Joel Anderson is aย lunatic. The first to send the big set at the 2016 Loosefest, this kid has both theย cojones and the skills to back it up.
The young shredder from Triscombeย is riding under the Wideopenmag banner again for 2017. Expect plenty more madness, videosย and adventure right here on Wideopenmag.
Who is Joel Anderson?
A 20 year old kid from Somerset south west England whoโs been doing the same thing since he was 4. I ride my bike at every opportunity and aim to go as high and fast as possible.
How would you sum up your 2016?
Mind blowing. It all seems like a dream, Started off the season revelling in the success of โF*ck you, get pumped!โ which everyone seemed stoked on and put me in the public eye I guess. We attended the cracking Pearce Cycles events where I began to get a few decent results but the highlight of 2016 was meeting Nico Vink in Chatel while he was constructing โVink Lineโ and it was there I secured an invite the Fest seriesโ Loosefest, which was the most surreal event Iโve ever been to.
This was your first year on Wideopenmag, what did you make of it?
So cool, everyone is stoked to help and generally keep you doing the best you can which really takes some stress away. Canโt wait to do it all over again!
How did you prepare for 2016 and was it any different to previous years?
No difference at all, riding with my friends as much as possible mostly at my local trails Triscombe trying to build the biggest jumps I can with a spade and a mattock.
What have you learned this year that will make you a better racer, pinner, sender and all-round bike hooligan in 2017?
Itโs all in your head. Turning up to Loosefest where the set up jump is the size of your local โbig jumpโ you really have to believe in not only the builders but yourself as well a tiny amount of doubt in your head could make for severe consequences. However, once youโre stoked enough to hit the 84ft first set itโs the same as every other jump, except you can have a little look around while youโre up there.
What was the highlight of your year?
Being the first rider to hit the first three doubles at Loosefest on my first run, then high fiving all the riders Iโve watched videos of all my life. #ShakingWithExcitement
Any disasters?
I had seven and a half weeks on riding holidays in 2016 and I didnโt get so much as a puncture!
What will you being doing for Wideopenmag this year?
This year I will be documenting all the activities I participate in and putting them into fortnightly blogs riding rad bikes with rad people in rad locations!
Any more mad jumps under construction?
Triscombe is being thinned by the Forestry Commission at the moment give me a few weeks, go check out my blog on Youtube to see the latest and greatest!
What are your plans for 2017? Will we see you back at any of the FEST events?
Loosefest and Royalfest both Nico Vink invitational, Canada for a little road trip and anything I can get in in between!
What are you most looking forward to next year?
Everything! So excited for this rain to go away the dust to come back and go meet all the amazing people that are out there! 24/7 smiles!
Any pleases and thank yous?
Too many! Firstly itโs got to be my family, my Mum and Dad putting up with me and my brother for being the best riding companion. Secondly all the friends who without I would not be where I am. Wideopenmag and Loose Riders for the continued unmatched support. Tom Caldwell for shooting โF*ck you, get pumped!โ, catapulting me into the public eye and of course Ian Lean for the unreal pictures time after time. Please 2017, be RAD!
