Report steep descents: Why are we attracted to the depths when freeriding?

What happens on a steep descent?

Steep descents are fascinating. "Every sport that involves descents generates this fascination," says freeride pioneer Richie Schley. "You want to know who can do the steepest run. Whether it's skiing, skateboarding, surfing or mountain biking. You have to be 100 per cent determined and dance on a fine line." Steep descents are particularly daunting for mountain bike beginners.

The motto: victory or coffin

Rolling down a slope that has a wide run-out at the bottom is relatively easy to manage and yet generates a powerful adrenaline rush - riding technique coach Holger Meyer

In other words: the steep descent as a sensation that can be experienced quickly. In fact, steep descents, at least as they regularly occur off-road, require surprisingly few skills. The biker must be able to brake in a controlled manner, needs balance, but above all courage, because looking down is intimidating, as is the fact that you have to ride a steep descent to the end, "do or don't" - you can't get off.

Steep descent - what happens in the body

The risk situation "steep descent" puts the biker on alert. The body's own 112 is called the hypothalamus, a tissue structure in the brain the size of a grape. The hypothalamus signals the body through messenger substances: get ready for action! The following mechanisms are triggered:

1. Increase in heart rate: To prepare the body for fight or flight mode, the heart rate increases. This transports more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles.
2. Increase in respiration: Breathing becomes faster and deeper in order to take in more oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
3. Increase in blood pressure: Blood pressure rises to transport blood faster to the important organs and muscles.
4. Change in digestive function: In high-risk situations, the digestive function is reduced in order to provide energy for physical exertion.
5. Release of adrenalin: The body releases adrenalin to increase physical performance and shorten reaction times.
6. Constriction of the pupils: The pupils constrict to improve vision and reduce the penetration of too much light.

Anyone who has overcome fear and mastered the challenge receives a gift from biology: the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine triggers feelings of happiness. Neurologist Professor Dr Stefan Lorenzl explains: "Adrenaline and serotonin are present before and during the descent, dopamine afterwards. These substances make us happy and allow us to take risks." Psychologists refer to this as the Odysseus factor: your own willpower allows you to push your limits and increase your room for manoeuvre - and this is rewarded. "The feeling you experience after a hairy steep descent is incredible," confirms Rampage star Cam Zink, who recently attempted a series of steep descents in British Columbia for a film clip by his Canadian sponsor Devenci.

In addition to the biochemistry, the clarity of the situation also has a strong effect: there you are and the mountain. If you are ready to take a risk, then the sense of achievement beckons. This setup is in stark contrast to everyday life, which is often characterised by boredom (routine) and powerlessness (war, climate change, rising costs of living, etc.). Nevertheless, according to the news magazine SPIEGEL, only five per cent of the German population come close to the thrill of a steep descent.

This is how the fascination of steep descents in freeriding began

When freeriding conquered the bike world at the end of the 1990s, it was steep descents that amazed bike fans around the globe. Dave Swetland, Brett Tippie, Wade Simmons and Richie Schley tipped into the steep slopes of Kamloops, British Columbia. To be seen, for example, in the bike action film Kranked.

Back then, the freeride heroes still wore cross-country outfits and rode bikes with crazy steep head angles, long stems and outrageously thin tyres. The first freeride films mainly showed steep descents and crashes, in fast cuts, accompanied by rock music. "That's how it all began," recalls Tarek Rasouli, one of the German freerider pioneers, "Bikers conquering mountains. Whether on sandstone in Utah or on gravel in Kamloops - something like this had never been seen before and was thought to be impossible. And often it was impossible," says Rasouli.

"Back then, you had to push your bum behind the saddle as much as possible to avoid tipping over at the front", says coach Holger Meyer, "today, thanks to modern geometries, the position is much more relaxed, you can stay centred over the bike and still descend steeply." Long steep descents are particularly tricky. Or as Richie Schley puts it: "Steep is not the same as steep & long." Holger Meyer confirms: "Descents such as those attempted by Remy Metailler and Cam Zink in British Columbia are the high school and require a lot of experience and riding skills." You can still see the feats on YouTube.

Who's the coolest?

"Some people claim that steep descents are easy," says Cam Zink, "but I don't agree. Many riders have the skills to do it. But having the confidence to do it and actually doing it are two completely different things. Even worse: when you're the first and you don't even know if it's possible! PEF was the first to do the big thing in 2017, so: He is the man!", says Cam Zink about Pierre-Edouard Ferry, who attempted the steepest descent in the history of the Red Bull Rampage. Zink and Kyle Strait also rode this line in the competition. It is one of the most spectacular steep descents. "In reality, these descents are even steeper than film broadcasts or photos suggest," says Holger Meyer, who knows many of the places himself. Zink, Lunn, Simmons, PEF, Schley, Smith... the list of steep wall riders is long. "The only two riders who rode a steep line that I refused were James Doerfling and Robbie Bourdon," says Cam Zink, bringing up his favourites.

For freeride pros Brett Tippie and Richie Schley, Jordie Lunn's ladder descent is the number one among the steepest descents, but runs by Wade Simmons in Squamish are also among the favourites. Particularly impressive is the descent in Moab, Utah, which Kenny Smith skied for the first time, later Richie Schley and Brett Tippie repeated the run, and more recently Kilian Bron. Although the rough sandstone offers the tyres plenty of grip, the view is impressive. There is a risk of falling on both sides of the cliff, and the sheer length of the descent gives an idea of the nerve-wracking test that bikers have to endure here.

The most extreme freeride steep descents

1 - The Lunn ladder:

The crazy tree descent by freerider Jordie Lunn (see photo above) makes the dangers of a steep descent particularly vivid.

2 - Rampage steep face:

In 2017, riders Ferry, Strait and Zink built a hair-raising overture to their competition runs. The descent is very steep and at the same time: very long.

3 - Moab Cliff:

Kenny Smith was the first, then came Brett Tippie, Richie Schley and later Kilian Bron. Helpful: the grippy rock and a long runout.

"More than just courage!" - Interview with professional freerider Pierre-Edouard Ferry

FREERIDE: Pierre-Edouard, you were the first to attempt the steep wall line at the Rampage.

PEF ... the line that later went down in freeride history as the steepest line of the Red Bull Rampage. Yes, that's right, I was the first to try it.

Why were you the first to attempt this stunt?

Because I spent three days dangling from a rope to make the line rideable at all. I had to prepare the approach so that I wouldn't fall right at the top of the cliff. The rope kept me from falling. Three days is a long time. I had a lot to think about. Even at night I could hardly sleep because I had to think about how best to tackle this steep face. And at some point I was ready. Then it was go-time.

How did you know whether this steep descent was even possible?

I didn't know that. I surmised it. I was 75 per cent convinced that it could work, the rest was guesswork. The descent was 63 degrees steep.

What makes you a steep wall rider?

Experience. I love steep descents and practise them all the time. You can't just do it, you have to practise it. If you want to make a big jump like in the FEST series, you can follow another rider - he "pulls you" over the jump - and is a huge help. This is not possible on steep descents. You have to make your own decisions, react at lightning speed and do exactly the right thing at the critical moment. Because once you turn, there's no turning back.

What percentage is skill, how much courage?

70 per cent skill, 30 per cent courage. At least when it comes to tricks like the steep descent at the Rampage 2017, you can't fall because you'll fly down the whole mountain and crash into the boulders further down. When Cam Zink finally took the line, he was incredibly relieved and stoked afterwards. I've rarely seen Zink so euphoric. As far as I know, apart from Kyle Strait, Cam Zink and myself, nobody else has repeated this line. You can see that courage alone is enough. The best example: Nico Vink - obviously one of the bravest freeriders ever. In 2015, he went for a steep descent in this format at the Rampage and crashed hard.

Opinions on the fascination of steep descents

Stefan Herrmann, riding technique coach:

I'm not a fan of steep descents. All the nice energy that you could use for jumps or bends is wasted on the straight downhill. The risk is disproportionately high with little sensation. If you think it's cool, go ahead!

Brett Tippie, freeride pioneer:

Steep descents are my speciality. As a former snowboard pro, I test my limits on the board in winter and on the bike in summer and check how tear-proof my nerves are. I started freeriding with steep descents. The fascination remains to this day.

Brage Vestavik, full-throttle freerider:

I love steep descents. The feeling of not really being in control is crazy. And the fact that you have to keep going, whatever happens. James Doerfling impresses me. He skied crazy lines. And of course Jordie Lunn's legendary ladder.

Holger Meyer, riding technique coach:

I love steep descents, whether by bike or on skis. Really steep is awesome. I experienced the last one in the Bernex bike park. It was so steep that I could hardly believe it was possible.

Cam Zink, freeride hero:

Steep descents are a completely different kind of fun. Somehow indescribable. Either they're really easy, or you're completely fucked. I've got into some that looked easy and then I got fucked up. The more nervous you were before, the hornier the feeling afterwards.