Photo Epic: The Cam Zink Invitational No One Will Forget

Amongst a world where bike events are often structured, broadcasted, and judged, the freeride community has clung to their reputation as the 'counterculture' of biking, even in the presence of high production competitions like Rampage. Over the last few years, more and more jump jam style events have popped up throughout the community as a place for athletes to meet up, push the progression of the sport, and mentor newcomers. freeride legend Cam Zink hopped onto this train several years ago creating the Cam Zink Invitational which takes place in the spring on his property outside Reno, Nevada. Freeride events are commonly a bit of a battle with the elements between wind and the reality that many of them take place in hot, dusty environments. This past weekend, riders and media experienced a whole different kind of battle with the elements at Zink's annual event.

Friday was meant to be the event's practice session and the day provided excellent conditions for riders to get comfortable on the jumps on the front side of Zink's property before an epic sunset session.









That evening, as everyone snuggled into their campers/tents/truck beds on Friday night, the wind picked up. Like really picked up. Saturday morning, the Cam Zink Invitational was met with temps in the 30's and howling wind. Just as a couple folks found the motivation to try and ride, it started to snow.






Patience is a virtue, they say and patient we were waiting through the snow until the sun came out, it warmed up a little bit, and everyone thought we'd made it through the worst of the weather. A little sunset session brought everyone's energy and optimism back up.




That was until we woke up to an inch of snow on Sunday morning. Riders made the most of things before the wind picked up again and most of camp went on a little field trip to enjoy some big mountain freeride.





After a day and a half of waiting for conditions to improve without much luck, many of the riders loaded up and headed about an hour and a half north of Zink's property in search of some big mountain riding. Led by freeride crew In the Hills Gang and big mountain legend Graham Agassiz, twenty or so riders skidded their way through a chute and down the face of a mountain as the wind howled behind them. Following a weekend of not much riding, an excursion to ride big lines in an incredible location was just what riders (and filmers!) needed.



















At last on Monday, things warmed up and the wind died down for long enough to have an epic morning session on the back side of Zink's property. Riders were able to open up the drops and tricks they'd been waiting for all weekend. After throwing a front flip off a drop dubbed the 'Mushroom Forest,' and a rock solid on the 50 footer, Kurtis Downs took overall winner of the weekend for the men. Barbara Edwards took it for the women with her own front flip on the front side of the property.






Here's to Mr. Cam Zink for having us all out to his place for an epic weekend, despite the weather and hoping that next year is a little warmer.

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Racing and Events Cam Zink