The Strongest/Most Insane Riders You've Seen...or Been

[Runs with Scissors]

I saw these two on last year's Crusher in the Tushar (as they passed my slow heinie). Yes, on a tandem. And apparently that wasn't enough madness. They did the Dirty Kanza on a tandem(!) Much, much respect and bow-down-ing-ness to them.

I truly cannot imagine what that would take.

From the Crusher Facebook page: "Exciting news coming out of Kansas this weekend as Utahan's Steve Wasmund and Amy Andrews CRUSHED the competition in the tandem category at the Dirty Kanza 200!
Congrats you twos!"

 

[Faust29]

Tandem riders are strong... And nuts!

As a relative newb, I'm amazed at some of the strong riders like Tinker... One of the strongest feats I've seen from a non-pro was the guy on Catalina who cleared a grade that topped 27.5%. I had to use the bike as a crutch just to walk up it, and even the paramedic at the top said that most of the pros in the lead group chose to dismount and run up it.

I've cleared 24%, but 27+ is not going to happen...

 

[herzalot]

Tinker climbing the front of Winter Park ski area in a 1992 NORBA race. He was in his big ring. Julie Furtado in the 1992 Rage in the Sage in Gunnison when she lapped me. Aaron Gwin at Fontana. Brian Lopes riding Telonics in the Leaping Lizard, and of course me, every time I ride! :roll: :lol:

 

[Daddy Dirtbag]

I saw Tinker, back in the 90's, climb a hill here in Castaic in the big ring like it was flat. I have never climbed that section in anything other than granny/granny. Not that I climb like a beast . . . . . unless it like a beast of burden, but that was absolutely ridiculous to see him seemingly loaf up that hill. That would be the strongest rider I have ever seen.

As for the most insane, that would have to be the late, great MXer Danny 'Magoo' Chandler on his dirt bike. Loved the way that guy would fearlessly send it. Have yet to see the MTB equivalent of him.

 

[scottay]

Kanga
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[Mikie]

I saw Tinker, back in the 90's, climb a hill here in Castaic in the big ring like it was flat. I have never climbed that section in anything other than granny/granny. Not that I climb like a beast . . . . . unless it like a beast of burden, but that was absolutely ridiculous to see him seemingly loaf up that hill. That would be the strongest rider I have ever seen.

I too saw Tinker do that on the first climb at the California State Championship Series in Castaic in the Pro Class. It was insane! I remember all of us commenting (as Experts) that he had a hidden motor on his bike. It looked unnatural. I would have said they used CGI if it were not for the fact that it was live!

 

[scottay]

Hidden motor?
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<a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBvgUBpJSkk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBvgUBpJSkk</a>
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[Obsidian]

The old lady who has blown by me twice on climbs at Oaks like I was standing still. I do a lot more passing than getting passed on the climbs, so she blows my mind. I don't turn around and smile at the people I pass either, unlike her. LOL.

 

[UPSed]

Another Tinker sighting here. Several years ago at the Fat Tire Festival at Malibu Creek State Park he passed me going up Bulldog. I was in granny and of course he was in his big ring. As Jeff said he just seemed to easily loaf up the hill. Incredible.

 

[CarlS]

I saw Tinker, back in the 90's, climb a hill here in Castaic in the big ring like it was flat. I have never climbed that section in anything other than granny/granny..

Same here, but just in the last few years: I was racing in a 4 man team at 12 hour Temecula and I was out on my 2nd lap. I was putting out my 90-100% effort on some flat /slightly uphill section and Tinker passed me followed by the guy chasing him in 2nd place. I mean, I was putting it all out, and they passed me like I was standing stil. They then continued up a good climb and Tinker pulled away from the guy chasing him by a good distance. My jaw dropped. How can anyone keep that crazy pace up for 12 hours??? Just... not.. human. sorry, but I swear some people are aliens or they are doping. :lol:

 

[Varaxis]

Hidden motor?
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<a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBvgUBpJSkk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBvgUBpJSkk</a>
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No. How would the rear wheel be driven? Can't be crank based, else the crank would be spinning. Nothing visibly suspicious that could be turning the wheel itself, if you look the hub or anything touching the wheel. It's just a flywheel effect from falling flat on his side so sudden in a downsloping corner and the spinning rear wheel turning his lightweight bike around when it contacts the ground.

 

[Daddy Dirtbag]

I saw Tinker, back in the 90's, climb a hill here in Castaic in the big ring like it was flat. I have never climbed that section in anything other than granny/granny. Not that I climb like a beast . . . . . unless it like a beast of burden, but that was absolutely ridiculous to see him seemingly loaf up that hill. That would be the strongest rider I have ever seen.

I too saw Tinker do that on the first climb at the California State Championship Series in Castaic in the Pro Class. It was insane! I remember all of us commenting (as Experts) that he had a hidden motor on his bike. It looked unnatural. I would have said they used CGI if it were not for the fact that it was live!

That is probably the same event I saw him at.

 

[RS VR6]

I too saw Tinker do that on the first climb at the California State Championship Series in Castaic in the Pro Class. It was insane! I remember all of us commenting (as Experts) that he had a hidden motor on his bike. It looked unnatural. I would have said they used CGI if it were not for the fact that it was live!

I saw Tinker do that too. It was around mid 2000...at Bonelli. He pretty much dusted the "pro" field. First climb...the guy just stood up and mashed the big ring all the way up. I've never seen anybody do something like that in person before. :shock:

 

[Danimal]

Hidden motor?
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<a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBvgUBpJSkk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBvgUBpJSkk</a>
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Haha...thats what he gets for entering a bicycle into a scooter race.



( and cannot see why they think it might have a motor????)