What’s the best advice that you’ve ever been given?
You only get one shot; better make it a good one.
You’ve travelled the world with your mountain bike, where’s your favourite place to ride?I love the riding in Peru, Colorado, Utah, Switzerland and Iceland. But the first place award, and my heart, belong to British Columbia.
Where have you not been yet and long to check out and ride?I haven’t ridden in South Africa, but after seeing the video of that dude getting smoked by the Hartebeest I would sure like to go there! Also New Zealand has been calling my name for a while but I’m planning a trip there very soon.
Who’s your favourite person to ride with?My friend Rob. We don’t get to ride together much anymore since he moved away. When we ride it’s always just like old times.
What’s the most important riding skill to have?The best riding skill to have is what I call emergency procedures; what to do when things go wrong…because they eventually will. Knowing how your bike will react in different situations. The only way to practice this is with riding experience. The new bikes are easy to go fast but it’s what you do when things go wrong that counts.
What’s it like to hit a really big air for the first time?When I hit a big jump for the first time I get into this crazy zone, I get super intense. You are not able to test these big lines, you have to just do it. In my mind I ask myself what could happen here to cause me to fail, what are the consequences. But then you have to forget this once you’ve decided to do it. It’s a matter of feeling confident and then going for it.
It sounds like the mental game is huge in big mountain riding.Focus is so important in all types riding. When your ability level meets a challenge it comes down to talking yourself into something versus talking yourself out of it. To know what you are looking at and say ‘I can do that’ or no, ‘I can’t’.
What’s your background with bikes?I have always ridden mountain bikes.
Do you have a favourite movie segment?Simmons’ segment in Shift with the song Rocket Man by band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is my favourite film segment of all time. It’s actually a tie with Shandro and Watson riding Utah in Ride to the Hills. These segments changed my life. Seriously.
What rider do you respect most?Graham Agassiz is loose and has so much natural jumping ability, while Thomas Vanderham has great style that’s really calculated. Overall the most amazing rider that I’ve followed is Brendan Fairclough…it’s like he’s playing a video game, it’s so nuts.
How would you describe your riding style?Unpolished, kinda sketchy, semi–calculated, super fun.
What advice would you give someone who wants to become a sponsored rider?Ride for the enjoyment of riding and be genuine. Make sure that you are doing what you want to do. Good things come to those who are being natural. Magic happens.
What are you working on riding–wise?I’ve been shaving milliseconds off my time every lap at the local track. Ummm kidding.>>
