I perched on the edge of Mt French as the sun painted feathery clouds a light pink over the glowing ridgeline of the scenic rim. Seemed as good confirmation I’d ever get that today was going to be a cracker! The goal was to get some epic shots of Justin, Manny, Kyle, Cam and Alex crushing on trad and this plan was definitely executed!!
The thing I found most memorable about this day was when Alex, Kyle, and I were about to abseil down off the top of Mt French - or the top of the routes they’d just climbed - to the base of the crag. Dangling off a rope, we chatted about the Redbull Hardline and Rampage.
These two races are extreme, to say the least.
In both of them, the ‘best of the best mountain bikers’ shoot down the roughest lines in the world. It’s steep, fast, and perilous. The climber’s consensus - along with mine - was that this pursuit is far too risky. And it’s true, there is a significant degree of danger involved.
I’ve been reflecting on this conversation a bit since last weekend. At the time, I definitely agreed. Downhill racing is objectively dangerous. But at the time, we were dangling off the edge of a cliff. I was supported by a single rope anchored to a tree, and they were hanging off hunks of metal jammed into rock. Who are we to judge?
All of these extreme sports are about a strong mindset and mitigating external risk. If you have a strong head game and follow the set processes correctly, then all you have to contend with is chance. Weather, accidents, other people’s reactions. Definitely a lot, but that’s all you can do.
Hence, we spoke from a place of ignorance. Anyone looking at us on the side of that mountain would say we were as insane as we judged the Redbull bikers to be. Hell, the Redbull bikers probably thought we were crazier than them.
It’s a perspective thing, and a good thing to remember.