Ask Me Anything: Sam Hill

Oct 6, 2015 at 13:40
by Pinkbike Staff  
Sam Hill

As part of Chain Reaction Cycles' celebration of cycling in Australia during October, we're going to be chatting to downhill legend and Team Chain Reaction Cycles PayPal rider Sam Hill. With the World Cup season over, Sam is now back in Australia enjoying a bit of downtime with the family and when we catch up with him in Melbourne, we want to ask him your most interesting questions. If you want to know how Sam trains, what he eats for breakfast or where his favourite place to ride is, leave your question below and we will pick out the best ones to ask Sam in person.

How ‘Ask Us Anything' Works:

• Keep your questions relative. While this is 'Ask Me Anything', the concentration is on Sam Hill. Questions related to Sam are encouraged, but still feel free to ask whatever pressing queries you may have.

• Try to keep your questions to about 100 words.

• Ask Us Anything is a service to PB readers who are seeking helpful information, not a forum to broadcast opinions or grievances. If you do have a negative issue that you want to ask about, no worries, just keep your complaints relevant and in the context of a question so that it can be addressed in a productive manner.

• Use propping to acknowledge good - or not so good - questions. Bump them up or down to where they belong.



Sam Hill

We'll be putting together an edit of our Q&A with Sam and will share it on Pinkbike in the coming weeks, lookout for it on the site!

MENTIONS: @ChainReactionCycles


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295 Comments
  • 320 8
 sam, you are celebrating a World Cup win in the after party bar when suddenly a fight breaks out with the locals. Pick 4 other racers past or present to help you win the bar brawl.
  • 18 3
 This question needs to be asked!
  • 25 4
 Must be Rennie, Kovarik, Palmer, and Sam Dale...
  • 25 2
 Rachel Atherton. I saw her take on a bunch of riders on her own and destroy about a hundred of 'em.
  • 6 1
 And choose one to "accidentally" stick one on.
  • 213 6
 What kind of training do you do outside of biking?
  • 7 2
 +1 This question.
  • 17 22
flag fullbug (Oct 12, 2015 at 15:11) (Below Threshold)
 how often do you moto in the offseason, sam? do you like watching sx or outdoors series?
  • 189 2
 What feature on any of the world cup tracks has scared you the most? If that's even possible haha
  • 186 3
 Do you still own an ironhorse sunday? And if so how do you think it would cope on the current world cup circuit?
  • 38 2
 having ridden them all at a top level, what's your favourite suspension platform and why?
  • 7 2
 I saw some pictures of his garage one day and yeah there was 2006 world champ - golden iron horse sunday from rotorua.
  • 10 1
 Its been mentioned you tried a few different bikes before eventually joining Nukeproof, can you tell us what other bikes you tried ?
  • 4 2
 About rear suspension platform. I don't believe this question would be answered honestly because of sponsoring.
  • 7 0
 When thinking of Sam Hill I still have this image of him riding a Sunday, doing all these crazy inside lines..

Question: do you think that contemporary bikes (ie 650b, slack h/a, high bars) are harder to turn on a a late 00's style track like Schladming or Maribor?
  • 158 5
 In 2013 you said "I personally don’t see any need for bigger wheels... I think it’s just the industry making something new to sell more bikes. I’m sure they have advantages but there’s also going to be disadvantage’s to go with it. I hope downhill stays with 26". What do you think now if you compered your 26 and 27,5 downhill bike?
  • 15 3
 And one more question.. I never heard what's your weight during the season? Cheers Sam and good luck for next season #1
  • 14 1
 lot of good questions on pb but i think the good one for every wc rider would be... how often do you use trigger shifter to go from the harder to the easier gear during the race runs?
  • 2 0
 Hmm I'd love for him to reflect on this one.
  • 167 11
 I'm nervous to ask... But have you ever dabbled with clips?
  • 13 2
 I believe he already answered this in the interview about his offseason with Mike Jones last year, was either on here or Vital. He said he has tried them but could never get used to them
  • 51 0
 I though he said: Nah
  • 61 9
 Hey Sam,

Will you disown your child if he uses clipless pedals?
  • 143 17
 How does it feel to wake up every day as a legend?
  • 6 2
 nice
  • 6 0
 Correction: absolute legend.
  • 21 5
 I can answer that, from personal experience... feels good man.
  • 1 0
 This question is truly brilliant
  • 117 12
 Do you know who ronnie pickering is?
  • 20 0
 who
  • 42 3
 RONNIE PICKERING
  • 10 1
 I heard he is a famous bare knuckle fighter...
  • 12 2
 Ronnie "f*ckING" Pickering
  • 7 0
 The hardest man from hull you've never heard of.
  • 4 1
 ??
  • 18 0
 Yeah me!
  • 3 0
 who?
  • 7 0
 Come on then! Bare knuckle fight
  • 134 32
 Would you sue Specialized for exposing you to high risk of injury by forcing you to ride the Demo with too short stays and too backward axle path?
  • 7 4
 Touche' Waki! Ha!
  • 45 2
 No Specialized would sue him for that.
  • 30 1
 Protour's ears are ringing.
  • 4 2
 must be hes brother...
  • 4 3
 paging @protour
  • 36 2
 *[this comment was removed due to copyright claim by: Specialized Bikes]*
  • 2 4
 @DARKSTAR63 lol yea specialized has a history for suing everything they can have a case against....
  • 2 5
 anyone know what he said. @pm148 pm me your comment. specialized sucks
  • 7 8
 Specialized is evil, that's why I like them. SLAYEEER!
  • 4 0
 FlowMasterO, he said that *[you need a golden pinkbike account to read this comment]*
  • 5 7
 There is a PRO account as well, where WC racers and industry insiders take a piss out of particular comments but nobody can see it. You don't want to know what guys at Spec wrote under Protour ramblings... all I know is that Rob Roskopp gets owned every time he writes on Pinkbike PRO, he can't take a joke.
  • 3 0
 Where the Hell is Protour anyway? Did he deactivate his account?
  • 7 5
 who cares about Protour anyway.. that guy is a idiot he doesn't know shit about bikes.. he must be on hes basement crying since the Gwin got the overall
  • 6 1
 Wow! Bitter much @estica? I know he was a D-bag. But I found his rantings entertaining. I didn't say I wanted to hang out with the guy
  • 102 3
 What are your top 3 favourite World Cup tracks?
  • 93 0
 how do you think the uci could be encouraged to select steeper and more technical tracks so that venues such as Pietermaritzburg can be left in the past?
  • 3 1
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^YES
  • 76 3
 How do you calm down your nerves before a race and keep a clear mind before you drop in?
  • 70 0
 Do you think your neck brace saved your life when you slammed last year at world champs? That was a wicked scorpion!
  • 3 0
 This needs more props haha
  • 68 2
 You've ridden Enduro races recently. How did it feel for you compared to DH? Are you planning to add more Enduro races to your schedule next year?
  • 63 5
 Can you understand Mike Jones?
  • 60 5
 Who would you take on a lads riding weekend and why?
  • 53 2
 how many stem spacers do you typically use? are your brake levers flatter or pointed down? if there were no pits of mechanics at world cups would any of the top racers be screwed trying to take care of their bike? how annoying are all these questions?
  • 45 0
 Sam, you've ridden a lot of great bikes. Iron Horse, Specialized, Nukeproof. How has your ideal geometry (particularly regarding reach, chain stay length, head angle, etc.) evolved and how does this relate to your riding style?
  • 41 0
 It seems that more often than not, you manage to take corners just a little tighter than anyone else. Can you explain your insane cornering skills? Please don't say it's the flats... If you did, I'd have to buy new pedals, and then have to explain to my wife that I bought them to corner like Sam Hill!
  • 19 0
 Top 3 tips for cornering like a boss.
  • 47 7
 What are your views on the Josh Bryceland, Gee Atherton and Sambo Dale scenario.. were you involved in anyway?
  • 6 0
 What's the Scenario? I haven't heard this one before.
  • 2 5
 Did you not hear about it? Something to do with a kangaroo punch to bryceland when he got a black eye in MSA? It was on here!
  • 4 0
 www.pinkbike.com/news/july-good-month-or-bad-month.html that might help you understand @Maarrk
  • 53 15
 Which do you prefer? Kangaroo's or koala's
  • 30 3
 Where do you see yourself in 5 or more years? Do you think you will stay in any role connected with sport (being in bike business working for some company / being coach / your own company) or you think you will leave "biking" forever once you stop racing?
  • 10 14
flag Jimmy0 FL (Oct 12, 2015 at 12:23) (Below Threshold)
 why is "biking" in quotes?
  • 33 4
 What is the worst type of animal excrement you have ever accidentally ridden through?
  • 25 0
 Sam, technique question for you as you are the don of cornering...........

How important is it to get your weight over the front on loose sketchy flat turns? and do you ever have pretty much all of your weight on the bars in a corner?
  • 3 0
 Would love a tutorial from the cornering master himself.
  • 27 0
 what was your favourite race you attended of all time ..... and sam hill your the reason i started riding DH ! cheers mate
  • 24 1
 If you were given the chance to select any 7 tracks past or present to make up a season of the world cup series and world champs, which 7 would you choose and why? Also I always remember your segment in Quebec from Earthed 5, definitely one of my all time favourite film parts!
  • 3 1
 the best section in any bike film. no doubt in my mind
  • 22 1
 About technique:
Do you still work on your skills and technique, or is that something you've had dialed in for a while now? How did you learn your skills?
How much do you really think, and analyse your technique, and how much is just going with 'whatever feels right'?
You have quite a 'loose' technique compared to other WC riders, any ideas how that makes you so fact?
Any tips on technique to get faster?
  • 22 0
 Sam, how did your riding change when you became a father? Are you still craving for adrenaline and high risk lines? How can you live with that?
  • 20 0
 I know that in the past you have been frustrated with the Australian National series being held primarily along the east coast making you travel across the country. Do you still feel the same and what are the up sides to the series? Any juniors you have your eye on?
  • 3 0
 now thats a good question ...
  • 18 0
 Hey Sam

Australia isn't really known for its big mountains, and steep descents with multiple
Line choices.
Where do you think you developed this skill that your known for of tricky and creative lines choices and being so good when it gets steep? Was it something you specifically train for?

Also mate, it was so sick to see you get those two wins last year, your a absolute legend and good luck for next year. Can't wait to see you back in full health and speed again.
  • 22 4
 You used to race NORBA national races in the US. What was the scene like in the US back in NORBA's heyday? What would it take for the US to attract more international riders to our current National series?
  • 22 2
 Sam! Can you verify the rumors of Ratboy whippin his weiner out at Gee Atherton?? Haha later dude-bro, keep kickin ass!
  • 20 2
 Hey Sam, What is your favourite recent technology to work its way into mountain biking? And also what components need more development? Cheers,
  • 16 0
 1. Do you ride faster now than say '08 world champs? If so, how/why:
- equipment change/improvement - 650b, suspension (better, softer, harder), chassis balance, geometry/contact point changes;
- style change;
- mental/physical improvement;
- other riders;
- something else?

2. Have you consciously experimented with riding style? What did you learn?
  • 1 0
 Good question.
  • 19 2
 I still ride a Sunday, greatest bike ever made. When was the last time YOU hopped on a Sunday- and did you feel "woah, times have changed"
  • 24 9
 Sam, first off, big fan! Question: Have you felt smooth, but "not fastest" on your winning runs? I used to race semi-pro DH and of the two races I won, I felt really smooth but in my head, 'not that fast'. I wish you all the best in 2016!
  • 18 1
 If you could choose three teammates out of all the riders currently racing DH Worldcups, man and women, to build you dreamteam, who would that be (and if possible why) ?
  • 18 2
 Hello Sam.

Do you have the opportunity to talk to Nathan Rennie these days? Would you say that he was a rider that influenced you in some way?

Best of luck next year!
  • 13 0
 You have had a very strong mentoring influence with Troy Brosnan and Mike Jones (as well as many others outside your team) - you must be stoked to follow their progression - do you see yourself getting into coaching and maybe even starting your own team?
  • 12 0
 What do you remember from that Val di Sole run before the famous last corner (it wasnt last I think but you know what I'm talking about)? Did you have any idea you were so far ahead?
  • 2 0
 And do you EVER know if you are on a winning run other than by "feel"
  • 11 0
 You worked so hard to come back and win UCI DH WC twice in 2014, but your old shoulder injury gave you a slight setback for 2015. While you were working through the physical aspects of trying to return to form this season, did you find it mentally tough knowing you were capable of winning again?
  • 13 0
 What bike would you ride if you couldn't ride your current DH bike.
  • 8 0
 Hey Sam, 2 years ago I saw you at Windham after the race and you were in your team tent. I yelled over to you "Great riding today!" but you didnt say anything back. My friends laughed at me saying you ignored me, please back me up and tell me you simply didnt hear me!
  • 8 0
 "I had never seen anyone, since or before, ride a mountain bike like that. I mean, it was staggeringly fast" (Won't Back Down movie, Rob Warner commenting on Val Di Sole WC) – How do you think about this quote?
  • 8 1
 Are you fully recovered from last years injuries? I want to see you next year on top step again! Oh and all the best for the birth of your third kid!
  • 10 1
 How long does it take for you to understand what Ratboy is saying?
  • 12 4
 what was the best point in your career and what was the worst?
  • 10 2
 Did you like 27.5 wheels from the start?
  • 6 0
 ...and/or which wheel size do you prefer personally?
  • 8 0
 can Brendog return to the level of 2010?? It was you to make him so fast?
  • 6 0
 What do you eat in race season? What do uou eat during off season to keep fit yourself?
  • 3 0
 what sort of mental preparation do you use to ready yourself up for a race? I see that your family (kids and wife) are important part of a balanced life and they weigh in a lot as incentives to race as well as you do. But do you use other additional psychological methods to help yourself prepare for a race (e.g. Greg with Vestibular Theraphy or Gwin with his closeness to religion).
  • 3 0
 Since riding Mad Catz Ironhorse and the phenomenal pace you had on that specific bike, do you think bike frames have improved and allowed other riders to now compete with your speed from back then?
If you could put updated suspension on the Sunday, do you think you could have gone even faster ???
My brain just exploded
  • 5 0
 Sam, how does the Downhill sport has changed over the years? If the Spirit is still the same? Is the development positive or negative in your eyes?
  • 5 0
 What makes you smile most on a bike other than winning, riding smooth, getting wild, corners, jumps etc and why?
  • 2 0
 With regards to winning a world cup/champs race, upon the realisation that you have won, are you more stoked that you bet everyone else or is it more the ecstasy of riding your bike on the limit and having a close to perfect run that gives you the buzz? Also, do you relive past victories sometimes (before sleeping or before a race) to remind yourself the feelings/desires associated with a win?
All the best mate.
  • 6 1
 How do you mentally prepare for a race run? Do you have a routine to get focused in the final minutes before the start?
  • 10 4
 how many tattoos do you have and which is your favorite and why?
  • 7 1
 what kids' movie does Bam make you watch over and over with him?
  • 6 1
 How has your training changed as you've gotten older? And any new techniques to get over injuries with age?
  • 7 0
 Any pre race rituals?
  • 6 0
 have you ever thought of giving a shot to rampage ?
  • 3 0
 Do you have any thoughts on the UCI lowering the number of riders able to participate in a downhill world cup? From your perspective do you think this move will have a positive or negative impact on the sport for 2016?
  • 2 0
 Sam, do you feel like you are less confident on your bike since your gnarly crash in Fort William in 2010? Did all these recent injuries have an impact on the way you ride and on the way you "approach" your races?
Btw, I wish you luck for next season, I hope you'll kick ass!
  • 7 3
 How do you feel about the evolution of the sport and where its going and do you feel like you can evolve with it.
  • 4 0
 Which is the most difficult track on the world cup circuit you've ever ridden?
  • 5 0
 Hi Sam. What tyre pressures do you race on?
  • 3 0
 What's the deal with using only the Five Tens Impact Low shoe? do you think the Impact VXi are not robust enough? I remember there was a Sam Hill Impact VXi shoe.
  • 1 0
 Sam, you competed for so many teams, and rode their bikes. I dont want brand names, but...may a concrete bike nowdays, with such tight differences after every wc finishline, make you win or lose a race??? whats the % relying on talent, fitness and bike performance nowdays???
  • 6 2
 How has becoming a Dad changed your outlook on life, both on the bike and off?
  • 5 0
 Have you ever meet the infamous 'Fat Sam Hill' from La Crepu in Morzine
  • 3 0
 After such a successful career, and more than your fair share of injuries, are you still as hungry to win as you have been in the past? What is your goal for next season?
  • 8 2
 alluminium o carbon?
  • 4 0
 Do you like world champs or think it should be done away with and make the focus on series overall?
  • 2 2
 World champs should never go! Even if people don't enjoy what is better than seeing what custom goodies sponsors come up with?!?
  • 4 0
 eh, you'd see more trick stuff all season because the focus would be on the series more than 1 race. I like the trick stuff as much as anyone but id be willing to give that up to see not people pull out of the season to focus on one race that proves who's the best or sometimes the most lucky on one track.
  • 2 0
 Id agree, but if there was no world champs, they would have to add a few more UCI rounds in!
  • 4 0
 1000% agree with that. It should be a 10-12 round minimum I think. They did just adjust the rules to make it easier on venues to host races so yea I agree. It would go up in rounds regardless though. Every other sport has double this and there is no shortage of places worthy of hosting an event in my eyes.
  • 6 2
 how much of your earnings are from personal sponsors and how much from the CRC team????
  • 3 1
 You're stranded on an island with one companion. Your companion is a mermaid, but you have the choice of having the top half fish, or the bottom half fish. Which would you choose and why?
  • 4 0
 are you proud to be a bogan, or is there a little bit of shame? how do you cope with bigoted boganists?
  • 1 0
 Hey Sam, I know you stormed many places on the Earth, but surely there are also many mountains you've never been. Can you tell me, where's that place you'd love to ride and never had an opportunity to hit it? And are you up to visiting random countries just to explore the trails and to hang out with the local shredders?
  • 3 2
 What's your favorite place to ride in Portugal, I know you came here sometimes, Do you have plans to come here again in future ? Do you have plans to make part from a new movie ? Thanks and keep going champ we love you legend Wink
  • 2 1
 Please please please go and visita Madeira Island Sammy!!!
  • 3 0
 Hi Sam

¿What kind of knee protection are you using right know for your injuried knee?¿Are you using it even in the enduro or trail trainings?

Thanks!
  • 3 0
 Have you had to adapt your riding style when you made the switch to nukeproof, particularly with how a single pivot bike reacts to heavy braking?
  • 4 0
 If you push 100% in world cup races, how much do you push on local trails while riding for fun? 90%?
  • 5 0
 Is your middle name DOWN ??

How did you meet your wife ?
  • 1 0
 With an injury that has kept you off the races pretty much all 2015 season and a few important injuries on the last 4 years, how does a professional downhiller that is at the top of the sport has yourself cope with the injuries and how hard is it to come back and be competitive on such a high level field of riders? What was your main focus and motivation this year for example with your shoulder injury?
  • 2 1
 You seemed to be killing it on the Procore system in 2014. I was assuming it was allowing you slightly lower PSI. you more than anybody else had me excited to try it but I"m hearing the Giant Enduro team isn't using it. Did you stop using too? Problems?
Thanks
  • 1 0
 I heard he never used it!
  • 1 0
 Long time listener first time caller, going way back , so what do you you think was your reason for killing the 1.04 track in the Dirt Magazine interview? You seemed to get on well with Jonsey. Was it that trick Iron Horse that Jacey had all set up with the sponges an cable wrap. That was the first tip I had ever heard about keeping a bike quiet. Any how, wishing the best to you and yours and cheers!
  • 3 0
 Once you were on the edge, looked like you weren't afraid to die on a DH track.
You look more composed and calculated now.
What made the different for you over time?
  • 3 0
 If you could swap one world cup track for a track previously used or never used, which one would you remove and which would you add back in again?
  • 1 0
 So Sam, back in the day when you were on the horse, my young nephew, Boris Yeltsin (not his real name, for reasons that will become clear) who I may add is of a similar age to your good-self and curiously of a very similar build and complexion. You even share heavy eyebrows. Hell, some would say he was your spitting image, a veritable doppleganger. He too rode a green Sunday, and raced DH in Australia. Now, my question to you Sam is this; did you ever, when young and adoring fans would flock, however mistakenly, sign your name, Boris Yeltsin as he may have, on the odd occasion signed yours, Sam Hill?
  • 1 0
 Sam, do you feel like you are less confident on your bike since your gnarly crash in Fort William in 2010? Did all these recent injuries have an impact on your ride and on the way you "approach" your races?
Btw, I wish you good luck for next season, I hope you'll kick ass!
  • 2 0
 Sam - as a father of two little shredders MTB enthusiasts I'm curious to know when you decided you wanted to be a pro downhiller and what was/is your "back up plan"?

Cheers, mate!
  • 1 0
 I was up top at the Windham race watching rider warmups. You easily had the fiercest look on your face, even when just rolling around 20 minutes before your run. I wouldn't want to assume it was anger, but it made me curious as to your psych up. What is your mental prep on the day of a race? What are you thinking when you enter the start gate?
  • 4 1
 What has been your most memorable riding/racing moment? Hope 2016 is your year, thanks!
  • 5 1
 Are you really a robot like team robot claims you are?
  • 2 0
 He is a machine.
  • 4 0
 How to not be nervous before the start of a race ?
  • 4 0
 What psi do you run both in your shocks and tires. Appreciate it!
  • 1 1
 Sam do you still have the fire inside of you.. ? Is the monster still hibernating in side your soul..? Will you be able to unleash the beast next year and keep it in check, with out getting discouraged when it doesn't add up at the finish line.. ? We see it in your eyes for brief moments, its like looking into the sun....
  • 2 0
 Sam, could you see your way to letting me have one of your old bikes as some thieving pikey bastards stole mine from my shed on Friday night?!
  • 2 0
 Obviously you won't be riding in the World Cup forever (as much as we would like you too). Would you ever consider a career racing the EWS later down the track?
  • 2 0
 how do you do your bike setup? what do you change on the bike for different conditions on the track and for different tracks? how do you prepare the bike for a race?
  • 3 0
 Hi Sam, I just want to know this...How was your training before to be a elite rider?
  • 5 2
 What is your advise for an inspired young racer? what is the key for the success?
  • 2 1
 Ever thought of resting your knees and your shoulders for the offseason instead of training? Not enough rest and so much riding and training probably add to the wear and tear...
  • 6 2
 Do you think we will travel to Mars in the near future?
  • 4 0
 How old were you when you begin riding and when/where was your first race?
  • 4 0
 How you could make YOUR bike setup better.
  • 5 2
 What has been the biggest benefit of 27.5" compared to 26" for you personally?
  • 3 0
 Will there ever be a workshop where you teach people on how to find THE inside line?

...sign me up for that
  • 4 0
 Would you consider rocking the skin-suit again in a WC?
  • 4 0
 Do you have any tips or tricks on getting back on your bike after injury?
  • 6 2
 fold or crumple your toilet paper
  • 3 0
 If you could reinvent any part of the modern DH bike that would allow you to go faster, what would it be?
  • 1 0
 Hello Sam, seeing that your now a father of 2, has this affected the way you approach a race? In other words are you more cautious and ride at 90% instead of pulling it harder?
  • 1 0
 I know this is hard but I got to ask it: What exactly came to your mind when you crashed in Val di Sole 2008? And during your race run, you had any idea that you had opened that kind of gap (6 sec)?
  • 2 0
 How do you get over a bad moment such as a crash or a disappointing result? Any particular techniques or activities or just looking past it and moving on?
  • 2 0
 You came in 10th in your first Enduro race, do you think you will race Enduro full time when you do decide to retire from WC in 12 years?
  • 4 1
 When will we see you in another video segment ?

I'd love to see you on some BC loam or Okanagan trails !
  • 1 1
 A quick question from a big fan of yours: since achieving so much (multiple world championship wins and world cup series wins in a row), has your drive to go through the endless cycle of training and competing diminished at all? It seems like you dropped off after your knee injury in Fort William and never returned with the same force and focus as before.
  • 1 0
 What's going through your head when you're in a race run? Are you just trying to remember your lines, or all on instinct? Is there still "that line" that scares you, but you know you'll do, or is everything totally dialed?
  • 3 0
 Whats your favorite song to get hyped to
  • 3 1
 You seem pretty keen on trail building. Would you someday like to see a race held on one of your trails?
  • 1 0
 How scared do you get on a downhill run but not like a " this is quite tingly" do you ever get a full on " Jesus f*ck this is scary" ? Or are you just generally calm ?
  • 10 7
 Which skills make you a better rider than other from your point of view ?
  • 5 3
 How much extra weight does all that ink from your tatoos add? Do u have to take this into consideration at races? Hahaha
  • 1 0
 How do you find time for just riding for fun? Between races, videos, and press, it seems like sometimes that riding just to ride gets lost in the process.
  • 3 0
 Have you changed your training in the last 10 years? In what?
  • 1 0
 What do you think of the Lenzerheide track this year? I heard many people say it was too much like a bike park but it looked difficult in its own way.
  • 1 0
 What do you know now that you wish you had known in your first years racing on the World Cup and what advice do you give your younger teammates?
  • 3 0
 Where do you see yourself once your career in racing is over?
  • 2 0
 How and when did you get into mtb?
Who was your first sponsor?
And not a question,but keep going man you're the best!
  • 3 0
 Any advice on how to mentally come back to riding after a serious injury?
  • 3 0
 what was your dream bike when you were a kid?
  • 1 0
 What are your plans for next season? are you moving into fostering new raw talents or are you going to go full gas? loads of respect to you.
  • 1 1
 What was the most technically difficult dh track you have raced (steep, rough, highest risk). If you had to pick one dh bike besides a nukeproof for this track what would it be and why?
  • 2 1
 During the off season what bike do you use the most? What type of trails do you ride?
When riding what do you do to keep your mind from leading you to failure?
  • 1 0
 Sam, how many more years do you think you will be racing world cups. Do you see yourself racing world cups into your 40s like peaty?
  • 1 0
 Is the rest of the world experiencing the sanitization of mountain biking similar to North America? What can we do to stop it?
Bring the chunder!
  • 1 0
 Hi Sam! My favorite rider. If i made a custom jersey for you, would you wear it and take a pic of it?
  • 3 2
 why you use the neck brace but not the elbow guards or other important protections??
  • 4 2
 What's your favorite DH WC track?

Where's your favorite trail?
  • 2 1
 What's the biggest difference from your racing with IronHorse days and now? Has your mental game changed ?
  • 3 1
 Tell us some stories about some of your tattoos !
  • 2 2
 I feel sorry for whoever has to read through these questions 80% of them are rubbish. How much do you weigh?? What training do you do??? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
  • 3 1
 Which rider do you admire the most and why?
  • 2 1
 what kind of impact do you feel the WA Gravity Enduro is having on the mtb scene in Perth?
  • 3 1
 Sam - if you do more EWS races, will you continue rocking the flat pedals?
  • 2 1
 Sam this is such an opportunity. Can you still see yourself regain that ultra dominant form you had before?
  • 2 1
 What's your favorite bike? (Past or present) Doesnt have to be DH, can be any bike
  • 2 0
 which current rider do you think has the best style ?
  • 1 0
 Sam, are you doing other sports than downhill? If yes, do they help you in your training or is it just for fun?
  • 1 0
 If you were to put an angle headset on a iron horse sunday now, how slack would it be compared to what you rode in the past?
  • 2 0
 Do you feel your wife over shares on Instagram?
  • 1 0
 Do you always ride the very inside lines for fun or just mainly on the World Cup Races?
  • 1 0
 Sam if you were a rookie this year at Rampage....would you POACH Aggy's line? Lol.
  • 1 0
 The awful CRC team jerseys they make you wear. Do you feel like a billboard and does it distract you from racing? Haha.
  • 2 1
 How's the travel going to be with soon to be 3 little Hills?
  • 1 1
 Sam, you've had your fair share of injuries. What is your mind set when rehabbing and healing up?
  • 3 1
 Do you do ICE?
  • 1 0
 How do you deal with the pain in the fingers after a long ride ?
  • 1 0
 How do you deal with the pain in the fingers after a long ride ?
  • 1 0
 When you are about to take a huge crash, what are you thinking about?
  • 3 2
 Have you ever tried clips pedals on a dh bike?
  • 2 1
 Any rituals or thoughts you have before a race?
  • 2 1
 What would you do after if you decide to retire someday?
  • 2 1
 Do you think you can race to the top, next season ?
  • 3 2
 Is it true that you have a preferred weight for your bike?
  • 1 1
 favourite bike out ther right now? i know you dont dig nukeproof that much? any preference?
  • 2 1
 As an Aussie myself I'd have to ask Sam "Ear garn ?"
  • 2 1
 Will you be attending any North or South American races this year?
  • 1 1
 In your opinion over the past 10 years which rider has had the best results with the least natural talent and vice-versa.
  • 2 1
 Do you want to race for as long as possible like Peaty ?
  • 2 2
 Could you See the move from World Cup racing to racing in the EWS become almost the "norm" for DH riders as they get older?
  • 1 1
 Will you ever come back to Colorado Springs and hit I 35 again? If so... please... let's shred!
  • 2 1
 How did you like EWS Rotorua, and might you do more Enduros next season?
  • 2 2
 Who is your favorite characters in hbo tv series game of thrones? Mine is hodor
  • 1 0
 Which current world cup rider do you admire the most ?
  • 1 0
 What's it like having balls the size of sandbags?
  • 1 0
 expecting quite a punch of "nah" and "ehh" answers...
  • 1 0
 Why was my question about kids and family neg propped?
  • 1 0
 Have you ridden the scalp? If so how does it compare to the new pulse?
  • 1 0
 What questions annoy you the most.
  • 6 6
 Who's your favorite current DH racer?
  • 2 3
 Man, how do you overcome fright of that huge jump or drop or even tearing down a steep hill?
  • 3 3
 What do you eat before a race? do you repeat things every race day?
  • 1 1
 do you miss bromont sometimes? you used to train there a lot in the past.
  • 4 4
 How much faster are you on 650B on a typical DH run?
  • 2 2
 Are you going to dominate next worlds in Val di Sole ??
  • 3 3
 Where do you go on holiday?
  • 2 2
 Why was my question removed?
  • 1 1
 Yeah, why?

BTW, Fosters is not as popular in Australia as the advertising industry would have you believe.
  • 2 3
 What was going thru your head on that run down Val di sole? You had to known you were gonna smash everyone's times.
  • 3 3
 @SamHill
Why are you the man?
  • 3 4
 How many monsters a day do you drink? Cheers from a fan since your 2003 freeride comp! Cheers and good luck in 2016!
  • 1 1
 Sam, when will you demolish the red bull rampage next?
  • 2 1
 air vs. coil shock
  • 2 2
 Is it hard to sit and peddle with such gigantic nuts?
  • 1 1
 I think I showed up late....RAMFB....
  • 1 1
 What tips do you have for a young, ambitious racer like me?
  • 1 2
 Not really a question, I just wanted you to know that you are an absolute boss, man. Good luck!
  • 5 8
 which one would you bang Rachael or Manon providing you were single not married and the kids weren't around!!
  • 3 6
 Do you feel performance improvements after drinking Monster?
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