A Day In the Life With Richie Rude, Jr. World Champion

Dec 11, 2013
by Matthew DeLorme  
Richie Rude became the first American to ever win the Junior World Champion title in downhill this year. He has been smashing his way to this point of his career ever since he threw a leg over a mountain bike. We take a look into the day to day of Richie as he gets ready for next season when he makes the jump from Junior to Elite.

Coming into the finish line on his way to becoming the first American Junior World Champion.
Coming into the finish line on his way to becoming the first American Junior World Champion.

Richie just after his Jr. World Champion podium. A man of few words his actions say it all. Damion Smith Yeti team manager knew he had it in him since day one. Last year was a big learning year for Richie. He saw the level of riding and preparation that these guys are at. After Port Angeles at the begging of the season I knew he had it in him. I was a real possibility.
Richie just after his Jr. World Champion podium. A man of few words, his actions say it all. Damion Smith, Yeti's team manager, knew he had it in him since day one. "Last year was a big learning year for Richie. He saw the level of riding and preparation that these guys are at. After Port Angeles at the beginning of the season, I knew he had it in him. It was a real possibility."

At the end of the World Cup season Richie takes advantage of the fall riding at Mountain Creek. Once the park is closed for the season most of his riding is done on trail or road bikes.
At the end of the World Cup season, Richie takes advantage of the fall riding at Mountain Creek. Once the park is closed for the season, most of his riding is done on trail or road bikes.

Getting going in the morning. A hearty breakfast before heading out on the trails.
Getting going in the morning. A hearty breakfast before heading out on the trails.

In the Rude house is a photo of a young Richie at six or seven years old in a cross country race with his Dad Rich Sr. behind him. Here Rich chases Richie like old times on a weekend ride.
Rich Sr. chases Richie on a weekend ride. They have been riding together since Richie was old enough to ride a bike.

While it may not look it it s bloody cold out... like low 20 s cold. Regardless Richie takes to the trails sans gloves.
While it may not look it, it's bloody cold out... like low 20's cold. Regardless, Richie takes to the trails sans gloves.

 One of the best times I ve had riding was following Richie at Sea Otter all I could do was laugh the whole way down. He just boosts every little feature. -Jared Graves
"One of the best times I've had riding was following Richie at Sea Otter, all I could do was laugh the whole way down. He just boosts every little feature." -Jared Graves

The sheer physical force of Rude riding has always been impressive. Rocks aren t obstacles but rather play things to smash. Corners are routinely torn apart.
The sheer physical force of Rude riding has always been impressive. Rocks aren't obstacles, but rather play things to smash. Corners are routinely torn apart.

Richie stocking up the fire wood pile. Sometimes keeping the house warm is good training. Doesn t hurt if you are already built like a lumber jack either.
Richie stocking up the firewood pile. Sometimes keeping the house warm is good training. It doesn't hurt if you are already built like a lumberjack, either.

It takes more than brute force to split wood. Keeping the axe sharp is all part of the ritual.
It takes more than brute force to split wood. Keeping the axe sharp is all part of the ritual.

Legs that develop that much power need daily stretching. While rolling out pressure points in your quads may hurt like hell it s absolutely crucial to staying in top form.
Legs that develop that much power need daily stretching. While rolling out pressure points in your quads may hurt like hell, it's absolutely crucial to staying in top form.

New for Richie this year is the PerformX MTB training program under Todd Schumlick. No doubt when the season starts Richie will be ready and in top shape.
New for Richie this year is the PerformX MTB training program under Todd Schumlick. No doubt when the season starts Richie will be ready and in top shape.

Richie s daily training is meticulously logged. It all gets accounted for even photo shoot rides where there are many stops.
Richie's daily training is meticulously logged. It all gets accounted for; even photo shoot rides where there are many stops.

The explosive power of Richie Rude. No corner or camera for that matter is safe.
The explosive power of Richie Rude. No corner, or camera for that matter, is safe.

Putting in the mileage. When the snow starts to fall Richie will be spending plenty of time on the road crushing intervals.
Putting in the mileage. When the snow starts to fall, Richie will be spending plenty of time on the road crushing intervals.

Some days it s nice to get out and do a little fishing on the local lake.
Some days, it's nice to get out and do a little fishing on the local lake.

Damion Smith gave Richie a little reminder of his title just in case he forgot. A box of fresh rainbow jerseys. Jared said I should wear it everyday. When asked if he thinks he will win the rainbow stripes again Rude looks up and flashes that wry smile. Sometimes actions speak louder than words.
Damion Smith gave Richie a little reminder of his title, just in case he forgot. A box of fresh rainbow jerseys. "Jared said I should wear it every day." When asked if he thinks he will win the rainbow stripes again, Rude looks up and flashes that wry smile. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words.

After a ride the bike gets a thorough once over making sure everything is in order and up to Richie s spec.
After a ride the bike gets a thorough once over, making sure everything is in order and up to Richie's spec.

These mitts. Richie has always been a strong kid. When Richie started out on Yeti we used to have frequent arm wrestling matches. This year though I just walked away. -Jared Graves
These mitts. Richie has always been a strong kid. "When Richie started out on Yeti, we used to have frequent arm wrestling matches. This year though, I just walked away." - Jared Graves

The final sprint to the end of a training ride. Laying down the power on a flat makes laying down the power at the end of a race run that much easier.
The final sprint to the end of a training ride. Laying down the power on a flat makes laying down the power at the end of a race run that much easier.

At the end of the day it s good to relax by a nice warm fire.
At the end of the day, it's good to relax by a nice warm fire.

When you have the rainbow stripes jersey you have to try it out.
When you have the rainbow stripes jersey, you have to try it out.

Author Info:
mdelorme avatar

Member since May 11, 2011
186 articles

77 Comments
  • 153 0
 Hulk smash
  • 35 1
 and the nicest guy you'll ever meet.
  • 33 0
 He is built like a brick shit house, reminds me of Nathan Rennie
  • 3 0
 Yup. The future is now!
  • 4 0
 Briefly met the young guy at Creek - congratulated him and we both took our lines - I said "Have fun out there" and he just looked back smiling - he knew he was gonna tear the s^8t outta that track - smile says it all. Keep up the awesome work and keep that solid attitude my friend - takes you places.
  • 118 0
 Stop cheating America!!! You have clearly just shaved a Kodiak bear and put it on a bike, this sport is for humans only!
  • 6 0
 now that's funny
  • 60 2
 Pretty sure this kid could be playing linebacker in the NCAA/NFL if he wasn't killin' it on a mountain bike.
  • 52 8
 or real rugby!
  • 21 9
 yup, rugby the real contact sport.
  • 70 4
 oh god not this argument again... both sports are filled with concussions and meatheads.
  • 15 1
 Being a scrawny white boy who cant play either I totally agree with you MDRipper. Hahahahaha
  • 14 8
 RUGBY FOR THE WIN!
  • 4 0
 Being the world champion on the BEST sport in this planet.........please dont picture him doing anything else. Congrats Richie and Yeti for making the best bikes.
  • 22 0
 Richie and Eliot Jackson signed my sons Yeti hat at Windham a couple of years ago and I remember some guy walking by and commenting "Why would you want those guys to sign anything". Well why not? Great young American talent!
  • 22 0
 dude is built like a truck and he charges hard. I feel sorry for his bike hahaha
  • 21 0
 This dude looks like he's got more explosive power than Chernobyl .
  • 1 0
 lol
  • 17 1
 This kid is a beast. 'murica...hope he kills it next year!
  • 11 1
 already a threat. I think it was val di sol a couple yrs ago he was on a smoker. without the crash near the bottom he would have podiumed and good chance he would have won in pro. laid it down and I think still in top 10-15. he's like a Brook ,smashin It, that's always centred like a Stevie or Gee. quiet cool kid that's fun as shit to watch
  • 12 1
 High hopes that Rude is the next generation of American to win WC's. He deff has the fitness.
  • 11 0
 Built like a shit tonne of bricks!
  • 12 1
 Look at those Legs! What a beast!
  • 18 8
 Seems like he's almost exactly the same as Gwinny... Without the bible tweets.
  • 34 2
 So plus 10 to Richie.
  • 10 0
 He's like Kyle Strait's and Brooke MacDonald's love child.
  • 8 0
 Seen Richie killing it at Mtn Creek, he is an animal. Can't wait to see what he does next year. Good luck next season, Mr Rude!
  • 9 0
 Kid's a fucking brute! Good luck man! Don't think power will be an issue for him!
  • 7 2
 ManBearPig. I know I say this to Richie a lot, but at one point he looked up to me as a racer. Pretty cool to know this guy since he started racing.
  • 7 0
 HULK IS NOT AFRAID...HULK IS STRONGEST ONE THERE IS!!!
  • 2 0
 Oh sweet! Thanks for the article Pinkbike! I did Megavalanche this year and when I asked if any riders from the U.S. were there, his name kept pooping up. We stayed in the same hotel and I remember some people joking with me not to park my bike next to his. Ride strong Mr Rude!
  • 9 0
 Heh, you said poop.
  • 6 0
 Nice ! Well done Richie !
  • 6 0
 Kid's a beast, now all we have to do is keep him off a Specialized
  • 6 1
 he was already on specialized
  • 3 0
 Lads got skills and it's always a pleasure to speak with him, wait till he gets the coffee I recommended to him, he'll melt his tyres with warp speed!!!!!
  • 3 0
 Go Richie Rude!! Go Yeti!! ( then Trek, then Specialized..). I'm just kidding. Hope he stays in Yeti and keep Yeti's race dominating ways for years to come Smile
  • 5 1
 The title should be Richie Rude, Jr., Jr. World Champ. Maybe next year: Richie Rude, Jr., World Champ?
  • 2 0
 Not the mist well-written article on PB. Where is Richie from? How did he get into the sport? With the burst of East Coast coverage lately it would have been great if they had mentioned that he's from New England.

Also, there was a quote from the team manager about the "begging of the season."
  • 5 1
 What a great name for a DH racer
  • 6 0
 Jared, Damion and Others at Yeti call him Dick Rude. Word is he sort of likes it - the porno name that is. This kid's been called man-child since he was 14. I cannot believe those arms! I hope he has a great career and I hope he stays with Yeti.
  • 2 0
 Homegrown talent. Make us proud Richie. Looks badass, rides badass. I love the world stage that the Pinkbike community brings together. Your pal, an East Coast USA rider.
  • 6 1
 USA! USA! USA!
  • 5 1
 insert matt damon team america joke here...
  • 1 0
 Saw him years ago at Massanutten. When they told me he was 13, I knew he'd have a shot at World Champ one day. Awesome to see a kid stick with it achieve that many years. So many distractions.
  • 4 0
 he's a brick house!
  • 1 0
 This rude looks ripped, fit to rip some shit next season! U.S.A represent iT son, since gwin is no where to be seen!!!!!!! ROOT FOR THE RUDE!
  • 4 0
 Richie Rude is a beast!
  • 3 0
 looks like a rude awakening for gwinn… sorry, i couldn't help myself.
  • 1 0
 You have our 24 hours of adrenalin right turn sign in your garage. All our races since then have all been left turns only thanks to you. Smile Cheers
  • 3 0
 Mean Machine
  • 1 0
 Yeah Richie! Reppin' the CT MTB. Thanks again for those MCBP tickets, had a blast
  • 1 0
 That Richie Rude is one badass dude! Good representation of the "East Side......."
  • 1 0
 Great write-up. I think RR is going to be a guy to watch out for very soon.
  • 1 0
 anyone knows what stem he is using? looks cool !!! (Im talking about the yeti sb66)
  • 4 0
 Renthal.
  • 1 0
 Really good looking stem the colos are greate.
  • 1 0
 If he kan keep it all together, he will rule this sport in few years. He is just build for this sport.
  • 2 0
 bEAST Coast!!! Connecticut represent!
  • 1 0
 Richie and Brook Macdonald are built like tanks. DH is getting too another level.
  • 3 1
 You're my boy blue!
  • 2 1
 The picture in the background of the 11th pic. haha what?
  • 1 0
 Thought it was his mom for a second, but was afraid to say it....He could kick my ass.
  • 1 0
 Anyone else wish that was their garage?
  • 1 0
 Putting everyone on notice! Like a boss!
  • 1 0
 Love the mocs and fox socks combo..
  • 1 0
 We need a vid from this kid!
  • 1 0
 Great job this year Richie you made CT/New England/America proud!
  • 1 0
 reppin the northeast hell ya!
  • 4 3
 Didn't think i'd ever really be jealous of canckles
  • 1 0
 Awesome!!!
  • 1 0
 Yew! Lookin good
  • 1 0
 Richie Rude的一天
  • 1 0
 That kids a monster!!!
  • 2 3
 Odoyle rules!!
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