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Age: 32
Current Town:
Corte Madera, CA
Home Town:
Ashland, OR
Favorite Trail?
The Rabbit Hole, it’s just a short trail…maybe 1/4 mile, but you come into it so fast off Roller Coaster ridge, airborne, and then it is just a fun Mach 10 ride.
Sponsors/Supporters?
Race Face, Northwave, Canari, UVEX, www.crossfitmarin.com, GU, Magura, WTB, Can Do Kid, Aloe Up, Bungalow Munch, Roaring Mouse Cycles, Dumonde Tech, and the amazing community of Marin County. I could however use a bike sponsor hint, hint.
Favorite place to ride?
Anywhere I can! I love to ride bikes!
Favorite place to compete?
I love to race on the East Coast; the terrain is so much more tech than here in NORCAL and the people are always really nice and way fucking strange.
What sparked your interest in biking when you were young? A picture of Greg Lemond winning his first Tour De France. Just the look on his face and I knew I wanted to be a Professional bike racer.
When did you really get into biking, and what form of biking was it? I did not start to get into biking until I was 21/22’ish. It was just on a whim and my roommates pushed me at the time.
XC? Is there anything else that really wets your whistle? Which is your favorite, and why? I have really been getting into Ultra Endurance events this year…actually I have made almost a complete switch. I love how the Ultra Races involve so much more mental preparation and stamina; I guess I like to suffer a little on the bike?
Have you had any serious injuries while riding or competing? How long did it take you to get back on the saddle? I broke my Humerus (upper arm) a couple seasons ago, still need surgery on that one…and just crashed last Sunday and have a few cracked ribs, but I was training again by Monday.
Who are your favorite Riders? Julia Violich she rips harder than most Pro’s I race against. Davis Bentley, Eliel Anttila I think these kids are the future. Ernie one of these days you will be able to keep up, and I have a secret crush on Kelli Emmett, but don’t tell anybody!
What events do you plan on attending or competing in this coming season? Finish off the National Ultra Endurance series, The Baja Epic if they put it on this year, and hopefully with some good results I would like to get on the National team and race the World Marathon Championships.
What are the greatest Podiums you have won thus far in your “career”? I would have to say every time I get a call from one of the Junior Development kids I mentor telling me about his podium. Those are way more important than mine!
Is racing more mental or physical for you? Why? I would have to say mental. If my head is not in the right place my training is off, my racing is off and I just do not feel strong…but when I am on, plan on second!
Do any other sports influence your biking or style? I would have to say Surfing, you need to flow and be smooth, same thing with racing fast.
What is you big goal for this season?
Would really like to make the National Team. But more important just be consistent all year.
What do you do to occupy your time when you’re not on the bike? Is there anything else besides the bike?? Just kidding, I have been going back to school and have started to get into cooking a bit.
If you were to give one piece of advice to up-coming riders, what would it be? BE PATIENT! Take your time you have years to develop, no need to try and make it happen right away.
Everybody has a dream, what is yours? Racing as a Pro is it, I get to live my dream. I just wish more people would fight for their dreams and not try to crush someone else’s; the world would be a better place that’s for sure.
Tell us one of your favorite moments on or around a bike? Teaching and mentoring the junior kids, it is just amazing to watch them succeed.
Have you ever seen a photographer lay in Poison Oak while shooting? HA! YES! Ryan Kirk while he was shooting for this article, funniest shit I have ever seen, I think I said something like “ah Ryan I think your laying in poison oak”, what a trooper he just shrugged it off like it was part of the job.
