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2013 Red Bull Rampage: Profile - Gulevich

Oct 10, 2013

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GEOFF GULEVICH

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This year I am scaring the hell out of myself.

Gully loves the internet and it took some heavy negotiating to have him give up his phone long enough to chat with me, but after some pensive glares he submitted and settled into his regular character; a quirky individual who ironically uses YOLO more than a drunk high school girl. The ensuing banter covered everything from his preference of giraffes over goats to his childhood spelling bee trauma that has lead to his refusal to spell the word pterodactyl.

Known for his riding style, quirky personality and extensive media exposure, Geoff isn’t necessarily known as a contest rider, but he has his eye on the podium this year at Rampage. In 2012 he finished in 11th place fresh off a serious shoulder injury.

I just want to be on the steps, it would be real nice to win a contest and this would definitely be the place to do it. This year has been really good, I am feeling healthy, and I think if there is a time to do it, this is probably it.

Gulevich’s planned run for Sunday has him dropping straight off the face, trying to gain enough control after a chundery chute to manage a 20’ double drop, before flipping a 15’ by 15’ step down. This is where he pauses in his description to say ‘so we will see how that goes.’ If all goes well he will have another double drop further to the riders’ right, then a step up hip to the left followed by another hip to the left into the old Oakley Sender. He hasn't hit it yet, but after this year's changes to the Sender, he may vary his line from this point including some digging that his crew is working on tomorrow.

In 2012 Geoff took 11th place at Red Bull Rampage, earning him an invite back this year. Photo Garrett Grove.

Red Bull changed up some contest rules this year, allowing only three people per building crew per rider, and restricting access for digging to only the week of the event. The new regs have made the contest more of a level playing field for the international riders, as it prevents local pros from showing up early to prep lines and practice. This has had little impact on Geoff's strategy as his approach for the last two Rampages has been to work with a small team.

You always interact with other riders through different features so that definitely helps with digging.

Interactions with other riders in the Wild West atmosphere of the Rampage course can be hostile or amiable when lines collide. Geoff has two techniques for avoiding these encounters; build an entrance that is so terrifying that no one else will want to do it and using anything built in his way to his advantage. Most importantly, it’s all about communication - he doesn’t foresee an issue with someone dropping into his line, just as long as they ask.

There is a mutual respect between riders, some people get pretty frustrated and are pretty territorial but it has never really been the case with me.

Gully is clearly not territorial.

As the rain hit the roof over dinner and everyone discussed strategies for the morning course work, there was more positive than negative about the unexpected weather change. The crews are usually hauling water up the course with them to maintain features, but with all this new moisture it could open up more possibilities for digging and really harden up the lines they already have.

With that he was off, phone in hand, to dream of giraffes and what the tomorrow will bring at Rampage.

Gully's Rocky Mountain Flatline going up for a good lap on King Kong a few days before Rampage to get a feel for the dirt and get comfortable before the contest.