 Buenisimas fotos!
  • 1 0
 yes







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