Who is Allan Cooke?

If anyone answers this question with confidence, they’re either full of shit or limiting their progression as a human!

Where do you call home?

I’m based in Santa Cruz, CA, but ‘home sweet suitcase’ puts some perspective on where I call home.

First bike?

A Diamondback Mini Viper 16in BMX, chrome from top to bottom. I have a lot of memories of that bike.

Current go-to bike?

The alloy Santa Cruz Nomad 4 gets most of my time these days, but my favourite bike is always the one I’m on at that moment.

What gets you excited to ride?

Nature, exercise, the feeling of progression, new spots… I get the most enjoyment riding with friends who love it as much as I do.

Favourite rider to watch?

The one who’s having the most fun, or doing things that don’t compute in my head. Sam Hill, for his speed and line choice, Brandon Semenuk, for everything he does, and the 50to01 lads, for their creativity and joy.

Best trail you’ve ridden this year?

I’ve had some solid Morzine sessions and reckon that Nyon trail takes the cake.

Scariest thing you’ve done on a bike?

In 2007, during the X-Games Mega Ramp contest, my brother jokingly suggested sending a Superman seatgrab flip. I agreed, to his surprise! I convinced myself I had a better chance of pulling it off on the 70ft jump than the 50-footer, because I’d have more time to figure it out in the air. Some logic, but it worked, in front of a sold-out Staples Center packed with 10,000 people, live on TV to millions and with my family there. It was an intense moment but I’d do it again in a second!

Worst crash?

It probably came on a moto. Like Dave Aldana [legendary American motorbike racer] said, “you don’t know how fast you can go till you fall down”. I took that to heart up until I turned 35.

Clips or flats?

Flats for sure. 650b or 29?

27.5in for now, but [Greg] Minnaar reckons the 29er V10 flies and makes bigger whips possible so I may have to track one down for Crankworx next year!

Bike park flow or natural gnar?

Natural. There’s nothing like pushing it on a trail and barely getting away with it. The feeling of bouncing through a section like you’re on a moto, leaning into turns before you even get there and shooting out like a rocket, is one of the best I’ve ever had on a bike.

Who’d you rather fight – Richie Rude or Brook Macdonald?

Oh man, I’m dead either way! I’d have to say Brook – way more street cred if you fought the Bulldog and lived to tell the tale!

How far can you wheelie? A mile... maybe. Desert island luxury?

An endless supply of Jamison Creek Road spring water. It’s the best!

Advice for your 13-yearold self?

Take your time, smell the roses a bit more and rehab your injuries better. You’ll be 36 years old one day.

What would you be doing if you weren’t working for Santa Cruz?

I dance with the idea of buying a piece of property in the woods and making a life there, like people did back in the day. Where the noise of society disappears and one can get back to basics, fulfilled by the simple pleasures of hard work, family and nature.