Video: Class is in Session for Blenki's Schralp School
It’s the kind of ride dreams are made of – untouched dirt in the Southern Alps of New Zealand on trails that flow like mountain runoff. Speed, agility, and flow intersect at every corner, peeling your eyelids back and plastering a grin across your dusty mug.
For some, rides like this are few and far between, and the moment is fleeting - blink and it's gone.
Sam Blenkinsop was lucky enough to find himself in the middle of one while christening the Glendhu Bike Park, just outside Wanaka, New Zealand – and the crew from HUNT Cinema was there to capture his first tracks aboard the 2020 Sight.
 | Capturing Sam's speed is always a challenge but he also has a great eye for shots, and loved giving us filmers and photographers some pointers! |
| We wanted a location that would capture Sam's speed and effortless style. One look at [Glendhu] and we knew that we could shoot the entire project there. |
Big thanks to Claire, John, Ranger and the incredible team at Bike Glendhu for their support and help on the project. Their team gave us an exclusive window as the first people to shoot up there before the park officially opened, so we wanted to ensure we could produce something that would do it justice.
Video: HUNT Cinema
Photos: Cam Mackenzie
Music: Thin Floors and Tall Ceilings by Odesza
Author Info:
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Yeah Blenki !
Also +1 from an old track builder fart for ride don’t slide.
You old roosters know it’s not the fastest way around a corner — young roosters watching and copying not so much. How about you show some real leadership and keep this sort of stroking off-camera.
NIMBP - Not In My Bike Park.
But either way, Blenki is on another level, whether he’s coasting or going full gas. Mind blowing skills.
You old roosters know it’s not the fastest way around a corner — young roosters watching and copying not so much. How about you show some real leadership and keep this sort of stroking off-camera.
blenki #stylegod
Sam Blenkinsop is a legend of a rider.
And many of us in North America dream of riding in NZ someday.
But WTF is with the roosting of (almost) every damn corner in the vid? Are you not aware of erosion, or how much work it takes to build and maintain trails?
Do you not see that by glorifying that sort of riding that you are encouraging and perpetuating that sort of riding? Young riders and new riders that don't know any better will seek to emulate Sam's style, ignorantly (or perhaps purposefully) laying waste to trails along the way, and requiring that volunteer time and money be spent to repair the damage.
Are you not capable of taking the long view here, and recognizing what happens when you make careless decisions like this?
Sincerely,
A lifelong rider and trail builder.
He was christening a new trail and had full permission from the trail crew to ride/destroy.
When you or I skid on trail, we are f*cking it up for nothing. When a bike god like blenki does it, its transcendent and the wear is worth it.