FOX Racing Shox is there when “it” counts — what is “it” to you?
When a product failure or riding mistake could be the difference between spending the night in a hospital instead of drinking a beer with your friends.

Tell us about your bike setup.
I have several bikes on the go, one for each occasion. I like them to be plush, that being said I rather have some more travel than less weight. Bigger tires and perfect set up between suspension and tire pressure. If I have a 6inch shock, I want to take advantage of all 6 inches and not just of part of it. I know what I mean …

What else is in your garage?
GT Fury DH bike, GT Ruckus 7 180mm Freerider, GT Carbon Force Pro All Mountain Bike, GT Marathon 4" 29er, GT Zaskar, GT Ruckus DJ Dirt Jumper, GT Zaskar Trials, GT Mod Trials, GT Road Bike, GT Force with BionX Electro Assist set up, and a bunch of retired bikes.

What's your training regimen?
I try to mix it up between all the riding disciplines. 3 -4 XC rides weekly, 1 -2 Trials riding Session, 1- 2 Freeride/DH sessions.

Any major injuries, and how did you recover?
My worst crash was when I was dizzy from my anti-malaria medicine, lost my touch and feel for the bike and went way too fast in a rough section, got buckled, landed on my foot and shattered it into many pieces. 2 weeks of pain, then a 7 hour surgery, lots of metal, more pain, 2 - 4 month recovery. A great Doc, accupuncture, friends, family and a good attitude brought me on two wheels.

What's your typical pre-race meal? Guilty pleasure?
Acai shake, Clif Bars and Coconut water.

What is your pre-race OCD behavior?
Whenever I see a penny on the ground I have to pick it up for good luck.......

How do you determine which races to enter each year?
That's easy nowadays, don't have to worry about that no longer.

What are some of your best memories?
Some of the best memories are the ones of meeting countless individuals who have crossed my path and who have inspired me or enriched my life. They are often the most simple people, and despite living in poverty they can be so happy and rich of life. Performing at the Olympic Closing Ceremonies in Atlanta was a highlight, riding with the monkey Mr. Jiggs or being the first person to ride certain trails and mountains, ......

What motivated you to get started racing?
It just happened the rest was determination, fun and hope.

What separates you from other professional athletes?
Being a trials rider always seemed like being a bit of a outsider or unwanted stepchild in the early Mountain Bike world, this made me find ways to use my skills and to pioneer new niches of our sport, but it also made me valuable to the sponsors who could use my unique talents for trials shows and other marketing opportunities. I think I always had a healthy understanding of why I or athletes in general, are sponsored - this gave me sometimes a edge and helped me achieve a status that often was more professional than the average sponsored rider.

How does FOX Racing Shox contribute to your success?
They support my projects and trust in my opinions and feedback, no matter if product related or may it be the next trend in our sport or industry.

What would you be doing if you weren't a professional athlete?
I'd have a farm and live a full but simple life.

What's the best thing about being a professional athlete?
You get as many free stickers as you want.......

What other sports are you interested in?
Moto Trials, all sorts of bicycle racing, Enduro, Ski, Standup Paddle Boarding, golf (sometimes)......

Any advice to the readers dreaming to turn pro?
Make it happen for yourself, don't wait for others to make it happen for you. Make sure you give back to everybody along your journey, that will eventually put you in a win only position. Go 4 it!

How many hours a week are you on Facebook?
5 minutes per day.

Are you a gamer? What are your favorite games?
Russian Roulette, nooo no just kidding - as a fact I never gamble with my life, even though might appear that way sometimes when I'm on my bike. Family games are more my style.

What are your favorite magazines and websites?
The ones with my pictures in and on them, haha.

Favorite movie quote?
"I'll be back"

Who is your hero?
I've been inspired by countless people, each of whom I look up to for some other trait. Don't know where to start? It can go way back in history to modern day freeriders and many non-cycling personalities.

I love my wife.

I want to be happy.

I believe in good things.

Beach or mountains? Coast mountain range.

High fives or knuckles? chuckles .

Boom or done? Booooom.

iPhone or Blackberry? apple.

Are you a Mac or PC? MacRey.

Top 3 bands Rage Against the Machine, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, Nick-I.

Greatest strength optimism.

Most frustrating challenge is juggling time at home with time on the job/road.

My website www.hansrey.com

My twitter name HansNoWayRey

Recent Headlines

05.06.11 Hans Rey the Original Freerider According to Mercedes Benz!!!

06.02.10 Hans, Peaty and Danny MacAskill's Scotland Adventure

05.20.09 Classified: Unrideable! by Hans Rey