NAME: Carson Storch AGE: 18
HOME TOWN: Bend, OR CURRENT TOWN: Bend, OR
FAVORITE BEER: Mr. Keith Stone
FAVORITE BAND/ARTIST:
Rick Ross… to Ted Nugent. I like it all!
FAVORITE PLACE TO COMPETE?
Jamie Goldman’s backyard for sure!
FAVORITE TRAIL?
I love many trails, but my top three would be: Post Office, anything in Whistler, and the Bend slalom. I love flow.
FAVORITE RIDING DESTINATION?
Trails in Santa Cruz, Bend, Hood River, and Canada.
SPONSORS/SUPPORTERS?
GoPro, Marzocchi, Shimano, Intense Cycles, Bend Cyclery, AllRide Tour, Smith Optics, Quintin Co., Five Ten Shoes, Gamut USA, and Republik.
WHICH RIDERS INSPIRE YOU? Brandon Semenuk, Jamie Goldman, Brendan Fairclough, et cetera.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN BIKING? I used to race moto as a kid, and mountain biking seemed like a safer alternative to my parents.
WHEN DID YOU GET SERIOUS ABOUT BIKING AND WHAT STYLE DID YOU COMMIT TO? It was not until recently that I actually got serious about biking. Now that I have real sponsors, and real motivation to succeed, it has really pushed me to get more serious about riding bikes and actually pursue a career out of it on top of my passion for it.
WHAT IS THE MOST SERIOUS INJURY YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED WHILE RIDING? HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO GET BACK ON THE SADDLE? My most serious injury was when I shattered my collarbone on the Redbull Joyride course this past summer. I had to get surgery, and they put in a seven-inch plate, and eight screws. My bone is healed, and I have been riding but it will be sometime before it is 100 percent again. Definitely another one to mention was when my fork snapped at the 2010 Windells slopestyle. I scorpioned so bad that my feet touched beyond my head and I was knocked out for around four minutes. I got a pretty serious concussion.
WHAT EVENTS DO YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING OR COMPETING IN THIS COMING SEASON? I plan on entering as many FMB World Tour events as I can. As well as Jamie Goldman’s Upside Down and Underground Invitational 2012, AT’s Showdown, and any other fun contests that come up!
WHAT ARE THE GREATEST PODIUMS YOU HAVE WON THUS FAR IN YOUR CAREER? I haven’t had any podiums in major events, but I got top ten in almost every event I entered this year, and had fun doing it.
DO ANY OTHER HOBBIES INFLUENCE YOUR BIKING OR STYLE? Snowboarding heavily influences my style on a bike. Whether it’s how I spin, which direction I spin, or the way I maneuver my bike riding DH, I feel snowboarding’s influence. My muscle memory from moto definitely influences the way I ride DH and race.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST AMBITIOUS GOAL FOR THE SEASON? To be as solid and stylish in contests as possible while still learning some big tricks.
WHAT OCCUPIES YOUR TIME WHEN YOU’RE OFF THE BIKE? Work, college, snowboarding, rallying, riding mini-motos, the lake, bowling, friends, girls, partying and anything fun.
WHAT DO YOU TELL NEW RIDERS THAT WANT TO MAKE A CAREER OUT OF BIKING? Never lose your love for the sport. Always have fun with it no matter what.
WHAT IS THE BEST MEMORY FROM YOUR CYCLING CAREER? There are way too many to name. But any memory involving Austin Aldrich from AllRide.
WHAT IS THE WORST GAPER STORY YOU’VE HAD?
Riding A-Line with Gunnar Oliphant. [Laughs]
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR ASSOCIATED WITH BIKING?
Ever since my fork snapped, that is one huge fear of mine.
DOES RIDING PROFESSIONALLY TAKE SOME OF THE FUN OUT OF BIKING?
First off, I don’t really consider myself a professional rider. I believe I am getting there, and that’s what riding is all about: progression.I will always have fun riding bikes. Most everyone I ride and compete with is doing it for the fun and love of the sport. To answer the question: No.
WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING FOR A CAREER IF BIKING WASN’T AN OPTION?
Biking is definitely my passion, but I would still ride my bike and snowboard no matter what career options were available to me. But I’d probably building motorhomes for my dad’s company.
HOW DOES CREATIVITY PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR RIDING STYLE? Creativity plays the biggest role in my riding style. If there is no imagination and creativity influencing your riding, then what does riding mean?
All Photos shot by Tyler Roemer.
