Think You’ve Seen Crazy?

Here we are on the eve of the 3rd annual Red Bull Rampage in Virgin, Utah. Hundreds of people are in attendance, most for any one or more of the following reasons; The Party, the Show or the Ride. Pick any or all, but no matter the reason, they’re all here and it’s time to take your seat and enjoy the show.
Looks like some of the talent will be there joining us on the sidelines. Some serious shit was eaten today, and the competitor list has shrunk slightly thanks to Utah’s unforgiving terrain.


Lance Canfield was taken to hospital today, suffering a serious shoulder separation. Canfield was tossed into a huge wash while practising a line on the day 2 (finals) course. According to Lance’s brother Chris, Lance is still in good spirits, and was somewhat relieved to not have to throw it on the line in the weekend’s competition. Said Chris Canfield, “It’s absolutely frightening being a competitor, knowing you’ll be riding the hugest lines you’ve ever hit in your life, back to back, all in one run. So many riders are hitting lines they’ve never ridden in tomorrow’s comp, and you just know someone’s going to get hurt. I’ve got at least 5 close friends who are riding tomorrow and I’m scared shitless for their safety, but you know I’ll be here for the show tomorrow!”


Also out of contention is Steve Romaniuk of Drop In fame. Steve suffered at least 2 broken ribs and a broken nose after 2 nasty falls in and around the Canadian Bacon line.


In an unusual twist, Chris “I’ve never worked an honest day in my life” Glews may be out for (of all things) some nasty blisters he earned while raking out a big drop on the North Ridge.


Many riders ate it hard today, a few in particular stood out. After riding the Bacon Strip cleanly, Mike Kinrade was launched into the bad side of a hip after getting bucked on take off. He aggravated an earlier shin injury, but promises he’ll able to get it all together for tomorrow’s competition. Rich Gasperotti was very slow to get up after crashing on the knob below the Bacon drop. My guess is he’s good to go for tomorrow’s ride though.


After spied limping around Interbike, Darren Barrecloth bowed out after having a look at the terrain. I was a little disappointed to see Darren and his pimp-daddy pink bike sitting on the sidelines.


Shaums March is also out. He spent most of yesterday raking a photogenic gash that ran through a 20 foot cliffband. According to Shaums, he had been suffering from a sore wrist since riding Woodward West late last week. He decided to play it safe and have the wrist X-rayed before laying it on the line. Medical staff discovered his scaphoid had a hairline fracture forcing him to the sideline as well.

Robbie Bourdon is still sitting the pine (though he was seen working the crowd) after surviving a serious auto accident just outside of Nelson, BC earlier this summer.


Last year’s winner Tyler Klassen, while looking much more mobile than he was during Interbike was also seen standing with the camera crews enjoying the show. Injured while riding in Whistler, Tyler limped his way to the top and stood at the top of each riders line visualizing himself on the bike. Maybe next year.


In comparison to last year’s Rampage, there is at least 50% less riding going on in practise, as riders, sponsors, friends and innocent bystanders are manning shovels, rakes and implements of destruction in an effort to shape their chosen terrain into the money shot. There’s no less than 25 unique lines down the mountain, some merely sick, others absolutely mindblowing, it’s just a matter of linking it all together to wow the Judges. (Yeah, like it’s really that simple)

I saw more sick transfers, gaps, hips, and backflips than most folks see in their lifetime, and the show hasn’t even really begun.


I’ve even had time to play on some of the local trails. I’ve joined more than a few group rides down Flying Monkey (named for the unfortunate ejection-seat primate test “pilot” facility bordering the trail). How often do you get to rip with the likes of the McCaul brothers, Randy Spangler, Kyle Straight, Cory Leclerc, the Canfields, Bender, and many, many more.

Shhhhhhh, down in front, the show’s about to begin!