Components of Adventure: Bryn Atkinson and Bas Van Steenbergen Ride Réunion Island

May 24, 2017

by SHIMANO

Bryn Atkinson + Bas Van Steenbergen Ride Reunion Island

We had heard of this volcanic island in the middle of the Indian Ocean that had amazing trail riding, a tight-knit group of local riders, and diverse landscapes. We went into the trip without expectations and left inspired by the new friends we met and the rugged beauty of the place. If you ever get a chance to go Reunion Island—do it.

Bryn Atkinson Bas VanSteenbergen David Delassus Theo Booy on Reunion Island Indian Ocean

Going around this island, I thought it would be pretty quick because it’s not a big place, but it’s like zig-zaggy roads everywhere you go and you’re constantly going either up or downhill because it’s just a big volcano.—Bas Van Steenbergen

I had no idea what the riding would be like, or if there was even any riding, so it was cool coming in here with an open mind.—Bas Van Steenbergen

Bikes take you to places that you normally wouldn’t go; you get much more in depth with the culture and everything, because you have like-minded people that are stoked to show you around—Bas Van Steenbergen

One minute you're riding lava and then the next you’re on this hard-packed clay and then slippery root. So just so much diversity. It was unreal.—Bryn Atkinson

David and Theo have been just awesome. We have been having really long days; we've been up a couple of hours before the sun every day, and those guys have gone above and beyond to show us around and make sure we see all the good trails—Bryn Atkinson

A mountain bike is like a musical instrument; it brings people together. It doesn’t matter what language, what part of the world—it’s really like an instrument. When you are together with a mountain bike, you have fun together.—Theo Booy

Reunion island is beautiful, the riding here is so cool. I want to share this is with all people around the world.—David Delassus

Watch the video in 4K.
All photo's: Sterling Lorence

MENTIONS: @shimano / @anthill / @sterlinglorence

Posted In:
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shimano
Member since Apr 7, 2000
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45 Comments

34 0

iamamodel (May 23, 2017 at 0:21)

You had me at 'Bryn'.

14 8

zede (May 23, 2017 at 8:25)

You misspelled "Bas"

16 0

VTwintips (May 23, 2017 at 1:15)

Incredibly good use of pinkbike blog formatting. Made those photos great to look at.

13 2

EnduroManiac (May 23, 2017 at 1:34)

Of course there's some rinding in La Réunion! Never heard about the Mégavalanche La Réunion Mister Bas? Great photo show, it looks like you've been riding much more than the above mentioned trails lucky guys! That makes me feel like going there again.

12 0

mrtoodles FL (May 23, 2017 at 0:48)

Wow that place looks awesome. Like Jurassic Park with trails. Epic stuff, awesome pics and video.

Frederik24 (May 23, 2017 at 0:34)

Super cool photos and video. Love the vibe. And Bryn is still one of the sickest riders out there, looks so effortless and smooth

10 4

blackbirdworks (May 23, 2017 at 3:02)

Man I love Adventure and I love bikes and I even like people every now and then... but I've had enough of listening to mountain bikers trying to chain a sentence together in their native language. I know the amazing people who put the video and the photos together would love to tell a different story about Reunion island and the incredible public art and the food and the culture that goes along with it.. but you watch the video and all you get in a palm in the face.. Keep on roosting some corners dudes.. keep on hucking... we'll watch all the same..

TheR FL (May 23, 2017 at 9:54)

I get where you're coming from, but in the end, what did you expect? It's a mountain biking web site. I'd check National Geographic for that other stuff.

aceface17 (May 23, 2017 at 10:26)

This is a bike website .. if you want stories about the art and culture of reunion island (Im sure its fantastic) there are many other sites that you can find that stuff on, I'm here to watch bas and bryn roost corners while showcasing some of the beauty of the island. It was a great video.

blackbirdworks (May 23, 2017 at 11:13)

@acetasting1992:
The audience is the problem.

Pinkbike is not the only website on the internet. This is not the only platform for the video.
Did you watch dream ride I and II?
They too were just " bike videos"
How about lifecyles?
Unfortunately i can count them with one hand and am too self critical to make my own..

Dethphist (May 23, 2017 at 17:22)

Man, I think I'm going to go hop onto a plane and go check out some really awesome locations around the world.

*checks bank balance*

Nope, guess I'm going to work again tomorrow.

ybsurf (May 23, 2017 at 4:37)

Too bad it's the sharkiest water in the world that would be a prefect surf / bike combo destination for sure.

cool3 FL (May 23, 2017 at 15:22)

It was, back in the time. I've had the chance to spend most of my teenage years in Reunion Island and had many surfer friends. Great guys but dubious mentality, especially about girls. Anyway, there were no shark attacks at the time (or so few) and we were swimming everywhere without fearing them. Nowadays, I don't know... I plan on going back there with my wife to see how things have changed in 30+ years.

seidla (May 23, 2017 at 0:29)

Love that "Spider app" on the phone... proper Shredder damage.

Oh - outstanding photos btw.

Daddybear (May 23, 2017 at 0:44)

Is bas riding a trek?.....

cipisek (May 23, 2017 at 4:13)

I think so, and he also rides his Pivot DH bike and a Trek Ticket S....Very strange because i first thought that he rides for Hyper.....

j-t-g FL (May 23, 2017 at 8:37)

@Smilicito: and Hyper makes which awesome DH bikes and Slope bikes?

lornee (May 23, 2017 at 20:58)

Yup, looks like a slash to me, he was riding a slash at crankworx rotorua

sngltrkmnd (May 23, 2017 at 15:56)

*Wasn't sure if there even was riding, yet got on a plane with his bike and flew 6,000 miles*.... Not sure if serious.... haha.

But really, that looks like a proper destination.

nahu974 (May 23, 2017 at 2:32)

OHHHHHH that is my island. That is sweet to see such great photos. Hope you had a good time.

shawnca7 FL (May 23, 2017 at 6:29)

Jesus Christ, I haven't lived! I need a whole lotta this in my life, like right now!

mtbakerpow (May 25, 2017 at 11:49)

Didn't realize how far away this place is until I saw it on the map off the coast of Madagascar,crazy.curious what the travel time is to get there

udodrunk (May 23, 2017 at 1:29)

What's that black foot, looks like fingers?

nahu974 (May 23, 2017 at 5:22)

I think your talking about the food? It is a chicken leg.
Yeah. we have some crazy dish...
And the wasp larva too... but i would not eat them raw like on the photo... ahaha

jmoon14 (May 23, 2017 at 5:22)

Bas is riding rockshox and fox??

RummB (May 23, 2017 at 3:43)

INCREDIBLE! This is Bucket List Material!

tingmax (May 23, 2017 at 11:18)

that's my island

awesome edit

jeffakalucas (May 24, 2017 at 5:20)

Music by Good Old War. Went to school with these guys. Crazy to pull up a MTB movie and hear them.

jackface (Jun 18, 2017 at 22:36)

www.bikeaventure.com For a good ride to reunion island.

RedBurn (May 23, 2017 at 1:53)

SO DREAMY

gaoxiang89 (May 23, 2017 at 2:34)

NICE POD....................

nicolai7 (May 23, 2017 at 5:13)

hey hey home sweet home !!!

zede (May 23, 2017 at 8:24)

They should have invited Jack Moir ...

bicycle019 (May 23, 2017 at 11:30)

Wish I was invited on that trip...

oldmanhucking (May 23, 2017 at 15:07)

That was fantastic.......many thanks!

Sebastopol (May 23, 2017 at 17:25)

Great place, awesome footage!!!

Hoccus (May 23, 2017 at 5:25)

La Dodo Lé La

eric-w (May 23, 2017 at 0:42)

Me too..

johnnyo5 (May 23, 2017 at 6:45)

Simply awesome!

applesauce42 (May 23, 2017 at 7:47)

Beautiful!

Dustfarter (May 23, 2017 at 7:55)

Looks lie a great place to have a EWS stop. Beautiful images.

xenophile (May 23, 2017 at 11:16)

I personally think places like this should never have events like the EWS. While I respect the EWS, I think the dog and pony show belongs on a different stage.

gnarnaimo FL (May 24, 2017 at 12:38)

I like bikes

Quebracho (May 23, 2017 at 1:49)

Oh wow! The voice over couldn't be more generic.

kerberos FL (May 23, 2017 at 7:51)

... than the music.