Video: Gee Atherton VS Mike Levy - Humbled

Sep 16, 2019
by Pinkbike Originals  


It's often the case that two people looking at the same thing see it in a vastly different light. It's all a matter of perspective, as the old saying goes, and, depending on your vantage point, the glass might be half-full or it might be half-empty. Likewise, do you believe you'll have the speed to easily clear that gap, or will you be lucky to get your front wheel over it? And how fast can you go down that steep rock roll without being swallowed by the four-foot deep bomb hole at the bottom?

For Pinkbike's Mike Levy and Gee Atherton, the perspectives - and the answers - are entirely different. Gee's vantage point is one that includes multiple World Cup wins, countless hours spent in the gym, and the kind of courage that comes from being one of the quickest descenders in the world for the last fifteen years. On the bike, he's certainly a glass half-full kinda guy. Levy? He doesn't win anything and prefers to spend countless hours at the closest Tim Hortons, neither of which do anything for his courage. His glass might be half-empty, but he probably doesn't realize it.

Humbled #1 - Brendan Fairclough VS Mike Levy at Whistler
Humbled #2 - Richie Rude VS Mike Levy in the Gym







Regions in Article
Whistler Mountain Bike Park

Trails in Article
Captain Safety

Author Info:
pinkbikeoriginals avatar

Member since Feb 15, 2012
1,085 articles

193 Comments
  • 198 1
 Gee man really getting the media hype recently! Hope he pulls together an insane rampage run!
  • 53 0
 Yeah, he is really on and putting out a lot of stuff. Gotta put in some extra work if it´s your own business I guess.
Cool video so, I remember visiting my first World Cup in 2012, standing there with my brother, discussing lines and then the pros would come in and just fly over the roots I virtually navigated around.
Video also shows, that Gee has a good sense of humor ...
  • 70 2
 I always liked Gee, even back in the day when everyone else busted his balls for being Mr. Spock. He's a focused athlete, he's supposed to be intense during competition. I would expect to see more edits of him now that he has bikes to sell, good for us all around.
  • 10 201
flag thesharkman (Sep 16, 2019 at 8:52) (Below Threshold)
 @Germanmike: yeah the only thing he isn't putting out is world class speed.
  • 75 0
 @thesharkman: You mean the same guy who got second at La Bresse last year along with a top ten just prior and several top 20s last season and this season (among the fastest in the world..). Yeah..sounds slow.
  • 3 60
flag CM999 (Sep 16, 2019 at 10:47) (Below Threshold)
 @gnarnaimo: hes not been troubling the top 20 all season this year
  • 128 4
 @thesharkman: he is still faster than you - and he seems like the nicer person as well
  • 80 0
 @CM999: He's been at the sharp end of dh for the best part of 20 years, so I think we can cut him some slack. Not to mention coming back from massive injury, and developing his own bike brand this year. Plus he seems like a genuinely nice guy. Unlike the typical keyboard dh warriors on here...
  • 19 0
 @CM999: Check again, he was in the top 20 twice this year and 21st once.
  • 30 1
 @thesharkman: these playground tactics don't fool us. You'd run over to him pull his hair and tell him he smells if you met him. Just let the love out, keeping emotions inside is not good for you.
  • 10 1
 @Germanmike: Gee's remarks are very humorous and witty... I was cracking up at the quick remarks...
  • 19 1
 @SlodownU: This. Couldn’t agree more. People were always raining on his parade for being stone-faced. He’s just intense and didn’t play well w the usual slap-happy MTB interview styles in the mid 2000s. Watching him progress both on the bike and in front of the camera over the past 3 years has been exactly what I was hoping for. Super stoked for his life and career right now.
  • 6 5
 It should have been, Mike vs Rachel.
  • 30 2
 @CM999: he literally just got 2nd in the toughest DH race in the world yesterday.
  • 6 0
 Can't humble the pinkbike comments section though!
  • 1 7
flag sharpiemtb (Sep 17, 2019 at 6:31) (Below Threshold)
 @SlodownU: He went full Lord Bummer for a few years but he's starting to be fun again
  • 111 1
 Wow Mike isn't slow but Gee's riding pace puts things into perspective. Immensely entertaining
  • 11 0
 Yeah man. Mike can ride for sure, but Gee and all the pros are on another level.
  • 20 0
 Best example I've seen of this was Skills with Phil's latest video. We know he's insanely good on a bike, already in the absolute top percentage of riders, yet he was following a cruising Wyn Masters, who had a broken rib, down tracks Wyn didn't know, and was right on the edge of being able to keep up Mental stuff
  • 80 0
 "What he did there...was apply a lot more skill and knowledge." hahaha love it.
  • 77 0
 Shame this is only Ep. 3, love humbled. Nice one @mikelevy
  • 33 1
 First time I’ve caught one of these episodes. Seems to be mostly shots of @MikeLevy going “What the f*€k!!” then trying to rock the same line. Netflix needs to get on this and offer up a contract
  • 17 0
 @SacAssassin: how did you get a hold of our storyboard? #leaks
  • 49 1
 Coupla' things ...

Levy is a madman. Absolute madman!
With an upcoming purchase of a Pole, I'm stoked to see they seem to have an inbuilt ability to save crazy antics from sure fire death.
Gee is on another level. That 'gap' to clear the roots and rocks?! Holy s&$t.
  • 2 0
 Mike had that Pole Dancing down the trail like a Crackwhore in Vegas. ))))

Great fun video to watch. Thanks Mike.
  • 1 0
 Very true on the saves. My buddy has an Evolink 158 that I've ridden a few times. He calls it the mistake eraser and it's totally true. You can basically just throw it down whatever trail you want on whatever line you want and the bike will just pull you through and make you feel like superman.
  • 52 0
 Bucket List Item #19: Getting a "Yeah Boi" from the G-Man
  • 15 0
 I got a “yeah-guy” from one of my friends.... it wasn’t quite the same. Lol
  • 4 0
 @jjalessi: "YEAH GUY!"s are crucial in mountain bike tram building!
  • 12 0
 The positivity really helped my confidence haha
  • 4 1
 @mikelevy: I feel like we should try to change “ya-boi” to “atta-baby”. It’s confidence inspiring yet mildly creepy.
  • 11 0
 @jjalessi: My vote is always for mildly creepy because it comes naturally to me.
  • 4 0
 @jjalessi: take it easy guys, I'm still trying to not drop F-bombs in front of women and children.
  • 1 0
 @schofell84: tram-a-lam-a-ding-dong
  • 49 0
 Mike Levy is such a legend, I can't wait to see his Rampage run this year... oh wait.
  • 18 0
 "Levs, as they call him..."
  • 10 0
 "won his first world cup back in 2003, if I remember rightly"
  • 27 0
 I once crashed at the old Rampage site so badly that both my shoes came off and I only hit the ground three times in about 75 feet. Didn't get the invite this year tho Frown
  • 3 0
 Were you riding the Pole ?

Which bike did you take there @mikelevy:
  • 2 0
 do you feel shame when riding the pole?@barbarosza:
  • 42 0
 Those were some sick turns at the bottom Mike Levy!
  • 8 2
 Yeah those ones were top notch. Well done boy. There he is good cause he knows how to ride his center of gravity low due to his down country skills... But at the techn gnar he was sitting too much at the back.
  • 4 1
 @PauRexs: Downcountry FTW!
  • 10 0
 @PauRexs: it's also absolutely shocking how flat that top roll looks on camera.
  • 2 0
 @brianpark: yeah I was thinking this too. He might need more gym and tokens haha... Balls he quite proved us.
  • 2 0
 "this is gonna sound weird... but for a second, I think you took on the shape of a unicorn..."
"I felt like... I was Levy-tating over my own body, watching myself ride..."
  • 2 0
 @brianpark: Yip. Much steeper than it looks. I always like the inside line on that rock, thought the outside line was for folk who got carried away and couldn't make the corner!
  • 2 0
 Which trail is the first rock roll on? @brianpark:
  • 3 0
 @imabus: Captain Safety, a classic short trail
  • 4 0
 @PauRexs: Just skidding everywhere Smile
  • 1 0
 Thanks! @HellmanD: Heading to Whistler this coming weekend!
  • 46 9
 It's impossible, killer geo super enduro slack af *fck bike with a mile of reach did not help him ride as a boss? No way, I do not believe it!!!
  • 11 0
 You should have seen him ride on his previous bike....
  • 25 0
 Well obviously his seat angle was too slack.
  • 3 3
 Looks like too much reach to me...
  • 19 1
 I'm 99% sure he had the Stamina 140 that day, not 180. And I'm pretty sure that bike saved his ass a few times during filming.
  • 5 0
 @brianpark: but he brought a knife to a gunfight.
  • 37 0
 Gee: Get a whole bunch of speed up there, pick up, and gap to here.

Levy: ....No...
  • 37 0
 When the Levy brakes
  • 7 0
 #commentgold
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy: Truly underrated!
  • 33 0
 Loved that......best one so far easily. Good banter, made me chuckle.
'High bravery.....low control' …...perfectly sums up my riding
  • 6 0
 Agree. That was great to watch. Good humour.
  • 33 0
 extremely good rider VS a pro. Incredible to see there is a whole skill universe in between those two!
  • 27 0
 In the grand scheme of things, Mike Levy still shreds really hard. I can't wait for an episode where he takes his revenge on complete joeys like me with his slackcountry bike
  • 28 1
 Maybe Gee could review bikes for PB from a 'pro's perspective'.??
  • 12 1
 Not gonna happen.There will be a massive conflicts of interest as he himself have his own bike company..The same conflicts also strongly related to all sponsored pros and/or celebrity.
  • 2 1
 @mnurhaqiem: hey if you're confident in your equipment you should be able to give an honest review.
  • 1 0
 @schofell84: i got your point.But possibility to sweet talking about their competitor’s or other than their sponsors stuff is very much low..Bills need to be paid and family need to be fed though..Look at Sam Pilgrim for example,the -you don’t pay me,I paint your stuff yellow,your brand don’t deserve a view even though I love your stuff- kind of attitude..
  • 1 0
 @mnurhaqiem: moreso from the sponsors viewpoint. You either make the best stuff or you're simply paying for advertising.
  • 21 0
 Holy crap, that guy is fast. And Gee wasn't bad either.
  • 22 0
 Best episode. Thanks!
  • 18 0
 The best one yet. Levy and Gee looked like they both enjoyed that. I imagine @mikelevy is spending a lot of time up voting any comment praising his riding. Well you can up vote this one too. Great riding Mike.
  • 13 1
 upvoting this rn
  • 15 0
 Gee is a legend – as are the rest of the clan.

I used to race against them 20 years ago in local races around Devon and Somerset. This was back when I think they were riding for Muddy Fox. I remember a race at a venue in Devon called Ashcombe and was run by NACC in Newton Abbott. Short tracks and not that steep and during the morning practise we were scoping out a few technical bits and there was this one section that was a flattish rooty run into a rooty bombhole then more roots out the otherside.

We were there for ages trying to get a line into it and through the bombhole and out the other side without losing too much time. Dan and Gee (this was when Dan was the quickest and Gee had mad crazy hair) came along to check it out too – had a quick look at the bombhole, pushed their bikes back up for a run in and then rode flat out, hit some tiny root that I still don’t think existed, that gave them enough air to clear the whole bombhole and land the other side without even losing any speed.

We all looked at each other with a “what the xxxx” expression – they are both brilliant riders
  • 18 0
 Is there a Mike Levy soundboard?
  • 17 0
 This is the best video Ive seen on here in a while.
  • 17 2
 Now I know what I have been missing to advance my riding to the next level...Gee standing by my side calling me a pussy.
  • 11 0
 Ive met Gee a couple of times and ridden with him once on a coaching session. Him and Dan are lovely guys. Yeah they are serious about what they do but they are really relaxed and pleasant around people. They are very grounded, down to eart individuals. Bearing in mind their skills, the fact that they were super pumped for the tiny improvements we made on the day, I would say thats a great measure of the person. Im serious at work, but that doesnt mean Im a serious person.
  • 12 0
 Does Levy have a F'ing gold tooth......
  • 25 0
 He's working on a Soundcloud rap career.
  • 10 1
 Only one, though. More than that would be silly.
  • 9 0
 Not for nothing but Levy was freaking killing it in the last minute of the video. Its a great representation of just how pro athletes are vs. a very fit and fast industry guy. Awesome vid guys!
  • 6 0
 I thought Mike Levy handled the slab well, but when Gee went down it he was totally on a different level. He made it look too easy. The confidence, the skill, and especially the speed he went down the slab was just freakin' insane! Tbh, I am speechless right now. Wow, just wow... Right on Gee!
  • 3 0
 I swear that slab is steeper than it looks haha but that's always the case, isn't it?
  • 8 0
 Levy, wow man...high bravery indeed. Clearly you were pushing the limit and making it out alive. I cant ride anywhere near that I'm sure. Well done. Congrats.
  • 8 0
 If Gee had been on the 8-Ball would Mike have had him?

Awesome video.
  • 3 0
 Zero chance, 8-Ball or not.
  • 4 0
 That. Was. Brilliant! Levy's response to seeing Gee ride a line is so accurate. I've rode with some semi-pros: you see them do a line you have and you're like "Oh, that's how you do that.". It's surreal.
  • 6 0
 Levy's going to need therapy after Gee "deconstructs" his riding. Apparently, he has control issues. Wink
  • 2 0
 I think Gee is awesome, for his course previews he sounds so calm, I liked Claudio as well but he was a little over the top at times but since he cracked himself up they haven't had him back. But Gee is just awesome at this stuff.
  • 5 0
 There's a great Pole-handling joke in there somewhere...
  • 4 0
 If I buy an Atherton bike will I ride like Gee? Love watching WC riders' interpretation of how to ride a trail.
  • 4 91
flag thesharkman (Sep 16, 2019 at 8:53) (Below Threshold)
 No but you start to think you're better than everyone else like he does.
  • 45 0
 @thesharkman: Can you give us an insight into what Gee has done to you to make you so angry at him, exactly? Did he cut you up on your commute or turn down your offer of a blowie or something?
  • 5 0
 @Linkpin: he probably stole his bird @thesharkman: is a joke and nothing more than a poor troll
  • 13 0
 @thesharkman: lol, he is better than 99.9% of the world's Mtb population. And even then he still comes across as quite modest
  • 19 0
 Oh @thesharkman, do f*ck off, you're boring
  • 2 0
 Great vid..good to see Gman having a laugh and showing just what a pro rider he really is..amazing speed and control. Just loved the "high bravery...low control" so funny. Great job G.
  • 4 0
 That was hilarious. I actually laughed out loud when Mike pinballed down the trail. Great video, well done!
  • 1 0
 so that was super fun! Gonna catch up on the rest now for sure.

Funny thing about Gee....he's not podium level any more but his experience is almost unrivalled in world cup now, he has as lot to offer i think. I've not been much of a fan of his as he is comes across as being a bit surly and clearly puts himself under a LOT of pressure/expectation in the world cup but this is good PR for him. he needs so smile and laugh more :-)
  • 5 0
 hahah that was awesome, that gap was craaaazy
  • 6 1
 Here's to Pole for saving Mike Levy's life a few times on this video!
  • 4 0
 Saved by Pole
  • 2 0
 Man I'd love the opportunity to ride with any of those pro DH guys and get feedback like that. Preferably Greg Minnaar because we're about the same age - that alone is humbling.
  • 6 2
 Hey just a thought here. Have you considered taking lessons? Because I did and I took huge benefit from it (line choice, risk, bike setup, training tips, body position, riding technique, etc). I don't think we need a world champion to get valuable advice, just a proper coach. Whatever your age and level, I'd suggest spending a bit less on your bike and invest in your skills.
  • 1 0
 @t1000: I appreciate that. I guess at my age I just felt that official lessons really dont serve much purpose - I am certainly not gonna make this my career. But you're totally right - it would probably be a lot of fun too.
  • 2 0
 I gotta say, Mike held his own. Was pretty cool watching Gee's perspective tailing behind Levy. Here's an atta boy to you brother! Good stuff.
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy Gee's riding was amazing but you're no slouch either! I'm impressed with your skills.
  • 4 0
 Love this series @mikelevy Can't wait for the next episode
  • 1 0
 Based on the fact there are 3 over last couple years dont hold your breath.
  • 4 0
 @mfoga: yeah they won't happen on a weekly basis or anything, but we've got another pretty special one in the works. Smile
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: Great, it was just kinda weird to see the gap between the old ones and this one. Even a couple times a year would be amazing.
  • 4 0
 4:30 Geesus Christ indeed.
  • 4 0
 Good reminder that every time we think we're fast...
  • 3 0
 Very very fun to watch. Keep those coming, the PB crowd loves them it seems!
  • 1 0
 I loved this, I've always liked Gee and was bummed he got so much flak for years and years. He always seemed like a serious racer and otherwise a good dude, this seems to be evident in the video with Levy. Great stuff!
  • 1 0
 That was too damn funny. Always felt the Atherton were great people. Gee has an excellent sense of humor. I’m sitting in a dentist waiting room laughing out loud at this stuff.
  • 2 0
 It is official Hell has frozen over because Mike Levy is riding a long and slack bike!!! I look forward to the Mike Levy review of that Pole Stamina!
  • 5 2
 I guess, wearing knee/shin & elbow protection is out of fashion....
  • 2 0
 Superb vid pinkbike, great to see Gee enjoying himself - more of that please Gee!
  • 3 0
 So many good quotes from Gee on their ride down.
  • 1 0
 On a comedy note, I would love the series even more if Mike Levy just kept pretending that he was whooping him and Gee played along with it.
  • 5 28
flag owl-X (Sep 16, 2019 at 14:35) (Below Threshold)
 NOT FOR ME. THE FAKE HUMBLE ROUTINE IS A TIRED TROPE THAT HEAVY HITTERS SEE WAY TOO OFTEN, AND THIS ATHERTON CAT IS ONLY GONNA GO SO FAR WITH IT. ESPECIALLY FOR A CANADIAN. THIS LEVY IS QUITE OBJECTIVELY A VERY VERY SKILLED MOUNTAIN BIKER FIRING UP A CHARACTER TO PROTECT HIMSELF. I KNOW THE MOVE, I'VE DONE IT IN MANY AREAS OF MY LIFE TOO. PRETENDING YOU SUCK IS WAY LESS INTERESTING THAN ACTUALLY BEING AUTHENTIC AND VULNERABLE.
BUT YEAH FIND SOMEONE GEE LIKES ENOUGH TO BOW TO IF YOU WANT YOUR SETUP--DOUBTFUL THO, AS ATHERTON'S AN ULTRA MOTIVATED ALL-CAPS RACER (MAKE IT BOLD SINCE WE'RE ALREADY ALLCAPPIN) WHO HAS NO QUALMS ABOUT TRYING HIS HARDEST TO WIN HIS OWN EVENT.
GEE IS A SICK NAME.
  • 7 0
 @owl-X: WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING?
  • 4 9
flag owl-X (Sep 16, 2019 at 16:09) (Below Threshold)
 @bashhard: I'M OUT HERE BASHING KEYS. HARD. FOR REAL.
  • 1 0
 Mike is a really good rider so the contrast there shows the difference between these top DH racers, some of them lines Gee took were unbelievable!
  • 2 0
 I’ll be a f*****g angry pirate if I ever have to ride that again hahaha, best banter by far
  • 1 0
 Loving the media coverage coming from Gee of late, course previews are sweet and stuff like this away from the racing showing a different side to him.
  • 3 0
 This was the best episode Big Grin
  • 3 0
 Levy is a very good rider. I would hate to have Gee on my tail.
  • 2 0
 Great video, it brought lots of smiles on an otherwise shitty Monday. Thanks Smile
  • 2 0
 That was cool.
"The queen called" i laughed at that Levy, bloody funny. Gee is a machine but we all know that.
  • 2 0
 Hahaha, that was epic! Great stuff!
  • 2 0
 The speed on Captain Safety is nuts!
  • 2 0
 Mike could try some rodeo rides Big Grin
This was really good! Thanks Gee
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy This gives me an idea for the next challenge series : Drink & Ride with DSapp
  • 1 0
 Great watch.. Gee is the MAN...Levy surprised me ..fast and squirrelly...sorta like watching Greenland on ludes.Smile
  • 1 0
 rather fast going down the hill
  • 1 0
 This is what 500 pushy's a day can get you, kids!
  • 11 0
 The reaction times of top pros is their main advantage. They process terrain & everything coming at them is slow motion compared to the other 99% of people.

You might could get that gap he does at the end (even if you were as fit in the gym) cause it's a single hit, but then you aren't making the corner after or trailing off line cause you can't handle the rapid fire roots and rocks after you land. Ellie travers reaction times are their #1 skill & can't be "learned".
I wanted to accept a pro license when USAC offered the upgrade, but felt I wasn't deserving of it cause at my fittest & fastest, I was hoping for the cleanest of runs to even stay close to the national & now international pros I raced against at the time. In person, trying to do the stuff like that one hit...normal folks can do, but not rapid fire, non stop over a 3-4 minute course... heck even react to 30 seconds of that craziness
  • 1 0
 @bizutch: I took it. It was pretty cool. You get faster cause you have to.

Also,to your point...hurt alot
  • 3 0
 @scary1: yup. I was getting hurt more cause I'd clean a section keeping little 14 yr old kid Luca or Walker or Max in sight for a few, then next blink of an eye I'm on the ground cause there is just no way to react to the next set of challenges cause you just cleared a section faster than you knew you could.

Hah.
Heck, first time I saw Lopes up close at Helen, GA National Champs, pretty sure I saw the fastest human cyclist ever. Still yet to see anyone faster...
  • 8 4
 @bizutch: there reaction times are no better than anyone elses. Science has proved that. What they have is experience of what their bike does at the limit so they already know what to do as it happens
  • 5 5
 @CM999: what in the immortal heck are you babbling about? Let's put you in a game of slapjack with a pro and see who comes out red if that's the case. I'd put your life savings on the pro.
  • 3 0
 @bizutch: I have noticed that as i get older i just cant simply process the information needed to ride the trail as fast as i once did .Also when it does go tits up my reaction time is slower so i do not save as many moments as i did 15 years ago
  • 1 0
 @rideronthestorm1: ditto. And the first part of the body to pay the price (assuming you live in a wooded riding area) is the pinkies. Big Grin
  • 2 0
 nice work @mikelevy !
  • 1 0
 So entertaining. So good.
  • 1 0
 More of this type of video please.
  • 1 0
 "I'd be an Angry Pirate if I had to ride that again."
- Gee
  • 2 0
 This is good
  • 2 0
 Yo James! Big Grin
Gee is a legend! Loved all the WTFs!! lol
  • 1 0
 More of a tour guide than than a life coach?
  • 2 0
 That was amazing..WOW!!
  • 1 0
 Jesus...that gap Gee pulled was sick.
  • 1 0
 very nice video segment, please do some slope style with Rheeder
  • 1 0
 That was such an awesome video!
  • 1 0
 So we going to see a Hot Lap with Gee on the 8ball?
  • 1 0
 Loved the comment on Upper Angry Pirate!
  • 1 2
 What the f*ck is that f*cking website in such a f*cking continent that f*cking abuse of too much f*cking `bips`when someone says `Jesus Christ`?
  • 4 0
 spotted!
  • 1 0
 gold tooth...
  • 1 0
 Fun Vid
  • 1 0
 Geezus cryst..
  • 1 0
 That looked really fun
  • 1 0
 GREAT
  • 1 0
 Loved that
  • 1 0
 So funny, loved it
  • 1 0
 Makes it look Geezee
  • 1 0
 We need maximum attack!
  • 1 1
 Gee just has a better bike that's all
  • 1 0
 Thoroughly enjoyed 10/10
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 3.770858
Mobile Version of Website