Mark Matthews is back with more incredible content from Vancouver Island, this time focusing on the trails in his hometown of Victoria, B.C., and it wouldn't be a true Marky Math video if the limits of the industry weren't being pushed. In deciding to hit some of the biggest jumps on the island with one of the shortest travel bikes in his quiver, the Marin Hawk Hill, Mark effectively ends the idea that big features are best saved for big bikes, changing the future of the sport yet again.
The following blog is written by Mark Matthews.
The locations we shot are also very special to me. We started off in Sooke up on Mount Quimper. From the fire lookout we dropped into some local favourites, like Airflow and K2. The fast, technical, rocky lines weaving in and out of arbutus forest is what I love about riding on southern Vancouver Island. I immediately feel at home in this sort of terrain because I grew up learning to ride in these places.
Next up it was time to check out a small forest I have spent countless hours building in. Back in 2012 I shot a film here called Sweat Equity with Aaron Larocoque to showcase all the lines I had been quietly working away on for almost 2 years. 7 years later, the zone is still full of my original dirt jumps, step downs, berms, and other freeride hits.
Earlier this year, Jordie Lunn took over the spot to freshen up the lines and add some of his own unique features to the zone. Jordie was one of my best friends and I was so stoked to see him bring this place back to life! Some of the old dirt take-offs were replaced with big/steep wooden ramps in ROUGH AF fashion, and a couple new hits were added in.
Although Jord and I only got a few sessions in together here, I will cherish every second of those rides. He made this already meaningful spot even more special to me. We filmed this video one week before his passing. #LiveLikeJordie
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Video by Scott Bell Visuals with additional footage from Danny Gariepy.
Photos by Joe Leahy.
Click the photo below to watch Mark's previous video, Rainy Daze.