World’s biggest MTB jump for Garden Route

12 June 2015

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Words & Photos: Eric Palmer | Video: Pure Darkness

Bicycling

When international freestyle MTB (or FMB) riders Sam Reynolds, Matt Macduff, Danny Pace, Dylan Stone and Blake Samson came to South Africa in March, to compete in The Night Harvest 2015, a BMX and MTB dirt competition, they also had a few other plans up their sleeves. Namely, to build the Mound of Doom; the world’s biggest MTB jump, to be used by top local MTB riders as a training facility.

On arrival, we headed up the East Coast to the Garden Route Trail Park, where Rob Dormehl, the owner, had done some serious work getting a massive landing ready for the boys, with dimensions supplied by Mr. Reynolds. After a long drive, we stopped at Sedgefield Beach, where we were met by Greg from Knynsa Tourism. After indulging in fresh oysters on ice and cocktails, took a stroll on the beach to get the blood flowing again and were later treated to a fantastic braai by the guys at Pili Pili, which went down a treat!

Once we could eat no more, we headed to Rob’s farm and where we would staying for the next few days in an awesome little house that was miles from anything – except for the jump, which was a mere 500 m from the house and the reason why we were all gathered here.

The next morning, we met the team that would help us build the step-up jump, at the Garden Route Trail Park, and our excitement and nerves were at an all-time high. With Macduff making sure everything was going according to plan and everyone diving in to shape and get the run in cleaned up, the lip soon started to take shape. And while we were busy with the dirt, there was a team of guys building the 10 m roll in; there were no corners being cut here, this thing was built more solidly than most houses in South Africa.

After a long first day of building and planning, some of us headed back to the house to get a fire going for a braai, while Matt continued working with the diggers until no one could see anything. The man was on a mission to get things done!

The next morning, Macduff was up and at it before anyone could rub the sleep out of their eyes. By now, the jump was starting to look like a jump, but the run up, roll in and landing still needed a bit more attention.

After a solid few hours of work, we decided to head down to the Trail Park's Coffee Shop for some breakfast and milkshakes, which was followed by some fun on the pump track. Fun is fun, but there was work to be done so we returned to the jump to continue building.

The run in was progressing fast and the roll in tower now boasted a down ramp. Everything was going smoothly and there was even excited talk about hitting the jump that evening.

With the sun beating down on us, we decided to take a break and go for a swim in the coffee-coloured Black Snake River. Feeling refreshed, we headed back to tackle the final building session of the day.

At this point, the run in was cleaned up and looking good, the roll in tower only needed some work on the dirt tranny at the bottom, and the landing required a few boulders removed. The final touches on the roll in took a bit longer than expected, so there was no riding that evening except for Matt, who pedalled hard at it from the bottom of the tower. Unable to get enough speed to clear it, he had a few rather spectacular ejects, but the question that was on everyone's minds was answered. The angles were looking perfect and it was going to work!

The next morning, a few last touch ups were done and the boys were ready to throw down. The first few trains consisted mainly of some spectacular ejects, but it didn't take long for the guys to make friends with this massive beast of a jump and turn up the riding a notch. The height and airtime was ridiculous, and the smiles were some of the biggest I've ever seen, despite someone trying to be a carrot and plant themselves into the landing head first every now and again. After battling with the wind for a few hours, we decided to head to the coffee shop for brunch to refuel.

Back in action that afternoon, the guys didn't waste time getting to the bangers. Superman seat grabs, flip whips, flip bars, flat 360 one handers and a frontier that was higher than most planes, while Sam managed to stick the slowest double flip perfectly. There was lots of carnage once again, but things were getting pulled and the smiles were full on. We had a good hour-and-a-half session before it started to drizzle.

The next morning was overcast and drizzled on and off, so we decided to return to Cape Town and get things together for The Night Harvest the following evening. We left the trail ark and headed straight to Potato Trails for a practice session. We arrived around 9 p.m. and there was quite a big session going down, with everyone getting used to the new additions. The wind was an issue once again, but after being at the Mound of Doom for a few days, the trails were not looking as big as they normally would and a little warm-up session was welcome.

Friday was competition day, so we headed to the Potato Trails early, before it got too hot. After a good hour’s session, the guys were feeling comfortable on the trails. After lunch and some time at the beach, we returned to the Potato Trails. By this time, the masses had started to arrive and the riding got underway at around 7.

Local BMX and MTB together with loads of international riders meant the show was insane! Unfortunately the wind picked up and the MTB finals had to be cancelled, so the prelim runs determined the positions. Luckily, it was a tailwind so the big trick jump and best trick could still go down. Matt and Sam absolutely destroyed it and did just about every trick imaginable; all pretty much on their first try. The crowds were blown away by the show and Sam managed to grab the Best Trick title with a huge 360 flip.

The Pure Darkness Crew also cleaned up on the podium with Matt taking first, Sam second and Danny third! It had been a good day at the office for the gents, who later celebrated their domination at the after-party.

Saturday was a chill day, so we returned to the Mound of Doom to attend to some unfinished business. This time we broke the 500 km drive up with a quad ride; I don't think they were ready for the Pure Darkness crew. A guide took us through a network of tracks, but the old quads couldn't keep up with the pace and two engines ceased and one of Sam's back wheels completely snapped off. After trading a case of Monster to apologise, we hit the road once more.

Once back at the trail park, a little pump track session went down, followed by another braai, some yoga and then off to bed, to be ready for action the next day.

Up early Monday morning, the stunts started flowing. Almost every trick that had been attempted and not landed was now getting stomped and one of the many impressive tricks was a perfect frontie tuck by Danny aka Steams. After an hour-and-a-half of sending ourselves to the moon, we headed down for our milkshake and breakfast ritual.

The rest of the day was spent mentally preparing for the afternoon session and waiting for it to cool down. By 5 p.m., conditions were perfect and the guys were really looking comfortable on the jump and landing tricks more consistently.

Matt took on a 720 after banging out the rest of his trick list and it wasn't playing nice. He came really close on a few, but after a few going off axis and hitting the ground like a homesick mole a few times, he decided to call it on that.

Dylan held some suicides while spraying webs and ended his session with the biggest saran wrap I've seen a super hero pull.

Justin Novella, our local MTB warrior, got in on the action too and was the first rider to survive and land his first attempt. He went on to blast some no handers, one-foot-down tables and ended his session off with a flip.

Danny and Blake stepped up their game and got through their trick lists nicely. Sam was really on form and after killing it all day, he landed a triple whip so cleanly it looked like a double. No one could believe it and we had to inspect the footage to make sure our eyes didn't deceive us.

After an epic day of slaying the biggest step up, it was time for the team to assemble on the face of the landing, while Sam sent the best super seater of the trip over everyone, followed by another evening of celebration with amazing people.

The Garden Route Project /Pure Darkness 2 had been an amazing success, and our thanks go to Rob from the trail park, Ford for our transport and Monster Energy for keeping us going while building and riding this monstrosity. This is one for the history books.