Jeremy Benson: BIKES
Age: 33 | Vitals: 6’0”, 175 lbs. | Years biking: 18 | Years Skiing: 26 | Current Residence: Tahoe City, California
At the not-that-young-anymore age of 33, I still live and play as if I were 15 years younger. Perhaps it has something to do with living in the year-round playground of North Lake Tahoe, a place that I refer to as the fountain of youth.
I grew up in New England, mostly in the fine state of Connecticut, where I developed a love for the outdoors at an early age. I spent my formative years at Saint Michael’s College, just outside of Burlington, Vermont, where I developed an unquenchable thirst for adrenaline and an addiction to both skiing and mountain biking.
While at Saint Mike’s, I got accustomed to riding my mountain bike out my door and skiing five days a week, habits that have stuck with me ever since. I began XC mountain bike racing during my junior year of college, and I’ve enjoyed long climbs and self-induced pain to this day.
I landed in Lake Tahoe in the fall of 2001 for “one ski season before I get a real job.” Eleven years later I’m still here, and my jobs are the means to my recreational ends.
I’ve long since stopped XC racing; long XC trail rides are my passion these days. With epic rides out my door in all directions, I’ve been in pig heaven for more than a decade. I love to go out and hammer 2–4 hour rides five or six days a week. I enjoy the occasional freeride session as well, but I stay well within my limits, capping the gaps and drops around 10 feet.
For the past seven years I’ve been a sponsored “professional” big-mountain and backcountry freeskier. My passion for skiing has taken me around the globe to places like Chamonix, Alaska, B.C., Argentina, New Zealand, etc. I dedicated my life to the sport of skiing years ago, and I’ve been rewarded generously with years of chasing the dream. There is nothing in the world that I like more than skiing powder. These days I spend the majority of my time exploring the backcountry, because powder isn’t fresh if there’s tracks in it.
My favorite gear:
Bike:
Mavic Crossmax wheels
Giant Maestro Suspension
Fox 36 forks
Tubeless tires
Ski:
Volkl Katana
Dalbello Krypton Pro
Intuition Liners
TREW outerwear
Hestra gloves
All Content by Jeremy Benson
Club Ride Bolt Jersey
If you don’t want to look like either a roadie or a moto rider, the Club Ride Bolt jersey provides style without sacrificing technical performance.
Club Ride Half Rack Knickers
Club Ride Half Rack Knickers: functional, well-designed mountain bike shorts, made in the USA. If you’re ready to rock man-pris, these are certainly worth a look.
Bike Check: Reviewers’ Rides, Part 5
When BLISTER reviewers aren’t out testing new stuff, what do their own builds look like? Here’s Jeremy Benson’s answer.
Giro Code MTB Shoe
The fit and power transfer of the Giro Code are definitely worth the price tag, but durability might be a concern IF your rides typically involve much hiking/walking.
Specialized Rime Shoe
The Specialized Rime mountain bike shoe was designed with more than just riding in mind, with a Vibram sole and stable foot platform for easier walking. All-mountain/enduro riders, take note.
POC Trabec Helmet
The Trabec is POC’s first lightweight, in-mold helmet designed for the XC/AM/Enduro market. It’s very well vented and offers good coverage, but its styling and colors might take some getting used to.
Mavic Crossmax SX Wheelset
The Mavic Crossmax SX wheels offer excellent stiffness, durability, and performance for all-mountain XC and freeriders, especially if you can tolerate a little maintenance.
Deuter Race Air Lite Backpack
The Deuter Race Air Light hydration pack’s intelligent design, thoughtful features, and great fit are ideal for XC trail riders who demand exceptional performance from their gear.
