Matt MacDuff, age 26, is a Canadian slopestyle and dirt jump phenomenon. His burly riding style and his determination to push the sport of slopestyle mountain bike riding are most evident when he rides the stunts that he builds, which have awed the riding community worldwide. His segment at the end of the film Builder displays a dizzying array of never-before-seen stunts, and his Loop of Doom stands shoulder to shoulder with Sam Hill’s 2008 Val di Sole Worlds race run as one of the greatest and most glorious failures in the history of our sport. Here he waxes about books, babes, and bouncing a bike like a basketball. Matt is currently in South Africa at DarkFest, sending it in a major way!
What is your second favorite sport or athletic endeavor?
It changes all the time, but at the moment, indoor bouldering and reading thick books.
What is your favorite non-mtb bicycle or vehicle?
Tough call; I'd have to say anything loud, hand-made, and bad ass.
What is your preferred or ideal post-ride ritual?
Depends what time of the day. I ride mostly late at night, so a perfect post-ride ritual for me could mean joining a babe for a glass of wine, studying theories related to kinetic and potential energy by the fire place, or tequila with friends.
Which mechanical glitch, imperfection, or problem will you tolerate on a ride? Which can you not tolerate?
I don't mind if I break a spoke, which never seems to happen anymore since I switched to i9's. I can't stand it when my bars aren't straight though...that’s a must-fix in my books.
What bicycle maintenance procedure do you most enjoy?
I'll be honest. I don't really enjoy doing maintenance (laughs). I guess that's why my rides are always so simple and strong. However, now that I think about it, I do enjoy taking my bike off the bike rack, bouncing it off the ground like a basket ball, and hearing nothing. That's a beautiful thing.
Would you rather: turn your bike as much as you like, but never again have your tires leave the ground; or jump as much and as high as you like, but only ever ride in a straight line for the rest of time?
Easy. Jump as high I want because then I wouldn't need to turn.
Would you rather go for a three hour ride on: a bike with 15-year-old geometry and brand new suspension; or a bike with 15-year-old suspension and up-to-date geometry?
New geo and old-school suspension for sure!
What do you consider to be the greatest injustice in mountain bike history?
I really feel for all the awesome women out there that love bikes. I wish the industry and the culture would open the doors more for them more.
Which is your favorite World Cup race track?
Mont Saint Anne!
What is your favorite colour for a bike frame?
Black or some sort of red.
What is your favorite vintage downhill bike? (pre-2002 only)
I like the Rocky Mountains that Tippie rode back in the day!
What is your favorite story or legend in slopestyle history?
When Paul Basagoitia took the win at Crankworx with a rental bike. Back in the day, legend has it that his bike never showed up, or maybe he didn't have one. Anyways he took a rental and won the contest with it!
What is your favorite story or legend in freeride history?
So many legends, so many stories. My favorites have to do with Robbie Bourdon for sure and anything to do with Josh Bender! Brett Tippie has some awesome ones too but, none of my favorites can be shared in public haha!
What cycling industry job would you try that you haven't already?
CEO of a big brand like SRAM or Shimano, that would be pretty dope.
If you could upload the skills and style of another rider to your brain and body, Matrix-style, whose skills and style would you choose?
Garrett Reynolds' skills and Andreu Lacondeguy's style.
What is the biggest or best gift mountain biking has given you?
Awesome friends, the ability to travel amazing places, and a healthy respect for life and death. It's amazing where your bike will take you if you can hang on to the handle bars!
Where is the best dirt in the world?
Haven't found it yet, but when I do, I'll build something awesome that pushes the boundaries of awesome.
View replies to: The ROOST Questionnaire #2, Matt MacDuff
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