Dream Ride: The Release - Video and Photo Epic

Mar 1, 2016
by Diamondback Bikes  
Follow along with the constant dreamer, Mike Hopkins, and his euphoric expedition aboard Diamondback's brand new Level Link trail bike, the Release. Welcome to our paradise, where the trails unfold like magic before you and the views are simply out of this world. Welcome to our Dream Ride.

Dream Ride

by diamondbackbikes
Views: 42,147    Faves: 1,024    Comments: 57



Photo by Bruno Long

Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long

Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long

Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long

Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Meet your maker. Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long

Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long

Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Dreams often have
Photo by Bruno Long
a lot of contrasts.

Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long
Photo by Bruno Long

"It's been pretty mind-blowing to see this project come to life. Diamondback quite literally gave us the opportunity to make a dream a reality. Locations, travel, concept- they allowed us to take an idea and show the real character of a bike. Much like this project, Diamondback had an amazing crew working behind the scenes to offer the best bike they've ever made. What can I say? It's been the ride of a life!" - Mike Hopkins

"This concept has been cooking in my brain for quite some time, so when I had the opportunity to create something new for Diamondback I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Working with Mike, the guys from Juicy, Bruno and Secco was a pretty awesome experience. I've never seen a team work so hard to make something so perfect. I'm thrilled I got to be a part of this and see it through, and I really hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do." -Lacy Kemp


This video would not have been possible without a few very key people.

Dream Ride
Rider: Mike Hopkins
Filmed and edited: Juicy Studios (Ryan Gibb and Scotty Carlson)
Directed: Ryan Gibb
Drone footage and additional camera work: Scott Secco
Story and concept: Lacy Kemp and Mike Hopkins
All photography: Bruno Long
Believers in dreams: The staff at Diamondback Bikes

Click here to learn more about Diamondback's new bike, and the source of dream rides, The Release.

MENTIONS: @hopkins / @diamondbackbikes / @scottsecco / @lacykemp / @longwheelie


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120 Comments
  • 61 0
 Damn!!! what a set of picture story and video, should've waited until Friday to watch it.

I personally would have selected a different picture for the past contest (Photo of the Year) than the one you guys used, like picture #10 where Mike is riding the wall and the huge shadow seems to be following him.
  • 21 0
 Absolutely right!
Amazing photos & amazing video.
Props to Diamondback for making this masterpiece and not ruin it with aggressive advertising.
  • 7 0
 Those first pics make me wanna have some tiramisu !
  • 6 0
 no link to bruno long ? amazing photography
  • 15 1
 One of , if not the best bike-centered video editing I've seen for a while!
  • 8 0
 You are right! this epic story is full of the Photos of the year! I can't decide which one is better.Perfect job.
  • 9 15
flag Macropod (Mar 1, 2016 at 8:17) (Below Threshold)
 I feel as if the locations here are not discussed because they rode in places that they shouldn't have. Correct me if i'm wrong (please!), but so far I believe I could recognize the Spiral Jetty of Great Salt Lake, Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia and unless i'm confused and it's just Utah, those mountains look like the painted mountains of China. I'm all for trail rights, but videos like these take us all two steps backwards. I'm a scientist and a mountain biker, both demand absolute respect if conservation is what we're all after.
  • 5 0
 @MasterOfStone - I agree with you about the Photo of the Year, but that contest is user-submitted and (clearly) user-voted. I believe that most professional photos, like these, are off the table. I think they should have both user-submitted and pro-submitted categories.
  • 6 0
 My brain hurts trying to decide which of these to make my desktop...
  • 3 1
 @DirtbagMatt sure it's possible to set video as desktop background.
  • 32 0
 Reminds me of Life Cycles
  • 9 0
 Same voiceover I think
  • 5 0
 I got the same chills I got the first time I watched LifeCycles!
  • 5 0
 Totally agree. My first thought was, "Is this a Life Cycles 2 trailer?" This was awesome.
  • 3 0
 Ryan Gibb's attention to detail, directing, editing, filming and creative vision are every bit as amazing as his ginger beard at the height of it's ginger beardiness.
  • 28 0
 Mega-amazing! One of the best I ever seen in pinkbike. Congratulations!
  • 23 0
 If this wasn't the proper way to release a product, I don't know what is.
  • 15 0
 Cool video, even better photos, but damn, what's up with the pic of the dead bird?
  • 1 0
 Yeah, I'm trying to figure out how a dead bird has any bearing on the product. Is there supposed to be a connection? Diamondback?
  • 11 0
 How do we want to try to sell bikes this year? Let us round up some of the best dang people that live bikes and make a mini movie celebrating everything that is good about riding. Write the checks and only put our name at the end.

Well done Diamondback! Nice job getting the Kootenay all stars together with Secco. Seems like Lacy is onto something here. My low moment with the bike industry from earlier this week just has been undone, thank you!
  • 12 0
 I can't believe some of those locations really exist. Good planet. Best seen by bike.
  • 2 0
 Couldn't have said it better myself.
  • 12 0
 Scott, you crushed it my friend. Thanks for bringing back some good old fashioned Life Cycles flavor into the world!
  • 10 0
 Absolutely amazing images! Have to admit that I zoomed out from listening to what the guy is saying. From what I heard it sounded a bit too new-age for me anyway Smile
  • 5 3
 More like Dr Suess - in a good way. Nice video.
  • 4 1
 @pinhead907 - That is the best thing you could have said. Thank you for that!
  • 1 0
 DING DING DING
  • 11 0
 I'm typing up my resignation letter as soon as I hit Submit
  • 8 1
 If companies keep making videos like that I don’t mind they release new standards and products every 3.4 seconds.... (the hope 4 release vid was sick also) I just want to watch more and forget I'm at work!
  • 5 0
 More of these please! Amazing how my office day became suddenly annoying. Was so high for 5 minutes that my boss is staring at me, not knowing if he has to fire me or not Smile
  • 7 0
 Dr. Seuss would be proud of that story.
  • 6 0
 11 out of 10. That was fantastic. Ridiculous riding and production value. Drones are opening so many shot opportunities.
  • 5 0
 What an amazing and creative journey! Mike Hopkins is defintely one of my favorites. And the filming was unreal. Pretty damn good combo!
  • 5 0
 This!.... To all other bike brands... Is how you make a mountain Ike video! Diamondback just through down the gauntlet!!!

Boom! ????????
  • 6 1
 Same ambiance as "Life Cycles" : landscapes, the voice, the story, I love this style !
  • 5 0
 Maybe it's because the directing half of the creative duo behind Life Cycles made this video.
  • 4 0
 And no disrespect to most of the professionals behind the camera, but Mr. Long's work is on another level. One shot, one kill.
  • 6 1
 Well that just made us jealous to go ride bikes in the wilderness! Thanks Mike and DB team
  • 5 0
 WOW! I don't think I've seen a better collection of pictures in one EPIC like this one!! Well done!!
  • 2 0
 Hell yeah Ryan! I was like "Man I've not seen anything this well put together since Life Cycles..." Only one dude out there that can do this stuff that well. Big up respect man, an inspiration to all film-makers and riders a like!
  • 5 0
 Such a smartly made video, reminds me of the Unreal movie
  • 6 0
 great photos!!!! wow
  • 1 0
 Locations please!?!
  • 2 0
 moab & green river UT...
  • 9 0
 Utah, Northern California, Oregon Coast, Washington. Really it's all about exploring to find those perfect places. Smile
  • 1 0
 Thanks @diamondbackbikes ! The Green River shots were pretty clear, but I couldn't tell Northern California from Vancouver Island, etc. I agree - exploring makes everything amazing.
  • 4 0
 some of those looked to be in the san rafael swell south of green river. don't go there. it's ugly, the hiking sucks, no camp sites. horrible... It's my favorite place on earth.
  • 2 0
 I recognize the Devil's Punchbowl in Oregon...
  • 4 0
 Probably the best 5 and a half minutes of video ever produced on a mountainbike.
  • 3 0
 This is amazing! Makes me want to leave everything behind and just go for a endless ride...
  • 3 0
 Awesome edit and fantastic photos. I hope Diamondback sell lots of bikes so they can make more like this!
  • 5 0
 sick, so many wtf photos
  • 4 0
 There's a lot of "Photo of the Year" material here.
  • 1 0
 One of the photos was in this year's contest -- one of the photos of the guy in the canyon.
  • 2 0
 3:46-3:50 To find that moment, place. This is why I ride! (currently no ride for me. I snap my frame:-( ) Great photos and video
  • 3 0
 This is the most wonderful video to have ever been featured on the site. Tremendous work, top drawer!
  • 3 0
 Awesome video and pictures (all but the hanging dead bird). Well done Diamondback.
  • 2 0
 Aside from the sick (in a bad way) photo of the dead bird the rest of the article plus the video was sick (in an awesome way)!
  • 3 0
 yeah, what's up with this poor bird
  • 2 0
 Love love love this! Massive props to everyone involved. Stunning video, and great pics too.

Maybe the Diamond Back crew should forget bikes and focus on edits?!
  • 2 0
 So good. These guys get it. You're not selling a bike, you're selling the dream of what you can DO and where you can GO with the bike.
  • 3 0
 Totally amazing. Truly a dream for every rider.
  • 3 0
 Damn, this was like watching Lonely Planet, just better!
  • 1 0
 Incredible video, footage, pictures, music, and story. I want to get that story printed on canvas and hung in my bike room/mancave.
  • 4 0
 THIS IS WHY I RIDE
  • 2 0
 I know this is just an ad, but it spoke to that part of my brain what makes me want to go adventuring.
  • 3 0
 FKIN put this on Video Of The Year!! Hands Down.~!!
  • 1 0
 Damn!! That was an absolutely amazing collection of still and motion images. One of the best in mtb that I've seen. Perfectly created promo. Congrats.
  • 3 0
 great pics. Poor Mike having to travel to all those places. Tough job!
  • 2 0
 I like Lifecycles 2 better than the original! Fits well in a short film format.
  • 2 0
 excellent way to end my work day. makes me want to get out my bike...so what if there is snow and ice out, right?
  • 1 0
 I would like to get my hands on the text of the voice over. It kind of sum up really what is passion In mountain bike is all about In a very Nice way
  • 2 0
 I can send it to you if you'd like. PM me.
  • 4 6
 I've been mountain biking for 20+ years. I'm usually in a position of defending it. This is the kind of thing that makes it hard. In the beginning of the video he is clearly damaging beautiful formations that took millions of years to form. Tire marks are left in pristine regions. He should be fined and the video removed. Stick to trails and protect the nature for the next generation to enjoy.
  • 3 1
 Meh... the tire marks will wash out the next rain. I dont get why people think every single square inch of wilderness should never even be touched. There are so many empty miles in the US.
  • 6 1
 Pascalisms. I hear ya, a valid concern for sure but the colored hills in Utah where shot on BLM land opened to public. If you pause the video at 26 seconds you'll see the tire marks from an ATV that had been roaming on the same terrain. It was actually quite hard to find a bird's eye that didn't have tire marks through it. We searched Utah high and low to find terrain that we could shoot on. As steelpolish said, they'll wash out with the next rain.
  • 2 0
 Wow ! beau vidéo ! Wow ! Merci .
  • 2 0
 Stunning scenery and landscapes, beautifully shot and edited.
  • 2 0
 Anything that appears Hopkins is good. I start to remember Matt Hunter.
  • 2 0
 Masterpiece,great work,lucky rider! My new dream destinationSmile
  • 2 0
 This makes me wish I could take a sabbatical from work... Great pictures!
  • 3 0
 Fantastic!
  • 2 0
 Banger! Good work guys...new bike looks pretty dialled too
  • 2 0
 Absolutely spectacular stuff. Great work all.
  • 1 0
 Brutal, brutal masterpiece video... the best photograph I saw in a film bikes .... only equivalent to the saga HUMAN
  • 2 0
 these shots are just amazing
  • 2 0
 I teared up a bit. Damn I miss biking.
  • 1 0
 Beautifully shot. It reminded me of The Fall by Tarsem Singh

www.imdb.com/title/tt0460791/?ref_=nm_knf_i2
  • 3 3
 Does anyone else feel like shredding beautiful uniquely colored hills isn't really that cool to do for a commercial? I will admit that it is stunning.
  • 2 0
 This is why we need a VOY contest on Pinkbike!!!
  • 2 0
 Amazing video, and stills. Bruno, you take rad pics dude!
  • 1 0
 Go Mike! Awesome to see a Rossland boy ripping it up at the highest levels!
  • 1 0
 All the hairs just stood up on my neck! Brilliant!
  • 1 0
 Too bad it was just a dream..
  • 1 0
 What was that killer song at the end of the clip?
  • 1 0
 What's the song starting at 1.30?
  • 1 0
 It was awesome, something like Life Cycles
  • 1 0
 Wow!! Best vid I have seen on here. That was like a National Geographic!
  • 2 1
 Incredible photos, except the horse-collard robin..brutal.
  • 1 0
 wow! This rock! probably one of the best videos here!!! fantastic !
  • 1 0
 Great movie and pictures! WOWO!
  • 2 0
 Bruno..you the best!!
  • 2 0
 MinD BlowinG!
  • 1 0
 Pictures are so amazing, one of the best ever.
  • 1 0
 Amazing photography! Simply wonderful.
  • 2 0
 Best ad video, ever
  • 1 0
 where where where where is this moab, virgin, GPS !!!
  • 2 2
 riding the red rocks with my red rim
  • 1 0
 Awesome video!
  • 2 1
 Great video!
  • 1 0
 1:34 -- radical.
  • 1 0
 WOW these photos Smile ))
  • 1 0
 Wow! That was super cool
  • 1 0
 Liam Neeson.
  • 1 0
 STUNNING
  • 1 0
 What a great vid!
  • 2 3
 Movie trailer voice-over guy.
  • 1 3
 What the heck with the voice over, killed it for me, sounded like Dr Seuss with the rhymes, so gay.
  • 2 4
 Amazing video. Had to hit mute though. That guy was doing my heed in.
  • 5 7
 Great photos, video got better 1/2 way through when I hit the mute button.







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