A Spectator’s Guide To Red Bull Rampage

Maybe you’re interested in heading out to watch Red Bull Rampage first hand. After my experience last week, I figured a few hints and tips on what to take with you might be useful.

First up, if you think there’s a lot of hanging around while you’re watching it from the comfort of your sofa, bear in mind that there’s just as much (or even more) hanging around out in the desert, only you’re in the desert. The (portable) toilet is a dusty walk away. So are water refills. You’ll probably be roasting hot. It’s a pretty physical experience. Add to that, you’re probably not going to be able to see all the action with just your eyes. You’ll probably have to watch some of it on the big screens – because the lines dip in and out of the canyons and behind the slopes. Some of it will be so far away and teeny tiny that you might want binoculars. In short, you’re probably not going to go because you want a better view – it’s all about the atmosphere, and hanging out with all the other people. Think of it more like a big picnic. Here are some things you should definitely take with you.

Shareable Snacks

It’s a picnic. Make friends with everyone around you by taking sharable snacks. Bonus points if they’re cold, juicy, or refreshing. Extra bonus points if they’re a bit unusual. Put your rubbish in the bins provided.

Hydration Mix

Water is not enough, you need salts out in the desert. There are loads of water taps out on the site for you to top up your bottle, but to stave off the headache of heatstroke you’ll want something to add to it.

Water Bottle

A bottle this size will last you no time at all. Suddenly those oversized fashion accessory bottles your teenagers are carrying don’t look so silly. Go bigger if you can, take a bladder in a backpack, or pack in some additional cans of tasty things to drink (depending on where you’re sitting, you might need to wrap cans in a coozy or cover, because TV and sponsorship). Otherwise you’ll be traipsing back and forth to the refill taps and miss the action. Fun fact: the diggers were drinking around 9 litres of water/electrolyte a day.

A Buff

The dust gets everywhere – especially kicked up by vehicles, but also by the wind. A Buff or similar to cover your nose and mouth as you pass through clouds of dirt – especially if you’re on a shuttle – will be very welcome. Also handy for emergency coozy duties, covering the back of your neck to stop it burning, or soaking in water to cool you down.

A Hat

You want the biggest brim you can find, or one of those caps with a big neck-covering flap. Keeps the heat off your head, the glare out your eyes, and stops you frying to an uncomfortable crisp when there’s zero shade.

Sunglasses

There is every chance it will be dark when you leave your camp or hotel for the Rampage site – practice starts at first light, and why would you want to miss that? Do not forget your sunglasses.

Sturdy Shoes

Save your flip flops for back at your camp or hotel. To get to the prime viewing spots you’re going to be clambering on the lower slopes of the Rampage site. Plus, there’s a fair amount of walking, even if you get the shuttle out there. Decent grippy soles are good, and a hi-top or boot will help keep the dirt out (a bit – you’ll still end up full of dust).

Clothes

Choose your clothes carefully. Everything is going to get covered in red dust, and there’s a good chance you’ll never quite get it out again. Especially if the fabric is white, you can expect to take on a terracotta hue for ever more. You are probably going to sit on the ground, in the dirt (there are no chairs, and can you really be bothered to carry one out there?). So maybe don’t wear your favourite clothes. If you want to play at spotting yourself on telly, a nice bright T-shirt is a good idea. A long-sleeved shirt will be welcome if you’re there early doors and waiting for the sun to rise – and may also be handy if you overcook your arms during the day.

A Sign

Given you’ve got to haul everything out there, a sign requires some commitment. But if you want to attract the attention of your heroes or the cameras, a sign could be the answer.

Sun Cream

You’re likely to be sitting outside in the full glare of the sun for a very long time. There are no trees to sit under, and very few patches of shade to be had. Do not forget suncream!

Would I go just to watch the event? Probably not, in all honesty. I enjoyed the dig days you get with media access too much! As a paying spectator, I’d at least want to extend the experience by camping locally and enjoying some riding on the old site – which is really amazing and has plenty of options for gentle progression, as well as the Rampage-esque chutes and drops. Unless your kids are REALLY into it and patient, I probably wouldn’t recommend taking them along (especially if they’re not used to the heat and sun). Particularly if there’s a wind hold, it can be a long day out and pretty physically demanding – and since you have to carry your gear at least as far as the walk from the shuttle (if you’ve paid for that luxury) it’s quite an effort to make it more comfortable. Worth doing if you’ve got some friends to enjoy it with and take in the atmosphere, less fun if you’re trying to keep a bored and cranky kid amused.

If you’ve been, what did you think? Or ask us more questions in the comments, we’ll do our best to answer them.

Thanks to ABUS for contributing to Hannah’s travel expenses.

Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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