It’s fun to listen to his thought process, and to also share in his excitement and glee, as he goes about the course. I’m really curious now how many trails there are like this out in the world, and who exactly sets about creating them for others to enjoy?
The closest I’ve come to “Paris underground” is visiting the chalk caves at Taittinger. Which isn’t quite the same thing.
One of these days, it would be lovely to get back to Paris. And perhaps finally explore the official catacombs. Sans bike, of course.
Happened across this fun video of Rémy Métallier, riding in the Medellín Challenge in Colombia. It’s been several years since I’ve seen my first urban downhill race, and these types of videos are still breathtaking.
I don’t know what it is about South America that makes it so ideal for these types of events: the narrow, labyrinthine walkways? The enthusiastic crowds that line the course, willing to risk life and limb for a glance or a photograph?
This is another great GoPro helmet-cam video, featuring a rider tackling what looks like an insanely high (and narrow) race down sandstone ridges. A part of Red Bull Rampage, it looks like each participant gets to pick their own path down. Insanity.
On watching this, I was reminded of all the other great helmet-cam videos I’ve seen. In particular, I kept thinking about the crazy urban downhill race Vaparaiso Cerro Abajo – which is a total must-watch if you haven’t seen it.
Similar to Valparaiso Cerro Abajo, there are a lot of twists and turns. But in the Taxco race, it’s really difficult to see where the “course” is supposed to be. In a few instances, it looked like the rider was going to run into bystanders, only to suddenly swerve and go down an impossibly narrow corridor.
The next time I get nervous about doing something, I’m going to have this young girl’s voice in my head. This, THIS kind of stuff is why I freaking love the Internet.
Shot by David Ellis, this first person view of an alpine coaster in Mieders, Austria is pretty spectacular. If you can, I highly recommend watching it full-screen – you’ll be gripping your seat as he careens down hillsides, over and through bridges and tunnels.
So I didn’t even realize this was a thing – that up until now, no one had successfully completed a triple backflip on a BMX bike before. This is a short but sweet video capturing the achievement. I shudder to think what might have happened, had he not pulled this off successfully. The small helmet cams of today are churning…
Kinetic Energy > Potential Energy > Back to Kinetic Energy. Amazing video, both for the climb itself and for what happens after the rider (nearly) gets to the top. It is by far one of the most spectacular FAIL videos I’ve ever seen. Related:Valparaiso Cerro Abajo: Insane Urban Downhill Race (Helmet Cam)I Keep The Snowmobiles Parked Out BackJaw-Droppingly Awesome Helmet-Cam…
Valparaiso Cerro Abajo is an insane, downhill race through the streets of Chile. What makes it fascinating is that it’s not done entirely in the streets – it’s more of an ad hoc course, identified only by a few ribbons marking the lanes. For as often as they’re on the road, riders are equally traversing down concrete steps – several…
This is a collection of some seriously amazing video clips, featuring people skiiing, snowboarding, surfing and flying with a squirrel suit. FYI it’s an ad for a camera (the HD Hero from GoPro). But as far as ads go, I have to say… this is some pretty stellar footage. Most of the clips are based off of a helmet-mounted camera,…
This is video of a technician free climbing 1768 feet to the top of a transmissions tower, for repairs. Just so you know, that’s higher than the Sears Tower! All the footage comes from a camera, mounted on the helmet of the technician. It’s a little wobbly in spots, but it really gives you the false sense that you’re looking…