Special FeatureExclusive Interview at Interbike 2008 with Mountain Biking Legend David "Tinker" Juarez
By chance, we ran into Tinker Juarez at this year’s 2008 Interbike. To us, he is best known as the poster boy for the advent of Mountain Biking into the mainstream. His debut, along with Mountain Biking, at the 1996 Olympic Games, gave legitimacy to a then fringe sport. He’s a genuinely friendly guy with a cool vibe who was more than willing to accommodate our request to sit down and talk. So we caught up with him the next day at the Cannondale tent during the Outdoor Demo at Bootleg Canyon to chat: MTB Resource: It’s been a long time since the ’96 Olympics. What kind of riding are you doing these days? Tinker: Mostly endurance. 24-hour solo races as well as 12-hour events, and lately I’ve been doing some 100-mile races. MTB Resource: How did you get into the 24-hour endurance scene? Was this a natural progression of your riding? Tinker: In a way yes, but it also represented a new challenge and an area for me to compete in. Cannondale was happy to work together in transitioning to these sort of events, and it’s nice we were able to keep that relationship going. It’s something I can excel in; I guess you have to like the pain. I’m also thankful for Mona Vie, who has been a great sponsor. MTB Resource: How long have you been endurance racing? Tinker: Since 2000. MTB Resource: What’s the most difficult race you’ve done? Tinker: I won the World Solo 24-hour Challenge last year. It was a goal of mine to win the world solo. I had been working for this for several years to win these races. Last year was the Adrenaline Series in Monterrey, CA. Then there was this year’s event in British Columbia over the summer where I got an eye injury. The course was real wet and muddy, it was rainy, and some mud or debris got into my eye in just the right way [and it] scratched my cornea. It’s fully healed now, but I no longer take eye protection for granted. MTB Resource: Where’s your favorite place to ride when you have time off from your busy race schedule? Tinker: I ride in the mountains near my home in Glendora or Pasadena in Southern California. I train there. MTB Resource: Tell us about your bike. Tinker: It’s a Carbon Scalpel Cannondale dual suspension with 4-inches of rear travel. Yes it uses a lefty fork. It’s a great setup for cross-country endurance racing. MTB Resource: Okay, tell us how you got the scrapes on your face. Tinker: [smiles] Well…it was at the Cactus Cup here in Vegas on Sunday. I didn’t have time to pre-ride the course and took a bad line. MTB Resource: Okay, here’s the final and perhaps most important question, what’s your favorite beer? Tinker: Well sure, all bikers like to enjoy a beer, it’s a good source of carbohydrates. I like dark beers. Tinker’s laid-back attitude belies what must be a fierce competitive streak and a high tolerance for pain. This guy has been riding for 35 years and has excelled in every discipline from BMX, to Olympic Cross-Country Mountain Biking, and now Endurance Racing, including a World Champion 24-hour Soloist. With his continued sponsorship by Cannondale and Mona Vie, who knows what the next few years will bring? Tinker Juarez is the real deal, a true Mountain Biker who stands the test of time. You can check out his website at www.tinkerjuarez.com. |
