We Only Ride Park: Air DH Photo Epic - Crankworx Whistler 2017
Thirty laps in a day, our hands are locked this way... Here we go deep into the bike park with one of the true classic events of Whistler Crankworx. Hold that thought; they're all classics, but the A-line race is really the OG and takes a certain kind of rider to claim it. Or does it now? While many racers abandoned big bikes years ago in favour of faster rolling, at the time bigger-wheeled trail bikes, the women's category saw dual crowns go one and two with Kintner and Hannah coming out on top, while Magnus Manson piloted his world cup machine into fourth in the men's. The biggest mix-up, however, was unmistakably Adrien Loron turning the heat up to eleven in the King of Crankworx points chase, stealing a shock win far outside of his speed & style or pumptrack comfort zones and probably upsetting a few characters in the process. Let's dive right into the tables...
Brad J warming the crowds up for a long afternoon of whips and scrubs, but mainly scrubs... this is a race after all.
Another day, another race to hunt down in the woods of Whistler Bike Park.
Canadian junior, Patrick Butler, claiming the style awards in the morning training session.
Dakota Norton crushing another one.
Whistler local Vaea Verbeek would take 3rd, just 4.5 seconds off the pace of Jill Kintner.
Remi Gauvin out to smash some expensive glass.
Stacy Kohut getting it done on four wheels.
Daniel Gomez Serran from Madrid riding free.
Jacob Dickson about to lay some power down.
Last year's winner getting angry with it. Unfortunately, Bas was only able to lock down a top 10 this summer.
Nik Nestoroff charging towards his second junior win in two days.
Cometh the hour, cometh the party train.
Hats off to trials legend, Martyn Ashton, for putting down his time on the A-line course this afternoon.
EWS specialist Caro Gehrig would take home 6th.
Siegenthaler surfing those hard pack waves for 5th.
Stacy Kohut in a class of his own, in more ways than one.
Cody Kelley stomped 6th place and looked good doing it.
Saved 20 grams with his carbon spacer.
Kiran MacKinnon had pretty swell afternoon ride... 5th for the American's efforts.
11th place Matt Walker couldn't pencil A-line if he tried.
Canadian Youth rider, Parker Gibbons, showing people twice his age how to ride.
Moir was on a tear, but had to settle for 9th.
Winner of the unofficial downhill bike race was Magnus Manson hammering into 4th on a rip-roaring lap. Actually, he was about the only rider inside the top 20 on a big bike. Kudos...
Iago Garay knows drifts are way cooler than squashing little tabletop jumps...
Tracey Hannah couldn't quite wrestle the win off Jill Kinter, but claimed silver, just over 3 seconds back.
Coincidentally this section of trail used to be lined with spectators, but now it's almost completely empty.
The one and only mega train was allowed just before the live broadcast. After that, it was one rider at a time spaced at 2.5 minute gaps.
Caroline Buchanan finished just off the podium in 4th.
Remy Metailler entered just to so he could start getting warmed up for tomorrow's Whip Off Worlds
Clare Buchar flying through the giant berms on her way to 7th place.
There used to be all kinds of party trains and antics during the Air DH, but as Crankworx has focused more on live broadcasts the past few years we are seeing less and less.
Garbanzo winner, Marcelo Gutierrez would come 3rd today.
2nd for the second day in a row for Sam Blenkinsop.
Squashing jumps with Ropelato.
The Queen herself shutting another competition down by nearly 4 seconds.
Surprise winner Adrien Loron, who most did not consider a threat in this event.
A massive win for Loron and another extra large helping of points towards his King of Crankworx push.
The top three men and women down the infamous A-Line trail.
Jill Kintner, who has won this event countless times, is joined on the top step by less familiar face to the Air DH.
MENTIONS: @officialcrankworx / @natedh9 / @davetrumpore
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Sup fools?
It's me again.
Still faster than you.
You wanna know what I ride?
Listen up!
Chorus 1 --
I only ride park
I don't climb hills
I only ride downhill
I only ride park
I'm on the lift all day
And I don't have no chain
I only ride park
Screw your xc
And your 650b
I only ride park
Im passing all the noobs
And I'm still faster than you
Verse 1--
I got all the record times
I know the secret lines
And I never walk my bike
Always cuttin' in line
I only ride in the summer when the park is open
Trails closed for maintenance? Its time for poachin'
I don't compete but I act like pro racer
And I saved 20 grams with carbon spacers
I ride the hein train harder than Kenny Smith
And I taught Kyle Norbraten how to drift (robbed)
I'm so damn pro at everything that I do
If I did slopestyle I'd probably win that too
I don't pedal to the trail cause I have to get towed
And all my stuff is brand new cause I get free shit bro
I don't protect my arms, only wear this T
I love cutting off Joeys cause they're slower than me
The ladies like to call me the bike park king
I don't ride down shit, I jump the whole damn thing
Chorus 2--
I only ride park
Thirty laps in a day
My hands are locked this way
I only ride park
A million down?
I ride a billion down
I only ride park
Catwalks in line
Front page of decline
I only ride park
You ride chinless too?
Well I ride brakeless foo!
Verse 2 -- (JASON)
I'm a joey and its my first time here
I got my squid lid and all my rental gear
I got my pads strapped tight on top of my jeans
I'ma stormtroopin, go-gettin', shredin machine
First trail of the day, crank it up seems good!
Oh my god what the heck I didn't know there was wood
I risk road rash cause I wear a tank top
And I love blocking trails and standing on drops
My bike is from the 90's and it freakin' sends!
And I love getting rad with all of my friends
I make people cringe cause I ride all sketchy
If I aint' casin' jumps I'm landin' nose heavy
29ers are cool and I don't mind climbin'
Straight testing my skill on all the black diamonds
Today was a blast cause I conquered my fears
And I had a good ti-- Aw cool a deer!
Chorus 3 --
I only ride park
I got my legs spread wide
Only ride with a guide
I only ride park
Brake bumps all day
I always get in your way
I only ride park
You can find my trying to whip
While I wear new balance kicks
I only ride park
I got that safety glass steez
And I run into trees
I only ride park
From IndependenceFirst, the resource for people with disabilities:
DO: Use "people first" language to respect that people with disabilities aren't defined by their disability, they are people first, disability second ("OUT" terms: "handicapped," "the disabled," "wheelchair-bound," "confined to a wheelchair." "IN" terms: "people with disabilities.")
DO: Ask and don't assume someone needs or wants help even if they appear to be struggling with mobility.
DO: Think of a wheelchair or other mobility aide as a part of the user's personal space. Don't lean on it, push it without asking, put your feet upon it, etc.
DO: Speak directly to people with disabilities and with age-appropriate language-not to the people who may be accompanying them.
DO: Bend down or pull up a chair to speak to someone in a wheelchair at their eye level. It is less stressful on their neck and more respectful.
DON'T: Pity or feel sorry for people who have disabilities or use wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are empowering and allow people with disabilities to get around where they wouldn't otherwise be as free...often they can move faster than people who walk!
DON'T: Put people with disabilities "up on a pedestal." They aren't "superheroes," "brave," "courageous," or "inspiring;" rather, people with disabilities just want to do the same things that anyone without a disability wants to do.
DON'T: Touch someone or pat them on the head-it is patronizing and not respectful.
DON'T: Assume someone who is Deaf can read lips. Lip reading is very uncommon.
DON'T: Pet a service animal who is at work. Ask if it is OK with their owner.
and.............
DON'T Stare. I know we're fun to watch. Sneak surreptitious glances instead. And please keep the look of disgust off your face.
DO Acknowledge us without staring. This means letting us place our own coffee orders and noticing when we are trying to get around you in crowds.
DO Give up your seat on the bus or train for disabled people if you were sitting in the accessible seats.
DON'T Look around beaming, expecting praise for this selfless humanitarian gesture. You did not just save ten children from a landslide.
DO Ask if someone needs help, and then abide by their wishes. Disabled people like to pretend that we're capable adults. Humor us.
DON'T 'Help' without asking. If someone in a wheelchair has rolled up to a door, they probably have some sort of a plan. Leaping over us and flinging the door into our shins is not a noble gesture. And NEVER just grab the back of someone's wheelchair or a blind person's arm and start 'helping.' Imagine how startling it would be if random strangers started shoving you around.
DON'T Ask strangers intrusive personal questions such as "what's wrong with you." Sure, you are curious. I myself find some fashion choices curious, but I have learned to live with mystery.
DO Remain calm if your young kid loudly asks such questions. Clutching her to your bosom and running like there's a fire is a bit of an overreaction. Instead, pay attention. Does the disabled person lean forward and smile at your kid? Let your kid ask her questions. Does the person look annoyed? Gently tell your kid that people move, look, and act all kinds of ways and it's best to give people privacy.
DON'T Make condescending jokes about a person's mobility devices, like: "Have you gotta register those crutches as lethal weapons? Haw, haw, haw," or "No fair! I want a wheelchair!" Just because you are deeply uncomfortable with disability doesn't mean you should make us uncomfortable, too.
DO Talk about the weather. This is Whistler. There are endlessly burning issues to discuss on this topic, which should at least last you an elevator ride.
See? That wasn't so bad, was it? Just follow this handy etiquette guide and you'll escape with dignity intact. More to the point, so will we.
I imagine if one died on Aline, they'd just wake up at the start gate again as Aline looks like Heaven to me.