[dexterq20]

www.raceface.com/ufc


List of competitors and dates is up, as well as a teaser. I believe the song in the teaser is by Sweatshop Union... anybody want to confirm that for me though?

A couple things I noticed:

-Dave McLaughlin and Derek Peltzer, who were competitors last year, are back for another shot at UFC stardom. Nothing wrong with that, it just caught my attention.

-I also saw Dustin Bryant on the list. He's the one-armed rider who had a pic in MBA and who also had a thread about him on here (I think).

-There's also a mini Berrecloth in the running. Should be interesting to see if he takes after his older family member of the same name.

-And finally, what's up with the double contestant thing? It appears that Matt Brooks and Jared Gatzka are sharing one competitor's slot. Any explanations?


As usual, the level of riding that is shown in the teaser looks amazing, and now it's time for me to start counting the days till voting starts.

 

[arboc!]

my friend joe perrizo is in it

 

[McGRP01]

Sweet!!! Thanks!

Damn...i don't have quicktime at work! :mumble:

 

[Salami]

[
-There's also a mini Berrecloth in the running. Should be interesting to see if he takes after his older family member of the same name.

I thought Ryan was his older brother. The site gives his age as 26 and I am pretty sure Bearclaw is younger than that.



Dave McLaughlin - Wasn't he sponsored by Yeti a year or two ago?

 

[CBJ]

I just hope a Canadian will win

 

[preppie]

-I also saw Dustin Bryant on the list. He's the one-armed rider who had a pic in MBA and who also had a thread about him on here (I think).

now it's time for me to start counting the days till voting starts.

My vote goes to Dustin Bryant.
Most 'original' rider and he goes pretty big with a very different style.

I think -Respect- is the correct word.

 

[SuspectDevice]

I just can't get into the whole UFC thing. I try, and some of the kids who enter are pretty good, but it bums me out it takes kids away from racing.

McCaul for example, could be really fast if he didn't spend so much time with video cameras... And Whacker is fast as hell, so I always wonder why he wastes his time with the UFC. Go lift some weights and get you snap on man!

Whatever, if kids want to ride their bikes and have fun I sure as hell aren't going to stop them, but really when it comes down to it, "freeriders" still tend to be folks who can't/don't want to race. Noble and fine, but active racers make for more attractive photos IMO.
The level of smoothness, precision, speed and agression you see from watching a WC pro ride gets my juices flowing more than just about anything else. Most of these freeriding competitions don't seem to be rewarding precision, speed or smoothness, instead it still seems to be about "Stunts" and "tricks". Honestly when you go out and ride, what makes you feel better and more fuzzycuddly?
I bet ripping with speed and grace is higher on most peoples lists than checking off certain manouvers from the trick list. I don't plan to watch the UFC videos or to vote (Too slow of an internet connection) but I emplore you all to vote for speed, style and fluidity. Lets rid our sport of trick ferrets once and for all.

 

[dan-o]

I just can't get into the whole UFC thing. I try, and some of the kids who enter are pretty good, but it bums me out it takes kids away from racing.

McCaul for example, could be really fast if he didn't spend so much time with video cameras... And Whacker is fast as hell, so I always wonder why he wastes his time with the UFC. Go lift some weights and get you snap on man!

Whatever, if kids want to ride their bikes and have fun I sure as hell aren't going to stop them, but really when it comes down to it, "freeriders" still tend to be folks who can't/don't want to race. Noble and fine, but active racers make for more attractive photos IMO.
The level of smoothness, precision, speed and agression you see from watching a WC pro ride gets my juices flowing more than just about anything else. Most of these freeriding competitions don't seem to be rewarding precision, speed or smoothness, instead it still seems to be about "Stunts" and "tricks". Honestly when you go out and ride, what makes you feel better and more fuzzycuddly?
I bet ripping with speed and grace is higher on most peoples lists than checking off certain manouvers from the trick list. I don't plan to watch the UFC videos or to vote (Too slow of an internet connection) but I emplore you all to vote for speed, style and fluidity. Lets rid our sport of trick ferrets once and for all.

A quick comparison of spectators for an event like Whistler's Crankworx versus that of a (or sum of complete season) NORBA National race leads me to believe that your views don't represent the majority. Racing, as proven by declining industry and participant support, doesn't inspire people in the same way.

 

[kidwoo]

it takes kids away from racing.

Gawd forbid people are allowed to spend time on their bikes as they wish.

I don't remember hearing about anyone kicking Cameron McCaul in the nuts screaming "you learn that seat grab!!!!, You learn that damn seat grab NOW!!!!"

In fact I'd dare to say that he and many others actually have more......what's the word.........fun?.........when not racing.


The DH/freeride population is growing pretty significantly every year from what I can tell. I don't think racing is going anywhere. People will always want to do it. It's not a detriment to the sport that there are others who don't.


RaceFace UFC: Anybody notice the Canadian company said "without further a due" shouldn't that be "without further adieu?"

 

[SuspectDevice]

A quick comparison of spectators for an event like Whistler's Crankworx versus that of a (or sum of complete season) NORBA National race leads me to believe that your views don't represent the majority. Racing, as proven by declining industry and participant support, doesn't inspire people in the same way.

Yeah, I guess you are right, I mean Bush did get re-elected an people still watch prime time TV. Reminds me, gotta go buy a 30 pack of beer so I can get drunk and watch other people play sports...

 

[binary visions]

RaceFace UFC: Anybody notice the Canadian company said "without further a due" shouldn't that be "without further adieu?"

Um, "adieu" means goodbye or farewell...

It should actually be, "without further ado" - as in the Shakespere play, "Much Ado About Nothing".

Though if it should have been "adieu", it would have been better irony - as it is, it's just a lousy technical editor.

 

[kidwoo]

Um, "adieu" means goodbye or farewell...

It should actually be, "without further ado" - as in the Shakespere play, "Much Ado About Nothing".

Though if it should have been "adieu", it would have been better irony - as it is, it's just a lousy technical editor.

I checked my brain.......umm let's just call it google for simplicity......and found several examples of adieu. Some used as goodbye (oui, of course) but some also used as in "without further...."

But I think you're right. Ado looks more gooder.

Anybody notice the stupid American said "Without further adieu?"

Huh huh........freedom................huh huh...........

 

[dan-o]

Yeah, I guess you are right, I mean Bush did get re-elected an people still watch prime time TV. Reminds me, gotta go buy a 30 pack of beer so I can get drunk and watch other people play sports...

So, if you're not a racer (which usually means maybe 2-3hrs of practice plus a race run or two per weekend) you're just "watching other people play"? Have fun with your NE DH series. Oh wait, it was cancelled due to low turnout and lack of sponsors.... DH racing is about as relevent as professional lacrosse.

 

[binary visions]

Anybody notice the stupid American squaked "Without further adieu?"

Why yes... yes I did.

 

[SuspectDevice]

So, if you're not a racer (which usually means maybe 2-3hrs of practice plus a race run or two per weekend) you're just "watching other people play"? Have fun with your NE DH series. Oh wait, it was cancelled due to low turnout and lack of sponsors.... DH racing is about as relevent as professional lacrosse.

You make me giggle. I'll wager you that we will have more not less DH races in New England in '05 than we did in '04. It's a fact that we already have more lift accessed riding and rider-days than any other region in the US.
The inability of a promoter to bring together competing mountains into a unified series doesn't exactly seem like a failing of racer turnout or anything else except short-sighted mtn management.
We have a big population of Dh riders who don't race, and I'm cool with that. They keep the mountains open and the manufacturers pumping out bikes.

So that would make professional freeriding as relevant as say... Rhytmic Gymnastics? Less techincal skill and precision set to music and performed by washouts from the superior, more technical branch of the sport? Ice Dancing perhaps?

Don't get all bent out of shape Dan-O, I think even Me and the rest of the leg-shaving road bike ridining, in bed by 9 racer crowd have accepted the fact that freeriding is a fact of life in the bike industry these days, and I do my best to nurture it around here, in the correct venues.

 

[dan-o]

SSD, I'm not bent out of shape but I do think that the FR movement has contributed more to the recent success of DH riding (equipment, venues, new participants) than racing. I hope DHD can get a series rolling again this season, it guarantees shorter lines at Diablo, Bromont and Platty on race weekends!

 

[c2001]

here's one small reason why cameron is good for "freeriding" - his suicides...he is the only shredder besides his brother and timo who does them well...dumped front end and straight upper body. he should get 48 more sponsors because of this alone...compare cam's pickture to the typical mtn bike sui pickture. it's good to have cam's good steez and fun attitude in there making a difference. the suckers n huckers will eventually get weeded out...it's already going that way. soon freeriding will look good AND be aggro too, ya know?

i also heard cameron's dad makes the kids do 50 flips into the pool each day or they don't get dinner...could be wrong on that though.

 

[How]

nice Jadyn Welch is in there too, local from Missoula I ride with him all the time, didn't know he submitted a video, he gets my vote.

 

[dexterq20]

I thought Ryan was his older brother. The site gives his age as 26 and I am pretty sure Bearclaw is younger than that.

Whoops... You caught me. I blew it.

Dave McLaughlin - Wasn't he sponsored by Yeti a year or two ago?

Yeah. There was a huge discussion about this during last year's UFC too. He was sponsored, but for one reason or another, he got dropped, and now all his bike expenses are being paid out of his own pocket. He's a pro-level rider without the offical "pro" title or support.

 

[dexter]

sweet j is in there that kids a ripper.

 

[Pip3r]

im rootin for wacka that guy kills it
Its good to see freeriding is rapidly changing, mostley for the better. People seem to be doing more fast/fluid lines now in addition to big stuff, and not just chucking it all day off ****.
Reguardless, i still feel the same way as Mickey. I used to have not have much respect for racing untill i got out there myself and tried it and then a light clicked on in my head and have a totally different view now. Nothing gets me as pumped as seeing some line ripped open that looks sketchy but is done by a rider with complete controll.
Thats the thing with freeriding videos, is the whole point is doing new things that are impressive to watch, but most all of it seems like the same stuff over and over. The UFC comp has gotten crazier every year but still seems like the same old thing again and again.
Racing is bound to be the 'same thing' over and over, its expected if everyones riding the same course. So when you do notice something different it comes as more of a suprise, which makes it much more rewarding/exciting to watch for me.

 

[Urinal Mint]

nice Jadyn Welch is in there too, local from Missoula I ride with him all the time, didn't know he submitted a video, he gets my vote.

Hey (James?), thanks for the support. I was stoked to see I made the top 16. It looks like a great competition this year, and I wish good luck to all!