Post by Andrew on Apr 9, 2008 17:38:28 GMT
OK, I just got this off Ross Milan, he rules! Cheer for him at the world cups!
1) OK, we know your Name and where you work, tell us what makes you get up in the morning?
"Living the Dream", riding my bike is my favorite thing to do and is the first thing I want to do when I wake up - hit the cool morning Colorado air and ride.
2) Racing and working at Yeti must be a real sweet deal, how long have you ridden with Yeti? and how long have you worked there?
Started working at YETI in 2005, it is sweet - we all love the group rides at lunch every day. Been racing for them since 2001. I started on the RPM YETI team, it is a development program for riders to earn their way onto the factory and global teams.
3) Whats it like working at the Yeti factory? Laid back? hard work?
The factory is always busy, but everybody is dedicated and works hard. We know we can play hard too since YETI promotes the lifestyle that we all love. The bike allows you to keep fit, to have fun, and to escape...to push yourself mentally and physically and bond with those that share the passion.
4) How long have you been racing bikes? what was your first race, and on what bike?
I have been racing since 1986, I started BMX when I was 7 years old. I had a Raleigh that I got for my 6th birthday, and raced for the first time at a local track at the fairgounds. Won my first national race in my first year. Our family spent every weekend going on the racing circuit of 5 tracks and went to at least one national race every month. We spend every Thanksgiving in Oklahoma City at the Grand Nationals. Great childhood!
5) I see that this year (08) you are racing the World Cups, will it be your first full world cup season?
. Yes, my first full season. I did a few World Cup races the last couple of years, went to Angle Fire, New Mexico, and Mt. St. Anne, Canada and then two years doing the World Championships. The first was in LesGets, France and last year in Fort William, Scotland. It was a rush to be selected to race and get an invitation from the US Olympic Committee to ride for the United States...but it is so incredible to do this full time now for YETI.
6) Traveling round with the team, you must have some funny/interesting stories can you share any with us?
. The travel is great and pretty normal - the usual for a gruoup of guys; always have fun and laugh constantly...a few panks now and then, but of course all innocent. The bar is raised when you have serious athletes, we balance the fun, but stick to the program.
The only funny story I have really wasn't funny to me at all, I can only laugh now...years later. I had a big national race in Utah and missed my plane. I knew I was dead, my imagination took over and I thought I would lose my ride and all sorts of horrible things would happen. I called my Dad, he took off work, picked me up at the airport and we drove straight through all night to Utah. We arived on time and no one ever knew I missed the plane!
7) You must have a whole pile of bikes, which ones do you always seem to end up riding ?
I have 15 bikes in my garage now - I am trying to have one of every bike YETI makes in my collection. I still have the first bike I ever owned and a Harley Davidson motorcycle for when my legs are too tired to peddle. The best thing about having so many bikes is that I can choose whatever meets the mood. At the moment, I have been riding my cross country bike the most, depending on where I am riding. I have an ASR and the 575...sweet.
8) Where was the last place you rode and when?
Today, I did a morning road ride, a 30 mile loop in the foothills in Colorado. I just got back from a 2 hour ride at the pump track. The power hour daily for me is in the evening just before dusk, during that last hour of light I ride at the BMX track.
9) Whats your favorite place to ride?
. A favorite for every mood, but two main favorites, dirt jumping at Lake Arbor, in the local neighborhood. The jumps were built in the 70"s by the local kids and it gets better every year. Next is riding cross country at Apex, an area of trails in Golden, Colorado near the YETI factory. Both places are totally Colorado...scenic beyond words.
10) Have you got any MTBing hero's?
When I was starting out in BMX, I raced wiwth the Houseman brothers, got to watch Eric Carter and Brian Lopes who were legends in BMX. When I heard they all went to Mountain Bike racing, I wanted to get involved again. Now I get to race with them and want to follow in their footsteps.
11) Here's the bit where you can get your free plug!- anybody you'd like to thank?
. First I want to thank you Andrew for all the support that you give to YETI through your website. Chris Conroy and Steve Hoogendoorn are the owners of YETI - they gave me this chance to do what I love and I am very dedicated to them for that and for giving me a place to work to support my racing habit. Next on the list is Keith Darner, he runs the RPM team and has aleays been behind me, as my trainer, coach, and firend. One must never forget to thank Mom and Dad - they have driven thousands of miles and spent thousands of dollars to get me ready to Dominate in '08! I have great sponsors that always help make champions [Smith Optics, Fox Racing Shocks, 66l and NEMA]. I have to end with a Thank You to all the people that come out to the races and cheer us on, it is amazing how race fans make a good race great !
1) OK, we know your Name and where you work, tell us what makes you get up in the morning?
"Living the Dream", riding my bike is my favorite thing to do and is the first thing I want to do when I wake up - hit the cool morning Colorado air and ride.
2) Racing and working at Yeti must be a real sweet deal, how long have you ridden with Yeti? and how long have you worked there?
Started working at YETI in 2005, it is sweet - we all love the group rides at lunch every day. Been racing for them since 2001. I started on the RPM YETI team, it is a development program for riders to earn their way onto the factory and global teams.
3) Whats it like working at the Yeti factory? Laid back? hard work?
The factory is always busy, but everybody is dedicated and works hard. We know we can play hard too since YETI promotes the lifestyle that we all love. The bike allows you to keep fit, to have fun, and to escape...to push yourself mentally and physically and bond with those that share the passion.
4) How long have you been racing bikes? what was your first race, and on what bike?
I have been racing since 1986, I started BMX when I was 7 years old. I had a Raleigh that I got for my 6th birthday, and raced for the first time at a local track at the fairgounds. Won my first national race in my first year. Our family spent every weekend going on the racing circuit of 5 tracks and went to at least one national race every month. We spend every Thanksgiving in Oklahoma City at the Grand Nationals. Great childhood!
5) I see that this year (08) you are racing the World Cups, will it be your first full world cup season?
. Yes, my first full season. I did a few World Cup races the last couple of years, went to Angle Fire, New Mexico, and Mt. St. Anne, Canada and then two years doing the World Championships. The first was in LesGets, France and last year in Fort William, Scotland. It was a rush to be selected to race and get an invitation from the US Olympic Committee to ride for the United States...but it is so incredible to do this full time now for YETI.
6) Traveling round with the team, you must have some funny/interesting stories can you share any with us?
. The travel is great and pretty normal - the usual for a gruoup of guys; always have fun and laugh constantly...a few panks now and then, but of course all innocent. The bar is raised when you have serious athletes, we balance the fun, but stick to the program.
The only funny story I have really wasn't funny to me at all, I can only laugh now...years later. I had a big national race in Utah and missed my plane. I knew I was dead, my imagination took over and I thought I would lose my ride and all sorts of horrible things would happen. I called my Dad, he took off work, picked me up at the airport and we drove straight through all night to Utah. We arived on time and no one ever knew I missed the plane!
7) You must have a whole pile of bikes, which ones do you always seem to end up riding ?
I have 15 bikes in my garage now - I am trying to have one of every bike YETI makes in my collection. I still have the first bike I ever owned and a Harley Davidson motorcycle for when my legs are too tired to peddle. The best thing about having so many bikes is that I can choose whatever meets the mood. At the moment, I have been riding my cross country bike the most, depending on where I am riding. I have an ASR and the 575...sweet.
8) Where was the last place you rode and when?
Today, I did a morning road ride, a 30 mile loop in the foothills in Colorado. I just got back from a 2 hour ride at the pump track. The power hour daily for me is in the evening just before dusk, during that last hour of light I ride at the BMX track.
9) Whats your favorite place to ride?
. A favorite for every mood, but two main favorites, dirt jumping at Lake Arbor, in the local neighborhood. The jumps were built in the 70"s by the local kids and it gets better every year. Next is riding cross country at Apex, an area of trails in Golden, Colorado near the YETI factory. Both places are totally Colorado...scenic beyond words.
10) Have you got any MTBing hero's?
When I was starting out in BMX, I raced wiwth the Houseman brothers, got to watch Eric Carter and Brian Lopes who were legends in BMX. When I heard they all went to Mountain Bike racing, I wanted to get involved again. Now I get to race with them and want to follow in their footsteps.
11) Here's the bit where you can get your free plug!- anybody you'd like to thank?
. First I want to thank you Andrew for all the support that you give to YETI through your website. Chris Conroy and Steve Hoogendoorn are the owners of YETI - they gave me this chance to do what I love and I am very dedicated to them for that and for giving me a place to work to support my racing habit. Next on the list is Keith Darner, he runs the RPM team and has aleays been behind me, as my trainer, coach, and firend. One must never forget to thank Mom and Dad - they have driven thousands of miles and spent thousands of dollars to get me ready to Dominate in '08! I have great sponsors that always help make champions [Smith Optics, Fox Racing Shocks, 66l and NEMA]. I have to end with a Thank You to all the people that come out to the races and cheer us on, it is amazing how race fans make a good race great !