Video: Racing Blind - Pinkbike Academy Season 2 EP 6

 Totally agree

 Because he couldn't beat Emmet or Bradley in any of the other races, whereas Alaina was able to be competitive in the non-physical ones

 @swenzowski: I can agree with that. But as a counter point, Cam seems to be a LOT closer to being able to race Enduro than Alaina is.

 Can't agree more. And there are no non-physical enduro races. That's why it is called enduro.

 Bradley was not behind Cameron at the first split... really didn't matter who went home between the two as both wouldn't win the competition anyways.

 Cameron was 3rd at the first split..

 Let's be real. They knew who's going to take the win from the very beginning. Everything else that happens in between is for dramatic effect.

 @swenzowski: what bothers me is the argument from Gully: "you need the full package". So for me it was clear who from Cam or Alaina would go home. She showed some highs on the not so enduro stuffs and some lows on stamina and technicality. Ot felt like a big contradiction from the judges. Now we know neither will win their category so, not really a big deal in the end.

 @talanking: also how blind is it if one of them races BC cups? Probably knows the track a bit at least.

 @ct0413: I agree with this...within the first few days I am sure the judges already have favorites and know who they want to win. It seems like the judges are just using opportune moments to eliminate contestants they want gone.

 @EnduroManiac: It seems to be a trend that the judges do the complete opposite of what they say or don't stick to consistency. Remember last season with best influencer photo challenge that Tom lost? The judges picked the one photo that doesn't show any of the sponsored gear branding (Fox clothing, Orbea bike, etc) as their favorite because the photo was taken so far away.

 @2pi: They are not picking the best enduro racer, that would be easy and probably none of these people. They're looking to sponsor a brand ambassador, social media influencer and seller of all things bike.

 @EnduroManiac: It doesn't matter because this whole season was set up so they could give Flo the contract. It has been painfully deliberate.

 @sayitlikejohn: and didn't Emmett say he hit all his lines? Would suggest he knows the track so not really blind. Also, why did the secret pro's get a practice run in?

 @tvan5: Yeah, she's not gonna win, but it's kind of annoying how long they've kept Alaina around. She simply doesn't have the fitness or commitment to be a top tier enduro racer. You can tell she dialed it way back to get down to the bottom of the course, while everyone else was going for it. I don't blame anyone for prioritizing safety, but that's not how you win races.

 But Cam doesn't have a BMX background...

 @swenzowski: Isn't that the problem? She can't compete in the technical or physical challenges, and enduro is both technical and physical. She's not going to win, or even compete in most of these challenges, so why are they giving her so many second chances, when with Cam they sent him home for getting a mechanical that was not at all his fault.

 Also Cam is just such an incredibly kind and supportive person to have in the competition.

 @withdignityifnotalacrity: yup she has been the most annoying to watch and not be sent home. You can’t call yourself a pro with her fitness.

 Runs PAR with the other decision, non-decisions being made. @talanking:

 Cam obviously has no bmx background, which seems to grant a green card week after week.

 []

 Yeah, I love this show and appreciate the judges’ commentary, but they regularly make some absolutely baffling decisions. At this point, it would be better if there were a review board behind the scenes to intervene when the judges make a questionable call.

Christina and Gully are charismatic hosts, but the show would be more enjoyable if the eliminations were more strategic and merit-based. This week’s wasn’t as bad as eliminating Addison for habitually ensuring his own bike was safe to ride, which is a good quality for a professional rider. However, Cameron could actually compete in a professional field (even if not a top tier rider); it’s hard to imagine Alaina or Kira even qualifying at this stage. Plus the men and women's sections are now totally imbalanced.. we just have 2 male riders and we’re just half way through the season.

Granted it would be equally frustrating if they totally disregarded the week’s result, and only selected based on overall potential and ability. But past performance should be more of a factor.

 Judges: We are looking for complete package..
Judges - sends Cam home and keeps Alaina who was marginally competitive in non-physical and not technical challenge..

 the judges need to be harsher, halfway down christina needs to be pushing them and yelling at them to go faster instead of telling them to just be smooth and get a run down

 @Curse-of-the-foot-long-sub: yeah and she should have a whip and be dressed like a devil.

 @EnduroManiac: whatever your into

 What a stark difference between him and Cody, eh?

 @IsaacBikes: yeah but don’t be harsh with Cody. It’s probably less easy to be like he is. I can somehow relate to that. It takes a lot to change. I know what I am talking about. But first you have to be able to admit or observe this. Only then can you try to change and get happier. Go on Cody, it’s doable!

 @EnduroManiac: I know I am a super negative guy in sport and I find it really challenging to stay positive when I am not achieving what I think I can achieve. It's why I moved from MTB racing to ultimate frisbee, where I can rely on my team to help get me out of my own head. Even with my team's support, it is still a big challenge for me.

I also know it is 100% my issue, and not someone else's.

I can sympathize and empathize with Cody. I get where he's coming from. But I also purposefully moved away from a solo sport where I would eat myself up inside. So I am also frustrated by his behavior.

 @fraserw: wait what now?

 @owl-X: ultimate mtb frisbee

 @fraserw: lol

 I agree - great brand ambassador kind of guy. Rides for all the right reasons, has skills, great with people and seems like the kind of person anyone feels comfortable around. Any brand would do well to put him on an ambassador program.

 @fraserw: Well, there's a reason why some players don't do well on some teams and they get traded.
People seem to be forgetting that different things affect different people.
I've seen some people become totally different people (for better or worse) due to a particular person being in the room.

 but is she a good sprinter aswell?

 ...and it was like a stand-alone line: BMX Background!! [dramatic pause, again] 'nuff said.

 I wondered that too, especially when in the post run interviews he mentioned that he was happy with his run and that he “hit all his lines”.

 @ODubhslaine: yeah that seemed like a definite I know that track comment, also the comment about the top is like this and then lower it’s like this. It definitely wasn’t blind for him, he might not know the exact conditions but definitely had beta.

 He's ridden it before: www.trailforks.com/ridelog/view/3917978

 @ODubhslaine: it was evident he’d ridden it before when he stated that the bottom of the track was more flat out so he could pick up his pace there.

 Since Bradley didn't get sent home it doesn't really matter.

 @mikeb: He also has the 4th fastest time according to the leaderboard, as well as 3rd all time checkins with 9.

 They've all ridden it before. They were there before filming started and were given time to test and set up their bikes. It's hardly as if there are lot's of tracks to choose from off the lift. Fair enough they maybe haven't scoped it with a mind to racing the track but they will all of been down it at least a few times.

 @barry9559: so it was vision impaired race not blind.

 To me it was clear that he who was eliminated was based on everything up to this point so far. He was clearly the 3rd best of the boys. However, I do think it was Alaina’s time to go. She doesn’t have the pro potential that the other 3 gals have.

 @WasatchEnduro: It's funny you say that because I've seen Kyra as a sleeper from day one. She's been riding for only a short time and anyone that rides bikes that sees someone progress that quickly on a bicycle knows that the ceiling is usually very high. I would keep my eye on her as my assumption is in another year or two she will be absolutely shredding.

 Everything was on a script before they all arrived, so I take it easy. Now I'm heading to the pump track to grow some BMX background to compensate for my lack of skills, endurance and speed.

 What looks to be a bit of a dinger on Christina's thigh during the judging discussion may confirm that she's the womens secret pro.

 My brother and I started dying laughing too.

 Pure class from Cam!

 Surely the full enduro race is going to be the season finale. Flo vs women’s pro; emmet vs men’s pro. Whoever gets closest wins.

 @AyJayDoubleyou:

I’d love to see the top 4 battle against the pros in the final. Would be more interesting. Not sure how they’ll choose a winner tho.

 Wolverine

 Kyra is totally Balls to the Walls, eh.

 Kyra has the headgame. I'd give that more weight if I were a judge. Fitness can be developed, skills can be learned. But downhill racing at least requires a really strong mental game. Not sure if enduro is the same, but I suspect so.

 Yeah, that guy is going places in life!

 Probably what keeps us commenting and engaged

 Interesting to hear his behind the scenes opinion of Flo for sure.

 I remember Bernard Kerr being annoyed with the drone in one of the DHWC races this year. You're focusing so hard, heart rate is up, barely breathing and you have this annoying wizzing noise behind you for 4 minutes.,

 but on the other hand, some great drone camera shots

 @Ryan2949: put a bee inside your helmet, you'll get used to the sound very quickly

 That would be brilliant. Amazed show creators didn't think of that

 Yes. Both ideas are brilliant.

 Soon*

 In another time Kyra would have been the last one standing on a medieval battleground swaying on her feet yelling "stand up and fight cowards!!"

 I don't believe in coincidences...
But given the fact that FoxHead gave them a bunch of apparel and looking at their dress code, it looks like the supply shortage is real

 this

 Definitely other worthy competitors, but yeah. So badly.

 She will win of course. She is pretty much a Pro already, at least if you look at her results. She is a well know racer that got a couple Top 10s in the EWS already

 @bashhard: yes exactly why she deserves a pro contract.
Definately on my F.E team next year.

 @bashhard: dang, if she's got some top 10 results already then she could probably negotiate herself a pretty nice contract.

 @Portulacaria-afra: She deserves that pro contract, for sure (and some other girls that come to mind). It looks like most brands/industry don't want the girls to race, and they have tough job finding support.

 He's really young too so has the potential to win an EWS ...

 What’s the timeline for the filming of the show? The application process mentions two weeks but no specific dates.

 hopefully this means he'll become a pb presenter then

 I wouldn’t be surprised, stab (a surfing magazine) made everything behind a paywall and then retroactively made their old YouTube long format videos behind a paywall too

 I guess it depends whether they're taking Emmett's local knowledge into account? If Bradley hasn't ridden that track before but is within 8 seconds of Emmett who has, then that's pretty impressive.

Plus they have to talk up the competition to make it exciting TV!

 it's the PBA plot armor

 nor inserts! I run inserts f&r even for beach cruising!

 @Fulgacian: The no inserts really surprised me. I bet Cam could have finished if he was running something like Cushcore pro or Tannus armor.

 While that's true. Garmin also pays them to make this show. So I guess it's worth it? Even though it is literally the most useless metric.

 But the 100% stress level for the mechanical at the start was funny.

 Is it because of her bmx background?

 @kingbike2: seems bmx background is the most important attribute for a mtb-er haha

 @rideitall-bmx-dh-road-unicycle: she’s a cutie.

 A shrink

 @royalsrule: BWAH!! Blurtlaugh thank you

 If they’re running stock bikes it’s exo+

 To me it seems odd not to run inserts on a course like that regardless of tyre casing.

 Agree @n734535:

 although I agree, i don't think they have the production budget for that. Whitefish, MT I think does Enduro races though. that's not too far away from B.C.

 @shwinn8: Maybe, a blind race in Squamish would not be so expensive, or Enduro tracks out of the main mtb resort.

 A bmx track would be a good location.

 Come closer to the female pro than Emmitt does the male pro in the final.

 @no-good-ideas: My money is on Emmitt beating the male pro. He's already done it three times if you count not getting caught by the ebike.

 There will be a secret mechanical on the final stage.

 I'm not fast by any standard, but seeing peak speeds of 42kmh (I haven't ridden Rancho Catapulta) doesn't seem like true race speed on that part of the track.
That said, I split my helmet in half last Saturday on a rock garden at 37k, so I guess 42k is out of my league

 But it looks like it grants immunity

 BMX Background

 yeah... I think it's pretty scripted to keep the competition "close"

 I think this is the first episode I have enjoyed of this season up until the poorly scripted/acted judges deliberation.

 Haha a pumptrack race next episode would be just too serendipitous. Alaina would stomp.

 His name is ADDISONZAWADA say it know it crank that top button and live it!

This show is MTV’s VJ battle but for Canadian mtb weirdos (double redundant). — Vlad is the champ Jesse Camp but we’re stuck with nice accent man and ADDISONZAWADA as Dave Holmeses. They’re inoffensive but I need me some VLAD

 @owl-X: we're gonna sesh

 You got that right! But the „community“ wants it…

 You’re talking about that Kilian Bron video right??