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Darkfest Open day
NEWS

DARKFEST DAYS

Feb 172017

For the past week, the rolling hills of Barrington in South Africa have been home to the first ever DarkFEST, which marks the first stop of the global FEST series in 2017. The goal was simple, creating something that was made by riders, for riders. Something that really encapsulates the spirit of free ride MTB. Which in simple terms basically boils down to, building some REALLY big jumps!

 
Sam, Nico and Clemens really went in a 100% on this project and the results have been nothing short of amazing! From sunrise sessions, elephant encounters and absolutely throwing down with Aggy and Zink at the DarkFEST Open Day, take a scroll through this photo journal to see some of our favourite moments from the DarkFEST wrecking crew!
 
These are the DarkFEST Days...

Sessions on the DarkFEST course in South Africa
Sam Reynolds, usually the first to wake up and the last to sleep. Leading the way on the DarkFEST dawn patrol with a picturesque moto whip.
Sessions on the DarkFEST course in South Africa
You could say Aggy is a fan of pancakes for breakfast.

Days under the African sun can get really hot, so after a productive morning of harvesting bangers out in the field. The crew pack up to avoid some of the mid day heat and head for a ride in the "Dark Cruiser" to visit the Knysna Elephant Sanctuary. 

Sam Reynolds and his build team during week one of building the DarkFEST course.
Week 3 of Building & Testing at DarkFEST. Aggy with the elephants
Week 3 of Building & Testing at DarkFEST.

Aggy and Sam have their minds blown by the elephants of Knysna!

Getting an opportunity to get up close to these awesome creatures is an experience to never forget.

 

After the mid day activities, the crew take advantage of the good weather and head straight back to the course where the second session commences.

 

 

Week 3 of Building & Testing at DarkFEST.
To give you some perspective...Building a 70ft roll in tower is no easy task, now imagine pulling your bike up a manual 7 story pulley system just to get it to the top!
DarkFEST - Week 3 - Sam Reynolds on the top of the roll in tower
Scared of heights much? Sam takes a moment to take it all in before sending it down the tallest roll in tower in the world!
Sam Reynolds - 360 on the giant step up at Darkfest
Massive run in = Massive lip. Sam defies physics with a super lofty flat 3 on the step up!

It's not a FEST stop unless there's a day open to the public - The DarkFEST course was opened up for one day only for fans and locals alike to witness the shredding go down first hand. A crowd gathered alongside the course ringing cowbells with Matt Macduff on the mic rooting the boys on at maximum volume as the jam session commenced.

Check out some highlights from the DarkFEST Open Day and stay tuned for the edit dropping soon on Monster Energy...
DarkFEST - Week 3
DarkFEST - Week 3
DarkFEST - Open day - Cam Zink
DarkFEST - Week 3
DarkFEST - Week 3
DarkFEST - Week 3

THIS ARTICLE FEATURES:

Sam Reynolds Sam Reynolds

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DarkFEST - Week 3 - Aggy Graham Agassiz

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Cam Zink Cam Zink

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