The Pinkbike Podcast: Episode 94 - PBA Contestant Tori Wood on Her First Race and Finding the Right Mindset

 Would love the series have more of an Academy vibe, not only in name. Keep everybody till the end, teach valuable info on racing, bike mechanics, skills, etc... test them at the end of each episode and rate them. Then prep them for a full enduro race at the end of the series. Think about it PINKBIKE. You got great riders being disqualified for a blown out tire. Chance should not influence who wins. My take on the matter, anyway.

 I can’t wait to listen to this! Thanks for bringing her on, love her!
Of course, the obligatory #torigotrobbed can’t be missing

 These little interviews are awesome! Keeping the episode count higher each week has been nice too

 I finally watched the first 2 Episodes of the Academy s.2 after hearing @toriwood's interview. Ive been a regular listener of the podcast for a while now and would love to hear more interviews like this (sidenote: Henry should be on every podcast). I agree with the top comments, keep all the contestants around til the end. Or just eliminate people with bad attitudes. I would have loved to have seen Tori overcoming flat corners, setting up her camera and watching the tape as she's described her process since elimination. Watching that would benefit all of us pinkers as I do feel that we gravitate towards riding for those transcendental moments of progression. Great show still. Gonna keep watching. I thought Tori was the most relatable as I am also relatively new to my MTB full-blown addiction.

 Mike's comment on Elaina's BMX background and Tori just keeping on going. Glad Mike is going to make a note of that, lols I hope they highlight that in future episodes.

 It's a bummer she got cut when she did. Tori was a super capable rider with an awesome mindset. Her performance in the FTP was awesome. She should still be in the mix.

 Season 1: "PBA needs more racing, its BS that ppl get eliminated for not being able to swim, or work a GoPro!"
Season 2: "Its BS that ppl get eliminated based on their race results and not their attitude!"
Season 3: "Its BS that ppl get eliminated at all!"

 Topic (obv) PBA!
It dawned on me today whilst riding my local trails (best thinking courtesy of mountain biking), IT'S FRIKIN' REALITY TV but with mountain bikes! it's meant to evoke "insert adjective/emotion here"! It took me this long to figure (hopefully) the PB isn't that stoopid and it's job is to create content that's viewed, reviewed, talked about and commented on! There would still be drama if Cam and @toriwood were still there, but probably less wrath from the masses and who doesn't like a good wrath filled comment section?! Touché PB.
Also PB, why don't you give @toriwood an on going vlog on starting from absolute scratch, never having raced, facing physical fears and mental and psychological challenges and barriers? An honest, candid look at what goes on in ones head and how to overcome, or at least placate and calm the howling demons! (sorry, got a bit carried away there...) I'd watch that and I bet hoards of Pinkers would too!
Lastly, @killedbydeath @mikelevy Never grow up!!!

 Tori it's great to hear that you're racing! it was fun watching you and seeing how you progressed through the challenges. You have so much potential. Keep it up!

 I’m putting this question here from the “ask us anything” article, since you guys didn’t anwser it (lol)

Loking for tour honest opinion here, Levy often talks about the kona process 111 as one of the first downcountry bikes made.
How does it compare to downcountry bikes these days?
If you update some parts for a 2015 Kona Process 111 for instance, like 12 speed drivetrain, dropper post and 4 pot disc brakes, would it still be a considered a modern-ish bike? And does it make more sense to you guys buying a used Process 111, and update it were it makes sense, or buy a lower end 2022 29er with similar caracteristics.

Love the podcast guys! Keep it up!

Cheers

 Gotta add that tho I don't personally care for Reality style tv, still love the PB crew and enjoyed the interview with Tori. I don't at all think she's corny or a sellout for wanting to be the show - its coverage & exposure regardless, and she's a shredder for just being 4 yrs in - bigtime kudos to her on that. But def'ly wanna double down on the idea that any real Academy doesn't - or shouldn't - just uphold the naturally best & brightest, as that's just one form of knowing & talent, but should actually be more supportive of anyone at any level. Clearly this isn't a real Academy, but I def'ly agreeing with so many others above that keeping everyone for the whole time is much more interesting that zapping people for BS mistakes, a bad day or week - whatever.

Give them a f*cking chance. Some riders are obviously gonna come in fast & probably just stay fast without really all that much actual progress or advancement while someone like Tori, if given time, could really show that progress & advancement, especially given time & additional pressure. Also - this would put more pressure on some of those more advanced riders over the course of the show. Easily far more interesting that nuking riders each week which is - weak.

Anyway- again, no probs w/ these riders or their intentions. I just think the show format is silly and outdated. Its long past time to move past the Hunger Games & Survivor style (minus the alliances) thing, and just let people compete over time. Academies and even World Cup don't remove and then prevent those people who had a bad score from participating again - they are in fact required for there to even be an actual roster.

Good idea that's just poorly executed PB. Just do up an Olympics style weekly ranking / scoring and lets see all these actually talented riders (who blow most of us away any day) do their thing, get some time to learn & adapt w/o cutting them down. Can hardly believe that in the biker realm that PB would do this or that anyone actually enjoys that format.

 #torigotrobbed

 Tori, if you could have made up your own challenge what would it have been?

 I’m confused how this is a real contest when there is such a massive disparity of talent between the top rider and the rest of them. Obviously we all knew the winner from the first episode.

 Tori!!!! Hard hitting Q for you, is Jason's skin as flawless in person as it is on the screen?

 Spewing, was hoping you’d go far! Great mentality!
Where abouts in in Oz did you begin life?

 "PB keyboard savages" unite behind #torigotrobbed until she labels them PKS.