What It's REALLY Like To Ride Red Bull Rampage

Can an ordinary guy from a flat, rainy market town of Cornwall, England, perform at the biggest, toughest, gnarliest, and most prestigious mountain bike event of the year? GMBN’s ex-dirt jump and slopestyle pro, Blake Samson, follows Tom Isted on the journey to his first-ever Red Bull Rampage. How will Tom and his dig crew cope with this wildly different and difficult terrain? Will they earn the respect of other riders to share features on the mountain? Will Tom be able to put his life on the line to ride a top-to-bottom run? Let’s find out! 🤘
You can see more of Tom:
KZbin ‪@TomIsted‬
Instagram / tom_isted
Tom's trusted dig team:
Joel Anderson / joel_anderson
Conor Macfarlane / conor_macfarlane
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[@gmbn]

What did you think of this year's Red Bull Rampage? Do you have anything to say to Tom Isted? Let him know 👇

[@danmccabe2004]

The judging was poor , as Brendog was not scored fairly

[@darrenwilliams6827]

Gr8 to see Tom there ❤ well deserves his spot there. He made the right call with not riding his second run. We all know his top 2 bottom would of been sick. Keep up the goo😂work & stay safe out there lad

[@COLTZCOLTERINNIT]

@@gmbn amazing👍

[@jf8534]

Go Tom. Looking forward to seeing you back in 2025. Of course throughout the year too. Great job on your first Rampage.

[@kakemonsteret]

Red Bull Slope Style Rampage? or Freeride?

[@RomanMoroniesFargingWall]

Hey, no bullshit. This might be the best thing I've seen GMBN produce. Cinematography, direction, production, soundtrack, script, editing all came together with a purpose and a goal. It seemed like everyone was focused on the goal, and the end result proves it. Thank you for doing an awesome job covering this gnarly event! Tom's pretty good, too. 😉

[@jamesc6876]

felt like a true documentary. loved it

[@Zimblake]

Stoked you liked it Roman. Really appreciate your comment ❤ cheers, Blake

[@RomanMoroniesFargingWall]

@@Zimblake No, thank you, Blake! Glad you came out unscathed from that wicked cliff fall. Can't wait to see your vids from Cerro Abajo!

[@uwe_bike]

Agreed! That was a proper documentary! Thanks Blake!

[@gmbn]

Thanks very much! Really appreciate the feedback

[@nulk3041]

Olly Wilkin's comment of 'how the f*** do you learn that in Cornwall?' has to be the sound clip of the year

[@cornishcactus]

It's just a bigger Poldice

[@9livesMtb]

When Brendog says "you f&&kin savage" you know that canyon gap is a monster😂😂🤙🤙

[@gmbn]

Very true!

[@Dukhanstmichmal]

That Ice-T save at 0:50 has to be one of my most favourite freeride clips ever. Canyon gap into out of control hanging on to the bike - love it.

[@davefellows]

Yeah, that was sick AF!!

[@funkyduck4743]

Shoutout to Tom, Blake and the whole crew behind this production. I highly enjoyed it!

[@Zimblake]

Thanks funky duck 🙏

[@iansingleton]

Tom laid down a great run, not only did he show his skills but he had the balls after he over shot that bend before his canyon jump to climb back up the hill, bike on his shoulders so he could drop in with enough speed to clear the canyon and complete his run, even if the last bit was outside the time cut off. I've never seen that before at rampage. Most riders would just ride down and say "I messed up". Tom and Brendan showing the world British free riders have got what it takes. Big respect.

[@cornish_boy6235]

Love the fact that a fellow Cornishman was there! He did amazing.

[@5hane_]

We've got some unreal riders in many disciplines here.

[@BrentonChan]

Is this National Geographic or Drive to Survive? @TomIsted and team & Blake and GMBN crew, this is top notch!! Documentary / BTS / Sand, Dirt, Thrills and Hills. Dare I say this was more captivating than watching the event itself. Great to see Brendog, Olly, and Deaks as well. And a massive thank you to all the sponsors that continue to support GMBN. Can't wait for the next one!

[@gmbn]

Thank you for your comment! It makes all the hard work worth it 🤘

[@theoutsider6191]

LOLs "i built a line that goes from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the mountain, as fast as is possible" doesn't quite do it justice 🙂 Hope next year Tom makes it down, his line would've been a winner for sure, that gap is mental.

[@Zimblake]

😂😂😂 so true. I loved that response from him 😂

[@Thedoug369]

When Brendog calls you a fucking savage, you a bad emeffer!

[@JeffMTBinVA]

Fantastic video, thanks Blake and the whole crew for putting this together. More behind the scenes at events in 2025 please.

[@Zimblake]

Hey Jef, first off thanks for you support on the channel and stoked you really liked it. 🎉

[@gmbn]

Thanks for watching and supporting us!

[@stefanwehe8778]

Tom jumping the canyon gap is one of the 2 things of this rampage i will never forget. that, to me, is not just jumping, its more like flying. most impressing scene of the whole rampage. the other one is brendons rock-feature. every other tailwhip or backflip disappears between all the other tricks which were made.

[@jpg6482]

Free ride ain’t free 🎉😢❤

[@juffkasvennsson4609]

Not anymore since it turned into slopestyle 😢

[@cornishcactus]

1:08 well hello there. Fair play to the guy he did great, looks like he earned the respect. He'll be invited back no worry. Cornwall's not a bad place to learn this stuff, plenty of old mine workings about that are like a mini Rampage, Ell-up 2025 at Poldice sponsored by Ann's Pasties ? Plenty of talent up and coming too with proper senders at The Track, Bryn Appleton's pretty handy and @zimblake knows a couple of the other local guys. One of GMBN's best produced vids yet, loved it.

[@Holloweve]

Great first effort Tom, I feel for you a bit as all the focus is on the terrible judging of Brendog (which it was) but hope to see you and Bren there next year setting it right

[@geoffsimons3475]

I totally agree but I can’t imagine Bren going back there again or any other rider that is better at extreme gnar rather than tricks (Gee Atherton) 😢

[@jamesc6876]

i’m happy to see riders not have to be “ranked” according to one event… i really hate to see judging determine what is freeride. it should be free form and all riders should win monetarily while everyone gets a memorable reward for giggles.

[@Holloweve]

@@geoffsimons3475 that’s my concern too

[@mitch_smith]

hands down, the best run on the mountain. Also, TOP NOTCH filming and editing on this. 👍👍👍👍

[@deividas_kimontas]

Tom Isted is a top rider! 🔥🤘

[@petepac10]

Thanks

[@gmbn]

So cool! Thanks so much

[@pieterberner1764]

What an incredible, high-quality piece of content! Thanks for bringing us along for the ride team, that was SICK!!! As always, Blake is such a lekker dude and Tom...you are a WILD man bru!! Love it!!

[@gmbn]

Thanks so much

[@Bob_Shy_132]

Blake, good mini documentary.

[@Zimblake]

Thanks Bob. Team work was spot on from myself and Louis. 🎉

[@the_spanner_ch7mp]

Fantastic behind the scenes video Blake and GMBN Tom being the Rampage rookie took it in his stride 👊 Awesome stuff

[@gmbn]

We love doing stuff like this!

[@jonmh1390]

Thanks GMBN for support Ice-T. He's one of a hell good rider In my opinion he should have much more support

[@pault9899]

Awesome video, you guys are getting better and better!!

[@AdventureRich]

You are by far the best presenter this channel has. Thoroughly enjoyed this, great coverage! Isted is a monster for not dying on that trial jump 🥵

[@russelllazenby4435]

Great video Blake. Best Rampage explainer to date!

[@duroxkilo]

such a fantastic upload... mr Tom and the team put up a fantastic show

[@grantwallace1882]

I have never seen Blake Samson worried...................This was epic!!!!

[@Paul-q3q6u]

I'm coming back to MTB after along time away riding road. The bikes have changed beyond belief so I'm relearning skills videos like this are a real help, I don't bounce at fifty like I used to in my twenties. Hate to say it but I avoid the big drops as well now

[@gmbn]

That's great to hear, we have plenty of How To's which should help you get back into the swing of things!

[@Paul-q3q6u]

@@gmbn I'm watching everyone I can find right now. Allowing for one or two falls and over confidence I am getting there slowly

[@Paul-q3q6u]

Same here pretty much. Wheels on the ground for me at the moment after an over confidence incident involving a cross bar a handlebar stem and testicles. Mistimed a drop off is all I'll say other than black n blue.

[@-kaster--kaster-6090]

More of this GMBN

[@dominicwitherowdwp2467]

Amazing! What grit and sheer balls! Only concern is that Blake thinks Cornwall is flat!!! 🤣

[@danmillar3898]

@Zimblake you never sat on top of Brown Willy?

[@geoffsimons3475]

Amazing effort Tom and the dig team. Some incredible riding when it went to plan and unbelievable dismounts and ride outs when it didn’t 😮🤯

[@docmccoy9813]

17:26 Brendog's canyon gap suddenly looks like a walk in the park. Great video, btw and long live 26"!

[@minxlabrada]

It's an amazing event. Stoked to see Tom at it. Seemed to be some controversy this year with the judges. Like to see the judges separated and unable to talk to each other. Maybe judges at different elevations figure a top, middle, and bottom score to add as well. Also like to see judges on different points along the courses so they can better see entire runs first hand, not on a screen. And lastly, if a g-sensor is placed on each MTB, they'd have some real data that can be turned into a score.

[@Whoadayson]

How did you blokes like driving on the wrong side of the road (aka: the only logical choice😉)? Awesome production! Thanks for coming across the pond to unleash your story telling talents on the Rampage - it was much needed!

[@gmbn]

It's all good! Just got to remember to look the other way first when crossing the street!

[@CraigElstow05]

Great to see Tom out there, smashed it

[@jamiewall9076]

Great video, thanks Blake, you guys defo crazy dropping ng into that!

[@chrisjarrold]

Cornwall flat? Only the beaches! 😂

[@aaronsosnoski1017]

More of this content!!! Please!

[@MC_5562]

Didn't know, that he was a bmx pro before becoming a slopestyle rider. Interesting story. Loved the canyon gap and the barrel roll out of the shark fin in his Rampage run. Super stylish rider! Hope he'll be back next year.

[@gmbn]

We think he deserves another entry for sure!

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Unreal unbelievable choose your own word and an even better one might be courageous. Thank goodness I can say I am far too old to do this but even if I wasn't I would not have the bottle to do it. Up there with IOM TT racers imo. You know its tough when Blake would hesitate to do it. Big up to Tom , his fellow competitors and all who contributed to this taking place.

[@NeilDethml]

Absolutely insane 🤘🏻

[@BenDeakinMTB]

Well done team 🤘🤘🤘

[@gmbn]

Thanks for watching Deaks!

[@Houseofdistractions]

Wow this gives a bit more realistic insight to rampage. Looks well gnarlier than the broadcast holy smokes he was cooking down that ! Love to see Blake out in Utah let’s send him and Martin to do the whole enchilada!!!

[@gmbn]

Glad you enjoyed it! It's suuuuper gnarly

[@redbomberr4594]

Fantastic vid, well done.

[@petepac10]

That's insane. I felt sick just watching it. Brilliant video.

[@gmbn]

Feel better soon! 😅 Thanks for watching

[@oskarskates]

Great stuff gmbn, really gives a different optic on how big this stuff truly is!

[@gmbn]

It's huge, and the riding is ridiculously technical!

[@neildonoghueMTB]

Love it. Such a good vid

[@darrenwilliams6827]

Tom's top 2 bottom would of been sick ❤ but he made the right call,live to ride another day

[@joostdeen9614]

Well this is some nice footage from Utah Blake 🤙🏾

[@NicholasNell]

Love how you went full Rhodesian on your outfit😂

[@Zimblake]

😅👍 cheers Boet.

[@robbrookes1497]

Great footage 👊🏼

[@junka1975]

Great video all round.

[@gmbn]

Glad you enjoyed it 🤘

[@luciannaie]

great take. thanks

[@Olek_mac]

Awesome video! I have a question about your hoodies, is the gmbn word logo hoodie - light blue, the same shape as the gmbn embroided lable hoodie - sand? Because i have the sand one and it fits me great and im wondering if the blue one would lay the same on me?

[@Mtb_Nerd]

Super cool video

[@crankshoptv]

In an alternate universe Tom completed a second run with some tricks at the end and knocked Brendog off the top spot.

[@BOONERBOYO]

Brendog was robbed!

[@LS4830]

No he wasn’t 😂

[@bhew7409]

@@LS4830 11th?! Yeah, he was. One guy blew his feet off an beat him 😂

[@dwee420]

⁠@@bhew7409 what was the guy doing while his feet came off?? Then saved it and stayed on his line. All you simps act like none of the other riders could ride brendogs line.

[@cheeeeeeeef]

@@dwee420 Since when has slope style = rampage points, thats what people are legit confused and annoyed by

[@bhew7409]

@@dwee420 he was doing bmx tricks, why insult me by calling me a simp? What is your problem?

[@dorothyb.]

Coming Blake, that terrain must be tough

[@edmundhodgson2572]

You look good in that hat Blake!

[@beardedvikingmtber]

Great effort from Tom, he’ll be better next year & Brendog was robbed. It’s more a extreme slope-style event than a free ride event

[@BillShearn]

Bonkers absolutely bonkers

[@gmbn]

Or as Blake would say you need big "kahunas" to ride there 😬

[@TheSamwhyte]

I had no idea the riders/teams had to dig their own lines!

this was too much for me so sadistic 🤗

[@Ruffest]

Love that istead is getting media. Long overdue.

[@gmbn]

He's an extremely talented dude! We hope he gets an invite back next year

[@NoddyD]

All the riders were excellent and the reality is they are all winners in their own way but let's be honest, Brendog was done over again. He did things that no-one else thought of doing and he did it in his unique style and he placed lower than he's ever done. I know it's a cliche, but he really was robbed.

[@dwee420]

Yea all the others picked bigger features to send cuz that’s what rampage is about… going big, not picking the most tech line down the hill

[@philiptomlinson4201]

It’s a shame Tom didn’t get a full run down because I really think he proved that even though he was on 26” wheels, he’s more than just a slopestyle rider and can really handle big mountain freeride. The BFG is hands down one of the gnarliest features I’ve ever seen anyone roll away from And I’m glad he’s home un injured!

[@gmbn]

A huge shame, but knowing when to call it makes him an even better rider in our books!

[@philiptomlinson4201]

@@gmbn yeah absolutely. It’s always a bummer when wind affects rampage second runs! He did the right thing and that must have been so hard for him to do. Mad respect for him

[@dumwee]

I believe Tom would have won if he managed a clean run. next year!

[@youngstadan4999]

Is that a scott ransom frame?

[@gmbn]

Tom is on a Giant Reign 👍 Brendan Fairclough was riding a Scott Gambler which might have appeared in this video!

[@youngstadan4999]

@@gmbn very similar bikes

[@_maslooo_]

Biggest event in mtb become slope style competition… Brandog is real Rampage winner 💪🏼

[@calibeats]

blake and ice t are awesome

[@quinnready2936]

Is there ANYTHING better than Blake saying the word “here”?

[@darrenwilliams6827]

Feel for bren & his krew😢such a shame it's turned into utah crank worx event. It need's taken back to freeride as we already have enough slopestyle events

[@boogiedownbronx73]

Cant believe Tom bailed out

[@burningatthetrailhead]

Justice for brendog

[@jamesc6876]

they need to make run 2 on day 2

[@jamesc6876]

this will give everyone including judges time to adjust

[@justfrcomments]

I remember riding with Tom decades ago. He was on a bmx and tried bunny hopping 2 stacked benches and had a nasty face plant. Dude shook it off like it was nothing. 😂

[@gmbn]

He's a gnarly guy for sure!

[@rusty2222]

Isted is a mensch. Brendog was robbed - again & Rampage is now Crankworx Utah.

[@Fpl_Alexthekid]

We all know who won Rampage the people's winner 🏆

[@aarowbach8711]

A guy from Cornwall😁😁😁😁😁

[@gmbn]

A legend from Cornwall 🤘

[@reedjacksonmaccom]

4:22 because you don’t have two digging friends ok. that was dumb. lol. Cheers mate

[@maxthomas2796]

Awesome video but to be the crème de la crème of freeride it needs to not be a slopestyle event. Rampage was freeride but now it’s just find the line from years ago, groom it, make the landing bigger and hit it.

[@docmccoy9813]

With his balls and his slopestyle background, I think there's future podium in the next years.

[@gmbn]

We're looking forward to it!

[@Velo1010]

From flat and rainy to hot, dry, and dusty. Welcome to Utah, United States 🇺🇸

[@srstrand01]

AND . . . BRENDOG got screwed in front of the entire world!!!!!!!!

[@bullit4x]

#BRENDOGWASROBBED

[@Psyplus]

There is a clock of 3 minutes to get down.

[@Icebane43]

The only thing that will make Tom look better for the 2025 season is a Monster lid. Come on

[@geepersoilyrag1884]

Cornwall isnt a flat, rainy market town! lol

[@juffkasvennsson4609]

Brendog got robbed. It is called freeride, not super shaped jumps . It turned into a slopestyle event

[@docmccoy9813]

cansino

[@chrisbest89]

Rampage is NOT freeride anymore. Don't get me wrong, the riders are all nut cases and it's a he'll of an event to watch but we can not call it freeride when it's turned into a crankworx event. You win by doing tricks instead of riding down an groomed, manicured and near asphalt smooth track that's been cut over the course of years.

[@EwanStrauss]

First

[@TheBClark88]

Not sure why Kade Edwards hasn’t done Rampage yet - feels like it’s in his wheelhouse

[@gmbn]

He'd be a cool rider to see take it on as a wildcard entry if he was keen to do so!

[@emonty62]

Brendan won!!!!

[@5hane_]

#kernowfornia

[@rufuswareham2811]

6th comment

[@rufuswareham2811]

4th not counting the two botts

[@benmilleractual]

Not a cowboy hat.

[@gmbn]

Almost a cowboy hat?

[@benmilleractual]

@@gmbnalmost.

[@loonaticsrunningtheassylum]

It used to be a disapline in its own rights.... Now? In my opinion it's just big mountain slope style.. and yes I'm well aware at the skill and balls required are sky high... But unless your a slope style rider from the US OR CAN... You ain't winning fk all

[@wick67]

I am sorry but that is gross. I've been mountain biking since the mid 1980's, so yeah I'm old. I can appreciate the evolution of the tech, and the incredible talent of modern riders, but when one of the first things you show is helpers hacking up the environment just to make for a cool trick, you've lost me. That is antithetical to me, to the core of riding off road, where the first rule is have as little impact as possible, while having a ton of fun. I'm not denigrating the ability of the astonishingly talented riders, nor do I want to take away from their ability to make a living. But when you showcase people tearing up the joint to get a cool run, you are doing the sport, and the enviroment, a disservice.

[@SimonBauer7]

rampage takes place on the same mountain every year. they are only tearing the same stuff up year by year. yes they are tearing stuff up, but it isnt that bad.

[@geepersoilyrag1884]

I think this could help take it back to freeride! Make it so that anything done can be undone. After the event remove all built features, start from scratch with true freeride lines every year! It would mean no huge groomed bike park spec jumps!

[@_Tp___]

So you also disagree with mountain bike parks then? Those trails weren't created by squirrels.

[@Schmiddelwutz2000]

I would partially agree if it wasn't in the middle of the desert and they would not use the same site(s) every year. But I'm a new school rider who started in the (early) 90s. 😊

[@JTMarlin8]

Doesn't seem that difficult TBH.

[@gmbn]

See you there next year then 😉