FEBRUARY - FEATURED RIDER PROFILE

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_ Each month we try to highlight a different Company, Rider, or Videographer/Photographer from the Industry.  If you have questions you would like answered by an industry fave or maybe you would like to be featured by the DirtyWheel, contact us HERE. Now sit back and enjoy a glimpse inside the industry.

SKYE'S THE LIMIT
WE TALK ABOUT THE AIR UP THERE WITH THE NORTHWEST'S - SKYE SCHILLHAMMER


  Calling Spokane, Washington a hotbed of riding would be an understatement to those in the know.  For the uninitiated you may be scratching your head wondering, so let us fill you in.  If you need a few names of riders that frequent that Beacon Hill trail system how about: Joe Perrizo, Kyle Thomas, Mike Metzger, and our featured rider Skye Schillhammer.  At only 21 Skye has logged more air time than most riders but his head isn't in the clouds.  Sit back and enjoy the barrage of questions we threw at him.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
  I started riding mountain bikes when I was 14, but was the only rider in the small town in the NW I grew up in. When I moved to Spokane for school I joined a fun and progressive riding community that really helped me take off. When I was 18 I got on the Transition team and my riding really started to progress. I was in the racing scene for a few years but left that to ride more dirt jump/slope style and freeride stuff. I really like the relaxed vibe around this riding and I find going big more fun than going fast. I have competed in a few events over the last two years but I’m hoping to get into many more this upcoming year.

2. When did you first realize that biking would become more than just a hobby for you?
 My first photo shoot ever was in the snow in 2008 and one of the pics ended up getting POD on Pinkbike.com. This was amazing for me because thousands of people were viewing and commenting on the picture and it really got me excited. This feeling has kept me pushing harder and harder.

3. Pizza or Sushi?  M&M’s or Skittles?
  Pizza for sure, it has everything a balanced meal should have! Haha. M&M’s definitely, love the chocolate.

4. What do you consider your greatest MTB accomplishment?
  I think my greatest accomplishment has been my presence in the online video scene. I started filming with Steve Tenuto in 2008 and since then have produced many high quality edits that all have been viral around the biking interweb. These videos have made me a known rider throughout the U.S. and Canada.

5. You just were kidnapped by a traveling circus and forced into the show.  What is your stage name and what is your act?
... Nervous fidgeting ...

6. O.k.  Next question ... Other than riding, what do you do to contribute to the riding community?
  Lately I have been doing an immense amount of building at the local hill here in Spokane. We received a grant that allowed us to rent an excavator for a month and build some really awesome trails. I was one of the lead builders of the freeride and dirt jump trails we built. The first trail we worked on was an “A-line” style trail with big berms, table tops, and overall very flowy. This one took a ton of work but has definitely paid off. I can blast the trail top to bottom with my eyes watering while a beginner can make his/her way down learning the basics of aggressive riding. All on the same trail. So far the feed-back has been very positive and we hope to get more money in the spring to keep building.  
                   (The video below shows some of the sweat he contributes to his local trails)

BEACON HILL: NEW TRAILS

Puttin in Work
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7. If you could spend one day riding anywhere in the world, with anyone you wanted, what would you choose?
   This is a tough question, I have ridden so many great places with so many great people! That is one thing I love so much about riding, it has taken me all over and has lead me to some really great friends, and even my girlfriend! But one place I always love going is in Leavenworth, WA. It really feels like your out in the middle of no-where. You can barely see any roads, you definitely can’t hear any cars, and only a few riders know of the amazing trails. It has a very surreal vibe yet your blasting down sandy faces and sending 40ft gaps.

8. We always have to ask anyone that goes big … Born with Balls of Steel or too few Marbles in your bucket?
  I would say born with brains of steel. I’m not really a “hucker” who just sends anything I see. I usually think most big hits out really well before giving them a go. I like to visualize it happening from a first person point of view. This makes it feel like I’ve already done it before I have even dropped in. Confidence is key when going big so if you get yourself mentally to be 100% it will probably go well.

9. O.K. easy question here ... Plain and simple what is your favorite trick?
  My favorite trick seems to change pretty often. Usually it's whatever new trick I have just learned so I'm trying to do it on every jump. I just started getting my dump 3s down and I'm pretty stoked to start spinning them for cameras and judges. A dump 3 feels intensely different then a normal spin. It almost feels like a flip but instead of looking back off the lip you look down and to the side. Also, there is way less room for error when you are mixing two axis of rotation so it gains some tech points. With all that said, my favorite trick of all time has to be a huge table. From when I was a young kid watching guys like Thomas Vanderham and Matt Hunter hit huge gaps and crank tables on DH bikes I have always loved doing them. It's a timeless trick, that every biker likes to see and tries to perfect. No matter how many flips and tailwhips someone can do, a table will still be sick.

10. There are stories of you riding without gloves and paying the consequences?  Do you still ride glove-less?  And if so why?
  Oh yeah I have tried many times to switch back to wearing gloves but still can’t do it. That extra material between your hand and the bike makes me feel like I don’t have complete control. Also, with some tricks, like shoulder buzzers, your hand rotates all the way around your bar and the gloves catch on the grips. Luckily my hands rarely get cold, even in winter riding so it works out for me. Unfortunately on occasion my hands take a beating. One instance in particular, I washed out on a high-speed berm and took off about half the skin on my palm. To make it worse I had a Whistler trip planned for the following week! So I don’t always win with this preference.

11. What are your goals for 2012? Any specific events you are attending?
   One of my biggest goals is to get to more events. Some big ones I’m going for are Ranchstyle, Crankworx Colorado, Goatstyle, and some others as well. Also, I’m working with one of my sponsors, Division26 Clothing, on designing a new product for the mtb world so I’m really pumped to get that out there and help make it big. That’s as much as I can tell you about that right now though! I’ll make sure to let you guys know when it’s public.

12. Give us your best advice for someone just learning to jump?
  Jumping is just like learning anything else, you have to start simple and work up at your own pace. But first of all, make sure you have a bike that will help you along with the process, I’d recommend a Transition, because learning on a cross-country bike or other non-suited bike will make the whole process harder. Then go out and build something small enough not to scare you and go for it!
_CHECK OUT A SLIDESHOW OF SKYE SCHILLHAMMER BELOW
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  One thing that is imperative for the success of our sport, is the support of our young riders.  We want to thank the following companies that sponsor Skye Schillhammer and other riders all over the world.  Skye Schillhammer is sponsored by:

Thanks and Photo Credit : Josh Tofsrud, Chad Nelson, Blake Sommers

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