Tom Pagès has once again pushed the boundaries of extreme sports with his groundbreaking Ride & Fly project, a feat that combines his motorbike expertise with paragliding. This innovative venture follows his previous aerial stunt, Flight Mode, where he successfully parachuted his bike off a 135-meter cliff. However, Ride & Fly presents an even greater technical challenge, marking a world first in the realm of extreme sports.
The project, which took over two years to develop, required Pagès to harness the forces of nature and overcome his fears. Given the impact of wind and terrain on take-off and flight, managing the heavy load of his custom-built bike was crucial. Pagès’s creativity and ingenuity were essential in designing equipment specifically for this endeavor, a task that involved building a sail suspension system and a safety handle release mechanism.
Pagès’s journey to perfect this sport involved rigorous training and a collaboration with his friend and fellow athlete Valentin Delluc, a French speedriding expert. Pagès meticulously crafted his approach, beginning with obtaining a microlight license to meet aviation regulations. He then progressed from test flights with a paraglider on training hills to more advanced speedriding preparations with seasoned trainers such as Albert Baud, who has previously trained Hollywood star Tom Cruise.
During the Ride & Fly project, Pagès faced the daunting task of accelerating his 105-kilogram, 4-stroke bike to lift off the ground and reach speeds of 30 km/h. Once airborne, he had to unhook his paraglider controls, which were initially fastened to his elbows, and take control with his hands, leaving the handlebars behind. Despite initial fears, Pagès overcame his anxiety, mastering the art of flying at speeds exceeding 80 kph (22 mph) and performing tight turns near the ground.
The technical complexities of the project were not without their challenges. Pagès invested in a sewing machine to construct the necessary components in his garage, collaborating with skydiving pioneer Stéphane Zunino and benefiting from insights shared by legendary parachutist Loïc Jean-Albert.
Reflecting on the project, Pagès humorously noted the apparent ease showcased in videos, despite the significant stress and complexity he faced. His determination paid off, as he managed to complete the project a month before filming. With a storied career that includes four consecutive victories at the Red Bull X-Fighters in Madrid, a win at the 2013 X-Fighters World Tour, and multiple X Games medals, Tom Pagès’s Ride & Fly is a testament to his relentless pursuit of innovation in extreme sports. This remarkable achievement not only highlights his skill and creativity but also sets a new benchmark in the world of freestyle motorbike stunts.
Photo Courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool
