Interview with Josh Bender-one of the founding fathers of free-ride mountain biking.
Free-ride mountain biking is probably the biggest reason for the catch phrase “extreme” in sports. An offshoot of mountain biking, the main components of free-riding are going off-trail, finding natural, big features – like cliffs – and jumping off of them. Josh Bender got our attention in the early 2000s, being featured in both Double Down and New World Disorder. His penchant for hucking off of tall cliffts on a mountain bike, made him the appropriate addition to these gritty free-ride movies. Bender was one of the first mountain bikers to take the mountain bike to its limits, competing in the now infamous Red Bull Rampages. Bender’s crashes are famous because of the carnage, but also because of the huge drops he attempted. I caught up with Bender after he jumped a 25-foot gap in Boulder City, Nev., on a 29er – a mountain bike with 29″ wheels.
Tell me a bit about yourself, how long have you been riding, where’s your hometown, how did you get into free-riding?
I’ve always ridden, and never had a coach. I rode with my brother, came out of Nowhere, Alaska, just like the whole genre of free riders seem to be. Free-riding is spontaneous, and you don’t need much to enjoy this aspect of mountain biking, so it was, and is, a natural progression for a lot of athletes like me who just want to ride.
What do you say to those who say you crash a lot?
When you go beyond your equipment’s ability, stuff’s gonna happen. I’m Bender, not broken.
How long did it take you to recover from breaking your back?
Six months, then some folks wanted footage of me going big, so I came back down to the states. I’d probably be working a regular 9-5 job if it wasn’t for that.
How do you pay your medical bills?
Insurance, and hard work.
Any advice for those recently broken?
Life’s too short to not go big.
How has the free-ride movement helped your evolution as an individual?
I’m still evolving, still walking, still shredding; still goin’ for it.
What do you think your contribution to free-riding has been?
The Bender Step-down in Jacksonville, Ore.. People had set limits for what was being done on bikes, and I was looking for sponsors, but nobody wanted a piece of the action. So I took matters into my own hands. That was when my friend, Simeon Schatz, who shot photos of me back in the day, contacted Thor Wixom, and the rest is history. The Bender Step-down was the first mountain bike jump with a solid 30-35 foot vertical cliff face. Of course I have gone further since then, but that was a big step back then, a true measure in terms of new limits being set.
Have you been afraid before attempting any of these jumps?
Yes, Bender has felt fear! Everything has got to be perfect or damn close. A small mistake and there are big consequences.
What’s the significance of the Jah Drop?
Nothing significant about it, I just did it a lot. The jump in Kamloops was bigger, but hasn’t gotten as much air time.
What’s the significance of this recent jump?
The significance is that I hucked a 29er in Boulder City-you can still send it on a 29er-give those 26ers something to worry about. This was a 25-foot cliff I jumped off of, and landed safely.
What are your goals for 2012?
Wherever Lucy’s (his van) parked, that’s where I’m at.
Anything you’d like to see happen in the cycling industry?
Just the continued progression of the sport, with the kids taking it further.
Advice for novices lookin’ to take it up a notch?
You’re safer in the air.
Also, I never sought the lime light. My older brother told me, don’t worry about sponsors, just keep doing what you’re doing-going big-and they’ll come to you.
Anything you’d like to add?
Nope.
