Video: The Chute From Hell - EWS Northstar 2019

Aug 25, 2019
by Pinkbike Originals  

Racers had to practice Stage 4 this morning before taking the start-line at EWS Northstar. This rocky chute from hell absolutely punished bodies and bikes—but it was interesting to see who is getting through it clean. It'll be a major factor during the race.

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Northstar California

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Racing and Events Videos Raw Video Pinkbike Originals Enduro Racing Ews Northstar 2019 Enduro World Series Ews Northstar


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167 Comments

  • 138 37
 I believe that redneck with silly mustache thinks Europe is a country...
  • 68 28
 That was one stupid monologue for sure.
  • 99 5
 It's great to see a man so proud of local geology.
  • 77 9
 The dude is clearly an expert at trash-talking 'Europeans'. We could be looking at Britain's next PM here
  • 24 17
 He sounds so pompous and ignorant. Cause yeah, loose and dry is specific to California.
  • 17 89
flag Mntneer (Aug 25, 2019 at 7:17) (Below Threshold)
 @brdjanin probably Mexican, so more of a brown neck
  • 44 9
 Obviously, the Europeans on here are offended. It's okay guys, deep down.. we love our fellow mtbikers across the pond. In fact, we are all probably a little jealous of the great riding and riders and the trail access that is available in Europe.
  • 108 13
 @cpobanz: i'm european (not really, I'm english) and i'll stick my neck out and say i thought he was awesome. who cares if he's proud of cali and he's poking europe? i thought it was a great addition to the video. people!, its called being 'a character'. god bless cheech and god bless america.
  • 71 9
 Its funny seeing you all get upset over some rando's comments. Grow a thicker skin, boys. Let's stay on topic here which is the EWS races on gnarlier trails than the UCI DH.
  • 16 0
 I believe I've met that dude before! Is he really wrong in that many riders weren't ready for Tahoe? Sure, it may not really be harder than everywhere else (then again, it may be), but it is much diffrrent from all the other stops.
  • 13 1
 @mattg95: He’s right though. If anyone’s ridden the Lake District during its two week summer will know how gnarly blown out gravel chutes and rock gardens are in those conditions. If you grow up riding in those conditions you’re going to be at massive advantage.
  • 17 0
 Did I miss something? When did he say Europe was a country?
  • 11 2
 Riding the Sierras takes some getting used to. He isn’t wrong. And why did you have to go and bring his nice mustache into this??!
  • 13 2
 Machete dont ride.
  • 24 2
 He didn't say Europe was a country. He said "Europeans" aren't going to like it. We've all heard the term "Europeans," yes? As in the people who inhabit the continent of Europe?

Now whether there's any merit to his assessment of Europeans and their ability to ride that chute, that's one thing. But there is nothing wrong with the term "European" here.
  • 13 5
 Get over yourselves, Euros. Dudes like him are a dime a dozen over here - of course he's going to say some stupid stuff. The trick is to find something you like about the guy, like his fancy stache or long locks, then you can just laugh at his little spiel.
  • 4 19
flag dubod22 (Aug 25, 2019 at 17:29) (Below Threshold)
 @scvkurt03: It might just be the arrogance that irks people. Why not localise it to Canadians for a bit of cross border banter? Why choose Europeans at all?

All the pros on the circuit come from far flung corners and have ridden much tougher stuff than some dusty chutes in California. He should check the rankings on all MTB disciplines to see where the Californian’s stand up.
  • 16 1
 @dubod22: Doesn't everyone have some loud-mouthed uncle that blathers on about random crap at every family gathering, while the rest of you just look at each other and roll your eyes? You people are too delicate if this bothers you.
  • 2 15
flag dubod22 (Aug 25, 2019 at 19:27) (Below Threshold)
 @scvkurt03: yeah, they do. But then why give them a platform to blather on?

Us people are probably too delicate then - so I best not mention ebikes on here. x
  • 10 0
 @dubod22: Because local know-it-alls are funny.
  • 8 10
 @dubod22: I think I get where you're coming from. We put another blathering idiot in the White House, so you were tired of this guy before he even popped on your screen. Hopefully at least half of us will ease the world's pain in about 14.5 months, then you can revisit this guy and laugh at him too.
  • 1 0
 @brdjanin Ne zajebavaj majmune
  • 7 0
 Lets have a pre-race word with a local Serbian next time and see if he/she picks the winner. Don't be an elitist millennial, k?
  • 7 1
 He wasn’t even a redneck dumbass not all Americans are white
  • 4 1
 @lalientoxc: I tried to say this. Ya know, because I'm a person of color and wouldn't want to be called a redneck.

50 white people have down voted me so far
  • 1 0
 @Mntneer: pinkbike is like a reflection of life... its all about timing.
  • 5 0
 @thenotoriousmic: I was gonna say, I hope he hooked up our Euro homies with some California grown Humboldt hospitality.
  • 2 2
 @vonroder77: probably some central valley mids
  • 1 0
 tinyurl.com/yxbt56oq
  • 5 2
 @Mntneer: Yeah, he didn't strike me as a red neck at all. Red necks drink bud, fly American flags from the cab of their monster trucks while spinning donuts in the mud. This guy seems like kind of a back to nature, OG mountain bike stoner type -- he's out on the trail on his hard tail built for him by Gary Fisher or Tom Ritchie, telling you, "You gotta respect nature, man... Got any weed?"
  • 1 1
 @cpobanz: And no Mr Orange there
  • 3 1
 "Richie Rude? He ain't from California, but he rides like he's from California" So is he always on the lookout for rangers with speed guns?
  • 2 0
 @metaam: I only know of 2 areas in CA that sometimes use radar. Mt Tam and Mid-Pen OSP. California is twice as big as the UK so don't be stereotyping the whole state. Sorry about BoJo, however.
  • 2 0
 @endlessblockades: But I thought stereotyping was what we do here! No need to apologise for the dude, you shouldn't take him, or me, too seriously.
  • 1 0
 True, true.
  • 2 0
 I thought the guy is quite funny, kind of like the mustache cowboy in the big lebowsky. Trash talkin is part of the game... and the whole area is very special. As a Euro I have ridden some trails in SoCal, Mammoth and Lake Tahoe. That is something else that is hard to find in Europe. So the mustache master was not so far off with his ramblings...
  • 3 1
 @vonroder77: that humbolt 420 hospitality? He’s just a guy hyped on the EWS being on his local trails and proud of his local racers. Pinkbikers are so highly strung these days. Acting like he’s breaking the law or something. Looking at the results seems like he was right though.
  • 2 1
 @thenotoriousmic: He can probably clear that hellish rock chute faster on his 2005 Nomad than half the EWS Elite field.
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: Yeah man, that good ol California 420 hospitality.
Just some good positive waves my Dude.
  • 57 3
 Hey dude.... Come riding in Ireland.... It's gonna be cold, it's gonna be muddy, and it's gonna be slippery.... Ya gonna be looking for ways to keep your balls dry and ya not gonna be able to... Ya gonna hate it .... !
  • 16 8
 Greg Callaghan walks down the pits swinging arms like McGregor...
  • 4 3
 @WAKIdesigns: honestly, I've never been a fan and even when I got a chance to meet him in person my opinion didn't change....

...... As for McGregor, always knew he was no role model to anyone and always saw through his bs....

...... give man power to reveal their true character..... botched from an AL quote...
  • 2 1
 I don’t think he rides...
  • 9 9
 @Luis-Sc: dude, try kicking peoples asses for a living and going from zero to 100mill in five years and tell me if it doesn't go to your head a little. he's a scally from crumlin who barely has any peers (nobody else has done what he's done). how on earth is he not going to make massive errors that are going to be played out on a global stage?

you are right with the character quote, i don't dispute that at all. but its not like conor had amazing role models around him. the point with conor ('the story', if you like) is the exact opposite really.. he 'broke out' of the condition (and the conditioning) that is found in lower income areas (think 'crabs in a bucket')

i respect your right to not like him and perhaps I'm guilty of letting his faults go because i always liked him. but the facts still remain, he's done something that barely anyone can relate to and hardly anyone can guide/advise him on.
  • 4 9
flag WAKIdesigns (Aug 25, 2019 at 10:29) (Below Threshold)
 @Luis-Sc: I don’t care about Connor much, even though he’s impressing me a lot, who wouldn’t be impressed by a guy who is guaranteed to kick your ass on the street. He is a male alpha in 99.9999999% of life situations he dins himself in due to ability to fight and thanks to his wealth. Nobody can take that from him.

As to philosophy, there is a saying: it’s easy to be poor
  • 4 9
flag WAKIdesigns (Aug 25, 2019 at 10:40) (Below Threshold)
 @tobiusmaximum: your last sentence. That is my problem with calling Lance a cheater. I have never been in a situation where I was next to a window of opportunity to gain a lot, for the price of pulling off a big cheat, especially that it was not a bed of roses to juice up like that. Most people’s moral choice ends with finding a wallet full of cash and wondering whether to return it or not. At best, being in position to cheat on their woman. Yet here they are, experts in moral code...
  • 1 0
 I note that all the Scottish riders had it nailed- it looks like a lot of stuff over here.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: waki, everyone wants to say they have empathy, but i notice a trend that most people only want to have it for people they believe to be in a position below them.
  • 41 1
 Why the heck are so many people butthurt about a goofy local giving a hot take. The guy is obviously just saying stuff for the shits and giggles.
  • 14 1
 He also wasn’t wrong!
  • 36 0
 If you want to see how I would do it...watch any Friday Fails compilation that takes your fancy.
  • 6 0
 So you would launch into the section going balls-to-the-wall fast while sitting and get bucked into the next decade?
  • 6 0
 @masonstevens:
Not so much launch as cascade at a snail pace into that section with legs akimbo then OTB on the first hummock into a dead sailor before finally getting head slammed by my own bike. It will be filmed in portrait mode and someone will ask my still tumbling body if it's okay while another is repeatedly shouting Kurwa.
  • 1 0
 @silentbutdeadly: don't forget about your idiot buddy running you over once you come to a stop.
  • 32 4
 Damn, you have to go to strip clubs to see things get bounced like that.
  • 10 1
 Or put enduro rigs on DH trails
  • 25 1
 So sensitive, that dude was classic.
  • 13 1
 Seeing this, would die to be from California... But I'd probably just die trying.:-)

Amazing riding as ever from the pro's, good watch!
  • 19 15
 Beet commentary of any video yet. Bring that guy on the world tour
  • 14 10
 @FireBallDHR: I liked that guy and his mighty mustache.
  • 36 6
 @FireBallDHR: Yeah, good trash talking. It's not like a European (or specifically French rider) is leading the men's EWS, women's EWS and the men's DH.
  • 13 5
 @dubod22: who’s Europe’s president?
  • 21 1
 @WAKIdesigns: prince william. i had tea with him on thursday.
  • 4 1
 @beerandbikes: With all respect to that guy, it would have been nice to hear some insights from Cathro too here.
  • 3 0
 @dubod22: pew pew peeewww
  • 58 5
 And if the track doesn't kill you, the healthcare system will.
  • 4 1
 @vinay: I was happy to take him as 'local colour' and the not silence of 'dying tyres in an avalanche' as the commentary.
  • 2 0
 @tobiusmaximum: I flew his private jet , Big Elto paid
  • 5 8
 Amazon is on fire, we need more trees, melting of the glaciers is necessary, we need to make Greenland green again
  • 1 2
 @WAKIdesigns: Mario Draghi
  • 4 1
 @NinetySixBikes: It won't kill you, it will just make you go broke
  • 1 1
 @dubod22: eheh... until CALIFORNIA! they are just like a beginner there!
  • 1 0
 @vinay: Cathro Vs Cheech. its an episode waiting to happen.
  • 1 0
 @Sloppa90:
  • 1 0
 @chainspotting: I flew his uncle's private jet, but I'm not allowed to disclose who he had in there with him, or which trust fund paid for it.
  • 12 1
 All these riders are heroes. The pro are just semi-Gods. the trail looks so much different under their bike!
  • 10 1
 dude, you're greek. its 'demigods'..
  • 3 1
 @tobiusmaximum: yeah, but if Zeus was only a little bit impotent...
  • 2 1
 Every day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmkJ-gyM940
  • 11 0
 this is proper. this is what properly separates enduro from xc and puts it right up next to dh.
  • 5 0
 There is a whole lot more than this that separates this from XC.
  • 16 9
 It seems the ews has no limits on gnar at the moment, it is fantastic to watch but we are going to see some injuries. I feel like the downhill world cup has gone through its phases of scaling back the tracks after injuries around rock gardens in particular. Even fort will is hand stacked rock. It'll be interesting to see what sort of phases the league will go through, or, what would be more interesting, how far it gets pushed to the limit.
  • 43 0
 No. Rode this today and was terrifying. How it should be. The track is constant, but the risk amount is always up to the rider. These are the best bike handlers in the world. Nobody racing at this level wants easier tracks, and for that matter, no one wants to watch easy tracks
  • 4 1
 @ibishreddin: yeah, totally agree. Up to the rider. Any track with a decent technical section will have its risk on rider/bike integrity, risk reward its handled differently in dh compared to Enduro.. Amateurs don't see it like this though, we see these speeds and we just think they are freaking aliens, and completely idiots hahaha... What all of us as riders don't want are ridiculously exposed sections with certain death risks...
  • 1 0
 This section is legit, just because it demands full commitment, and has to be ridden well every time, or you're toast. It's not too bad though, compared to what else you have over there.
  • 4 3
 No one cares how you feel. We want to ride gnar and watch how gnar can be ridden.
  • 1 0
 No. That was exactly what I implied. Scaling back reading levels. @ibishreddin:
  • 10 2
 Dude, this looks gnarly and at race speeds it is, but us locals ride these trails all day. It’s not that bad. It’s a lot harder if you are racing Enduro all day and tired and not used to altitude, but it’s not even that bad. They should try racing Martis next door. Much gnarlier there.
  • 4 0
 I rode that last week when I was out there. It took me a moment to walk the line to figure it out, but I rode it first try and I’m not anywhere near the skill level of these pros. I’d be pooping myself to race it at their speeds, but that’s why they are pros. I think it’s a strong test of the riders at the top level.
  • 17 7
 The OG commentator had it dailed.
  • 4 1
 Wow. He's just a dude who spoke his mind. All he really said was that this type of course favors R Rude. Was he wrong? Maybe including him in the mix was some kind of anti US micro-aggression, but whatever. Were not mad. I thought he was real. Not a dentist. He was there. Were you?
  • 14 9
 "The Dude" was hilarious. Should do commentary more.

Sharp rocks with no traction, welcome to the Sierra's.
  • 6 19
flag neroleeloo (Aug 25, 2019 at 7:53) (Below Threshold)
 That dude was a moron.Typical “know it all better than the world America”.Clearly never been to europe one day of his life
  • 5 0
 So sketchy and gnarly. Some impressive riding. I'm cool watching it.
  • 5 2
 Meanwhile in Lenzerhide this year they cut the only real 20m rockgarden... I have no doubt where the best riders are right now.
  • 7 2
 Practicing for Hardline no doubt ?
  • 1 0
 Lol
  • 3 1
 pumice and sharp rocks. no traction till you hit a sharp rock, lots of traction, back to no traction. hard to ride well for sure. some of those riders made it look pretty easy, it isn't.
  • 5 0
 But... But... No one needs a long travel 29er!
  • 5 0
 awesome track
  • 8 6
 I bet Shaun (Richie's mechanic, is putting double cush cores in Richie's tires this weekend... just like two condoms. That chute is skanky.
  • 1 1
 I wonder if I could have done this. I haven't been to Northstar in a few years. What section is this? I have done Fabio Falls as well as Vietnam. Those are my points of reference for Gnar and hoping someone can make a comparison. Probably no way I'd have done it as fast as most of these riders but maybe I'd make it down without falling Big Grin
  • 4 0
 Both new trails, river sticks and tell no tales, are new for EWS. This is tell no tales. Both trails, imo are bigger and burlier then anything Northstar has ever had, TNT in particular. In person, this is like Vietnam got mutated 5 times bigger longer.
  • 4 0
 It’s a new trail called “Tell No Tales” they made new for this EWS. This is immediately out of the start gate. It is pretty sketchy, but definitely doable. I had practice on it yesterday in the AM. It’s quite steep looking down from the top and a really narrow entrance. To do it like the pros is crazy, but you can roll into this with a lot of brake and choose your line pretty well from the top. People get into trouble because they come in way too hot and it’s steep/loose enough that it’s really hard to correct your line if you get off.
  • 1 0
 @a-prince: I see. Wow, right at the start! What a qualifier. Cameras never do it justice.
  • 6 2
 I thought that dude was talking about Californian chicks for a second...
  • 2 0
 I can't imagine riding this section after like 1 hour of technical trails, when you're exhausted. These pro-riders must be very well prepared.
  • 3 0
 Would be a lot cooler if rider names were posted. I think I recognized 9 of the 175 that came through.
  • 2 0
 Agreed!
  • 4 0
 That’s a tad gnarly. Enduro is completely legit.
  • 2 0
 Is it me or do some of these have just a shade of that twitchy, ever-so-slightly sped up look to them?

Regardless, insane!!!
  • 1 0
 Exactly what I was thinking!
  • 7 7
 I don't want to be that guy and get into some USA vs. European shit posting battle, but his comments would have some validity if there was a US rider inside the top ten of the current EWS rankings or even the DH top ten. #awks
  • 16 2
 No, his comments have validity if the Yanks do well in this one particular race and the Europeans do worse than normal.
  • 13 1
 do you not kinda get the impression this guy isn't a serious mtb pundit and just possibly, maybe, doesn't know the 'current EWS standings'?
  • 6 1
 @tobiusmaximum: I think you might be on to something.
  • 7 2
 Chaps, it's a joke, not a dick, so don't take it so hard. I barely give a fuck what the actual pundits have to say, so this guy doesn't even register. It's just shit chat.
  • 1 0
 @MHY: yeah man, you know what, its impossible to convey a tone in text. i was just playin too. i think this site desperately needs an update, that includes a decent emoji system. it would help solve a lot of disputes and misunderstood comments. i actually thought something similar to what you said, albeit it was more along the lines of 'do americans even race dh anymore?'. man, people are so effin touchy and trigger-happy with the neg prop.. its amusing at times and really pathetic other times.
  • 7 3
 "The Europeans can't do this"

Martin Maes: "Hold my pilsner, redneck."
  • 3 0
 If Europeans get offended by the monologue what he was saying must be true #facts
  • 1 0
 You're now in tune to Bored housewives With An Agenda. In this second webisode, everyone is invited to climb trees, eat cake and play what the fucking hell did you do that for, and perhaps you should be locked in the shed.
  • 3 0
 Looks super easy from where I‘m sitting!
  • 3 0
 Sam Hill looks like he's going down the Seawall.... So smooth!
  • 2 0
 I would love to hear loris describe this section with his suspension noises. weydeded
  • 1 0
 Of course everybody starts by aruing over somthing other than the sick lines that we're layed down by some of those EWS riders. That was a gnarly section to blaze through!
  • 3 0
 Dude on the Yeti near the end made it look easy.
  • 2 0
 When Richie went down the chute, it didn't even look like the same trail... Unbelievable
  • 3 0
 i just wanna hear that guy say more stuff
  • 3 0
 Europeans are mad mad lol
  • 1 0
 OK - Time to start being dicks about the Worlds!

Can we get a local's perspective?

Damn Quebecers think they're the cat's poutine!!!
  • 2 0
 Watching made my whole body hurt.
  • 1 0
 Was that redneck dude from the TDS Enduro? Are you sure he's not from Reno?
  • 1 0
 Great looking section ,would like to ride it myself but perhaps not race down it like these chaps
  • 2 0
 Bad day for a semi slick.
  • 1 0
 Now that's an EWS video! Awesome, come on EWS just link a few of those together to cover one stage - we'll love it :-)
  • 1 0
 lol 2nd guy in red that stopped, turned around and looked back all like HOLY SHIT!!
  • 1 0
 I can see a real good case for running an all aluminum DH bike in such harsh conditions.
  • 1 0
 Mo bannned subs makes it mo better,right there?
  • 1 0
 Is this where Eddie went down?
  • 2 0
 No this is stage 4, he went down on stage 2
  • 1 0
 Anyone commented on the track? I am not so onto mullets..
  • 5 8
 This poor man is a living cliché that you can meet everywhere unfortunately. That video didn`t need to include his stupid comment though.
Also, I`d like to see what he could do on a bike in such terrains.
May be he should come to Europe to train a bit...
  • 1 0
 Still looks smooth compared to the rock garden at Bad Wildbad
  • 1 0
 Everybody just knows the trails are the worst here in California....
  • 1 0
 Insane rock chute!!! Those bolders will eat you alive if you go down Eek
  • 1 1
 Really dating myself with this here but... "SPACE LORD, MUTHA MUTHA!"
  • 4 4
 Well, noone from California in the top 5, so there is that....
  • 1 0
 But everyone in the top 5 rides like they are from California...

(Thank God for Aaron Gwin, otherwise I'd have no argument at all)
  • 1 1
 Brexit
  • 2 4
 Note to self... never ride northstar.
  • 3 0
 I highly recommend it. The terrain is truly unlike anything else. Some trails are essentially just a really long rock garden. They also have some great man made stuff. If you can learn to ride the loose stuff it is a blast. My bike was making so many bad noises racing through the different rock gardens this weekend. It finally felt like my megatower was at home.
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