Video: Reece Wallace Takes on Utah
Video by Virtu Media // Photos by Toby Cowley
 | I've always wanted to film a video in Virgin. It's unique as it's one of the few locations that has always been progressive in our sport. From the throwback days of the legends and god fathers, to current events like Rampage pushing what's possible on a bike - Utah is timeless. I'm lucky to have been able to spend a few weeks in the desert with a rad crew of guys, and am hoping I can continue to push myself and compete at Rampage. - Reece Wallace |
If you thought you might want to actually ride in the world’s most notorious freeride event, you might be dissuaded by being there in person, seeing the carnage and the unforgiving exposure. You could help build the lines that a competitor needs to conjure up in order to contend and you could witness first-hand the fear and anxiety that runs through the field when the wind is blowing and it's time to drop.
This place is Virgin, Utah, and is no mystery if you have been involved with mountain biking at all in the last decade. Home to countless monumental video sections and Red Bull Rampage, Utah helped progress and shape what is known to this day as freeride.
To take this route, you’d have to make a case for yourself. Travel to the desert with your own crew, build your own lines, and shoot a video. You wouldn’t worry about competitors, but you’d be psyching yourself up and riding everything solo.
After being part of Semenuk's build crew, and almost ten years experience on a downhill bike, Reece Wallace has been itching to take a stab at Utah. Teamed up with Virtu Media and photographer Toby Cowley, the three spent several weeks in the desert creating something they were proud of; something Wallace could use as a stepping stone to reaching his ultimate goal of competing in Rampage.
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 Finishing off a line on top of a mesa |
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| Dialling in the bike after the 24 hour drive from Vancouver |
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| A ritualistic part of freeride heritage, pushing the bike back up the hill |
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| Little sunrise line to get the day going |
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| Virtu Media capturing that Virgin golden light after brapping through the freshly built whoops section |
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| Flipping the step down with Zion National Park in the background |
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| The dirt in Virgin is unlike anywhere else. Add water, and it becomes surprisingly malleable and spurs creativity. |
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| The big dog. Doubling up the 360 drop to a second tranny |
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| 3-drop |
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| Table top |
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| Unlike the name, it wasn't the first time Virgin was ridden and hopefully won't be my last |
With a web video under wraps and an understanding of what Utah has to offer, only time will tell if Wallace will be sinking his shovel and tires in the Virgin dirt in the fall.
Reece is supported by Giant Bicycles, Chromag, Pinkbike, Kenda, Bern Unlimited, Bliss Protection, SMITH, AlexRims, SRAM/RockShox, Dissent Labs, Peak Performance and 2UNDR. Thanks to everyone at Pinkbike, Chromag, Toby Cowley, Eric Marciniak and Ethan Nell for making this project possible.
Chromag Bikes
www.chromagbikes.com
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Member since Nov 21, 2011
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Future rampage winner ????????
Nice vid and great riding
www.youtube.com/watch?v=50Tu6wCIAnw
For the record, this is a sick edit and I appreciate the considerable cajones this young man possesses.