Let the good times roll

Words Mason Mashon

Photos Mason Mashon

Date Oct 6, 2010

Snow is beginning to crest the peaks again this time of September, which is a mild suggestion that the season is coming to a close. However, I like to think of it as the best chapter of the riding season. We all love those cool autumn days, when the trails are buff and the dirt tacky, the crowds have dissipated, and the lap count climbs.

This biking season has definitely been a bit different for me this year. I’m going to back track to the early spring, when our deep snowpack here in Whistler slowed the onset of spring biking. It was March, when I set out on a photographic journey for the Pro Photographer Showdown. My camera followed me to the rugged coastlines of Vancouver Island, to the rain shadows of the Thompson Okanagan, to the top of the coastal range glaciers, and deep into the forests of the Sunshine Coast. All the while, I opened my eyes for new perspective, forced myself to put in the extra effort to triangulate better angles, and ultimately learn to shoot better pictures. Although this alternative adventure wasn’t solely bike related, I gained invaluable insights from a variety of remote locations and harsh weather conditions, thereby further developing my patience to wait for the right moment to capture the photo. Between shooting alongside crews such as MSP, Level 1, Anthill, Voleurz, PBP, and Dendrite Studios, I had some eye opening experiences this year. I had the chance to meet and work with a wide variety of talented athletes; we shared visions, created memories, and together made some cool pictures to look at. If all goes according, my images will be splashing the pages of Bike, MBUK, Ski Journal, Freeskier, and Frequency.

Self Portrait - Inside the white room Inside the whiteroom with Mason – March 2010

Self portrait, following Dylan Dunkerton Self-portrait following Dylan Dunkerton – March 2010

Waiting to paddle out A surfer waits for the smaller sets before paddling out. – March 2010

Self Portrait - Dropping into the corkscrew Triggered by a remote in my mouth, I dropped into this spiral line that Aggy and I built. – March 2010

Callum Jelley on the Sunshine Coast Callum Jelley amongst the ferns on the SSC. -March 2010

Stevie and Brandon on the SSC Brandon and Stevie filming for Anthill’s ‘Follow me’. – March 2010

Brandon goes flat in the backyard Brandon inverts a table in the backyard at Dylans place on the SSC – March 2010

Slow and sure the snowy peaks forgave to the spring rains, and in their wake the sun arrived on our beautiful patch of the world. This summer was awesome. Between coaching young shreds w/ Summer Gravity Camps, doing a heli shoot on the glacier with Voleurz, hosting the webisodes with Tippie for Crankworx, I couldn’t have asked for better opportunities on and off the bike this year in Whistler. Regardless of the weather conditions, I was stoked to be riding DH, racing Phat Wednesdays, pump tracking and just having fun on bikes at every waking moment. Even during our month long drought, I’ve never had such a good time kicking out both wheels at speed, drifting and surfing my bike down the mountain. This years Airprentice was also a huge highlight for me, and I was stoked to be on scene to capture the event.

On scene for a heli shoot w/ Voleurz Skier Joe Schuster spinning with a helicopter in close pursuit of his actions. -July 2010

Callum Jelley dips into a wall ride Callum Jelley dips into the new wallride on ‘Black Velvet’ – July 2010

Mason getting bent on Crabapple Getting whipped sideways is one of my favourite things to do. Photo: Callum Jelley

Everything on the riding side this season was going super well until I took an impromptu trip over the handlebars, high fiving a sharp rock in the process. Conveniently happening right before Crankworx, this little high five kept me from gripping the bars for nearly a month. Upon visiting the physio and discussing the matter, I developed a custom grip out of a number of different materials. Ergonomically shaped and padded with rubber, foam, and silicone, it allowed me to return to the bike with limited comfort. I should probably patent the design, because it worked brilliantly.

Ergo Grip
Custom quadruple density ergonomic hand cushion.

I’m back up to speed now with my hand pretty much healed I’m all fired up for the fall. I have recently shot photos with ‘AIRprentice’ Matt Montadon and Alex Pro, which I will post soon, and I’m also working on a little video edit with Callum Jelley. The best time of year is upon us, and I’m taking every opportunity I can to get out and enjoy the fresh trails and perfect dirt conditions.

Mason and Callum staying tight on the drop in clinic hip Mason and Callum riding tight on drop in clinic. – June 2010 – Photo: Dan Bonello

It has been a few years since I had a proper downhill rig, so this season definitely rekindled my fire for going bigger and faster. With thanks to NSMB, Evil Bikes and the A-list of sponsors that jumped on with NSMB this year (SRAM, Truvativ, Avid, Rock Shox, Maxxis, Dakine, Race Face, DT Swiss, Cycles Lambert, Adidas Eyewear, Pedros and MEC) I was able to build up an amazing rig, that I truly enjoyed riding everyday. Hats off to you guys, this season wouldn’t be the same without you guys behind me.

So without further ado, here is a compilation of photos I have collected from my season, both in front and behind the lens. Special thanks goes to everyone that I had the pleasure of shooting with this season, and thanks to Callum Jelley for snapping photos of me.