Video: Jesse Melamed Steps Out of His Comfort Zone to Hit One of Remy Metailler's Lines

Jul 28, 2021 at 11:44
by Miranda Miller  

Jesse has had the goal to tick off one of Remy Metalliers sketchier lines in Squamish since the very first time he saw it. At the time, the race season was just around the corner and it felt like the moment was right for Jesse to step up and out of his comfort zone!

Jesse spent a lot of time when he was younger freeride skiing so he has no problem mustering up the courage to send big features; which is evident if you ever ride with him! His approach is usually ‘more thinking is bad thinking.’ He has a good handle on his skills and knows when he is capable of something. He likes to act while his confidence is high and before any thoughts of how it could go wrong can enter his mind.

However, the two previous times he has looked at this drop, on casual rides, he couldn’t help but let the doubt creep in.

MGM Alternative

bigquotes“There were just too many unnatural things about this drop that had me feeling less than confident and I backed away from it twice, which just added to the fear I have for this feature.”

Jesse hips to the left better than the right, the runout hadn’t seen any work and there was a serious compression in the landing, and it was a blind take-off that required less than normal ‘pop.’ These issues are what Jesse considers unnatural to him.

MGM Alternative
MGM Alternative
Look before you leap.

With Miranda going through a similar experience hitting Poacher and Brutus, both Remi and Miranda were excited to help get Jesse off the drop! We felt it was another chance for us to break down how you can safely progress and manage a feature that may be outside of your comfort zone.

Don't forget that for the first year of our channel, MGM Alternative will donate all the money generated from YouTube ad revenue to our local trail association SORCA. So by watching, liking and subscribing you’re in turn, helping out the trails that so many people enjoy!

Subscribe to MGM Alternative
Follow Jesse
Follow Remi
Follow Miranda

Author Info:
mkem avatar

Member since Jul 8, 2006
35 articles

45 Comments
  • 113 10
 It's honestly more interesting to watch 17mins of this than watch 3min of Semenuk nailing hit after hit flawlessly.
  • 60 0
 Wow that’s a compliment!
  • 6 0
 @JesseMelamed: I agree with @Grunk . Super inspiring Jesse! Cheers for the stoke!
  • 6 0
 Absolutely. The insight shared into the mentality & psychology is invaluable
  • 8 0
 Yup, these videos are much better than over edited, polished 2.56min video parts with slomo, fast cutting etc... I usually got bored to those after 1 minute. Jesse, Remi,Yoann and Steve are right now delivering best mtb videos
  • 2 0
 For sure! Made me realise that the thought process and fear evolution was exactly the same as mine on far lesser features. Good to know!
  • 1 0
 @JesseMelamed:
It is a more natural video that we commonly see on Pinkbike and you face and share the pressure every rider put on themself when trying new line. Good to see that with what you achieved and injury you have commitment. + 1 for the Miranda Mojo
  • 30 0
 Those were some big hits. All looked really sketchy, but the second one looked sketchy as f@$%. Sick riding. Well done.
  • 20 0
 The second was the sketchiest! In hindsight should have based the episode around that haha
  • 4 0
 @JesseMelamed: Super cool/honest view of the process! I'm curious if (on the first one) you use the mini-case to help control speed on the exit, or if that was just an (unintentional) artifact of changing the technique the second time around to match what you wanted to do on the final one?
  • 22 1
 This video really shows just how out there Remy is. Not to take anything away from Jesse but his trepidation (as one of the top enduro riders on the planet) in attempting this even with the benefit of seeing Remi do it on film from multiple angles gives you an idea of just how insane Remi is when he pioneers these lines. He's making educated guesses on angles, speed, hop or drop (?) with massive consequences for slight miscalculations.
  • 15 1
 Thank you!
  • 8 0
 Remy is the surgeon of mountain biking
  • 17 0
 I don’t think people think of you as a crash out or win guy anymore. If anything the opposite is the case considering how consistent you have been this and last year.
  • 12 1
 these look gnarly on video which means in real life they ar F$kn out of this world. Well done and no thanks.
  • 3 0
 Killer video Jesse! Such a breath of fresh air to see a rider with such talent going through the same mental anguish that the rest of us go through when stepping up to a new intimidating feature. Don’t pay attention to the keyboard warriors talking trash. They’re probably 150lbs overweight living in their parents basement covered in Cheeto dust. Keep pushing bromio!!!
  • 5 0
 Nice work! Good to keep it cautious until you see it and feel it. You looked as smooth as Remy!
  • 3 1
 Well done! Such a gnarly move with big consequences. Do you ever get calls from Rocky saying please, please don't get hurt before the races? Or are they just stoked on the content?

Also what are you wearing on your right wrist?
  • 2 0
 Sweet, you even sound so stoked!
As you get a better and more experienced riders, getting that buzz of accomplishment and excitement gets so much tougher. Its so cool to see even top level pros like you, Jesse, have their doubts and inside process. It really is something thats not often shown to us mortals Smile
  • 2 0
 Kudos, great video, super cool to see awesome riders being smart. If I look at a scary feature more than twice, it’s not happening so 2x looks max then I hit it. Or save it til next time.
  • 3 0
 I can't imagine how big those look in real life. Very cool to hear you break down the process.. and show the sketchiness of climbing back up carrying bike! Well done
  • 2 0
 Funnily enough there's a really easy walk up 10 seconds away! I walk up it every week to build / walk my dawg.
  • 2 0
 They're way more intimidating in real life, for sure. Just the double rock roll that the drop is based around is a huge feature.
  • 1 0
 Only half way through and love this video- will never ride anything this gnarly but great to see how you overcome your fear in a sensible way. Key is that J knows he can technically do it but has to get his mental side to agree
  • 3 0
 Great Video! Strong work!
  • 3 0
 7:00 in: “Pretty big.” I would rate it as: “F**king huge.”
  • 1 0
 Haha it's good to see that even a pro has to run up the trail back to his buddies after he hit a big thing for first time
  • 3 0
 He's just a big Jessie!
  • 4 0
 Hahaha
  • 1 0
 @JesseMelamed: Legend-in truth you're a beast Jesse!
  • 2 0
 Congrats! So glad you were able to get that accomplished.
  • 2 0
 I love how Melamed rides. Full throttle
  • 2 0
 Jesse-Uncle-Wade-train?
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.053721
Mobile Version of Website