Intro: EWS 2016 Round Two - Bariloche

Apr 1, 2016

by Matt Wragg

WORDS AND PHOTOS: MATT WRAGG AND DAVE TRUMPORE

After a six month break this season has gone from 0-60 for the riders in no time at all. On this journey to South America they are tackling not just one race, but two in two weekends. For the second of half of the trip the EWS circus packed up from Valdivia and made a five hour journey across the Andes to Bariloche, Argentina. While Valdivia was a rustic coastal town, a world away from where most riders come from, Bariloche is far more familiar territory - a mountain ski resort. It is all made to feel more familiar by the large, German population here. The scenery here is arguably the most dramatic we have ever seen at an EWS race - there's a reason why Alta Patagonia is on so many people's bucket lists for travelling, with its endless lakes, mountains and high plains.

As you head from the coastlands up into the high mountains you are greeted by steep vallies filled with lush green forest and endless waterfalls.

As you head from the coastlands up into the high mountains, you are greeted by steep valleys filled with lush, green forest and endless waterfalls.

Closer to the summit the bleak, volcanic peaks tower above the forests.

On the Chilean side of the border it is like a ghost forest. A volcanic eruption smothered everything living a couple of years ago, now it is an eerily quiet landscape of grey sand, bleached white trees and the hardy fast-growing shrubs that are pushing their way up thorugh the dust.

The ponds are equally spooky, with not so much as insect life disturbing the surface.

It is painful to pass through this region without the time to scratch beneath the surface. The peaks and forests here are otherworldly.

The volcanic sand is unreal, hard-packed on the ground, then it falls between your fingers like dust.

This point marks the meeting of the two countries. The border tells a story of unrest, with the border crossing points some 40km apart, either side of the border with a neutral zone in the middle.

Indeed.

This week's venue and the high peaks of Cerro Catedral could not be any more different from what we encountered last week in Corral. The same can be said for the terrain racers will encounter on the way back down.

Sven Martindoing a little course sweeping in the media reecho down stage 3.

Sven Martin doing a little course sweeping in the media recon down stage 3.

Wednesdays are the days the photographers and videographers live for. After long hard days in Chile we rewarded ourselves by ripping down all the stages one day before the racers. If you enjoy all the EWS video footage thank this guy.

Martin Cepi Raffo is the organizer here in Bariloche and his background in DH racing shows not only in the layout of the stages but also in his aggression while riding them.

Rain fell on and off all day, at times heavy, so hopefully the dust will be dampened a bit before a few hundred riders come ripping through these trees.

Axle deep dust, massive beech trees, fog and EWS director Chris Ball. So far Patagonia has been epic.

One of weeks Chilean EWS organizers is here to assist in Bariloche and of course part of that job means a proper inspection of all stages.

One of last week's Chilean EWS organizers is here to assist in Bariloche, and of course part of that job means a proper inspection of all stages.

Dave Trumpore enjoying the first corner of the day. Photo Credit: MTB Batman

Everything not covered by a helmet and goggles caked in dust.

Argentina is known for its meat and barbeque so it was no surprise to see this waiting for us after a long day in the dust.

The best things in life are worth a little bit of extra wait. Open air slow cooking and smoking of dinner is one of those things.

It might have been close to midnight, but the barbeque provided by the organizers for staff and key media was amazing.

Even in stormy weather the views from the top of Cerro Catedral are stunning.

Posted In:
Racing and Events

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33 Comments

53 0

TomsiR (Mar 31, 2016 at 14:52)

gona be another epic weekend! vegans probably winced a little at those pig photos tho! haha

24 62

daugherd (Mar 31, 2016 at 15:39) (Below Threshold)

HAHA. It's true. I'm not vegan but I don't eat land animals. My first thought was. Ugh, could have done without the flesh carcass

11 10

webermtb (Mar 31, 2016 at 17:05)

I don't thing that is a pig. I am prety sure is beef; that is the usual barbacue in Argentina.

bridgermurray (Mar 31, 2016 at 17:44)

@daugherd: life is too short to not eat flesh.

13 0

Ctk11 (Mar 31, 2016 at 17:48)

@webermtb: Beef comes from cows and i am almost positive I have never seen a cow with that bodily structure.

11 0

Lagr1980 (Mar 31, 2016 at 17:49)

cordero patagonico

16 2

nehuen93 (Mar 31, 2016 at 19:32)

thats lamb! (cordero in spanish)

webermtb (Apr 7, 2016 at 12:09)

Well, I was close enough: A four-stomach domestic ruminant, not a fat-full, mono-gastric suidae...

11 0

grlivewire (Mar 31, 2016 at 16:25)

Second race of the season and I already see POD material here. Dave, you are a monster. I don't know if it's actualy possible given the tight schedule, but it would be awesome to have a series about the photographers daily life at the venues.

kubaner (Mar 31, 2016 at 17:46)

I could free up some time to document that. It would be a dream vacation for me. Heh Heh Heh

11 1

cuban-b (Mar 31, 2016 at 18:10)

don't mention 'dream vacation' - didn't the last ews article teach us that?

chal0080 (Apr 1, 2016 at 8:37)

Simply stellar photos. It's awesome to see EWS coverage distinguishing itself from downhill worldcup with these exquisite photo epics that relate exotic locations and cultures and show how biking can be a way to engage and explore the world as well as a way to race the clock down the steepest shit possible.

microfiz (Mar 31, 2016 at 14:54)

LOL! I actually got hungry. Don't know if it's pig though... too lean and it's hard to peel the skin off the oinkers.

pedrosalas7 (Mar 31, 2016 at 15:20)

it's actually lamb, meat is too dark for pig, and it says so on the tag attached to the plastic under it haha! Looks great though.

gooutsidetoday (Mar 31, 2016 at 17:59)

These photos make me want to get airfare to this place immediately.

brandaneisma (Mar 31, 2016 at 14:54)

Some sick photos in there, I love the intro articles because they give us an insight on the local culture.

ktmkid (Mar 31, 2016 at 15:14)

No kidding....really liked the one with the rider coming at you and the distorted trees.

KingKonifer (Mar 31, 2016 at 15:48)

Spoiled right now with all this awesome EWS coverage!

salespunk (Mar 31, 2016 at 15:07)

Unbelievable photography. Well done guys!

ctdsac (Mar 31, 2016 at 14:54)

I should have taken photo classes in High School.

Golden-G (Mar 31, 2016 at 16:11)

Graves is out of action!

quickstix (Mar 31, 2016 at 17:38)

Its also 1st April in Australia!! .... just saying!

bridgermurray (Mar 31, 2016 at 17:45)

@whizkidz: I think you're on to something.......

JUGIZMO (Apr 1, 2016 at 4:02)

@whizkidz: sorry mate, but for what i witnessed yesterday, that man wasnt joking!

bashhard (Apr 1, 2016 at 12:25)

@whizkidz: From Jared's Instagram:
"Not where you want to be while practice is going on. X-rays done and nothing broken, but I'm out for this weekend. See how we go with some rest. Thanks to the guys that helped me off the track. The downside of racing..."
Sadly doesn't seem like an april fools joke