Video: Reece Wallace - Chromag

  Obviously, there was a lot of time and work put into this video - what was different between this project, and ones you've done in the past?

Yeah...I wanted to create something that I could be proud of and felt represented me as a person and rider. I want to look back at my videos when I'm old and washed and think, "Yeah, you did alright there." Be really proud of it, you know? I thought now was the time to make this happen. It boiled down to everything from trick, bike, location, and song choice. I had an initial idea for this video, but Virtu Media were the real wizards behind it and made it happen. It's awesome to collaborate with talented guys to who can take an idea and run with it to create something of lasting quality. When you spend most of your time building and learning new tricks, it's nice to have some input in how you're portrayed through the final work. I think Virtu nailed this for me.


  You seem to be pretty comfortable on all your bikes as this video features several styles of riding, tell us about that

I like to ride all of my bikes...hard tail, slope, trail, and DH. I wanted this video to showcase that. I put a lot of time in on each bike, and I think each style possesses something that the other can't offer. Obviously I love slope style and contests, but shredding DH and trails are a huge part of riding for me too. It's called 'mountain' biking for a reason.


   Pink Floyd - was this your choice?

Yeah, it was. Music is really important to me, and is almost as important as the riding in my opinion. My old man brought me up listening to Floyd, and I'm stoked that it worked out for this video. Nothing gets me as psyched as a wicked guitar solo. I remember watching NWD growing up, and getting so fired up on the tunes. To this day, when I hear a song from a good bike movie or edit, I basically tune out and just watch the video in my head.


   Everyone knows filming can be difficult, what's the hardest part of shooting for you?

Knowing what gnarly shit I have to do in the back of my head, then over thinking it until I do it. I'm definitely bad for this. It's nice when things just come up spur of the moment, but usually I know what I have to do and it can stress me out sometimes until it's done.

   Anything in specific that was tough for this video?

The step down flip crash was the first clip we got and it put me out for a few days. Usually an easy trick for me, but it was tough because Virtu was only staying with me for 10 days and I had to bounce back sooner than I would have liked. This resulted in me being sore and stiff throughout the entire shoot, and made for many more crashes, haha.


  Yeah, that is a bit of pressure. Does it vary from contests? Tell us what that's like

Unlike contests, I can take as many tries as I want to either land the trick or make it look exactly how I want. So it's a good/bad duality. Good that you can get the trick, but also bad because you can crash over and over and there's nothing stopping you from trying again. Helps when you have patient filmmakers too. I also really enjoy filming with friends, it’s nice to have others around to support you and help them get tricks too. Sounds cliché, but riders really do 'feed' off of each other.

   Rad. So how's your year been so far and what's up next?

Right now it's nice to just be at home riding. I was filming most of the spring, then in Europe for a while competing. I have several video and photo projects I'm working on throughout the summer, as well as coaching and hitting a few other contests and events.


   Anyone you want to thank?

Firstly, my rents for being so supportive; shouts to you mom and dad. My girlfriend for putting up with me and letting me build bikes in the living room. Also want to thank Joe Prisel and the Burlington crew, Aaron Boss, the Wizard, and Ross Measures. I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of Ian and Julian at Chromag - you guys are rad, thank you. They were the first ones to hook me up and really helped me kickstart my career. Shouts to Brandon for letting me ride his bike. Also big thanks to Giant Bicycles USA, SRAM, Bern Unlimited, Smith Optics, Maxxis, Alexrims, Dissent Labs, 2UNDR and Peak Performance for making what I do possible.

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Video by: Virtu MediaPhotos by: Toby Cowley and Mike ZingerChromag Bikeswww.chromagbikes.com

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