Monica Warnock-Moore (athlete agent) recently made contact seeking to promote one of her star riders – Without further ado, it’s time for something fresh, an interview with the trials extrodinaire himself, Mr Jeremy VanSchoonhoven! Enjoy – VS!
Name: Jeremy VanSchoonhoven
DOB: 10/04/1982
Home Town: Williams Oregon (USA)
1) What was it like growing up in a small town in Oregon?
My parents home schooled me and my brother because we were on the road a lot as kids. They bought and sold products at flea markets and swap Meets all over the USA. We had a travel trailer pulled behind a van that we took everywhere. My uncle also traveled with us. We moved to Williams Oregon around 1988 or 1989 I cant remember for sure I was just a kid then. My parents got a job working on a ranch out here and we were renting a place to stay in our trailer for a while. Around here the economy took a real dump and a lot of people lost their jobs and my parents were out of work so we ended up moving onto a friends property and got two giant tents to live in.. we did not expect to be there a long time but ended up staying for 3 years till my parents were able to find steady work again.
2) What was the first trick you learned on your bike?
The first trick I learned on my bike was popping a wheelie.
3) What was the last trick you learned on your bike?
The last trick I learned was a move I saw Danny Mackaskill do in one of his videos its a 180 bunnyhop land on backtire on the edge of whatever your jumping off and then jump off backwards and do another 180. when I saw it in his video I was really impressed and thought it would take a long time to learn but I think I got it after one or two tries! I was shocked how easy it was but how impressive it looks. Of course Danny is an awesome rider and has a very cool style of riding. I have a much different style of riding then he does so its cool to see
different things.
4) Tell us some of the experiences you have had with cycling.
At 12 years old, I entered and won my first road race. My second race was a mountain bike competition, and I placed second overall. I have also competed in Cross Country, Cycle Cross, Hill Climbing and Road racing, and won State Championships in each category, taking home over 14 trophies, and earning countless medals in several National and World Cup events. I began competing in bike trials competitions in 1996, at the age of 14. Even though road racing and trials riding have almost no similarities, I was determined to excel in both categories. In 1997 I was invited to compete in the Pro Division, becoming the youngest professional trials rider in the history of U.S. Cycling. I won the Junior National Championship and took third place in the Professional Mens National Championship in 1998-99, and went on to win 5 National Championships in 6 years. I placed 10th in the World Championship in 1999, and was the top American rider. Riding my bike has been awesome. I’ve had so many opportunities traveling the world, performing, and have have met so many great people! I have learned a lot about myself and about people in general. I cant believe a childhood activity of bike riding has taken me to so many countries, states and cities!
5) Tell us about your recent adventure in Moab, Utah…
Moab was awesome I was there filming for 4 days with Devin Graham! He is by far the most skilled film maker I have ever seen! Such an awesome guy to work with. We spent most of our time driving from location to location searching for the right places to ride with the right lighting! Devin is super critical about lighting but that is what makes him one of the best! I wish we would have had more time to film so we could have got some more epic shots. Everyone keeps comparing this video to Danny Macaskills videos and that is a big honor considering he is one of the most famous stunt bike riders ever! I am not trying to copy him or his style because its much different then what I do. Otherwise you would see a lot more spins and tricks in
my video rather than just riding. I wish people could understand the difference in our riding style and also realize that his video was filmed over 6 months not 4 days. It’s impossible to make a video that is as good as his in that amount of time. I have huge respect for him and his riding.
6) You’re agent also explained the situation with AME Grips – Care to elaborate?
I am working with AME grips to make a lock on grip that works great for trials riding. Most girps are too thick to be used and AME is the only place that I have ever seen that makes lockon grips in different sizes. You can pic how thick they are/ the only thing I want to do is change the compound a little to make them feel a bit better. I have been testing out a pair of their stock grips and they work way better then anything I have ever used before and now I can ride in the wet without worrying about my grips slipping and thats a big deal to me!
7) Any other projects you would like to talk about?
Right now I am working with Koolstop Brake pads to design some new trials brake pads for disc magura and Vbrakes. Super excited to be involved in the design and testing of these pads and hopefully this will make a big impact on how people ride in the future! Brakes are the most important part of my bike so this really is a big deal! I am going to be working on a few more videos with Devin Graham and am excited to get to go out and ride some crazy locations and be able to share this with the world! Hopefully these videos inspire other riders to follow their dreams and improve on their skills!
8) So go on, if you could invent any contraption, what would it be and why?
Thats a good question there are so many different things I would like to make but If I could only do one I think it would be a full
suspension trials bike thats light enough to do most stuff but still
strong enough to take a beating. The hard part is getting the geo
right with the suspension. I really enjoy riding my trials bike but it would be fun to have a cross breed that does more!
9) Your last video was pretty damn good – Is that the craziest location you’ve ridden?
Moab Was awesome, not sure if it was the craziest but it was my favorite place to ride! All the rocks are super grippy and there are miles and miles of good riding! I cant wait to go back again and ride some more stuff!
10) Injuries – Why not! – What’s the score?
Well until I went on americas got talent I hadnt broken any bones riding my bike but on the show I broke my elbow and also my hand. Other then that I have not had many bad injuries. sprained my ankle a few times and got stitches once from slipping of my pedals. lots of scrapes and bruises but I try not to ride things that are too hard for me to do safely and I have been lucky.
11) How did your TV appearance change your life?
Going on Americas got talent changed a lot of things for me now
walking down the street people see me and know who I am. often in the airport people come up to me and ask are you the bike guy from AGT? One of the biggest things is that when I am trying to get booked for a job people now know what trials riding is and most people have seen me on the show or know someone who does so it makes it a lot easier for booking stuff! Also it has allowed me to do some charity events that I would have never got to do without the exposure from AGT. This new video is helping me out a lot as well! I cant wait to get out and film another one bigger and better then this one.
12) Five things to do before your 30?
#1 Get a full suspinsion Trials bike setup for fun riding!
#2 Help inspire more peope to get out and enjoy the outdoors!
#3 go skydiving
#4 get a USA Tour setup so I can perform across the USA and meet my Fans!
#5 I have a Big trip I want to do on my bike but cant say what it is.
13) What’s next for you?
Going to be working with Koolstop brakes to design a new trials brake pad. Also have many shows I will be doing.
14) Any final words, shout-outs, etc?
I would really like to thank my sponsors. Bludotink.com-my custom screen printer, Odeeworld.com -my human powered outdoor activity apparel brand, AME grips-my bicycle grip supplier, Eberelstock.com-my pack and luggage supplier, Five Ten shoes-the awesome brand I wear on my feet when riding, Kool Stop brake pads-the best brake pad company around and Epona Shoes, the company that supports me at my day job! I would also like to thank my family and friends for all the support they have given me over the years!
Website: www.jeremyvanschoonhoven.com
The video…