Interview

What bike do you ride?

I ride a Simtra ST-1, with Hope 2007 Trials Discs front and rear. I got a little fed up with Hope Pro II hubs failing on me (although I think that might have been a problem with the flexible rear ends on the KOT MS2) so I'm running a DMR Revolver on the rear with a screw on 18T Tensile freewheel.

With a 20T on the front that gives me a fairly loose gear. I'm running Revell rims front and rear, with a Hope Pro II on the front.

I use Middleburn cranks, Zoo! Bars, Simtra stem, Echo Headset and a Rohloff Tensioner. I run a KMC Kool Chain.

Describe your bike setup.

I ride a pretty spinny gear ratio, although not quite as loose as the 22/21 I used to run. I'm using the standard Hope rotors and pads, and never had a problem.

I have always kept my tyres pretty hard although I have been finding myself running them lower recently. I don't like to puncture, and I also don't like to rely on the bounce of my tyres to make a move.

I tend to do quite a few spinning moves too - which you can't do if the tyres are squirming underneath you.

I like my levers pulling quite close towards the handle bars. I think it's because my hands are pretty knackered from riding so many years.

What is your favourite move?

I guess static 360 dismounts are my favourites. They involve a lot of sudden spring, which is a great feeling. Not only that, but they look great!

Who has influenced your riding the most?

I guess I'm influenced by everyone I ride with, and every video I watch. Although sometimes it's great to watch people like Damon Watson for pure technique analysis, I much prefer watching the likes of Ryan Leech or Danny McAskill. They come up with some really unique lines that get me thinking.

How would define your riding style?

I think most people say I have quite an "Old Skool" style - partly because I'm not obsessed with measuring inches on a wall.

When I'm practising, I am to get my riding as smooth as possible. I also try and keep things moving. Trials can be quite boring to watch when someone's hopping on the back wheel for 20 seconds before they do anything.

What first got you into trials?

When I was 13 or 14, I saw Darren Hill (one of our team riders) on a Reece cross country bike, hopping on the back wheel before dropping off a 1ft high wall. Before I knew it, Darren took me under his wing and introduced me to the sport.

How often do you go riding?

I try and ride two or three times a week. I try and read my body, if I really want to go riding - I'll go. But forcing yourself can be counter productive. I often find my best riding comes after a short rest of a couple of weeks.

Does bad weather put you off?

Obviously bad weather isn't the best time to go riding - partly because there is a much higher chance of tyres slipping. However, I don't mind a bit of a wet weather ride, I just practice different things!

Have you had any major injuries?

When I was 15, I took a chip out of a vertebrae in my spine. That was fairly painless.

About 2 years ago, I fell backwards off a bin and landed all my weight on a metal bollard, in the centre of my spine. That was not only painful, but incredibly scary as I thought I'd done something really bad. I get recurring problems in my back now in that area that osteopaths don't seem to be able to fix.

I've torn ligaments in both ankles, as well as minor fractures and tendon issues.

Possibly one of the most painful injuries, was when I was hopping across some bollards and the wheel slipped out. I landed all my weight on my left buttock, on the very corner of the square bollard. It ended up exploding in to an amazingly big black bruise. And then four days later I had a 17 hour flight to Taiwan!

Where do you see your riding going?

I'm not going anywhere soon, and I intend on building on what I already have.

Have you got any random tips or advice for new trials riders?

The grass is always greener on the other side.