Matt Montandon’s Season

The season is nearing its end so like any hibernating animal I’m trying to get as much riding in as I can. Whether it be just riding down into town or going on a street misson on the bmx and riding the indoor park. The weather is starting to cool down and the freezing level drops lower and lower. My life has been complicated with trying to figure out a new town and getting a job for the past few weeks so I apologize for the lack of presence. I just moved into the house that I will be staying at for the whole winter on Sunday. On Tuesday I found out that I got the job at Whitewater (in Nelson B.C.) as a Lifty so my winter is just about set.

  Matt back in Calgary before his move to Whistler.
 
When I try and look back at my whole season it kind of all blurs together.  This summer for me seemed like a big mission, an introduction to the life of a mountain biker. Being the first summer out of my home town everything I did was new in a way. Meeting a whole new set of people and riding at all new spots was the best way I could see spending my summer.
 

  And then in Whistler using the natural goodness for profit!
 
My riding season started off with lots of street on my brakeless Chameleon and a few dirt jumps here and there in Calgary. Sessions at Millennium park and exploring the neighborhood took up the first part of my spring before I moved to Whistler. April and May consisted of tons of dirt jumping at the River jumps in Whistler and riding the skate park. Dennis Langenstam was the first rider I met in whistler and I rode with him and Reece Wallace quite often. 

  Dave took this shots in Kelowna.  I’m not sure which Dave but he’s Matt’s roomie.

I decided to put on a back brake near the end of May and then on the first ride with it I slightly separated my left shoulder again screwing up on a no footed-can; damn brakes. That put me out for about two weeks. I remember the first day I rode after I hurt my shoulder I flipped the 3rd last jump at the river jumps for the first time. You’d be surprised at what off time can do for your riding. Around mid June I made a trip to Kelowna to stay with my friend David. David has the cool little indestructible HD camera, yes the GoPro, everytime I ride with Dave we film something on the GoPro. And I live with Dave now so you will be seeing more edits, whether it be dirt or snow.
 
  To whom does this bike belong?
 
When I was in Kelowna we made the banjo song edit one it was back to whistler for about a week then to Silverstar for the AirPrentice weekend. That weekend was definitely the biggest weekend of the season for me. From then on it wasn’t just riding for myself. I had NSMB backing me. After AIRprentice it was back to Whistler for a few days then back to the other side of B.C to Creston for Goatstyle. As far as points go Goatstyle was a bit of a bust but still an awesome time and a super sick course to ride.

  Slaying the muni jumps in Whistler at the Chromag Fam Jam.
 
After Goatjam I went to Calgary for a week to visit. When I returned to Whistler I hopped right onto my bike and headed to the jumps. About an hour in and one mistake and I was on my way to the clinic to get my eyebrow sewed back together.  That put me off the bike for the week before my good friend Reece Wallace’s Chromag Fam Jam (above).
 
  Whistler Dirt!  Photo ~ Mason Mashon

 After the jam I had a couple of weeks to spend however I pleased. Whether it be hanging out at the lake, working the few shifts that I had or riding bike. At the beginning of August I made my way back to Kelowna to meet up with Dave and his brother. Drove down to Nelson for a couple days and then off to Shambhala. After the crazy music fest I headed back home where I had Crankworx and a bike park pass waiting for me (thanks to Jeremy at the Whistler Bike Park!). After a few rowdy nights during Crankworx and the Camelbak jam it was back to Calgary for a week. I placed 2nd at a 4x race at 
C.O.P. and then headed to Fernie for the Full Throttle weekend. 

  One of Matt’s AIRprentice bikes from Specialized.  Both are equipped with Truvativ and SRAM components, Maxxis tires, DT Swiss wheels, Rock Shox suspension, Avid brakes and WTB saddles.

Riding the amazing trails at Fernie Resort, camping up the Island lake lodge road and riding with friends made for an awesome weekend! Winning the Wam Bam Dirt jump Jam didn’t hurt either. After The Fernie Jam I had about a month and a half of amazing tacky fall Whistler riding before I left for a week of Calgary riding and moving to Nelson. While I was still in Whistler Mason and I set out a day to take some pictures. And did we ever. It was an awesome day. I did a ton of new lines that I had never slowed down enough to see and riding behind Mason really opened my eyes to sliding that rear end out! Since being in Nelson I have rode a couple of the local jump spots and some local trail riding. The scene in Nelson is awesome and the whole town loves it! I got to go ride Garrett Buehler’s jumps with him and Kurt Sorge for a short session. Those guys like to go big.

  Putting his foot down in the Whistler Bike Park.  Photo ~ Mason Mashon
 
This season for me has been one that has taught me a lot about the mountain bike industry and what it is like to be part a team. Having NSMB behind me this year has made so many more things possible that wouldn’t normally have panned out. Receiving the two dialed in specialized bikes this year and all the gear was such a big help to me this season and I want to thank Cam and Trevor and everyone with NSMB as well as all of our team sponsors for helping make my season one to remember.

And now some video evidence.

 Matt Montandon on ALine

  Matt at the Kelowna DJ Park

  Matt taking the Wam Bam Jam in Fernie B.C. Vid by Nic Genovese

  At Goat Style in Creston

  And here’s Matt Dennison’s wicked video from AIRprentice 2010

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How do you like Matt now?  We’re stoked to be sure and expecting even more from him in 2011.   Props to send?  Say whatever you’d like here…