WRECKING CREW
What the south of England lacks in elevation, it makes up for in fun. Rogate Downhill may be a small bike park, but it offers a fantastic day out for everyone, from novices to World Cup stars
nWe hook up with Brendan Fairclough, Bernard Kerr, Sam Reynolds and Olly Wilkins at Rogate Downhill in Sussex for a kerr-azee day sessioning the runs
Ridiculous, mind-blowing, incomprehensible! I’m not sure which term best describes Brendan, Bernard, Sam and Olly trying to outdo each other, but these all work. These guys are some of the UK’s – and the world’s – best mountain bikers. Between them, they’ve taken on some of the planet’s toughest events, from the DH World Cup series to urban races through the streets of South America, Red Bull Rampage to the FEST Series freeride events. Their skill and style on a bike is another league. While it’s a little intimidating getting thrown in at the deep end with these MTB superstars, it’s one hell of an opportunity to follow them and get a glimpse of riding through their eyes – it’s clear this is very different to how us mere mortals see the trails.
Big is just a perspective
We meet the guys in the Lion’s Den cafe in Haslemere. Brendan and Olly have just finished an early-morning gym session, so it’s only polite to let them grab some breakfast. Today we’re heading to Rogate Downhill, one of B1ke’s bike parks – an organisation that’s developing riding spots for pros and novices alike. “This is one of the first places I started riding, 20-something… a long time ago,” says Brendan.
As soon as we step out of the van, the boys head straight to the biggest kicker at the end of the red-graded Happy Ending – an alternative finish to the blue trail, Bottle Rocket. While it has an optimistic-sounding name, it’s an intimidating start, and it starts to sink in how this day is going to pan out. Big is just a perspective, and to these guys, this kicker isn’t big. As they take it in turns to hit the jump, Sam throws a massive suicide no-hander first go, Bernard a huge toboggan (seatgrab), and Brendan and Olly whip it sideways with such style that my jaw’s on the floor. I have a warm-up run – hitting the step-down to judge the speed – then hesitantly give it a go, landing safely on the tabletop. “Next time I’ll clear it,” I tell myself, and the guys shout words of encouragement me as they throw whips and tricks for fun.
Sideways or nothing
We make our way up the trail, where every feature on the well-built tracks turns into a mini session. It’s all about who can get the bike most sideways, whether ripping through turns or hitting jumps. Railing some tight berms, the guys lean their bikes in so far and with such speed that they get a hefty amount of rebound – even from the soft, sandy soil – which they use to bounce into the next berm. Linking up these turns isn’t easy at this speed, and Bernard ends up hitting one corner far squarer than ideal, while Brendan ploughs straight through another, but it’s all in the name of fun.
Next up are a couple of larger, looser berms, where the dry weather has made the well-draining
soil into a dust bowl – the perfect place to kick up some loose dirt. “I’m going for three fingers on the back brake,” jokes Olly, before setting off to dislodge some dust. The guys end up riding as a train into the berms, seeing which one of them can roost them the best, and there’s always a laugh from somewhere in the pack.
Further up the trail, we find a hip jump to play on – an ideal spot to kick the back wheel out sideways, and use the bank on the left-hand side as a landing. If I thought the whips were big before, the shapes the guys pull here are in a different league. It’s great to see the camaraderie between them – while each one is always trying to perform the best trick, as a group they’re so supportive of one another. Every run is met with cheers and whoops – even my mediocre attempts to copy the boys’ efforts. It’s helpful, inspiring and gives me a great confidence boost. These guys provide a nurturing environment in which to progress, and we’re sure this vibe has had a positive influence on their riding.
The section above the fireroad that splits Rogate into an upper and lower half tends to be tighter, steeper and more technical than the lower bike park’s tracks. Up here it’s fun to find stumps, stones and drops to play on, which give the upper bike park a more ‘downhill’ feel. We mess around for a bit, chasing each other down to the bottom of the trails, where Sam Bowell, Rogate’s site manager, joins us. Sam’s a shredder too and has put his heart and soul into this place. He, along with the others, is stoked to see how well the park is progressing and that their hard work is paying off.
Time to get tech
There isn’t one section of trail that’s not seen as a playground by the boys. Bernard spots an inside line by the stumps that’s as loose as it is narrow. “Jump off the edge of the left stump and land on the bank, then just let the tyres break traction and slide into the rut,” he explains nonchalantly. We look over to see what he’s talking about, but before anyone has a chance to raise their concerns he’s put in half a pedal stroke and dropped in. Cutting that thin line just as he said, he drifts it into the catch berm and rides it out, calm as you like. Everyone gives their nod of approval, but no one’s up for repeating his effort.
It’s no surprise these guys are looking for a different challenge compared to what the average bike park rider is after, but it’s the way they find this challenge that’s spectacular to witness. The speed they ride at and their ability to jump turn the park into a different world. Instead of seeing two doubles
as two jumps, it’s one big jump. Same goes for a roller-to-double-berm sequence, which becomes a roller-to-double-take-off-to-berm-landing feature. These things are huge. When I look at the distances needed to clear them, I’m somewhat apprehensive. This is where the guys’ experience and phenomenal skill come in. They have so much more insight into what’s possible at the level they ride at, who am I to question?
Another level
First up is the ‘Kerr-wad’ feature, named after Bernard, who quadruples the two doubles. Brendan isn’t about to be outdone, so he sets up and launches it too. But he isn’t done yet, and sees the berm-landing feature as a new challenge. The World Cup star and Rampage veteran has one run to check his speed and is absolutely flying. He clearly thinks so too, as he goes back up to attempt the challenge. It’s impressive to see him ride the section far faster than you’d think possible. He hits the lip, pulls up and sails over the backside of the berm landing. Once was good, but not good enough, so he heads back up and hits it again, this time making it even sweeter.
With time ticking on, the boys head down to the bottom to finish off with a couple of dirt jumps. Everyone’s winding down now, but apparently no one’s told Sam (Reynolds), who throws two of the most inverted tabletops we’ve ever seen. I can’t help but feel inspired when watching some of the world’s best, and it’s shown me that I need to get out and practise my jumping. With each new level you reach, more and more awesome riding opens up to you – even down at your local bike park.