'No dig, no ride', new zones, best trick, sponsor changes, life on the coast and more. Give it a read after the jump.
"With something like trails where you pour so much in with really not a lot coming out in the end, to hear people say they appreciate what you've created is so gratifying."
“Dude, new Enarson Markit edit…” He said, as he looked me dead in the eyes with a ‘do or die’ tone in his voice. Were at Jamie’s contest and him and I are nerding out on his Iphone while at the same time yelling at our friends during their runs. Beyond the cut offs and singlets, there’s a hard working, tea-loving dude with an immense amount of creativity. He may have some of the best looking jumps on the Mainland but that isn’t the reason I chose to interview him first. I chose him because he pretty much embodies what I love about MTB and why we created onlyMTB. He hits his contests, gets gnarly, has style, is always psyched, digs a ton and still flies under the radar. Dustin Gilding. No gimmicks.
W: Okay, you were over at the Vancouver cycle show or whatever yea?
D: Yeah I was down there Volunteering with Capilano University for the day, we're required to do one day at the bike show for the MBO program. But it was a good day, lots of good friends that I haven’t seen in a solid bit, and I mostly helped out at the Kranked Kids Zone so it was sick to see all the young kids shredding too.
W: Ohh yeah I saw your photo on insta of you and some kid and was wondering what that was for.. How’s life on the coast anyway?
D: It's good man, you've obviously spent some time there so you know how the vibe is and stuff, definitely a change of pace from living on the "mainland", even compared to Abbotsford which isn’t a huge city by any means. But the riding's great, the weather has been good here and there, and I've got a sweet new zone going up that I’m getting close to completion on. There's not a whole lot going out here after 6pm but we live with it haha. Overall I definitely like it on the Coast.
W: Hellyea man, that sounds rad.. How long have you been working on your new zone? You have any help or is it just you putting in work?
D: I've been working on them since the end of October, For the most part over the first few months it was primarily all me, but my homies Mike Ostbye and Fraser Allen have been helping over the past 2 months. It's a pretty big workload when I'm out by myself, but I'm pretty used to going solo at this point haha, and that way I have full visionary control, which I enjoy allot. Up until this point I've pretty much done no big projects anywhere but my yard, so having a blank slate and a totally different style of zone, dirt and grade is super cool for me. I get to just bounce around ideas with myself and just go with what I think would be rad to ride.
W: damn I can only imagine what you got cooking up ahah.. So where do you stand on "no dig, no ride"?
D: Hahaha yeah... I don't really know, like straight up, I actually think about that a lot. I definitely know how intimidating it is as a kid who seriously is just stoked on bikes and wants to get into the scene but just doesn’t really know the drill yet, to get yelled at and chased off etc by a "trail boss" is a huge turnoff and I honestly don’t understand why some people have such an agro attitude. It also seems to me that the whole term itself getting pretty darn famous at this point, and I think a lot of kids now are educated and are getting out with the shovels, whether its building a new zone, or actually keeping their existing spots running good, which is a whole other thing altogether.
Having said that, I have no patience for dudes who willingly and knowingly poach anything, whether it's just for a couple laughs or to film. Everyone who's out taking initiative and putting in work to grow their scene is doing something awesome, and to see anybody disrespect that makes me really angry sometimes. But I think the issue may be that every situation is different and nothing's really black and white on the subject, it's tough to say.
But in the end I think the way I see it is that the trails are there for enjoyment, and why in the world wouldn’t you want to share that enjoyment. It's honestly my favorite thing whenever anybody who's never been to my house comes out and just has an awesome time that day. I obviously put in the extra work to make everything super dialed for myself, but when me and my friends are just perma smiling, hooting and hollering all day out on the bikes, nothing better. With something like trails where you pour so much in with really not a lot coming out in the end, to hear people say they appreciate what you've created is so gratifying. It gets me excited every time haha. But I still think kids should be earning that ride, why wouldn’t you want to create something sick for yourself?
W: Well put man, its one thing to have your hard work pay off for yourself but when your friends are hyped its a whole new game. Kind of like giving someone a perfect present that took you days to pick out and then their reaction when they open is almost better than present itself. Anyways, what was the scene like coming up in Abby? Where'd you fools ride?
D: Exactly. The scene in Abby is actually pretty strong, it's mostly a big bike oriented one because our local hill has decent grade and some solid senders up there haha, and up Sumas MTN there's some steeper, rockier stuff, so overall it's pretty good for the over 5" travel game haha. As far as dirt jumping goes, it's small but growing. RGC has obviously been around, but other than that there really hasn’t been much, which is probably the reason I started building my own stuff so early. There definitely isn't a real big trail community, but a couple guys are doing work under the radar. There's plans for a city bike park and the guys at Earthramp (Kush, Vanier, etc.) have the contract so that couldn't be better, but the city's been lagging hard on dumb issues like the Lingerie Football League and our failing AHL franchise, the Heat, so ground still hasn’t been broken there. I think the jump scene here is going to start to pick up pretty quick, obviously there's the growing popularity of slope style, and a spot that is guaranteed to stay there is going to be great for the future and getting dudes involved.
W: Whoa that’s gnarly; I had no idea the scene was like that. Hopefully you dudes get a legit city park, Vanier looks like fun. But yo, I only have a few more questions but its buttery outside aaaand i want to get a ride in before work ahah, can we finish this up tonight say around 930?
D: Yep that works haha, get it.
W: Ahaha okay, we left talking about the scene in Abby and I was wondering what your favourite set of trails (jumps) are?
D: That I have experienced anywhere?
W: Yeah man, any spot you've ridden.
D: Well I've obviously been super fortunate to get around and ride a lot of sweet zones, but there's still a ton of places I’d like to check out. It's super tough to name one place, and as much as I hate to toot my own horn, honestly, the new line of "mega" trails I got done last year in the yard are without a doubt the funnest set I’ve ever ridden, because of a few factors. They're definitely the biggest jumps I’ve ever built, ever hit for that matter, and I did the whole set completely blind, never got to test speed on any feature, so when the whole line went off without a hitch on that first day I seriously was on a level of euphoria that is going to be tough to match anytime soon, at least until I beef the line up more this year haha. But the Jungle down in Washington is the most impressive place I’ve ever seen as far as trails go at this point. Tingy, Mike and I headed down there a couple weekends ago for a dig sesh, and even though no riding went down, I was just blown away by the amount of lines, diversity and work ethic of Dylan, Cole, Guy and all the other dudes helping out there. Can't wait to go back there.
W: Yo dude, riding your mega line with no speed tests is nuts.. They look insane. Yeah Tingy never shuts up about the Jungle, I wouldn't mind checking out that place either.. That’s’ rad you guys drove down purely for digging.
Bit of a subject change but um, I want you to weight in on the lack of tricks being landed in best trick contests in MTB. I can understand a blown foot (like Zink’s fronty off the stepdown at Crankworx) but there’s so much legit ball riding without a hope of getting pedals going on. Pretty much every contest. What’s your take on it?
D: Yeah man I’d have to say it's pretty frustrating, especially when our sport is trying to gain a level of respect and notoriety with the whole mainstream deal. I understand that the big tricks bring the fans but I find it pretty ridiculous to keep handing out checks to guys who aren't really representing the best of what we're about. It’s tough though.
W: Yeah I feel that, personally I just think its unfair to the dudes who are stomping their tricks, oh well. Can I count on you for Enarson edits in between runs at Jamies?
D: Yeah man I know, I've been meaning to tally up an IOU for all the times Carson got robbed this year haha. And yes, so many Enarson edits
W: YES! Straight up though, he’s the first person that comes to mind when I think of people getting screwed over in best trick. Shits too clean man doesn't count haha. Okay just a couple more, contests or video parts?
D: Ohhhhhhh. Well for me personally I'd say video, because I think it gives you the best chance to showcase the whole context of what your jam is when it comes to bikes. There's a terrific degree of creative expression to be captured when done right, because whoever's watching gets to see everything you've built and how you can ride it at the same time, and obviously the way the whole thing feels when it's all edited can really emphasize those things too. But contests are also awesome, I love them both, even though the comps aren't really my strongest suit. To be on a level where you can fire all your big tricks consistently, creatively and effectively under pressure and on sketchy stuff is so impressive. So to see dudes like Brandon and Rheeddawg (Brett Rheeder) just pushing that concept to the limit is such a privilege to get to see, even when I personally hardly ever make finals haha.
W: Yeah I hear that, contests are a bit of a love/hate relationship for me haha. But yo, really appreciate you doing this man you gave some solid insight forsure. Any last words? Shout outs?
D: Yeah dude for sure. First and foremost my parents, they're the best sponsor I've ever had and it's going to stay that way without a doubt. Everyone who's ever come dig, I appreciate every bit of help that's ever been lent and you're always welcome at the trails. Eric and Sadie at Deity, they were the first people who believed in what I'm doing and the support they've shown me for the past three years has been amazing. I'm no longer with Deity but I'm excited for the new opportunities I've been given for the future, more on that soon (MTB and its secrets, haha). Fox, Smith, Naklin, Dissentlabs and Republik. And obviously thanks to you guys at Only, it's so awesome to see what you guys are doing and can't wait to see where the whole thing goes. Thanks dude.
Naklin Trailer
Writer, Director Grannell Knox, Jr.
Starring Zeke Eagan with Madeline G. Bugeau-Heartt
Editor Grannell Knox, Jr. Music Joe Bussiere
Producer Grannell Knox, Jr. Asst. Producer David Haug
Feature Screening: Friday Dec 21 2012 The Alchemical Theatre Laboratory 7:30 PM
137 W 14th St, New York, New York 10011
