Bros Not Pros Justin Tilston
Kicking Ass
Photos by Haruki
It is big, yellow and loves to catch air. If you have been up
in Whistler anytime through the summer you will know what I am talking about.
I saw it screaming down A-Line (a black diamond run) dirt flying, suspension
pounding and a sweaty pilot charging at mach 1 off a rather large kicker then
disappearing into the trees. I pursued but it was hopeless. Maybe, I thought,
I will catch up to him in the line up at the bottom. Fortunately I did.
His name is Justin Tilson and he is the pilot of a high performance,
totally tricked out wheel chair. Some people may say he is disabled - wrong.
His legs don't work but besides that he is one of the most able people I have
met.
NSMB - We need a bit of history here. Have you always been
in a wheel chair?
Justin -No, I've been pushing for about 4 and half years now.
I overshot a tabletop on my mountain bike in May of 1997, came down on my
chest and crushed my spinal cord.
NSMB -What do you call this machine? Big and yellow it must
have a nick name.
Justin -Well it was named the Stinger before we adopted each
other. Sorry, no story there.
NSMB -The machine is very kick ass. Who made it and how
much did it cost?
Justin -Kick ass indeed, usually mine though. My very best friend
Ivan Samila, a fabricator demi-god in Toronto made it about five or six years
ago. He has made all my toys to keep me going year round. I am forever grateful
for his tireless support. Cost: Priceless.
NSMB -You ride at quite a high level. How long has it taken
to get to there?
Justin -Total days in the chair over the last four years only
about 20. My summers up till this year have been in school and not close to
any mountains so this is the first time I have been able to ride semi-regularly
since my incident with gravity. I lived for biking and boarding since I was
about 13 in Ontario though. That has helped me tremendously.
NSMB -Do you ride for anyone?
Justin -My tireless sponsors: Norco, Axo, Spy, Marzocchi, Avro
Rims, Magura, Intense Tires. Toby's Cycle and numerous individuals help keeping
me going though the season though. Still working on the elusive fat corporate
sponsorship deal though.
NSMB -I have seen 2 wheelchairs up here (Whistler) on a semi
regular basis. Are there other resort areas that allow you guys to partake
in the sport and how is the Whistler Bike Zone for chairs?
Justin -Most resorts that run their lifts for bikes are usually
pretty game. Everyone is usually so stoked and supportive to see us out. Whistler
Bike Zone is sooooo rad. Most of my riding years where in Ontario so the elevation
here is pure ecstasy. The terrain is challenging yet pretty safe and super
fun. It has been my favorite place to ride. I have never had access to such
perfect jumps to learn to fly again.
NSMB -For others out there who are in chairs, do you recommend
this sport and how would they get involved?
Justin -My Stinger has been an essential component for helping
me feel like me again despite the spinal cord injury. So yes I would recommend
it but unfortunately getting one is nearly impossible. Even if you can, they
require incredible financial and technical resources to keep them running.
I am fortunate to have many sponsors and supporters throughout the bike industry
from years of owning a shop in Ontario. My persistence and their continued
support keep my riding a possibility. Getting involved could be a reality
in the not too distant future though as a local organization, the Canadian
Federation for the disabled is trying to get some chairs manufactured locally
so more people can get involved.
You can find me at www.justintilson.com
NSMB -Any mentors or people out there that you would like
to give props to?
Justin -Robin, Eric, Juga and Toby have all contributed their
talents to fabricate the parts to I needed to make this my best season ever!
I can't thank you enough.
I would like to give 2 thumbs up to Justin, a daring and
charismatic individual. Remember it is not what you ride - it's that you ride
COuch out
