Riley is an exceptional trail builder whose creations have been featured in numerous films. Look for Riley in some of the exciting film projects coming out this season.

Interview With Riley

When did you start riding?

I started riding when I was eleven, on Mt. Tzouhalem in Duncan, BC. My best friend's brother had already gotten into it by finding trails linking roads throughout the subdivision while doing his paper route. I remember hating the climb, and being shocked by the descent. It took me a long time to get my confidence up to try a lot of the hills. Luckily a bunch of us got into it and by grade 8 I had a good riding posse. I lived down in the bay so I was looking up at the backside of Tzouhalem every morning, and getting up there after school every day.

When did you move to Nelson?

I moved to Nelson right after high school in 2001. I was registered for both UVIC and UBC but with two days to go to pay for residence and whatnot I just booked on the greyhound and took off. I wanted to go to the best mountain biking I could, and my picks were North Van, Whistler, or Nelson. Since it was already September, Whistler was going to be snowy before too long, and North Van seemed expensive. I'd seen lots from Nelson in the NWD movies, so went there. I met Mitchell Scott on the greyhound, and Dylan Tremblay my first day. A week later Alex Woikon took me out to Slocan Valley to ride Blaise Bjeckford's trail, 'Climax,' and I was like, 'Whaaaaaa??'

Where are your favorite Trails?

My favorite trails are at the north end of the Slocan Valley, in the New Denver area. There are just so many massive descents, and the logging road system is huge. Plus the scenery is incredible. And also the dirt is really good, it's not nearly as rocky as Nelson is. There are some other favorites, but I'd have to show you! And of course like everyone else I really like Whistler!

What do you think of your Knolly Vtach?

I have been super impressed with the Vtach, the suspension offers a good platform and the geometry and pedaling performance are excellent. For me, riding is all about the up as well as the down, although I do shuttle a lot. However, many of the trails I ride and have built are super long and have small climbs over the course of a big descent. So it really helps to be riding a bike that pedals so good, but shreds downhill. It is a burly bike. For example yesterday riding my trail I almost hit a Moose (no joke) and the Vtach was not afraid at all!!!

You have built many stunts for the NWD Films, any favorite stunts or riders?

Well I would say the last big thing I built would be my favorite. I consider it my masterpiece in terms of the difficulty of the build, the flow of the line, and the overall impression of the stunt when just standing around checking it out. I was really disappointed with the way it was filmed, it didn't really see much justice in the film. It is the last thing I built for a film project, and probably my last big stunt system. I had an epiphany that was a long time in coming while we were filming that stunt. I was watching how stressed out Robbie Bourdon was, the amount of pressure on him to hit the final drop, and just witnessing the mental game. Robbie is an amazing athlete and rode the line well multiple times. For me riding is all about blowing off stress and pressure and that shoot represented the opposite for me. So now I'm all about building really fun low angle trails for myself and friends to enjoy, and to continue building unique wood structures for trails, just not 30 feet off the ground!!

Who are some riders that influence you?

Well both the Schwartz brothers really inspire me to ride. Joe's style of riding transferred to me somewhat, in terms of cornering and just body position, so I am thankful for that! Joe's lifestyle also continually impresses me, his guiding in the Swiss Alps looks so amazing, and when he is in Nelson he is riding day in day out. Evan is probably the most raw-talented rider I know. He comes from pretty sick riding stock obviously. As far as some other riders go, Pat Williams and Leroy Brown (along with pretty much the whole town of Nelson) are extremely dedicated to the ride. Another is Devinci Rep Travis Huack, our local world champion! As far as pros, Kirt Vories was here a few years ago and I was impressed by his love of riding, anytime, anywhere. Also Thomas Vanderham, he is pretty much the smoothest it seems. I heard he pops like a spring on A-line, would love to see it.

Do you use any unique tools for Trail Building?

Let's see. Not really. Stihl 066 and 441 chainsaws, shovel, mattock, pulaski, leaf rake, hammer, flat shovel, loppers, axe, hand sledge, rock pry bar, bucket, 4" spiral nail, 6" spiral nail, Dakine pack, water bottle, food, wonderbars, oh yeah, IPOD! If I don't have my IPOD while trail building I don't last more than five minutes... I highly recommend Blockhead, Iron Maiden, Joni Mitchell, Beirut, and DragonForce for trail building. If you listen to this music while building it is almost guaranteed you will make a good trail. Oh and can't forget my fish club for when I get attacked by a bear.

Any big plans for the season?

Well I have started a mountain bike guiding business, Rilor Wilderness Mountain Biking. So that is keeping me really busy. Basically it's all about riding, that is what I do!

Last Words?

Let's ride!!!!!