FREQUENT FLYERS

these Magnificent Men and their Flying Machines

Joel Anderson started riding downhill aged eight and soon found out he loved big jumps. He’s journeyed to many corners of the globe including South Africa, Belgium and Scandinavia to compete in the FEST Series – gnarly freeride events with jumps up to 100ft! Joel is comfortable riding anything from BMX to motocross.

Will So e (MBUK’s newest team member) began riding BMX when he was 12 and raced four-cross from age 15 before some successful seasons as a downhiller. Now he’s older (and hairier) he loves nothing better than a good jump line, spending his summers in bike parks and winters at RampWorld skate park in Cardi .

At the dirt jumps, both lads were running singlespeeds with 26in wheels and a front brake only. Will rode his Specialized SX full-susser with 100mm of travel while Joel chose a Specialized P.3 hardtail with semi-slick tyres and a 100mm fork.

For big air in the bike park, Will opted for his 130mmtravel, alloy Cannondale Habit, modified with a 29in/ 650b ‘mullet’ wheel set-up, a longer-travel Fox 36 fork and a shorter-stroke shock to raise the BB height. Joel rode his Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper EVO carbon 29er with 150mm of Öhlins suspension and SRAM AXS wireless shifting.

The bikes performed flawlessly, apart from when Will got overexcited and punctured his tyre on a rock.