Super stunt for the film Esperanto: Brage Vestavik jumps the log ride drop
Brage Vestavik
· 12.11.2022
Oh shit, I'm going way too fast! I realise this now as the tree trunk disappears behind me and I sail far too far forwards. It's crazy what's happening now: Life was just running in fast motion, now time is driving into the gravel and perception is dipping into honey. Everything very slowly. I see every detail. The tree to my left comes threateningly close. I fly straight towards it. Is it also a pine tree like the thick tree next to it? Unfortunately, I've already passed the landing on the right; I can no longer see it - the tamped earth is out of reach. Instead, I come across a pile of dirt that we had piled up next to the landing. The freewheel of the rear hub whirs.
When you look at the photo, you probably think of Canada. But this forest is in Spain. Andreu Lacondeguy discovered it. I've known Andreu since he turned up at Huckfest in Norway. I was twelve years old at the time and we became friends. I hardly know anyone who has as much fun biking as Andreu. That's what connects us. When we were told we needed good trails for the new film EsperantoI wanted to work something out with Andreu and flew to Barcelona to see him. We hiked through the mountain forest and looked around. I love discovery tours like that. When Andreu saw the fallen tree, he joked: "Look, Brage, a skinny for you!" And I said: "Great, I'll do it!" I later prepared the thing. It was only then that I realised how damn long the tree was sticking out into the slope. I don't think I'd ever skied a skinny that long before in my life.
I had no idea how high the drop actually was. What worried me: would I even make it to the end of the tree trunk?
The problem with this stunt is: all or nothing! The motto here is: Ride to the end and drop or fall sideways. A trial run-in to check the speed didn't work here. The ladder boards that I had nailed to the trunk were far too narrow to take one foot off the pedal and keep my balance. In short:
I had to make it at the first attempt. So I let my bike run to avoid tipping sideways and was so focussed on keeping my balance that I forgot about my speed.
Unfortunately, it was a classic old-school drop, meaning that the landing was directly below the drop - without a gap. It was only now, in the air, that I realised my mistake, but now it was too late. What now? You can guess: touchdown. The tyres sink into the soft earth, the bike sinks to its knees and I fold over the handlebars. You can't contain that much energy. It's like hot blood, wants to get out again, and the bike kicks out like a donkey stung by a hornet. I clutch the handlebars, but my bum takes off like a moon rocket. OTB (over the bar) is what we call it. Mine is particularly beautiful.
My sports instructor would be proud of the flying roll I do: Arms straight, head back, excellent body tension. Grade 1.
Unfortunately, the soft floor mat was missing. Instead, I crash into the side of the mountain. My arms bend like wet noodles, then bang: my head hits the ground and my visor splinters. I'm lucky: I miss the tree by a hair's breadth! The rear wheel makes a dent in the bark, then my Bigbike Fury lives up to its name and sails into the undergrowth. Normally I can take an impact like that. I can take it; I'm built tough. But unfortunately I fall on my Rampage shoulder.
Do you remember my drop in training? Check YouTube. I jumped too short, OTB and hit my shoulder. And now again!
Nevertheless, the Esperanto film makers have recorded it. So the stunt can be seen in the film and you can experience the whole crash scenario. Of course, I was most annoyed with myself - I messed up! And I was annoyed that I couldn't try it again. But my shoulder didn't want to go on; my hands couldn't hold the handlebars any longer. I would need a few weeks break.
But I like the stunt! Next time I'll roll over the tree more slowly. And I won't be so tired, because on my first trip to Spain I spent two weeks building trails non-stop and didn't get much sleep. When the filmmakers turned up, my eyes just about fell shut.
Maybe I'll film the stunt for my own film project. You should know: I've been working on a short film for almost two years. If you liked my X-Games edit, you'll like this film too. It's a mix of old-school freeriding and new-school Viking-style gejibbing.
