Luke Strobel Interview

Words by Jill Kintner

If you don’t know who Luke Strobel is, you probably don’t follow World Cup downhill. He is a good pal, super mellow, says "mega” and “hella” a lot, which is “epic”, he loves riding bikes and fishing, and is the local of all locals at home in the N-Dub.

We ride with him on a daily basis in Seattle, well Bryn does, and they wait for me, but Luke is a top 20 contender worldwide for downhill, and has plenty left in the tank.

He is also without a ride for next year, which is absurd. Hopefully this interview gives you a glimpse of what Luke is all about. He keeps it real.


Name and where do you live and why is it awesome there?
Luke Strobel and I reside in Issaquah, WA – USA. I love it here because of the awesome riding, the beautiful mountains, steelhead fishing, my girl and my family.


What do you love about steelhead fishing so much?
Ever since I was a little kid I love being around rivers. Maybe fishing is just an excuse for me to be on the river. Steelhead are a beautiful fish. I really don’tknow why I love it so much. I guess you will just have to hook one and you will see what I am talking about. It's good for soul.


What are your favorite types of trails to ride?
I like ruts.




When you see a dry, rocky, dusty, grainy hot, non jumpy, pedally track, what happens?
I adapt. I love dry, dusty tracks, it's all the same to me. Just lean back and smash it. I will say I have been working very, very hard in the pedaling department.


Where were you at nationals? Just a World Cup guy these days?
I really wanted to be there. But I just didn’t have the support or the funds to go. It was a hard race for me to miss. Sad.


What’s your plan for next year?
I want to race the full World Cup. I have been training and riding really hard every day to reach where I want to be. But as of now I still don’t have any support to race. It's all still completely up in the air. I am looking for a ride!


Does anyone know you are looking for a new ride?
I hope so, I thought I have been putting the word out. But I have nothing on the plate and it is getting late.


What are your goals?
To be in the top ten consistently and get podiums on the World Cup.


What is one thing bike related you always wanted to do or go ride, but never had the time because of racing?
There is a lot of riding high up in the mountains here in the NW that I would like to do more of. But the window to do it is pretty short due to snow. Since I am gone all summer my opportunities are even less. I would also like to do some of the local Super D races as they sound really fun. And show up to more of those sweet PNW races.


Non bike related thing that you always wanted to do?
Win the lotto!


Would you ever race cyclcross?
No, I’m not that hip!




I know you’d love to do the “MEGA” avalanche, isn’t that right?
The “MEGA” is definitely one race that's on my to do list. I think I could do well at that sort of race. Long climbs and long descents are what I was raised on. I guess I'll need to get one of those dropper posts.


Do yo miss Bryn now that he is gone and who to you ride with mostly in the winter?
Of course I miss him! In the winter I ride with all sorts of people. Mostly Issaquah locals as there are quite a lot of rippers around here.


How snowy and cold does it have to be before you won’t ride?
It's got to be dirt, I don't ride bikes in the snow much. The winters are generally mild here. There will be a week here and there that it's snowy in the low lands. But that's when you go snowboarding. The dirt is pretty good 12 months a year here in Washington. It might even be better in the winter...Jill.


What is the biggest gap you’ve jumped on a snowboard?
I’m more of a big mountain/backcountry guy. I haven't been going up too much lately as we need snow.


Do you take a pack in the backcountry, and know survival skills?
Yes I have a pack and common sense skills.


No fish to gut, what are you going to eat?
I let a lot of them go. Fish really isn't my favorite thing to eat. I do bonk a few though!


What is your most favorite meal?
Hmm I really enjoy a good Thai meal. Noodle Boat in Issaquah is hard to beat if you're ever in town.


Does your mom update facebook more than you?
Yes, she probably posts more than you Jill. She is awesome.


Why don’t you post updates so she doesn’t have to ask me how you are doing, even though I love to talk to her - Hi Janet.
She wants an update every 3 minutes. But I have a new sweet 4G phone, so I can keep you and my mother in the loop 24/7.


Would you ever live in Europe full time?
Negative. I love America, but I would consider a short term stay.


Which country is your favorite to visit then?
Probably New Zealand, it's a beautiful place - the riding is awesome, the food is great, and I have a lot of friends there.

That is all. Look for “Hella” facebook updates from the 4g phone!


-Jill Kintner