Vanderham Takes Flight

Jun 19, 2012
by Anthill Films  
Views: 92,941    Faves: 1,281    Comments: 103


bigquotesI have always taken inspiration for my riding not only from my peers and my sport, but from other sports as well. Starting from a young age, I was always a fan of the high flyers. From Terje Haakonsen to Michael Jordan to Bubba Stewart - I can't get enough of watching these guys seemingly defy gravity. The feeling of weightlessness at the apex of an air has led me on a constant pursuit of hang time. It's a journey that doesn't have an end, but one that a lot of gravity riders can relate to. When Shimano told me that new Saint was ready to be put through its paces, we set out to build a jump that would maximize amplitude and style. The result really reminded me how far we have come in the ten short years since Saint was first introduced... and it was a whole lot of fun! - Thomas Vanderham

A decade of progression. photos Sterling Lorence

Thomas Vanderham searching for the right terrain in Nicola Valley British Columbia

Thomas Vanderham and trailbuilder Paddy Kaye of Joyride in Nicola Valley British Columbia

Thomas Vanderham and trailbuilder Paddy Kaye of Joyride in Nicola Valley British Columbia

Thomas Vanderham s 2013 Shimano Saint equipped Rocky Moutain Flatline in Nicola Valley British Columbia

Thomas Vanderham in Nicola Valley British Columbia

Motorbikers watching TV in Nicola Valley British Columbia

Thomas Vanderham rides the 2013 Shimano Saint in Nicola Valley British Columbia

ridesaint.com

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anthill avatar

Member since May 17, 2009
178 articles

112 Comments
  • 169 1
 All the moto guys are all like, Damn... He is getting more air than me...
  • 43 1
 I hope you guys checked with the air control before taking off.
  • 34 1
 love the sound of the tires on the ramp.. "prepare for liftoff!"
  • 23 5
 i love how the moto guys number is 69
  • 2 5
 hahahhahahaha
  • 2 2
 also love that all the dirt bikes are two strokes! I wouldn't go that big on anything.
  • 18 1
 On a scale of 1 to 100 how imature are you.... 69
  • 1 0
 1:57.... TWANG!!!!
  • 1 0
 Nicky Hayden's race number, 69 is fun and symmetrical, how mature should one be to pick a number? great advert I wish T.V had those ones instead of toilet cleaning products.
  • 2 4
 If you're really us, what number are we thinking of right now? 69 duuuude.
  • 38 1
 "More people trying it" Seemed like one of the most honest things I've seen in a biking video. Nothing like "more people pushing the limits". Just get people to try it and have fun. Smile
  • 18 0
 Third picture down... stashed Pilsner in the pocket Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Haha good eye dude
  • 1 0
 Why are you looking down there!!!
  • 20 0
 Vanderham freeride god of mountain biking
  • 2 1
 and he has one of the most legendary styles in the game.
  • 15 3
 I thought about buying saint, but i decided to lift weights instead
  • 4 0
 What finger weights? Enjoy your elixer's bro lol
  • 7 0
 Just different strokes for different folks. I don't like to draw too many comparisons between this and slopestyle/dirt jump riders and styles. Different disciplines. Slopestyle has been slowly morphing into a bigger badder version of bmx. I have no problem with this. It's just the evolution..... do I miss the old days ? Yeah. But I don't have an issue with anybody who sends it on a bike. Vanderham's classic freeride style always does it for me though. Glad he is still on the scene and glad people are still enjoying him launching big bikes with style.
  • 1 0
 *in response to the comments below regarding dirt jumper's going this big, Pinkbike just put's my comments where they please Wink
  • 7 1
 So if I buy a Saint group, I'll be able to ride like Vanderham? Sweet.
  • 1 0
 No. But if you already can ride at the same level then you know your saint components will hold up to the abuse you put it through
  • 5 0
 The tyres on the take off sound like a jet taking off, or is it just Thomas?
  • 1 0
 i imagine thats exactly how it felt as well!
  • 5 1
 I wish more advertising campaigns were like this....
  • 5 0
 Did he land yet?
  • 4 0
 woulda gone higher if the vid had some metal \m/ .... just sayin!
  • 2 0
 That must be pretty scary being the first to test out a jump like that. You have to be 100% committed. Big props to Vanderham!
  • 1 0
 I like how they show the jump being built in the morning and the filming in the afternoon.

Ahh, must be so nice to have the space, time and $$$ to build wherever, whatever you want.
  • 3 1
 Does anyone else wonder why they use a crane in an environment that has obviously so much more potential than just a hip?
  • 2 1
 I was wondering the same thing. Its just a photo stunt which is cool, but not something any of us deal with out on the trail. Great style, I definitely wouldn't be able to do it, but a huge dj isnt selling me on Saint.
  • 9 2
 "...just a hip"

hahaha, yeah bud, that was just a hip, nothing cool at all...
  • 3 0
 Ground Control to Major Tom, Can you hear me.......
  • 2 0
 Song??? It says it's by Elfkowitz, but which song? I listened to every Elfkowitz song on spotify but none are it.
  • 1 0
 Sounds like something from the glitch mob
  • 1 0
 whatever it is, it fits
  • 1 0
 I'm not hating on Thomas but every movie has him doing the same move. A big hip in every different direction. Let's mix it up a bit.
  • 4 0
 Mad Respect!
  • 6 3
 Impremassive but... Mike Hopkins in LifeCycles... massifffffffffffffff
  • 2 0
 Pedaling as hard as he can right up to roller!!! Boooom!!
  • 2 0
 That tire buzz is magical
  • 1 0
 That backlanding is steep and he still had alot of head slap when he landed. Just goes to show the magnitude of the jump.
  • 3 0
 Sweet zombie jesus!
  • 3 1
 Thats chill i get it. A legend couldn't take the heat
  • 2 0
 Hips are where its at to go real big. Better landing impact transfer.
  • 1 0
 I would like to introduce you to my friend...perhaps you've heard of him, his name is STOMP!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 I don't know if anybody else notice it but at 1:07 it sounds like a porn movie
  • 1 0
 Again if we buy SAINT components be can catch huge air?
  • 1 0
 Holy Santa clause shit!! That is huge
  • 1 0
 I think you need a license to go that high...
  • 1 0
 He DRANK A RED BULL BEFORE THIS!!!!!!
  • 3 1
 SEND THAT SHIT.
  • 1 0
 you got that shit kurt,
  • 1 0
 He totally nailed it! Great hang time too! I have to watch it again!
  • 2 1
 That was huge. so much respect!
  • 1 0
 Holy sh*t ! Thats big as pig !
  • 1 0
 Dammmmmmmmmmmm Vandy you RULE the Air!
  • 1 0
 Does anybody know what kind of Dakine gear is he wearing?
  • 1 0
 Same question.
@Normandie : if you get the answer, share please!
  • 1 0
 can't find anythere his green kit, def not on production yet or might not be available for public customers. Anyway it'll cost 60euros for a t-shirt...
  • 1 0
 This kit is a part of the 2013 Bike Collection. So we have to wait...
  • 1 0
 @mcdog : just as I thought...too bad, will have to keep my Demo 8.1 'till next year to match up ;o)
  • 1 0
 that is so sick, I get butterflies just watching, great job
  • 1 0
 Way to kill it TV. Sick vid, new Saint group is goooood!
  • 1 0
 i just want my new rear brake to arrive before the weekend.
  • 2 0
 Is that in Merritt?
  • 1 0
 pretty awesome...but still don't beat the train jump Razz
  • 1 0
 wooooaawwww !!
  • 2 1
 Go big or go home!
  • 1 0
 such a legend
  • 2 1
 SONG?? Big Grin
  • 1 0
 I would put money on it that this song was composed for the saint video and I would even go farther to say that this is the song that they based it off of.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lszdEZ0-74
  • 1 0
 holly vanderham!
  • 1 0
 RMB
  • 1 0
 This was awsome
  • 1 0
 Name of the song??
  • 1 0
 Monster Beast Power.
  • 1 1
 yeahhh this is big flight!
  • 1 0
 thats big
  • 2 1
 Now I want a flatline.
  • 1 0
 Boooooooooooooooost..!!!
  • 1 0
 For Shizzle!
  • 1 0
 that was insane
  • 1 0
 Unreal....
  • 1 0
 SAINT Thomas...has wings
  • 1 0
 I think he can go bigger
  • 1 0
 VOD....
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