Who are some of the most important and influential people in your life and career?
Without a doubt, my parents have been the biggest supporters, without them I wouldn't have made it past my junior years. Also Steve Neal who coached me for a number of years really laid the groundwork for my fitness and got me thinking like a Pro athlete.

Do you have any hobbies outside of cycling? If so what?
In the winters, I try to get out snowshoeing, skiing both nordic and alpine. I'm also a film buff, I find that riding the rollers for countless hours in the winter lends itself to watching a lot of movies.

If you weren't a pro mountain biker, what would you be?
I'd like to think I'd be in school working towards a becoming a Doctor. But in reality I'd probably be trying to open my own shop.

Where's your favorite place to travel?
I always really enjoyed traveling to B.C. in the summers for a few weeks of racing. The weather was always amazing, and the riding in places like Fernie was awesome.

What has been your best riding experience?
I can't remember enjoying riding more than at this years Crank The Shield 3 day stage race. I did it on a two man team and it was just epic, really got me thinking more about multi day off road racing.

And the worst?
Racing while I was sick with Mono, but I didn't know it at the time. I was a first year junior and I kept having really bad races either not finishing or coming in last. I finally got myself tested. Luckily it was just Mono and after a little rest I got back into race form.

What band or song have you been listening to the most lately?
I seem to be putting a lot of Death Cab for Cutie on my MP3 player lately.

What are your biggest strengths on the bike?
I'd say I'm a pretty solid all around rider. But my biggest asset is my 12 years of racing experience, and knowing what I can do on a given day.

Do you have any advice to beginners?
Single biggest tip would be look where you want to go. If you stare at a tree or a rock, you will hit it. Other than that start slow, and the skills and fitness will follow.

Why do you ride?
That's a very tough question to answer. Everyday gives me a new and different reason to get on my bike. I think when that becomes easy to answer cycling wouldn't be exciting to me anymore.

What do you enjoy most about riding for Norco?
I'm pretty new to the team, but by first impressions I think I will enjoy the level of support and commitment Norco has for its products, employees and racers.

Key goals for 2009?
A step up onto the podium at MTB nationals tops the list, along with a top 30 performance at MTB worlds.

Sponsor Shout out:
Gotta thank Norco Performance Bikes for giving me the chance to race for them.