Rampage Day 1 - Digging and two bike checks with Rampage new comers.
Source: Ross Measures
I just got back from the first day at Red Bull Rampage: Evolution, needless to say, it's jaw dropping. There are lines flowing everywhere, starting high above on two ridges aimed towards a central gully, with drops, steeps, loose corners and billy goat lines along the way. When all the riders got here this morning the lower half of the course had quite a few lines already sculpted out for them by Big Red Ted and his crew of Kenny, Adam and a few others.![photo]()
The top half of the course is a different story, filled with ridge lines, steeps and exposed step downs. It has been left untouched with just a few rough trails down the tops of the ridges. There are a couple wood stunts, but they are mostly over on the Finals side of the course. The only wood ramp on the qualifying course is a step up jump, that is preceded by a super smooth step down. There are a couple double and triple drops and lots of steep drop ins. It's going to be quite the show when the riders finally start linking their runs together on Saturday afternoon.
![photo]()
![photo]()
This morning started off with quite a few riders carving out their own lines down the gnarly top section. This is going to be a big element of the contest, as it is the only real area where the riders are going to be able to differentiate their lines from other riders. They'll be able to make their own lines down below, but it won't make much sense with the awesome lines already laid out down there for them.
![photo]()
Myself and Brandon Semenuk spent almost all of the morning chipping away at a rock shelf way up on the riders left ridge, essentially known as "Gees line" by all the riders on course, we're trying to create a line for Brandon that he will be able to call his own, while showing off his creative style and fluidity. It's strenuous work digging the Utah soil, amid the soft soft sand are hard rock shelves that hold the ridges and mountains together, it takes hours to carve through these with the pick. We ended up breaking our pick axe on the shelf. Hopefully all our hard work pays off with a solid line that helps Brandon advance to the finals on Sunday.
![photo]()
![photo]()
Around one or two o'clock the riders started trading in their shovels for their mountain bikes. Thomas Vanderham, Cam Zink, and Kyle Strait started sessioning the ridge above us as we worked. Just feeling everything out as the weekend begins. Cedric was the first to go down on the step down to step up, overshooting the jump back up and ejecting in the air, he was fine, and managed to guinea pig a bunch of the gnarlier lines before the end of the day. Other riders started riding the lines they'd carved out all morning, and others started trying the lines that were laid out for them.
![photo]()
![photo]()
There were some definite stand outs in Robbie Bourdon, Chris Van Dine, the Atherton brothers and Thomas Vanderham. A lot of other riders were taking it really easy, learning how to ride the soft Utah soil. As we left around 6:30 there were still 5 or 10 riders up on course digging and riding. This whole weekend is going to be about commitment, commitment to digging, and commitment to your lines. Hesitate with either and you won't be advancing.
Brandon Semenuk Bike Check:
Check out Brandon's Nike 6.0 Profile
![photo]()
Semenuk has mainly been known as a slopestyle rider, but being someone that has grown up riding the bike park, his bike handling and trail riding skills are on par with anyone in the big mountain freeride scene. This is the Red Bull riders first Rampage, so he'll be hungry to show the world what he can do in the backcountry.
![photo]()
Ever done anything like rampage before ? previous results ?
I've never ridden in a rampage, but I've ridden the old contest site before.
What aspect of rampage stokes you the most ?
That there are multiple lines to choose from, and the aspect that you need to use your technical trail skills to get through it all.
What are your thoughts on the wood features on the course?
It's an easier way to give the riders a bigger variety in a shorter period of build time, especially with the tricky UTAH dirt. If it was just us digging, we couldn't get that creative.
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
Are you running any prototype or 2009 parts?
2009 session 88 DH, 2009 RockShox Boxxer WC, 2009 Avid Elixir CR brakes with 7 inch rotors, 2009 Truvativ Boobar 740mm.
Anything special on your bike for rampage, custom one offs or setup wise?
Custom black box labs gold ano X.O rear derailleur and shifter paddle setup, white brake hoses / shifter housing.
![photo]()
Have you done anything different for tires, or suspension setup?
Just stiffer suspension all around.
Weight?
Around 36 pounds!
Sponsors and shout outs
Trek, Red Bull, nike 6.0, SRAM, RockShox, Avid, Truvativ, blabs, camelbak, Smith optics, JBL, e.thirteen, evolution and fizik.
Geoff Gulevich Bike Check:
![photo]()
It is also Geoff Gulevich's first Red Bull Rampage. He's been known as a big mountain rider his whole career and now has his own pro model Rocky Mountain freeride bike. Growing up on the shore has given Gully excellent trail skills, and the ability to handle any flat landing drop. Look for him to content with the big boys of the freeride scene.
![photo]()
Have you ever done anything like rampage before ?
The closest thing to rampage that I've done is ridden a couple hits last year at the old site...it wasn't too exciting...hahaha!
What aspect of rampage stokes you the most ?
Big bikes, gnarly terrain and riding with the boys!
What are your thoughts on wood features on the course ?
Change can be good, we'll find out...
![photo]()
![photo]()
Are you running any prototype or 2009 parts? 2009 frame ?
Lighter than last years; I have the '09 saint groupo, '09 WTB tires and it is my signature model frame...it's purple!
Anything special on your bike for rampage, custom one offs or setup wise?
That's for me to know and you to find out...
Done anything different for tires, or suspension setup?
Stiffened up the suspension for the sweet rampage landings!
Bike Weight?
About 42 pounds.
Sponsors and shout outs?
Rocky Mountain bikes, Dakine (head to toe), Adidas eyewear, Shimano, Marzocchi, Protec/Vans, Whistler bike park, TFJC, Nike 6.0
-Ross Measures
www.redbullrampage.com
I just got back from the first day at Red Bull Rampage: Evolution, needless to say, it's jaw dropping. There are lines flowing everywhere, starting high above on two ridges aimed towards a central gully, with drops, steeps, loose corners and billy goat lines along the way. When all the riders got here this morning the lower half of the course had quite a few lines already sculpted out for them by Big Red Ted and his crew of Kenny, Adam and a few others.
The top half of the course is a different story, filled with ridge lines, steeps and exposed step downs. It has been left untouched with just a few rough trails down the tops of the ridges. There are a couple wood stunts, but they are mostly over on the Finals side of the course. The only wood ramp on the qualifying course is a step up jump, that is preceded by a super smooth step down. There are a couple double and triple drops and lots of steep drop ins. It's going to be quite the show when the riders finally start linking their runs together on Saturday afternoon.
This morning started off with quite a few riders carving out their own lines down the gnarly top section. This is going to be a big element of the contest, as it is the only real area where the riders are going to be able to differentiate their lines from other riders. They'll be able to make their own lines down below, but it won't make much sense with the awesome lines already laid out down there for them.
Myself and Brandon Semenuk spent almost all of the morning chipping away at a rock shelf way up on the riders left ridge, essentially known as "Gees line" by all the riders on course, we're trying to create a line for Brandon that he will be able to call his own, while showing off his creative style and fluidity. It's strenuous work digging the Utah soil, amid the soft soft sand are hard rock shelves that hold the ridges and mountains together, it takes hours to carve through these with the pick. We ended up breaking our pick axe on the shelf. Hopefully all our hard work pays off with a solid line that helps Brandon advance to the finals on Sunday.
Around one or two o'clock the riders started trading in their shovels for their mountain bikes. Thomas Vanderham, Cam Zink, and Kyle Strait started sessioning the ridge above us as we worked. Just feeling everything out as the weekend begins. Cedric was the first to go down on the step down to step up, overshooting the jump back up and ejecting in the air, he was fine, and managed to guinea pig a bunch of the gnarlier lines before the end of the day. Other riders started riding the lines they'd carved out all morning, and others started trying the lines that were laid out for them.
There were some definite stand outs in Robbie Bourdon, Chris Van Dine, the Atherton brothers and Thomas Vanderham. A lot of other riders were taking it really easy, learning how to ride the soft Utah soil. As we left around 6:30 there were still 5 or 10 riders up on course digging and riding. This whole weekend is going to be about commitment, commitment to digging, and commitment to your lines. Hesitate with either and you won't be advancing.
Brandon Semenuk Bike Check:
Check out Brandon's Nike 6.0 Profile
No single crown or short travel at this event
Semenuk has mainly been known as a slopestyle rider, but being someone that has grown up riding the bike park, his bike handling and trail riding skills are on par with anyone in the big mountain freeride scene. This is the Red Bull riders first Rampage, so he'll be hungry to show the world what he can do in the backcountry.
Brandon Semenuk and his 2009 Session 88 DH
Ever done anything like rampage before ? previous results ?
I've never ridden in a rampage, but I've ridden the old contest site before.
What aspect of rampage stokes you the most ?
That there are multiple lines to choose from, and the aspect that you need to use your technical trail skills to get through it all.
What are your thoughts on the wood features on the course?
It's an easier way to give the riders a bigger variety in a shorter period of build time, especially with the tricky UTAH dirt. If it was just us digging, we couldn't get that creative.
Are you running any prototype or 2009 parts?
2009 session 88 DH, 2009 RockShox Boxxer WC, 2009 Avid Elixir CR brakes with 7 inch rotors, 2009 Truvativ Boobar 740mm.
Anything special on your bike for rampage, custom one offs or setup wise?
Custom black box labs gold ano X.O rear derailleur and shifter paddle setup, white brake hoses / shifter housing.
Have you done anything different for tires, or suspension setup?
Just stiffer suspension all around.
Weight?
Around 36 pounds!
Sponsors and shout outs
Trek, Red Bull, nike 6.0, SRAM, RockShox, Avid, Truvativ, blabs, camelbak, Smith optics, JBL, e.thirteen, evolution and fizik.
Geoff Gulevich Bike Check:
It is also Geoff Gulevich's first Red Bull Rampage. He's been known as a big mountain rider his whole career and now has his own pro model Rocky Mountain freeride bike. Growing up on the shore has given Gully excellent trail skills, and the ability to handle any flat landing drop. Look for him to content with the big boys of the freeride scene.
Geoff Keith Gulevich and his 2009 pro model Rocky Mountain Flatline
Have you ever done anything like rampage before ?
The closest thing to rampage that I've done is ridden a couple hits last year at the old site...it wasn't too exciting...hahaha!
What aspect of rampage stokes you the most ?
Big bikes, gnarly terrain and riding with the boys!
What are your thoughts on wood features on the course ?
Change can be good, we'll find out...
Are you running any prototype or 2009 parts? 2009 frame ?
Lighter than last years; I have the '09 saint groupo, '09 WTB tires and it is my signature model frame...it's purple!
Anything special on your bike for rampage, custom one offs or setup wise?
That's for me to know and you to find out...
Done anything different for tires, or suspension setup?
Stiffened up the suspension for the sweet rampage landings!
Bike Weight?
About 42 pounds.
Sponsors and shout outs?
Rocky Mountain bikes, Dakine (head to toe), Adidas eyewear, Shimano, Marzocchi, Protec/Vans, Whistler bike park, TFJC, Nike 6.0
-Ross Measures
www.redbullrampage.com
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I am personally in favor of the few wood booters that have been built. I mean, it's not like they have built quarter pipes, teeter's, or satellite dishes up there. The wood is all massive super booters and the stuff that is going to get thrown down will be big bike tricks on big bike jumps. RAD!
My picks? 1. Darren Berrecloth 2. Zink 3. Gee or Bourdon if he keeps it up. I'd love to see Vanderham take it home though!
wikipedia - taurine
there is alot of misinformation about Red Bull out there..and its true the taurine is synthetic
if you look at the quantity Red Bull use in their energy drink every year, you would be paying $20 a can if it was indeed bull semen.....
Rampage Evolution looks RAD! Hope all the riders have a safe competition
Finally some " big bikes " action , would this be 1 step closer to kick slopestyle out of the scene ? :p
not sure about the wood stuuf??? not realy keeping it real like back in the day!