Riding His First Ever Black MTB Trail

This is the first of hopefully many videos where I help someone step up their level of mountain bike difficulty. In this episode, I’m going to help Camillo successfully ride his first-ever black rated trail. Grab some merch here to help make more videos like this! 👉 bit.ly/PunterS...
I’m going to help him set up his bike, dial in some skills, build his confidence and then take him step by step down a trail called Rupert - a popular black trail in the area built by local builder Gary Macfarlane and volunteers. So let’s start off by getting to know a bit about Camillo’s relationship with mountain biking.
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[@PaulThePunter]

How much fun was that?! These are the videos I want to make and it's all helped by sponsors, patreon and picking up some sweet merch here 👉 bit.ly/PunterStore

[@keeszandbergen6265]

Yes this is the Paul the punter video I like, even more positive as before. Keep up the good work. This makes me very happy in this crazy covid time. Forget the grumpy vid’s from England 😀

[@keeszandbergen6265]

Was looking in the shop, would be very nice if sizes also could be displayed in cm. And how/where to measure for the right size.

[@rafaelfaria391]

Loved this content. Very relatable to the average MTBer and it’s very cool seeing people progress

[@bfkeats]

Love this format. Keep it up.

[@TimFromWales]

Was lots of fun, I love hearing the shouts of joy and celebration. This guy was very trusting of your advice and committed to the process. This is the underlying number one factor to progression - commitment. Good content Paul. Side note - I know what the camera does to steep, but for black features they all looked rollable (I won’t deny they took committing to). Is there a variable definition of ‘black’ features much like here in the UK? Does the US and Canada a diamond system for degrees of difficulty on the blacks?

[@tijnschild9203]

"saved up enough money to buy a decent bike" gets a literal pro's old bike lol

[@JacquiPenar]

And it's not really that old though😅

[@brandoncummings4169]

From THE CLAW you see how that man sends?

[@rpiian]

Best kind of bike!

[@benjacobson7490]

I don't mean to be rude but these people aren't buying the best suited bikes for themselves

[@frederichall7287]

He's got bloody xtr

[@aidenmtb5784]

That bike is way more than “decent”

[@benjohnson5297]

I was thinking the same thing 🤣

[@dw7647]

Also previously owned by a pro rider too. The dude who said that was decent must have a toilet made of gold.

[@CameronKinvig]

Definitely, it’s annoying when perfectly capable bikes are classed as not being that great. Most trail bikes are fine on blacks, maybe not so for absolutely thrashing it tho

[@jbobmusic3125]

Ye lol

[@AWD_DSM_FTW]

@@CameronKinvig I have a Spectral in the garage. Canyon classifies it as a "Category 4" bike, which is enduro. Cat 5 is Downhill. I'm headed to Bentonville, AR in a few weeks to ride Coler on it. Definitely black trail capable.

[@joekempz7731]

This is the average questioning and reaction I get when I go riding with my bike nerd friends. Constantly getting shouted at for having 0.7 PSI less than the fox recommendation

[@PaulThePunter]

Haha!

[@VentoRdrummeR]

That's why I ride a hardtail :)

[@eckiger_luki6424]

@@VentoRdrummeR Or is it because you cant afford to sell your organs so you can only buy a hardtail and u youse excuses to make you feel better ? ( atleast thats why i ride a hardtail)

[@DeadsetYT]

I'm gonna assume that those beers weren't drunk prior to riding.....haha. Also....Camillo's a champ!!

[@PaulThePunter]

Yeah I guess that was a bit ambiguous as we are talking about the ride while drinking them 😂 He is a champ!

[@christiangold8252]

Nothing wrong with a little liquid courage to help with the nerves.

[@dylan-5287]

A couple beers before riding is legit the best. Not drunk but just a little bit to loosen you up.

[@samuelb7546]

@@dylan-5287 That would kill me before a climb. I would just get off my bike and start drinking more beer.

[@dannonhartman259]

This is a great concept for your videos. I would much rather watch the average everyday rider conquer features, fears etc than the pros bombing the trail. This is something most people watching can relate to. It’s one of the reasons I have a shiny new genius sitting on the garage right now! Keep up the good work!

[@dalelakusta8143]

Paul's back! I like your direction the last year, something different and interesting to watch. Ibis, sponsor this man.

[@PaulThePunter]

Thanks my friend!

[@memememe843]

I second this. There are already plenty of stoke videos. They are great, but the real-average- rider just tying to get fit and have fun while improving enjoying the outdoors and avoiding injuries is underserved. Ironically, it is probably 80%-90% of actual riders.

[@mxcn-hz5nj]

@@memememe843 ^ this

[@AWD_DSM_FTW]

@@memememe843 Exactly why my goal this year is to get more fit and enjoy riding again, and to film during.

[@bike_somm]

This was great! I’m sure he’s stoked to be further along now today because of your help and patience! Most riders don’t go through these step by step processes to get things dialed right out of the gate.. this dramatically changes rider experience with every new ride on the proper setup! Great vid & attention to details 👏🏼✨😎

[@PaulThePunter]

Thanks my dude!

[@luisseidl2671]

am i the only one that feels bad after hearing things like "you should check your air pressure for the suspension every week" and "before every ride you should check your air pressure" I once realised that i have pretty low air pressure in the bikepark because i braaped ... ... on the takeoff of a 20 foot table

[@TheMediocreMountainBiker]

That was so great to watch! I enjoyed watching Camillo conquer each feature and couldn’t help smiling and laughing with you guys. 😄

[@PaulThePunter]

Cheers Jason!

[@pure69hatred]

Same! 😅

[@Jagokingkong]

Great vid, that guy's basically me (and many, many others no doubt).

[@derickwalker8923]

Same!

[@shreddingwithsean5452]

This genuinely made me smile. The excitement of trying something new on a bike is 100% contagious. Excited to see more videos like these in the future!

[@Brett0206]

Man, this makes me want to go riding with Paul in Squamish! I just (re)started mountain biking, and am stuck on the mostly blue trails on Mount Seymour and Mount Fromme in North Vancouver. I’ve been riding with a couple friends, but feel like some coaching tips would be the next thing. Any good coaches out there for a member of Team Slow and Awkward?

[@PaulThePunter]

Pop me a dm on Instagram.

[@TheCrashingDad]

11:34 hittin' the dance floor with Paul!

[@PaulThePunter]

I will dance with you again

[@CaliradoKid]

This was a fantastic video. Not only is it a video that I learned something from today. But it's a video I wish existed when I was learning to ride. I mean. Not that I'm a good rider now. But. Well. You know what I mean.

[@TrailPOV]

After years of seeing riders coach you, it's cool to see you coaching someone else. Nice! I also am pretty sure Camillo is the same guy that my dad and myself kept bumping into a couple of years ago while riding in sq....great to see him progressing.

[@Mububban23]

Because mountain biking is public access and available to anyone with a bike, lots of more skilled riders forget - every other sport you play would be split into ability-based divisions. And you don't usually mix the A grade players with the C or D graders, for reasons of safety. So I hate it when MTB A graders tell less experienced riders "just send it!" which is fine for them but will result in a broken collarbone for the lesser skilled riders. Videos like this are brilliant for helping riders progress, without acting like a douchebag. You helped your friend level up and that's awesome :-)

[@deanito1968]

Hail the mature Punters (like Camillo, I am also a older but rediscovering my bike again. Great to see videos like this. I like the new focus Paul).

[@Rattyratbag]

What a great video, thanks for the setting up advice for riders who are new to the sport and also a bit of a re cap for more experienced riders.

[@Bearded.Wonder]

This was rather fun to watch. I felt myself anxiously anticipating for Camillo and then getting excited when he successfully navigated a feature. Please do more of these, Paul.

[@Trailz6of7]

Mr Punter. Dude. I just watched this video. I hope this is the first of many videos. Your knowledge gained through previous experience to pass down and help others is awesome. Keep em coming buddy.

[@PaulThePunter]

Wow, thanks

[@mannyfnsc29]

Great idea for a video series. I always love seeing beginner(ish) riders learning and getting more into the sport. I'm definitely looking forward to more of these.👍

[@fademasterfade227]

This is super useful. I appreciate you starting with bike setup and then breaking down trail features. I can relate to where Camillo is in his mtb journey.

[@kyleslater5245]

I don’t usually fiddle with stem spacers so I was surprised how much difference that made.

[@PaulThePunter]

Oh yeah, give it a go. Try different options, find out which you prefer. You can actually change the riding height of your bars with your suspension too!

[@VanCan]

Great video Paul!

[@PaulThePunter]

Thank you my friend

[@RRBuilder611]

Definitely want to see him do his first double black in the future 🤞

[@jf8534]

Oh man, if ever you are in Ottawa what I wouldn't do to have a day with you.

[@gr8fulride]

skills progression vid rocks. thanks Paul and Camillo

[@kurtbikes_9273]

This video is very refreshing Paul! I'd like to see more real world mountain biking situations. I recently have been trying out black techy trails here in NZ with my friends and my Trance ebike as my trusted steed. Nerve wracking but super fun! More videos like this pls? 🤙

[@rextilian]

great video paul. this type of content will go a long way instilling confidence in riders. way to give back!

[@PaulThePunter]

Cheers!

[@kingrat738]

Punter: How do you feel now Camillo?? Camillo: Like I can do anything!! Proceeds to drop into A-Line unaccompanied #YardSale

[@RideActive]

Fantastic video! Congratulations! Great storytelling, engaging and inspiring! Congratulations!

[@ewik939]

DUDE! Add Punter baby onesies to the merch store. Would 10/10 buy for my biking friends who are having a baby this summer. Maybe with matching shirts for the mum and dad! Can’t be the only mountain biker who’d rather buy cute mtb stuff for my friends baby than any classic boring children’s stuff? 😂

[@rwogmtb-ridingwitholdguy]

Excellent, probably something to learn in there for 90% of riders, should be recommended viewing for people buying their first full suspension bike.

[@BFBMTb]

This is pretty much 90% of the mtb community. Too much bike for their skill level and technical knowledge.

[@visserswp]

Absolutely great video, wish more of these channels would do coaching videos like yours here. Very well done, everything explained so clearly. Keep up the great job 👏 👏👏👏

[@mikel6246]

Great video idea to do a proper set up for a less experience rider but I would have like more information about the bike itself. Namely what type of bike it is (i.e. XC, Trail, Enduro, ect.) Make and model would help here. Thank you, and keep up the good work.

[@grn9209]

Honestly, your best video ever! Your personality came thru!!👊🏼👏🏼

[@jpfok89]

pretty good teaching Paul. Ever think about taking your PMBI?

[@DirtyPandaMTB]

Love the video Paul!! Good to know how to setup the bikes properly and good body position! Also love the humming bird warmup 🤣

[@danilobernini]

Awesome video Paul. It's really nice to see his progression after some couching and encouragement from you. Great job ;-)

[@garteaga482]

Great vid! Are you for hire as a traveling personal coach???? so much patience and confidence inspiring tips. I need someone like you in my MTB life PTP!

[@weekendbikingwarrior360]

Great video.. superb coaching.. and a great watch.Thank you !

[@angellnathan]

Great video dude. Best I've seen on YT for a while. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@workhorsemtb7075]

Ok, when are you coming to North Carolina to help me hit my first black trail? Seriously though, great, great video!

[@jayrichter0922]

I like this type of video format. It’s like some of your older videos but flip flopped. Now you’re the one giving instruction. Out of curiosity why are you selling the Scotts instead of keeping them?

[@blainharris3259]

Just when I thought you couldn't make better videos... bam.. there you did it! Thanks Paul.... oh and by the way.. think the crashing dad needs your help..he just released a video..and well.. he has gone a little... strange... have a talk with him! Hahaha

[@bwizzle105]

Great video. Could have gone with out the virtue signaling at the 4 min mark. I literally thought through the first 4 mins, “man I’m so glad Paul is being normal and not talking masks and china virus” then boom lays it on us. Oh well. Enjoyed the video

[@trailtracker5394]

In Belgium and France most enduro trails are ahum ahum illegal so unfortunately the black rating on trails is'nt relatable. Some features seem easy but I guess the GoPro effect is in play. It was amazing though how much his setup changed his body position instantly improving his ability to ride. If that would have been the only thing he got out of this experience it would allready have been a lot. 👍

[@RikRussell]

Nice video just subscribed. I'm waiting on delivery of Sentier VRX and never even been on a trail can't wait to put some of this knowledge into practice.

[@soy_leche]

The advice on putting ball of foot over pedal doesn't make sense for flat pedals I think. Can someone explain if I'm wrong. Way more traction mid-food pedal position.

[@Wannaridebikes]

Nice video and work. Me myself I try to help people when riding. I been working with my wife to ride more trails. But she is nervous so time is what I take. We walk the feature. Which is a berm. I tell her lean into it use medium body and swoosh out of the berm. She done it ..but slow but now she has the movement.

[@Gabriel-oj7tz]

Respect for acknowledging that you should have been wearing a mask!

[@bostondonmtb]

Paul, this video is one of my favorite videos that you have done. Most of us who watch KZbin videos are not pros by any means. We are mountain bike riders doing it for the love of the fun and feeling good outdoors. I am sure most of us want to improve a lot of the things we do on the trails. It takes courage to ask for advice and get it, or doing it over and over again practicing with failures and wins. That is probably what drives us. I love that you have decided to pay it forward. I, like many other viewers can use this video to build our confidence to try new things like you and Camillo did on this day. I look forward to the rest of the year, and all the people you will work with along the way. Keep it up. All the best, BostonDon

[@coyoterangersmedia5263]

Don't worry about the face masks mate. I'm just happy I can watch a very entertaining video :D

[@ninjafishable]

What a great series! So fantastic to see precise and effective coaching on very specific skills. Learning tones from these!

[@aseniorwithmswhorides]

While I enjoyed watching this and as an older rider turning to the sport at well over 60, I searched your site and found nothing about helping older riders. How bout it?

[@Giovanni6501]

The best way to progress in general is to just ride with someone above your skill level. Especially if they're going to be as encouraging as Paul here.

[@jovie311]

This makes me realise how badly I need to get my bike dialled in. I didn't realise dropping your handlebars just a bit could help with the head over angle.

[@khai6101]

Nicely done, Paul & Camillo! I know more than a few people who don't ride all the features on Rupert.

[@Hesster_dj]

Paul does all this work to perfect Camillo's bike but then proceeds to leave his bike laying on the drive side on the concrete :(

[@pmrize]

Came here to kill some time.... ended up subscribing... dude you are a natural teacher!

[@_systemd]

importantly, make sure your 'down hill' bike is setup balanced fr to back on a flat car park. it's they key.

[@thomasgodar]

Hey ya punter. Been a while. Enjoyed this content. Thanks.

[@dannynelson9259]

Great video, Paul! Looking forward to this being a regular series.

[@itstoby8067]

Bruh decent that bike insane I have rode many blacks on my 500$ hardtail don’t need a good bike

[@chaselee9045]

Awesome SAPNK components on that bike!!🤘

[@weisland2807]

i'm superhappy he didn't get impaled on his knobless handlebars!

[@sayna9630]

i ride basically the same kind of trails on my 300$ hardtail......

[@scblurlt1962]

great video , well done both Paul for great instructions and Camillo for putting them into practice , my heart did skip on the crux feature but he rode it out well , look forward to the next one

[@MikeSmith-qu5ew]

Wow that was perfect, reminded of twenty years back when I was ridding with my good friend Wayne very good video

[@pknark]

great Video Paul. if you need another guinea pig I'm in Vancouver and could use some help

[@lossantoscity3249]

LMAO This is not a decent bike, This is an overkill pro Bike,

[@master_danny3377]

bro you seem like the best coach ever no joke you know exactly how to prepare him for black diamond trails

[@Jojo-ki9xt]

i got my mtb and started riding street for like over 6 months shred stairs and some stair gaps, 1m drops and so the first time i went on real trails the first trail i saw didnt had a sign saying anyhting... it was a black diamond xD so yeah me and my friend had to walk most parts lol then we went on sum blue trails

[@benwithrow5044]

I really enjoyed the video from content to production. Nice work.

[@karlosxzy]

But if you stop on the trail to do some recon, please make sure you aren't blocking anyone or creating a hazard doing so!

[@sbbeowulf8296]

I’m at the point we’re Black trails are my fun comfort trails

[@playforfunplayforfun2830]

Unique vid - excellent lesson and a great experience for him and me. Cheers

[@michael_grand]

How pauls chanel works Paul learns skills from pro riders Paul gets good at those skills Paul teaches other people the skills that he learnd from the pros

[@mikegetsi1731]

You can stuff your apology for not wearing a face diaper. Have some respect for yourself.

[@quinyjack8925]

How do you make you suspension softer which has a preload and lockout

[@walterbrown6388]

awesome video. Really like these types of trail breakdown videos

[@xeljr.]

Decent Bike. A Pro Custom Canyon full sus

[@xjtorc]

Hell yeah, this was awesome. Got yourself another follower!

[@tristanhanson1865]

First trail I went on was a black freeride trail in Kelowna BC😂 had to walk the bike down a few drops😂

[@SlowBimmers]

I used to run 280psi in the back and 180psi in the front

[@rlopez9044]

Man, totally enjoyable vid..!👍 Good job 👍

[@derhighland6528]

Such a cool series! I can take a lot out of it - thanks a lot! Greetings from Germany

[@james-hb5tu]

This was awesome, you should continue this series and take him to more trails

[@Raynolasco9090]

I wish I had some one like to tell me what I'm doing wrong instead if saying "just send it"

[@miketremble6230]

is it just me ..if you close your eyes Camillo sounds just like Justin Trudeau

[@jed2174]

What camera and lenses do you use? I’m guessing Sony

[@remingtonclark5404]

Bro I use a 1000$ hardtail to ride blacks. What

[@mickaeldocouto3140]

What a great video! Would love so much to do same kind with you!

[@halosborne3644]

Some of your best content to date. Looking forward to next week.

[@nostr8ghtlinzs596]

I feel better about how to make riding better! thanks

[@kenbest76]

Everyone knows that the first step in setting up your bike is to ask a bunch of strangers on the internet

[@nofrontbrakes]

Really relatable and loved watching his progression. I too, don’t tinker with my bike

[@derekdavis6508]

I figured out I was riding wrong, I rode it like a 90s hardtail, or full rigid, I went down a steep wall and hung my butt off the back almost touching the tire, now your supposed to be more neutral.

[@derekdavis6508]

I wish we had more downhill, I'm not a cardio dude, I'm to chubby, Texas it's hot and climbing constantly, we do have spider mountain now.