World’s best extreme Enduro athletes head to the Badlands for Red Bull Outlier

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, Red Bull Outliers returns to the Badlands. One local rider is eager to compete there again.

Trystan Hart was born in Invermere, B.C.. but now makes his home in Calgary.

The 28-year-old says he starting riding dirt bikes at an early age.

“I started riding dirt bikes when I was three years old,” he said.

“Definitely a lot of injuries and a lot of years off in that time but I’m still doing it 25 years later and definitely my love. I still have a passion for it and want to keep doing it for as long as I can.”

Getting back on the bike

Dirt bike racing isn’t for the faint of heart. Hart broke his femur when he was seven and put the bike away.

He tried other sports but says they weren’t the same.

“My parents bought a boat but I decided I really didn’t like the water and I like dirt biking,” he said.

“We got back into it when I was 13 or 14 and ever since then, I’ve been riding the mountains, riding over rocks and logs. Whatever people don’t think is possible to get a dirt bike through is kind of what I like doing.”

Number one in Canada

Hart is now Canada’s top ranked extreme Enduro athletes.

He’s competed all over the world and this weekend he’ll join the best in the world for Red Bull Outlier in the Alberta Badlands (in Steveville, Alta.).

Hart says there will be plenty of excitement.

“The Badlands here in Alberta is insane. The hills here are super unique. There’s super steep run ups with super steep hills and if you don’t make them you’re coming down 100 to 200 feet and you and the bike are just rolling down.”

“It’s one of the gnarliest races in the world that I’ve done and it’s right here, two hours from Calgary near Brooks and definitely a good show for spectators.”

Nickname

Hart’s nickname is “The Robot” because of his consistent riding style which he will need plenty of this weekend.

Hart says he likes it.

“I think it stands for not giving up and always pushing through adversity and that’s kind of what I’ve done in my career so far,” he said.

“I’m a little under the weather this week so I’m going to have to do it again this weekend here if I want to be on top at the home race.”

Racing gets underway on Friday with the amateur main event.

The big boys take to the course on Saturday for the expert and pro main events.