Over 150 avid mountain bikers who had gathered at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont, last Saturday, exploded into cheers and hollers when they heard Bear Ceiri had won the first-ever Green Mountain Showdown bike culture photo competition. As the Burlington-based photographer walked towards the front of the crowd to collect his trophy and $1,500 prize money, his three-year-old daughter could be heard shouting, “Yeah Daddy!†prompting more applause and spontaneous high-fives and hugs.
Bear was one of five photographers who were entered into the Green Mountain Showdown, the first of its kind in New England. Organized by Mountain Bike Vermont (MTBVT) and supported by the Trapp Family lodge and the Vermont Mountain Bike Association, the competition challenged five photographers to create a body of work under the theme of “Bike Culture in the Green Mountains†over the course of one month.
Bear Cieri’s Winning Green Mountain Showdown Compilation from MTBVT on Vimeo.
The event culminated with a slideshow competition judged by a panel of eight industry representatives. Bear’s stark entry of mainly black and white photos was artistic and poignant and was the crowd favorite. His prizes included $1,500 cash as well as $1,000 in gear from PocketWizard. Berne Broudy of Hinesburg, Vermont, finished second by a narrow margin. Her submissions painted a picture of a colorful community united by mountain biking. Berne walked away with a complete Thule rack system and photo gear from F-stop, not to mention her husband held the grand prize winning raffle ticket for a 29er Giant mountain bike.
GREEN MOUNTAIN SHOWDOWN: VERMONT MOUNTAIN BIKE CULTURE from Berne Broudy on Vimeo.
The other competing photographers included Matty Lorme from Portland, Maine, Aaron Rhode from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Justin Cash of Killington, Vermont.
Justin Cash Photography – Green Mountain Showdown 2011 from StokeLab Media on Vimeo.
Aside from being a fun event, the Green Mountain Showdown proved that biking is alive and well in the Northeast. The outpouring of support from both the public and sponsors was amazing. Trapp Family Lodge proved a perfect trail-side venue and the other sponsors deserve a huge thanks, particularly Nativeyewear, Giant, PocketWizard, Darn Tough, Thule, Great Big Graphics, VMBA, and F-stop.
Aaron Rohde’s Entry for the inaugural Green Mountain Showdown Photography Competition from MTBVT on Vimeo.
Pedal power to the people!
Matthew DeLorme’s Entry for the inaugural Green Mountain Showdown Photography Competition from MTBVT on Vimeo.
