stoked. James Webber
Thanks For help and inspiration, thanks to: Mum and Dad, Katie, Rowena, Glen and Nick, Sam, Matt, Josh Sherwood, Hilary, Daniella, Brenda, Jack and all at UCMK. Š 2010 by the author of this book (James Webber). The book author retains sole copyright to his or her contributions to this book. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.
First published by Blurb in 2011
stoked.
stoked [st-oak-d]
- adjective To be “stoked� is to be completely and intensely enthusiastic, exhilirated, or excited about something. When one is stoked, there is no limit to what one can do.
18-55mm | 1/400 sec | f/4.5 | ISO 400 Unknown | 2008
What’s it all about? Stoked. is a publication that presents the lifestyle and prowess of dirt jumpers located at the jumps of Woburn Sands, England. Dirt Jumping has evolved alongside BMX racing. Dirt Jumping is similar to BMX or Mountain Bike racing in that the rider jumps off of mounds of dirt. It differs in that the jumps are usually much larger and designed to lift the rider higher into the air giving them more time to perform tricks. Additionally, the goal is not to complete the course with the fastest time, but rather to perform the best tricks with the best style. Trails are most often hand built, with attention to detail. There are many big names in the Dirt Jumping world with the likes of Sam Pilgrim, Martin Soderstrom, Cam McCaul and many more.
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Dirt jumping is a worldwide sport with competitions held all over the globe. Stoked aims to demonstrate the skills of these riders and truly astonish the mind at what these people can achieve on two wheels. It is a collection of some of my favourite shots that I have taken at Woburn. Stoked is not only made to appeal to those who are aware of the sport but also to those unaware and to give them an insight into the sport. All photographs found in this book have been taken by photographer James Webber.
Digging | 2011
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105mm | 1/200 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 500
105mm | 1/200 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 500
Digging | 2011
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Sam Johnson | 2009
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50mm | 1/320 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 320
105mm | 1/160 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 500
Sam Anslow | 2011
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Sam & Maz | 2011
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105mm | 1/200 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 400
105mm | 1/200 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 400
Sam Anslow | 2011
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Pat Campbell-Jenner | 2011
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105mm | 1/320 sec | f/4.0 | ISO 500
105mm | 1/320 sec | f/4.0 | ISO 500
Identiti | 2011
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18-55mm |1/100 sec | f/6.3 | ISO 100
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Sam Pilgrim | 2011
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50mm | 1/200 sec | f/2.5 | ISO 250
50mm | 1/200 sec | f/2.5 | ISO 250
Sam Pilgrim | 2011
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2011
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105mm | 1/200 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 500
105mm | 1/100 sec | f/4.5 | ISO 250
2011
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2011
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105mm | 1/400 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 500
105mm | 1/320 sec | f/4.0 | ISO 500
Pat Campbell-Jenner | 2011
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105mm | 1/320 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 320 Olly Wilkins | 2011
“ Being super high and smooth is the best feeling ever. “
- Sam Anslow
Sam Anslow | 2011
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10-20mm | 1/800 sec | f/4.0 | ISO 200
10-20mm | 1/1000 sec | f/4.0 | ISO 200
Sam Anslow | 2010
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Sam Pilgrim | 2011
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50mm | 1/200 sec | f/2.5 | ISO 400
105mm | 1/160 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 400
2011
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105mm | 1/260 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 250
Matt Jones | 2011
50mm | 1/200 sec | f/2.5 | ISO 250 Sam Pilgrim & Szymon Nieborak | 2011
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1/250 sec | f/2.8
Digging | 2011
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105mm | 1/160 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 400
105mm | 1/100 sec | f/4.5 | ISO 400
Entertainment | 2011
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Sam Anslow | 2011
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105mm | 1/250 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 800
50mm | 1/250 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 800
Sam Anslow | 2011
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105mm | 1/250 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 800 2011
Time to hang the helmet? In June of 2010 it was announced that all the hard work and effort that had gone into building the jumps of Woburn Sands day after day, was destined for an end. It was announced that the trails were to be flattened due to the lack of provision of funds for the new 20 year lease. Woburn Sands has a very large history on his back with a continuously large growing biking community that it’s taking along for the ride. Some of the best riders in the world have ridden and can still be found riding there. It’s seen different groups come and go over the years. A few years back the jumps to a bit of a downhill turn and were not fully taken care of, but with the help of a few dedicated locals, they were built back up to become one of the best spots in the UK, appearing in magazines, videos and forums far and wide. This threat of closure was not to much of a shock to the locals as it had been announced a number of times before. But this time it was serious!
This sticky situation brought the whole biking community together and they fought hard to keep the jumps alive. The story was posted on websites, blogs and social networking sites. The responses and support that were received came in the hundreds. Testimonials were written by people who had ridden or still rode at Woburn explaining how much of a loss this would be to their community. These were then to be put forward to the local council and the Duke of Bedford. Thankfully the council took notice of all the support and the Woburn Trails have now been secured for a further 20 years under a renewed lease.
“No more could have been asked from all the people that helped. The community stayed strong and fought hard!”
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Unknown | 2009
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50mm | 1/320 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 320
105mm | 1/250 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 800
2011
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2011
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105mm | 1/320 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 320
105mm | 1/320 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 320
Olly Wilkins | 2011
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Matt Jones | 2011
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105mm | 1/200 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 250
50mm | 1/250 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 200
Sam Anslow | 2009
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If you don’t get “ scared there’s no point doing it.It’s what keeps you going bigger and trying new things.
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- Pat Campbell-Jenner 43
50mm | 1/64 sec | f/5.6 | ISO 320 2011
Matt Jones | 2011
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50mm | 1/200 sec | f/2.2 | ISO 200
50mm | 1/250 sec | f/2.2 | ISO 500
Tom Reynolds | 2011
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50mm | 1/320 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 320
105mm | 1/320 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 320
Tom Gethin | 2011
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Sam Anslow | 2010
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50mm | 1/200 sec | f/4.5 | ISO 400
105mm | 1/250 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 320
Lewis Richards | 2011
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Tom Gethin | 2011
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105mm | 1/200 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 320
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Josh Rogers | 2008
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50mm | 1/250 sec | f/5.0 | ISO 100
105mm | 1/320 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 320
Matt Jones| 2011
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2011
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50mm | 1/250 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 620
50mm | 1/320 sec | f/3.5 | ISO 200
Tom Gethin | 2011
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50mm | 1/250 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 640
Sam Anslow | 2011
105mm | 1/250 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 400 Olly Wilkins | 2011
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“ For that moment,you re flying through the air, nothing else matters.
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- Matt Jones
Matt Jones | 2011
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50mm | 1/200 sec | f/2.5 | ISO 250
50mm | 1/400 sec | f/5.0 | ISO 1600
Matt Jones | 2011
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Dan Bateson | 2011
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50mm | 1/200 sec | f/2.5 | ISO 200
50mm | 1/250 sec | f/2.2 | ISO 500
Luc Harris| 2011
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Unknown | 2011
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10-20mm | 1/200 sec | f/4.0 | ISO 800
50mm | 1/320 sec | f/3.5 | ISO 200
Matt Jones | 2011
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Now, lets introduce some of the riders... 70
Sam Anslow Age:17 From: Flitwick, Bedfordshire Your ride: DMR Sidekick Trick you most enjoy: Tuck No Hander or a nice big flowwy whip.
What first got you into riding and how long have you been doing it for? I have been riding properly for about 2 years now and I first got back in to it around 4 years ago when I used to go up to the local woods where some kids had produced a dirt jump. This was all new to me so I had no clue to what was going on and when I first saw them all jumping it looked cool. Then, while round my friends house he showed me an mbuk magazine and I was instantly hooked! So I got myself a decent steed and headed up to the closest thing to a decent set of dirt jumps.
What do you enjoy most about riding and what scares you the most? Being super high and smooth is the best feeling ever and just the different types of people you meet. I have gained a large amount of friends through riding which is super sweet! And the only thing that really scares me is seeing my friends go down on a jump and really taking a beating from it.
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What inspires you to ride and why? Different riding styles and things I see on the internet inspire me to ride. So if I see a new style or way of doing something I will try and recreate it myself and make it look just as good. Also knowing that ill have a better time out in the woods with a bunch of friends who all share the same interests as me gets me syked to ride which makes it worth trekking to different places to ride new things.
If you could give any tips or guidance to a newcomer to dir t jumping, what would it be? Go at your own pace and enjoy it the most you can. If you continue with something you enjoy you get a lot of enjoyment and friends out of it and one day you will be going just as big as all the guys you see on the big jumps up the track or in magazines.
Pat Campbell-Jenner Age:21 From: Hertfordshire Your ride: Everything Trick you most enjoy: 360 Sponsors: Identiti Bikes, Halo, Gusset, TSG, ODI, Duffs, MRP, Shimano, Thor, Crank Bros
What first got you into riding and how long have you been doing it for?
What do you enjoy most about riding and what scares you the most?
I used to skateboard, rollerblade, and ride my bike all pretty well. Then things started progressing faster on the bike and more friends rode so I went down that route. Turns out its been the centre of my life for the last 13 years.
If you didn’t get scared there’s no point doing it. It’s what keeps you going bigger and trying new things. Conquering new, bigger things is really satisfying to the soul.
What inspires you to ride and why? Being with my friends is the main thing and getting outside having fun. Putting a lot of effort into making a jump and then riding it feels good. The adrenaline I get when I race and the feeling when I’m there really makes me happy. Having something to do every weekend seems to be a bit of a luxury these days as so few people have hobbies its upsetting but riding bikes is so simple and fun and you can do it almost anywhere.
If you could give any tips or guidance to a newcomer to dir t jumping, what would it be? Start small and build up. You can’t go straight into the jumps you see at X-games. Take the good with the bad and never give up.
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Matt Jones Age:16 From: Woburn Sands, Bedfordshire, UK Your ride:Identiti Krisis SL (4x race bike) // Identiti P60 (dirt jump bike) Trick you most enjoy: Back Flip No-Hander Sponsors: Identiti Bikes, Halo Wheels, MRP, Thor, Shimano, Finish line, ODI, Crank Bros, Schwalbe
What first got you into riding and how long have you been doing it for?
What do you enjoy most about riding and what scares you the most?
My brother and I both got BMX’s for our birthday’s when we were about 8, and after a few months of skateboarding we already had a taste for extreme sport. We went to our local BMX track a few times and we progressed from there until I got my first dirt jump mountain bike when I was 11. So I’ve been hitting jumps on mountain bikes for about 5 awesome years now.
I really enjoy how chilled out the whole riding scene is and how all the rider’s go huge when they get together for a day’s session. I usually find trying new tricks a bit frightening but that soon turns to excitement when I get close to landing new tricks.
If you could give any tips or guidance to a newcomer to dir t jumping, what would it be? I’d say that often, it feels like you’re not getting anywhere or improving, but sometimes it’s these periods that help you to set your goals and work out where you want to improve your riding.
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What inspires you to ride and why? I love how much the sport is constantly progressing beyond what anyone thought possible in previous seasons. The ongoing progression inspires me to try and keep improving.
Lewis Richards Age:23 From: Cheltenham Your ride: Dartmoor Cody Trick you most enjoy: A simple table top, something about them feels so nice. Sponsors: Slam69
What first got you into riding and how long have you been doing it for?
What do you enjoy most about riding and what scares you the most?
I’ve been riding since 2000 which sounds like a long time but I’ve been sidetracked by skateboarding and inline skating in the past. I’d say I’ve been properly riding since 2007. I got into it because I saw a friend do a wheelie for like 30ft and I knew I had to be involved!
What do I enjoy most about riding? I enjoy meeting lots of different people, sessioning lots of different spots and witnessing the massive variety in style and tricks. Trails is my favourite thing. What scares me? Going over the bars, chavs, riding something new for the first time!
Where is your favorite place to ride and why?
If you could give any tips or guidance to a newcomer to dir t jumping, what would it be?
My favourite place to ride is Redhill. It’s near my house, has loads of fun things to hit and has the best locals, Redhill Family all day! Also Woburn for the same reasons and Kerswell because they are so good.
My tips and guidance, Just ride for yourself, don’t put pressure on yourself to get sponsored and win competitions, enjoy the fun of riding!
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Tom Gethin Age:24 From: Gloucester Your ride:Flow Ting Trick you most enjoy: One hand tables Sponsors: Flow Bikes, Independent Distribution, Naked Racing
What inspires you to ride and why? Stylish riders and most riding friends. I love watching my mates ride and throw a bike sideways off a double, you cant beat it (other than doing it yourself!). Riders such as Olly Wilkins, Pat C-J, Lewis Richards all hit jumps with such style and composure on a bike, you’ll know if you’ve watched them! Also (other people may feel the same, I hope!) I find looking at perfectly sculpted sets of trails really gets me buzzing, places such as Wisley, Jimmy Pratts and K-Hole.
What first got you in to riding and how long have you been doing it for? A bunch of mates from school started riding, then my parents got me my first proper mountain bike when I was twelve, then it sort of snow balled from there. Best thing I’ve done in my life! Riding for 13 years.
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What do you enjoy most about riding and what scares you the most? The most enjoyable part of riding for me is the air time, floating off any jump and being able to move the bike around. Maybe that’s why I’m always sideways?! Most tricks scare me, I can do smaller tricks like one foot tables, no foot cans etc but flips and spins bring me out in a cold sweat!! I don’t mind hitting big jumps, but when tricks get involved I freeze!
If you could give any tips or guidance to a newcomer to dir t jumping,what would it be? Start on small jumps to build your confidence with air time. Best thing to do is build your own jumps and experiment with friends, you’ll naturally push each other to jump further or higher. Then you can build bigger and better jumps that become more creative.
About the Author
James Webber was born in England in 1989. He is a freelance Graphic Designer and Photographer, currently studying a degree in Graphic Design. He is also the founder of WolfpackMedia. Being an ambitious thinker, James is looking into the future with great aspirations. After graduating from University he plans to start his own studio and media business in the area of the Lake District, the part of England he most loves.
www.wolfpackmedia.tumblr.com