BMX legend and MTB’er Kye Forte just finished work behind-the-scenes on the jumps for Matt Jones’ epic ‘Frames of Mind’ video.
Kye’s day-job is shaping dirt under the banner of Forte Trailscapes. The Trailscapes crew build pumptracks, create jumps for big events like the NEC Bike Show and even, on occassions, create fake beaches for music festivals.
Here’s Kye’s take on his part in Matt and Red Bull’s latest video.
So Kye, when were you first approached about the project?
Think we first stared talking about it in January 2017 the first site visit wasn’t until March time.
Where was the build?
Rushmere country park not far from Milton Keynes and the more well known know Woburn sands spot.
How was it laid out to you?
They just asked me if I could build a load of crazy stuff basically and wanted to know how long it would take and how much it would cost!
There are a tonne of different features in the video. Were they all Matt’s ideas or did you have some input?
Yeah Matt takes the credit for the ideas for the build. We worked alongside him to help make his ideas reality and also to bring some of his ideas into the real world!
Matt was a pleasure to work alongside and although he was injured during most of the build he was often on site and getting stuck in.
What’s the process of creating something like this? Where do you start?
Luckily the land owners were motivated by the project so this made it easier. Quantifying plant requirements, materials and labour is the biggest headache for work like this but we’ve got a bad ass team so we managed to get moving quickly.
What tools and machinery did you use to build the features?
We used 360 excavators is various sizes. Also dumpers, telehandlers, chainsaws, the usual shovels and rakes, compactor plates and pretty much every tool in Makita’s cordless range since it was all in the woods.
What were the conditions like for building? How did the woods, the soil, the conditions you worked in effect the jumps?
The soil was amazing to dig and shape but because it was so dry it was impossible to pack as well as we needed at times. Also, the trees and roots made it tough in places as we wanted to retain trees wherever possible.
How long did it take to build?
All in about 12 weeks but it was spread out across the summer and most of the time we had six to eight guys on site.
Matt talks in the video about visualising tricks and seeing them in his mind, then going and making them real. Does it work the same for digging?
Yeah exactly the same. Most jumps come together fairly organically without a strict plan. It’s import to visualise what you’re building from the beginning.
What was the most difficult feature to build?
The full pipe. First off it was super hard for me to try and draw on a computer, let alone try and build. After much deliberation my brother Rick Forte pulled through and made what we think is the worlds first mobile corked full pipe.
Did everything go to plan throughout? Were there any “fuck this!” moments where it felt like things weren’t working?
Yeah there were a few “fuck this!” moments! Just trying to get the dirt to pack together was tough. Getting machines stuck was also a struggle.
But, for the most part, it was a dream job. I’m really proud to say that Forte Trailscapes built it.
Were you on site during the filming?
At times… but unfortunately it was often my guys there and I would be elsewhere building something less glamorous. The summer is short and busy unfortunately!
Did you get to ride the jumps?
I rode parts of them on my Nukeproof Mega. My BMX wouldn’t have cut it really. It was way too sandy for anything other than a dirt jump MTB.
What did you think watching the film and seeing it come to life?
I’m really pleased it all worked. I’m really happy that Matt pulled it off and made it through mostly injury free. And I’m really proud to look at the video and be able to say that we helped to make it happen.
What was your favourite part of the film?
The big right hip gap into the tree stem. That was super gnarly in reality and was definitely my sort of riding!
