It would be a dream for most mountain bikers of the world... the chance to grow up on Vancouver's North Shore. That became reality in Thomas Vanderham's life as a young kid when his family moved to North Vancouver's Deep Cove. The raw and unruly North Shore terrain was a perfect complement to his natural ability on a bike, and he quickly rose to the highest ranks of a roaring freeride revolution. Thomas' name became synonymous with his distinct style, creativity, and amplitude; attributes which landed him in countless film segments that have inspired mountain bikers across the globe. His impact on the sport has been present ever since.
More than 20 years later Thomas still calls Deep Cove home and is as involved as ever in the sport of mountain biking. Like the trails of the North Shore, he has evolved- refining his craft along the way and balancing his duties as an athlete with that of being a father and a husband. Through it all, he has continued to find ways to pass his passion for mountain biking on to past and future generations of the sport.
Truly stunning video and photo essay and an amazing tribute to Thomas' career and passion for the sport. Amazing work by the whole crew and we're all so lucky to have enjoyed 20 years of TV (and Simmons) ripping on camera. Here's to 20 more!
Great storytelling and such a great tribute to a great character/rider who has influenced and shaped the development of our sport (including myself) in so many ways and for such a long period! Awesome work and well done!
Turning 40 this year, riding/racing for well over 20 years, having three kids by now, being involved in the mountainbike industry for many, many years and still riding 3 times a week, I can so much relate to the statement "having a family has certainly changed my priorities and the way I use time...and being less selfish". I still love mountainbiking and it is still my greatest passion, but family comes first! Reconciling both is without a doubt quite challenging at times...but it's so much worth it!
This is the best piece of media work I've seen in a long long time. Vanderham and Simmons, quiet and humble shredders. I have so much respect for both professionals.
I'm also seriously impressed with Thomas' selection of Whisky.
These dudes riding the classic shore lines in the fog is just true mtb in my mind. Nothing is more pure awesomeness. Could watch all day until I get to get and and ride myself.
I think what stands out most about Thomas, to me, is that in all my years working with athletes and media in the bike industry I've never heard anything negative about him at all. Not remotely. He has left his mark as a hard working, solid guy that people can really look at as an example of how to do it right. This was a fantastic video and essay. Thanks for sharing.
Well, it's comforting to hear that the Cypress lines that scare me scare Wade and Thomas too. That chute at 7:10 is way steeper and gnarlier than it looks in the video or the stills.
Vanderham, Simmons, and Dave Watson were my big three. They never went for the crazy tricks, just had that effortless style, made crazy tech trails look easy, and they all had perfect table-tops. Brings back memories of Ride to the Hills, boosting wide open lips above Howe Sound. Great to see some of the legends still getting after it.
That was incredible. Perfect combination of the right talent, wonderful cinematography, story arc and Sterl’s photos. Really reminded me of my formative years of biking and stirred emotion I just don’t get from social media. Vanderham really is a class act.
Having to move to Vancouver for 7 weeks for trade school had me down, watching this reminded me I get to ride my bike on the shore for the next 7 weeks! Vanderham is pure class
Damn! 1. thing, love that guy, his style and attitude, 2. thing, this is the most epic photo edit/ movie edit of last years which perfectly catch the mood of north shore forrests and trails, i was brainFCKed last 15 years of my riding, by all that videos and photos from there, in 2016 spend a whole Year on NS, and it was best year of my life, and for those who dont know, what northshore is, i will simply play this video and they get it!
Almost impossible to watch this without the eyes tearing up a little... One of the best videos and hands down the best photo essays I've ever seen. Captures for me at least, what it was to grow up with a mtn bike shaping the course of your life.
Thank you for making this!
"Keep the Mountain to Mountain Biking" - TV in 'Seasons' ... I'll never forget that one. Such a great article about a legend of the sport and how he has kept with what he loved and added to it all with family, despite getting older.
Shimano truly does their athletes justice with these series. The mellow video- and photography style matches Thomas so beautifully. This one deserves a typical Sterling Lorence slideshow with Phontaine in the background.
Ok this has been haunting me for a very long time: In the photostory, in the part with the older magazine photos, there is a small black and white photo of Thomas jumping a huge dirt gap with no landing to be seen. Where is that from? I think I saw Simmons jump that as well in some old video, but have been looking for it for years. Can anyone solve this mystery for me please?
Thomas inspired me to ride montainbike as a part of my rehab from my injury. And now i'm fully having fun with mountainbiking. Good job for the article, cheers Thomas and Sterl
This is so awesome, what a journey! Seeing the photos and video ripping around in Edmonton was epic! Super awesome to see the neighborhood and local trails showcased so well!
Again brings me back some good old memories dreaming of the North shore from my little mountain in France.
Probably one of the best rider to watch riding clean smooth with style an example of control of the bike.
That was brilliant. The riding was incredible and I noticed not a single wiggly turn with a fake slide out to make an easy trail look hard. This is what I aspire to but will never get to.
Wow absolutely incredible. So many small tributes to awesome classic trails including Thomas’ amazing career. Glad to see the last line alive and well.
Safe to say that Thomas inspired a generation of riders including myself. I loved my time living on the shore. Beautifully done stills and video. Fantastic piece!!
We don’t care about bmx career, we don’t care about the Number of siblings he has. We want to see people SHREDDING THE GNAR (like greg min-nar) !! Shimano less about documentaries and focus on the wirless shifthing...Dear god
maybe we can get a this is home on some photographers too .
Turning 40 this year, riding/racing for well over 20 years, having three kids by now, being involved in the mountainbike industry for many, many years and still riding 3 times a week, I can so much relate to the statement "having a family has certainly changed my priorities and the way I use time...and being less selfish". I still love mountainbiking and it is still my greatest passion, but family comes first! Reconciling both is without a doubt quite challenging at times...but it's so much worth it!
My greatest respect to you, Thomas Vanderham!!
Rather sketchy in the rain! :O
The old guard are still ripping for sure.
2. thing, this is the most epic photo edit/ movie edit of last years which perfectly catch the mood of north shore forrests and trails, i was brainFCKed last 15 years of my riding, by all that videos and photos from there, in 2016 spend a whole Year on NS, and it was best year of my life, and for those who dont know, what northshore is, i will simply play this video and they get it!
Not to take anything away from Sterling's work of course! Great vibe/shots!
So glad Simmons showed up, wouldn’t be compete without those two together. This was just perfect.
A 1.7 -2.0 million dollar house in the cove ! 2 kids ! Free time to ride his bike - amazing. Can someone explain his income to me
that poor swing arm