05/17/2008

Bros Not Pros Rupert Walker

Rupert Walker is one of many young up and comers on the Shore showing those of us who still remember what lycra feels like how it's done. In any sport it is often the new blood that does the most to stimulate progression. At 14 years old, Rupert could very well be one of the "groms" who will be showing us all a whole new realm of two-wheeled magic in the next few years. Read on to find out a little bit more about Rupert.

NSMB: Start with the vitals. Name, age, hometown, job/school...

RW: My name is Rupert walker, I am 14 years old and I live in Coquitlam B.C. I am a grade 9 student at Charles Best Secondary.

NSMB: Where do you ride?

RW: I like to ride all the mountains on the North Shore and I like riding the woodlot.

NSMB: How long have you been riding? First bike?

RW: I have been riding for about 4 years. My first bike was a 10" Norco mini Shogun.

NSMB: What do you ride now?

RW: Right now I am riding a size small Norco 4x4 with 24" Alex rims, Hayes hydraulic f/r and 2.6 tires.

NSMB: What is your favourite style of riding?

RW: I really like riding fast and flowy stuff, like A-line on Whistler.

NSMB: Strengths/weaknesses on the bike?

RW: I have really good balance, but I need to work on my tricks.

NSMB: What trick(s) are you working on to add to your arsenal? RW: Table-top one-footer. NSMB: Who do you look up to/respect in the riding community? RW: I respect a lot of riders, but I really respect Ian Moult because I've ridden with him a bunch of times and he's a really nice guy to be around.

NSMB: Who rides in your crew?

RW: I like riding with Adam Church, Shane Mannery and Keelan Watkins. I also like to ride with Ian Moult on the weekends.

NSMB: What is your favourite trail/style of trail?

RW: My favorite trails are Ladies Only, Lower Ladies and Groovula.

NSMB: What is your ultimate riding destination?

RW: I really want to go to Williams Lake.

NSMB: Do you participate in trail days?

RW: I haven't gone to one yet but I want to go to the next one (props to the guys who worked on Pingu ).

NSMB: What parts on your bike do you seem to break the most?

RW: I don't really have trouble with anything anymore but I always used to go through rims in no time.

NSMB: Who maintains your bike?

RW: I mostly maintain my bike, but often my Dad (Mark Walker publishes Elements Magazine) or Peter Stace-Smith (Norco) will take a look at it.

NSMB: Do you have any sponsors? RW: No I don't have a sponsor, but it would be nice to have one. NSMB: Do you race, have you raced, or do you plan to in the future? RW: Yah I've raced at the Bear Mountain down hills and I came 2nd in the Indoor North Shore. NSMB: What goals do you have as a rider one year from now? Five years from now? RW: I only really have one goal and that is to just keep practicing and becoming a better rider.

On the Wild Side

NSMB: Favourite mountain bike movie, and why?

RW: Superheros 2, they're crazy.

NSMB: If you could spend a day riding with anybody, who would it be?

RW: I'd like to ride with Gareth Dyer.

NSMB: Scariest thing you ever did on a bike?

RW: The scariest thing I ever rode would be the rock faces on wood lot gold.

NSMB: Worst crash?

RW: I scratched half my face. I couldn't eat.

NSMB: What was your worst injury ever?

RW: I haven't had any bad injuries yet, but I will.

NSMB: What would you like to change about the mountain bike industry?

RW: I think that parts and bikes are becoming too expensive.

Keep an eye out for Rupert on the trails in the next few years. You might have to look up, way way up, to find him though.