In association with the release of Escape. Create. Pinkbike are chuffed to announce that Dan Atherton, protagonist and mastermind behind the Red Bull Hardline will be answering your questions live on the site today.
“Escape. Create." focuses on the creative genius of Dan and how his drive and determination to build has helped push and inspire his brother and sister to become Downhill World Champions, “Escape. Create.” gives a unique insight into the mind of one of the most creative course designers and builders in mountain biking. The film, comes hot off the back of the first ever Red Bull Hardline event, which was designed and built by Dan earlier this year. It follows the story of Dan’s passion for building and showcases some of his finest creations from ‘The Yard’ at Atherton HQ to lines he builds for the family near his new home in the Dyfi Forest in Mid-Wales.
Meet the man behind the crazy trails and have him answer your questions today.
How ‘Ask Us Anything' Works:
Starting at 10:00 AM PST/6:00 PM BST on Friday, December 5th you can type your questions into the comment box following this article and Dan Atherton will have a crack at answering them. Sometimes your answer will pop up in a few seconds; others may take a while, as Dan will be busy responding to the flood of questions. Everyone who posts a question, large or small, will be taken seriously. To make the process as efficient as possible, try to follow these simple guidelines:
• Keep your questions relative. While this is an 'Ask Me Anything' session, the concentration is on Dan Atheron's new film. Questions related to this are encouraged, but still feel free to ask whatever pressing queries you may have.
• Stay focused. Try to keep your questions on one topic if possible. You can always ask about another item later.
• Try to keep your questions to about 100 words.
• Ask Us Anything is a service to PB readers who are seeking helpful information, not a forum to broadcast opinions or grievances. If you do have a negative issue that you want to ask about, no worries, just keep your complaints relevant and in the context of a question so that it can be addressed in a productive manner.
• Use propping to acknowledge good - or not so good - questions. Bump them up or down to where they belong.
Mark your calendars - the conversation starts at 10.00 AM Pacific Time / 6:00 PM British Time on Friday, December 5th. Other time zones:
• 1:00 PM EST (New York)
• 6:00 PM BST (London)
• 7:00 PM CET (Paris)
• 8:00 PM SAST (Cape Town)
• 5:00 AM AEST (Sydney, Aus)For more Red Bull related content visit
redbull.com/bike
Mentions:
@GTBicycles,
@redbullbike
Also always been a fan, keep up the great work.
And what age did you move to Wales? Was it defining moment for you?
Thanks
Any chance you could tell as in more detail how you started pls? I.e. the younger years, before "you got famous"? Thanks
Do you see tracks like Hardline as a future of DH racing? Do you think tracks of this difficulty should be part of DH World Cup? I see more and more race tracks tend to be bikepark style, which interestingly makes then boring to watch for me. Compare to Hardline which is pleasure to watch again and again.
Thanks for this event!!!
If you could build a trail anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Cheers again,
Alex.
And the last... how do you schedule races like finale ligure in the psychological aspect?
The reason I'm asking is, as I have have a similar background when it comes to digging (both bmx style trails and naturall stuff), I'm facing some (for lack of a less pretentious phrasing) conceptual difficulties when it comes to berms. In some cases some support is needed but building a vertical, perfectly round berm on a mountainbike track just feels like making it too easy, while building anything less refined somehow feels like doing a bodge job..
Also do you re-arrange rocks when building a rock garden or do you just stick with what mother nature made of it during the ice age?
When your building a trail what is it you look for, Is there any thing you try and avoid or do you put a trail right through everything like in the hardline?
Cheers
Also, any tips for riding steep narrow stuff while not braking to much?
With the rise of events outside of the UCI (EWS, Urban Downhill, Crankworx), do you think it is possible to give an event like Hardline its own series and give another place for riders go?
Which is most likely to happen?
Cheers!
Btw, movie is awesome, when you're out there digging in the cold and not riding for days, that's tuff sometimes, good to see more highlights on this aspect of mountain-biking.
Respect man
Would you like to come for a ride in the passenger seat of a very quick sierra rally car on a auto test near Ludlow 28th December. Going for a win on it. Ask Jason (fester ) Davis, if it will be a fun ride.
It has been some time that the Athertons have been working with GT but how was the original transition from Commencal to GT and what was the overall reason for the move?
also How has the experience been working with GT? we know they recently released the Sanction which I assume you have been and will be running next year vs your force. How much input did you have in the creation of that bike? was it from ground up or did they come to you with something and say "hey this is what we got what would you like to see to make it better"?
thanks so much for your time today and wish you the best of luck with all your future endeavours both with racing and creating the narliest tracks we have ever seen.
Cheers
What do think is the single best MTB component that has emerged in recent years?
What are you thoughts on the recent progression in mountain biking exposure and what does the future hold?
Cheers,
Alex.
Thanks
P.s I'm not calling you old lol.
How long did it take you from concept to complete of the hardline course? How did you find it as well, I pass the course location on route to work and it's just insane to think a course could the designed and built there.
Well done to all involved
Paul
Do you find the older you are getting, the more cautious you become about hitting big lines?
Thanks
How did you get inspired to build The Yard? How did you come up with the design and lines making sure you made the most of it. I am building DJs in my yard, and am wondering if you have any tips?
Cheers,
-Ethan
Love what you're doing man! It's cool to see people pushing the sport in ways that aren't UCI or Rampage.
This weekend I have my 3rd downhill race. Got any advice / tips for me?
Thanks!!!
How do you get permission to build all these massive jumps down all these mountains, do you own the land?
Really hope DH tracks become more gnarly like Hardline in the future, best type of riding even if it isn't the easiest!
what role if any do your mechanics play in inspiring your ride and adding to your confidence on a track like hardline?
Cheers,
Sky
How much planning goes into a track like the Hardline? Thanks for answering our questions!
Thanks,
-Wyatt
What do you think is the single most important part of building a trail?
Cheers
P.s. I'm a massive fan. You're probably one of the coolest riders around :-)
P.S Hardline was the kick up the arse the world cup circuit (and sport in general) needed, congrats for pushing it in the right direction and thanks for all the hard work
Doesn't make any sense otherwise.
Also, I think you mean zero gravity and not in space (in the latter scenario, they both have much more major issues to contend with besides one another)
big fan of yours, remember you and gee smashing the rock garden here in portugal on maxxis cup Lousa 2011
any tips on building corners? that's my weekes't part, when is flat or off camber i cut some trees and the thinner part i narrow it on the tip and stick to the ground, using the rest as a barrier for the dirt not to wash away, but even wetting it and let it rest so it gets harder some times it is destroyed with few rides
Congrats on the video!
---Toronto, Canada---
do you think that anyone can believe in his dream?
mine is to be Professional mtb enduro i hope we will be mates one day
What was the most challenging thing you have ever done / ever want to?
cheers
Cheers
Have you ever thought of writing a book on trail building? If not, do you utilize any resources you'd recommend?
Thanks
Eli
How do you get yourself to try bigger and bigger stunts?
I see you have a new Helion built, what are going to use it for?
I will take it if you don't need it
And wil there be another Hardline race again next year??
What do you enjoy more riding or building or both?
Do you have any pent up anger? You do not seem like a jolly fella. You are kind of fast though. Cheers.
How do I find good riding terrain in New England?
Metallica or Megadeth
what is your motivation on a bad day to keep going?
cheers
Its worth a try