Weekday Diversions #14: Paris Olympics, Freeride (question mark?) and Fresh Edits.

It’s Wednesday, you’ve (almost) made it! The work week is halfway done, and the prospect of big weekend rides is beckoning. Until then, here’s a roundup of the best bike (and non-bike) content that’s caught our eye this week.

Deven McCoy - Staff Writer

Kristen Faulkner Olympic Gold

I have my issues with the broadcasting and announcing of the Olympics this year, especially when it comes to the coverage of the women’s MTB and Road race. That aside, can we get a hell yeah for Kristen Faulkner?! Coming in as an alternate, not expecting to participate in the Olympic Road Race and walking away with gold is exceptional. A massive sprint with 3km to go against the favorites of the race was truly delicious to watch.

Mark Matthews on the new Marin Quake

There are a lot of Youtube bike personalities out there, and I try not to consume too much content from them, however, Mark Matthews is one of the very few I allow myself to watch. I love his style on the bike, and the vibe he brings to the YT creator space is awfully refreshing. This video is an incredibly satisfying POV of some great trails on the new Quake from Marin. Personally, I’m pretty jazzed to see all the new freeride bikes dropping or I just might still be riding the Crankworx high. Either way, the video is a good watch.

Ariel Kazunas - Staff Writer

Micayla Gatto "Freeride"

Micayla Gatto has been up to some serious radassery lately, and this video is everything I wanna see out of MTB content: a gal, a bike, batshit terrain, and some fast-paced, high-hype editing.

Blake Hansen "Rose Gold"

Blake Hansen is one of my favorite femme freeriders - honestly favorite athletes in general - because she does the thing where she doesn’t deny that sport and life are separate from one another SO WELL. She’s as sendy in her social media call-ins about why it matters that transphobia is rampant in the Olympics, as she is flying down scree fields or gaping canyons. Her edit for the new Tenet colorways is a delightful blast of the latter: Blake, being Blake, riding and riding well.

Dylan Russell - Social Media Manager

I love a raw edit, just the sound of the bike hubs zipping and tires gripping with the occasional hoot from the rider. Erik Fedko delivered the style big time, which is no surprise because he continues to bless us with style all season long in slopestyle events. To tie it all together the bike park in Leogang looks absolutely stunning and I think Europe is calling in regards to my next trip on two wheels.

What in the freeride?...

Shawn Neer does all the weird stuff so well and with so much steeze, gotta love it.

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Cy Whitling - Editor

Solo Flow with Myles Trainer

I love a self-shot edit. I love an edit that puts a new spin on public trails that anyone can go ride. I love an edit with a weird vibe. So it should come as no surprise that I’ve watched this one a few times since it came out. Myles is great on both sides of the lens, and I hope we get more content like this from him and Transition.

The Ecstasy of Clay - Substrata

This isn’t the first Substrata video I’ve included in my diversions, and it probably won’t be the last. I’ve been thinking a fair bit about my relationship with Youtube, and what sort of content I want to actively consume on that platform, or any platform for that matter. The vast majority of made-for-youtube mountain bike content doesn’t resonate with me, and leaves me frustrated and jaded. But whatever Substrata has going on really works for me. It’s thoughtful, it’s considered, and it’s got its own unique vibe. Aspirational stuff.