Interview: Brett Rheeder

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There was no better time than right now to go ahead and ask Brett a couple questions. After recently changing bike sponsors, the Ontarian slopestyle rider didn't waste no time to get on almost every podium of the FMB tour. Hit the Read More link to find out more about the young athlete and what he's been up to lately.

Above photo by Derek Dix

Name: Brett Rheeder
Date of birth: Feb 16, 1993
Hometown: Mount Albert, Ontario
Current location: On a plane to Toronto
Years riding: Since I was a little boy!
Sponsors: Trek, Shimano, Fox Head, Smith Optics and Chromag

Q: Let's start with a little introduction. Who are you, where are you from and what are you about?
A: I'm a 19 year old kid from Mount Albert, Ontario, and I ride bikes every day.

Q: What are your bike setups at the moment? I'm guessing both your bikes must be pretty similar aside from the rear suspension?
A: Yes, my slopestyle bike rides/ handles/ feels the exact same as my hardtail with the nice rear suspension when I need it for the bigger stuff. My Hardtail is built up single speed with a rear brake and 100mm of travel in the front. The slope bike is set up with gears, front and rear brake and 100mm or travel front and rear.

Q: How did the idea of building your own slopestyle course in your background came to life?
A: In 2009 when we moved in to our house in Mount Albert, I thought that If I wanted to ride my bike for a living I should probably build a course of my own... So shortly after some drawings and sketches the course was built.

Brett's backyard 2 years ago

Q: After riding for Norco for quite a long time, what made you switch to Trek?
A: At the end of last season I had the option to stay with norco or to jump on board with the Trek C3 team, So I did what was best for myself!

Q: Since you recently started to ride for Trek, you've been doing really good at contests. You've placed second at both Jumpship, Claymore Challenge and Bearclaw invitational, right behind Brandon Semenuk, one of the best riders on the slopestyle circuit for many years now. How do you feel about that?
A: It is still pretty sureal to me! I mean ever since I was young I would watch Brandon's web videos and follow him when he rode contests. And now being with him up on the podium is really a dream.

Q: How do you manage to ride during winter? Do you ride any other places aside from Joyride150?
A: Well seeing as Joyride is only a 30 minuite drive from my house, I try to go every single day. But I do always have a trip to California usually, and maybe a trip to Rays or Woodward East?

Q: Since Joyride 150 opened its doors, it is obvious that a lot of riders from ontario blew up. How did it put Ontario on the map?
A: Joyride 150 is a place where anyone can go to ride, train, or just have fun... From 4 year old kids just learning how to ride, to the worlds best athletes like Drew Bezanson and up and comers like Ben Kavanagh. Its the place to be.

Q: Do you get injured a lot while riding? What's your worst injury so far?
A: Ive been pretty good with not falling this past season, and when you ride your bike so much you kinda learn how to fall in ways that you can avoid getting hurt... If you fall. Ive had a few concussions now, and I think that its the worst kind of Injury. Bones can heal, your brain can only be hit so many times... (knock on wood)

Q: What is the scariest thing you've ever done on a bike?
A: Hitting the Monster drop in Crankworx 2010

Q: Is there a trick you've always tried to figure out but just never worked for you?
A: Corked 720

Q: Any other hobbies aside from biking?
A: At the moment no, just contest after contest after contest. I enjoy snowmobiling in the winter time, but I do enjoy spending lots of time on my bike all year round.

Photo by Ian Highlands

Q: What is the best place you've visited?
A: Leogang, Austria. Coolest mountains and medows.

Q: If you were given unlimited budget to go film a videopart, what would you do?
A: I'd love to build a course on a really nice sloped piece of property with scaterd trees and a lake right infront of the course. Maybe have the course end on a dock? In the course I would have a loop for sure though.

Q: 2012 is already a good year for you. What are your plans for the rest of the season?
A: everything has been going well, just finished up at Colorado Freeride Festival last weekend and now next weekend will be the Bearclaw Invitational. Two weeks after that will be Redbull Joyride in Whistler and in October will be Redbull Rampage!

Photo by Adam Laycock

Q: What do you have in mind for the next five years?
A: In the next five years I hope to be doing exactly what im doing now. And that is just to ride all the events, do video parts, work with sponsors, and more.

Q: What advice would you give to kids who just got into biking?
A: Ride your bike every day. And if its something you love, then never give up.

Q: Thanks a lot for your time, do you have any shoutouts or people to thank?
A: Absolutely! Huge thanks to my family and friends for so much support. It really means alot. And another thanks to all my sponsors as well, you guys make everything happen!