“If you did make a mistake or crash, there were no injuries or warning shots. It was a dangerous place to film a project”: Gee Atherton on recent Ridgeline VII film and the HUGE risk of crashing

Mountain biking legend Gee Atherton has released his latest high-stakes film, "Ridgeline VII," which he described as being filmed in "a dangerous place." Speaking about the project, Atherton highlighted the extreme risks involved, stating that any mistake or crash would have resulted in serious injury, not just a "warning shot." This latest production continues his tradition of pushing the boundaries of downhill mountain biking in precarious, exposed environments.

This release follows a series of highly publicised, life-threatening crashes for Atherton, most notably his 2021 incident where he sustained multiple broken bones and a punctured lung. His continued pursuit of such perilous projects, despite these severe setbacks and the inherent dangers, underscores a deep-seated commitment to his craft and the relentless quest for extreme performance. It also speaks to the commercial appetite for such content, where the line between awe-inspiring athleticism and reckless abandon is increasingly blurred.

One might question the wisdom of repeatedly flirting with catastrophe, but for Atherton, and indeed his audience, it appears the allure of the impossible ride remains an irresistible, if terrifying, proposition.