Jared Jesperson Interview

Last Saturday I made a short trip to Thorsby Alberta to attended a jam competition.While there I had the pleasure of sharing a cool one and pizza with Dropin rider Jared Jesperson. After seeing his antics and the craziness on the Dropin bus he was not at all what I had expected. While sure he can throw it down at a party with the best of them, what I found was an easy going,well spoken young man.During the competition he had at least 50 young riders approach him, he greeted everyone and answered all their questions with a friendly easygoing attitude.

To see how Jared finished my sentences read on.........


Jordan- Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to do this interview.

Jared - Hahaha no worries!

Jordan- Where do you call home Jared?

Jared - I am currently living about five minutes outside of Calgary on an acreage...future dirt jump heaven?

Jordan- Parents are very important to the development of any young person or athlete, how do they support your cycling addiction?

Jared - My parents are always super supportive of my biking,
my dad usually drives with me or flys' to the events with me.
its also cool that he is a medic when i come home all dominated
by the elements

Jordan- You mentioned that you are attending college,what are your plans for the future?

Jared - I'm currently enrolled in hydro-geology in college, seeing that I'm never there, I'm on the ten year program hahaha. As for future plans I have learned not to have any, because then you don't have to worry about things not going to plan.

Jordan- We all need to pay the bills, what work are you doing to support your education?

Jared - Right now I'm working with my good buddy Jason Jacobs and Greg Ford contracting for DSE custom woodwork. I'm the Bitch, so its pretty fun getting to learn some new stuff everyday, I'd say I have are no real complaints!

Jordan- How long have you been ripping it up on a mountainbike?

Jared- I have been riding MTB for about 6 years. I started with trials and eventually started riding street and now I'm here.... hahaha my life story.

Jordan- You appear to be a good athelete, what other sports have you played or still enjoy?

Jared- I played Hockey for about 14 years until I realized biking is waaayyy better. I also used to skateboard until I destroyed my ankles. From all the sports I have played, biking just stood out to me, I have no coach and I just do whatever my little heart desires haha.

Jordan- What would you say your "style" of riding is?

Jared - Hahahaha I'm a sketchy rider, I have been riding lots of street and park,so I'm going to have to say I have a more bmxish style of riding

Jordan- We watched an 11 year old rip it up and bust some big moves today. Where do you see these youngsters taking the sport as they mature into older better riders?

Jared- There must be some mutant steroid in the water these days!!!! Those kids were ripping, I definitely see a progression in the sport if these kids keep pushing the boundaries!

Jordan- Where do you see yourself riding tommorow and how do you think your style of riding has impacted the sport?

Jared- I see myself tomorrow probably riding street and park!
i am the person that follows my heart and I would never do something I don't want to do. I guess my style has impacted the sport by not taking it too seriously, riding your bike is not about a stage name or being a rockstar at night. You always have to remember that you're a bike rider and you belong at the park,road,or trail.

Jordan- I watched you throw down some huge moves today.That obviously takes a lot of practice. How often do you train or do you just add moves as you ride for fun?

Jared- Thanks... I train as often as I can.. (training being riding my bike) I don't do any weight lifting or that jazz. As for learning new tricks I just put the big boy pants on and try them! It usually ends up in a gnarly wipeout but that's how the ball bounces.

Jordan- I started mountain biking as a XC rider before i began freeriding,have you done any XC riding or competed in any cross country events?

Jared-.... We're not letting that little secret out to the public...
Ok...I tried spandex on.....once!

Jordan- You were a part of the Dropin crew last season. What was it like touring around with a group of freeriders on a smelly bus for eight weeks?

Jared- I had the time of my life with those dirtbags. I learned a lot and made tons of new friends...but I still don't miss the smell. I am still having nightmares about the haggard odors that invaded my nose on that bus.

Jordan- The other riders you were featured with on Dropin have mad skills.How do you see them and the riding they are doing affecting the sport of freeriding?

Jared- Man all those guys rip. Steve,Tyler, Dylan... and even this season with Cam and Ryan. They are doing a great job promoting the sport of freeriding,and getting it out there to the general public.

Jordan- How would you say being a part of televisions only freeride program has impacted you as a rider,and how do you feel the show has impacted the sport?

Jared- I don't really take anything too seriously, so the whole television thing hasn't really impacted me as a rider. As for the sport,television has definitely got more people involved with biking and what we are doing to progress the sport

Jordan- Do you have any pet peeves about anything in cycling ?

Jared- Arrogance and the lack of support

Jordan- Well thats about all i have, is there anything you would like to add to this interview?

Jared- I would like to thank my sponsors Gomez and Block 8, J.D at Pain Inc, All the boys at Calgary Cycle and Cochrane Cycle!!!! And my friends You know who you are!

And finally....LISTEN TO SLAYER!