Beer-chugging, shirtless fans scream at bikers flying over their heads, kids dangle from every nearby tree, and more than a few people hold cardboard signs plastered with derogatory “encouragement.”
The scene is loose—in the best sense possible—and it seems impossible such an event could ever be dubbed “official.”
But it is. And not only that, it’s one of the highlights of the Crankworx world tour in Whistler, the world’s largest mountain biking event. This is the Official Whip-Off World Championship, and the madness means it is just another normal year.
Its wild nature aside, the event’s origins are humble—it spawned from simply another crazy idea a few mountain bikers had: to hold a best trick contest in the middle of a downhill race.
[continued...]
From Freehub Mag
At our core, we are mountain bikers and adventurers. Luckily for others, we are also storytellers, builders and advocates for all things bike, and we strive to bring mountain bike culture to the like-minded masses through our magazine and website. People are what drive our sport, and their stories are what motivate us to produce our printed publication, short films and web content. Whether it’s the tale of a world-class athlete, legacy of a local trail builder, or delineation of a struggling community turned mountain bike mecca, these are the narratives that drive innovation and inspiration alike—and the stories we love to tell.
