Sam Pilgrim - Private session at Adrenaline Alley

What happens when you give Sam Pilgrim a private session in his favourite skatepark in the UK - this is what happens!

It's 10 am and we arrive in a defrosting, wet car park in Corby at Adrenaline Alley. The lights are on and we are welcomed in for a private session at the park - but somethings missing - Sam Pilgrim...

Pictures, Video How To, and Interview with Sam Pilgrim inside..We all take the opportunity of Sam`s late arrival to have a blast around the skatepark without being seen by Sam and his trio of talent that he was bringing with him. But before we knew it, the Sam mobile had arrived and stashed inside the back was Sam Reynolds, Blake Samson and Oscar Golding. Today was gonna be, as Pilgrim would say "Sick in the face!"

The session began and it was just incredible to watch. The lads spread across the park and began going big from the offset!

I'm not going to harp on about what tricks went down or anything so check the video out and pictures - they pretty much tell the story of what went down!

Corby Session 15.01.10 with Sam Pilgrim and crew

by Nico-T

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Midway through our private session Mr. Pilgrim stepped up and taught me how to jump a spine - his expert tuition is shown below...

Sam Pilgrim - How to ride a spine

by Nico-T

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Interview

2008 was when you appeared from nowhere and won nearly everything – how has 2009 compared and what were the most memorable highlights for you?
Biggest highlight was definitely 26 tricks, was a really big comp with some American riders here, for me it's the biggest contest for dirt riders, and to win it was sick in the neck.

What are your hopes for this year, and what are you looking forward to the most this year?
Last year was horrible having to try and match the success of 2008. But it has made preparing for 2010 easier to approach - my aim is simple for this year - win as much as possible like in 2008.


Do you have any hopes for the future of Dirt Jumping in the UK?
Appreciated more, new purpose built areas and for it to be better recognized as a sport.

Who do you enjoy riding with?
Friends and the best contest riders in Dirt

What are your favourite 3 tricks to session? And favourite 3 places to ride?
Barspin, 360 whip, cruising backflips
Adrenaline Alley Corby, Chicksands, Leogang in Austria

Pot Noodle or Cuppa Soup?
Pot Noodle


Being famous has lots of bonuses and hang ups - what are your worst and best famous moments?
Worst Moment is when you see awful pictures of yourself in a magazine or something. There was a advertising shot of me recently used for ages that I hated.

Being on TV is definitely a Bonus!

Who would win in a fight between...
Blake Samson and Sam Reynolds - Blake
Peter Andre and Katie Price - Katie
Oscar Golding and Charlie Watts - Oscar
MBUK and Dirt - MBUK
Thomas Gaffney and Nico Turner - Nico Turner

Anyone you wanna say anything too?
Just wanna say to my sponsors - Sick in the mouth, peace out!

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Bike Check

Can you just talk us through your bike at present?
Yeah it's simple and I love it! I'm riding the Ashton Diamondback closure frame, Gusset open prison bars with 3” rise, Gusset stem and seat which is plastic, Halo sas rims, RockShox Revelations

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Overview

For me today was just the most awesome start to the new year I could have hoped for. Sam is a really down to earth, funny, talented guy - and with more tricks under his belt than Dellboy, he is a real force representing the UK in the Dirt Jump scene. Sam manages to make all of these tricks look effortless and when he headbutted the rafters above the step up in a massive boost attempt - he didn't throw a wobbler or act like a donkey - he handled himself really professionally and demonstrated a good role model attitude to all the masses of fans that follow him. I will warn you though - this guy has the loudest burp I have ever heard! It literally echoed around the skatepark after he unleashed it from his gut. Expect to see more and more of this guy in the future - he really is a phenomenal rider who is only still at the beginning of his journey of world domination in Dirt/park MTB!


Words by John Lee - Video by Nico Turner - Pics by Thomas Gaffney

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Interviews Sam Pilgrim