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Video: Darren Berrecloth Builds & Rides a Wild Freeride Line on Vancouver Island

Dec 14, 2021
by James Smurthwaite  

Words: Red Bull Bike

Watch freeride MTB legend, Darren Berrecloth, fuse his creative building and unique riding in this stunning new edit shot by Rupert Walker.

For years, mountain bike films have led to mind-blowing one-off stunts for film features tucked out of the way in British Columbia's forests. Most of these iconic structures are now dilapidated and reclaimed by nature. Darren Berrecloth has built his fair share, but for this new backyard edit, he’s created a series of inspired features along the trails he regularly rides and incorporated them into the flow with his signature riding style.

"I've been wanting to do a shred edit on the trails above my house for quite some time," says Darren. "And I was super stoked to get this opportunity to get out there with Rupert [Walker] and create some unique features and go back to my roots; my blend of BMX and mountain bike, and incorporate that into trail bike riding."

Hailing from Parksville, BC, Canada, Darren Berrecloth has been widely regarded as one of the best freeride mountain bikers in the world, ever since he exploded onto the scene with a third at the 2002 Red Bull Rampage. With a wide range of podium finishes and magazine covers under his belt, Berrecloth is showing no sign of slowing down.

A hard-working athlete who puts lots of effort into building unique bike features, Berrecloth’s dedication to the sport is unmatched in the industry. Known for taking lines that other riders don’t even consider, his success, sheer guts and determination have seen him become something of a legendary figure – even more so since breaking his back in 2011 and returning to competitive riding for 2012.

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Member since Nov 14, 2018
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73 Comments
  • 70 0
 Oldschool Darren is so inspiring
  • 3 3
 Inspiring yes! Oldschool? He is one of the first who brought BMX tricks on the shore and in freeride, to me it is pretty new school. I mean, tricks have evolved, but the concept is pretty much the same as when he entered the game. What a guy.
  • 4 0
 @Jo-rides: he's one of the pioneers of BMX to big bikes and that was 15+ years ago so my comment stands
  • 2 0
 Yes! Can never get enough. So bad ass. Love the neck brace too.
  • 60 0
 Nice to see Claw still shredding. One of the most inspirational riders for me when I first discovered mountain biking.
  • 49 0
 Who else thinks it would be great for the Claw to revisit some of the historic lines that he's created in the bush to see what's become of them?
  • 41 0
 with Wade
  • 3 0
 @fabwizard: Yeah buddy!
  • 7 0
 @fabwizard: With the DropIn crew
  • 10 0
 @fabwizard: A whole road trip video with Tippie. Including lots of banter and jokes over beers. That could be a series of videos.
  • 2 0
 This seems like a great idea, wonder if @claw is up for it!
  • 25 0
 @alexsin: Ha ha We could call it the "Grampage Tour"!!
  • 33 2
 Thats RoughAF!
  • 1 0
 This really felt like Rough AF 4.0.
  • 22 0
 Some sick features! Feel like some other camera angles could've showcased them better though
  • 7 0
 Agree, those features are burly. Riders walking the feature or standing next to it first, especially with some nervous talking, really puts it in perspective
  • 3 0
 Unfortunately form before function is becoming a little too much of a thing with redbull videos lately imo.
  • 12 0
 That double rock roll is nuts.
  • 1 0
 @scott-townes: Pun intended ?
  • 1 0
 Absolutely, same thing happened with Rampage. Too many aerial shots take away from how insane the stuff really is. Amazing video and features regardless though.
  • 15 0
 Soooo who else was trying to figure out what bike he is riding? Always love to see the claw shred. been way too long.
  • 1 1
 this
  • 3 0
 He had at least 2 different frames. And they were both canyon There’s a shot with a streak of gold (canyon torque). Also some glimpses of the sender.
  • 1 0
 @kroozctrl: I was pausing trying to confirm that. It would make sense but sure doesn't seem like he is a sponsored rider anymore just based on social media tags.
  • 4 0
 De-branded Canyons...
  • 3 0
 Both are Canyons from the looks of it. Spectral and Sender? He's been riding de-branded ones for a few years now. I guess they're holding up perfectly fine if he's still rocking um.
  • 4 0
 Pretty sure it’s the same Canyon Spectral he’s been riding for years. And the DH bike is definitely a Sender. It’s hard to believe he’s without a bike sponsor.
  • 12 0
 @schwaaa31: its so sad that he has no bike sponsor when every joey on youtube who can sit on a bike gets them shoved down their throats..unbelievable
  • 1 0
 @funkzander: Spot on!! Youtuber riders out there riding free bikes that wouldnt even walk these features.
  • 1 0
 @Vvltom: in today's world, its all about how you can constantly market yourself. I will prefer darren's riding every single day. but riders today create value for brands by constantly putting themselves out there. I can easily understand if he is in a position to not have to do that stuff as much and just enjoying life now.
  • 1 0
 I don't think claw would struggle to get a free bike frame from any manufacturer as flow. Doesn't need sponsorship if he works full time, just some generous flow from brands to keep his ship sailing. Also, this way he can choose the bike that's right for him.
  • 11 0
 We are so lucky to be at this time of Mountain biking where the OG's are still around still sending it. we have witness the birth of MTB and see it becomes an established sports with all it's facets. This the equivalent of your granddad watching Babe Ruth slug it out the field.
  • 4 0
 For some of us claw is not in the OG wagon but in the new school one !
What 3-6 drop??!!! The future is here!
  • 7 0
 Rad riding, rad building. Nice one Mr. Berrecloth good to see you!
  • 6 0
 There's always time for Claw on a big bike in those dark BC woods. This should have the must watch tag.
  • 6 0
 Jordie would be so proud, such an epic line!!
  • 5 0
 Jesus those are huge features.
  • 3 0
 And so much bigger in real life. Almost shat myself standing on top of the drop before the wood quarterpipe ting.
  • 1 0
 Great video ! Love to see darren ride! He looks very in control at all moments! That youtube compression is not doing any favours to the those clips from cable cameras tho. With all the moving trees it really does look bad after the compression algorithm is done with it
  • 4 0
 All these videos make me wish I had woods and a hill in my backyard...
  • 2 0
 First thing I thought when I saw the Tree roller/drop is that it would be something from a Jordie Lunn edit. Sick builinging and riding!
  • 3 0
 Claw and Rupert Walker both killing it with this vid! Great job guys...I'm gonna watch it again!!
  • 1 0
 The best thing about this video is his protection. I'd rather these guys put out bangers day after day wearing armor and watch the edits for the riding rather than a fashion show.
  • 2 0
 Refreshing to watch someone put some serious time into building features for a build! Yeah Claw!
  • 3 0
 Darren still got that style! Good to see another edit with him !
  • 4 0
 Claw is the law
  • 2 0
 I was just talking about the NWD/Collective films last night. I have summoned Bearclaw!!
  • 2 0
 Please make sure there are plenty of warning sign's so I don't accidently happen upon this trail.
  • 1 0
 Wow. Soo inspiring as a builder to see these one of a kind features. Very creative stuff. Love these kinds of vids showing the builder shred his own creation.
  • 2 0
 Awesome! It’s time @transitionbikes & claw come together! How does he not have a frame sponsor!!!!???? Madness
  • 2 0
 a true legend and hero. keeps his style on a awesome level. this edit remids me the "collective" movies. 3
  • 1 0
 Fantastic. Personally, I'd much rather see Bearclaw in his natural habitat doing this than anything else. I'm not a big fan of all the flipping. Great vid!
  • 1 0
 Darren’s clip from NWD 10 was the craziest in the whole movie and one of the coolest in the whole history of mountain bike!! That man was so ahead of his time!!
  • 1 0
 Awesome video Darren. Where the trail ends got me into mountain biking and now I’m a builder on the north shore. Thanks for firing up the stoke.
  • 2 0
 Man I love where I live!!
  • 1 0
 Love the riding and behind the scenes combo!
Got the fire going to go dial in some new/old lines on the local trails.
  • 2 0
 It's great seeing the Claw go big again
  • 2 0
 Claw still got it! Love the commentary at the end too.
  • 2 0
 Pull your finger out Bike Industry and get this man a bike deal
  • 1 0
 So beautiful and mesmerizing to watch!
  • 1 0
 D.O.P.E. Claw is the man! Trail is off the chain!
  • 2 0
 This was sick AF!
  • 1 0
 It is like a MTB Ewok Village...
  • 1 0
 Too smooth to be #roughAF but how about #toughAF?

Loved this edit.
  • 1 0
 Love it. Claw is the man.
  • 1 0
 Nice job. Great style!
  • 1 0
 still got it
  • 1 0
 Turned out great Darren
  • 1 0
 Fucking sick Claw!
  • 1 0
 #freeridelives
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