As a mountain biker growing up I always found myself taking inspiration from BMX street riding. There’s something beautiful about finding an obstacle that is so solid and rigid in form and using it for a fluid and creative manoeuvre. I often refer to these as ‘spots’. I am constantly fascinated by the way that an obstacle will speak to different people in different ways and they’ll interpret the way they try to ride them accordingly. A spot that inspires a trick from one rider may call for an entirely different trick or move from another rider. It’s this free interpretation of the cold, hard metal and concrete of a city that can turn it into an endless playground if you’re ready for it to speak to you.
Words // Tom Mallet Photos // Dylan Ogilvie
These days I find that a lot of what drives me as a rider is trying to be ready for when a spot calls to me. I love searching the streets, but on my mountain-bike my preferred playground is the natural world. It is so exciting to know that there is an endless supply of spots out there, and that my creativity is the gateway to seeing them. I feel fortunate to have this view of the World, never knowing what new spot is around the corner.
Take this spot, for instance: I was pedalling around an XC network near my accommodation one day when I turned a corner and saw this tree. Immediately my brain switched on and as I applied the brakes, I was already picturing myself gapping off the rock onto the trunk of this reclined beauty.
I climbed the rock to inspect from above and from first look down the tree trunk I heard it whisper “manual down me!”. Challenge accepted.
A few afternoons later I returned with Dylan and Jack to answer the calling. It took a few run-ins to build confidence. No one had ever tried this before, so I had to trust that the spot was asking me for something that could be done. Eventually the trust came and even with a mis-timed pop I made contact with both tyres and rode to safety. I could have stopped there and been quite pleased, but I still hadn’t answered the spot’s call. After a few more successful attempts at two-wheel landings we were running out of light, and so I decided to leave the manual for the following day.
After a long night of the spot taunting me in my dreams, Dylan and I ventured back to get the job done. I had a few warmup runs with both wheels and then it was once again time to trust what was being asked of me and commit to one wheel. Riding away safely from something that you have been visualising is an incredible experience. It feels like closing a loop, or like elevating your universe to a higher potential. I answered a call and I’ve been greatly rewarded for doing so. I hope I can be ready to answer the next.
And finally a little note to anyone out there looking for nature spots:
- Please remember to be respectful of the environment.
- Keep construction to a minimum and try to only ride obstacles that are really worthwhile.
- The best spots are the ones that are mostly made for you, and the more you have to build the further you are from riding a spot in its purest form.
- You have to be ready for what is asked of you.
- Changing the spot to suit you is not the same.
[Tom Mallet]