JOSH LEWIS
Josh 'Loose Dog' Lewis is part of a new wave of athletes who are simultaneously competing at the highest level of the sport while embracing the internet and social media as a means to connect with mountain bikers across the world. As one quarter of the 50to01 crew with Peat, Bryceland and Dale, many of you will already be familiar with the antics of this young Yorkshireman, both on and off the race track. But it's not all fun and games for Josh, who after battling through two ACL injuries (one on each knee!) in as many years, has a point to prove at the races this year... Who is Josh Lewis?A 22 year old lad who races and films, while also being one quarter of
50to01.
Where are you from and where do you live?Sheffield born, Sheffield bred, strong in’t arm and thick in’t head… Just ask Peaty.
Who do you ride for?I'm buzzing about my setup for 2016, which will see me starting my third season with Stif Cycles and using all the best gear from Santa Cruz Bicycles, Fox Europe, Hope Technology, Joystick Components, Crankbrothers, WTB, Smith Optics and Outdoortech.
I'm also getting some help from Fit 4 Physio and Blue Steel Conditioning to help keep my body running on a peak mix.
Where are you happiest?I’m happiest when a session on at my local trails sets alight. That's where some of the most ridiculous stuff goes down, especially when the 50to01 tribesmen are pushing each other on, it’s so sick to see! Sometimes you’ve just got to sit back, watch, make noises and pull faces.
What’s been your favourite race venue?For contests, it’s got to be Whistler. I apologise in advance as I know it’s probably a generic answer, but honestly, the good times and positioning all make for a sick experience no matter what circumstance and I just wish that everyone who rides a bike could visit Whistler at some point. Next year we are bringing the 'tribesmen' to Crankworx, which should be fun...
Where are your favourite trails?I’m losing sleep over the line we're building at the
Revolution Bike Park. It's been crazy getting a blank canvas to build something for the public and I can't wait to see people enjoying themselves on a line that we’ve built - it's going to step things up for people in the UK, which means that they don't have to travel abroad to ride a good jump line. With most of the good UK jump lines being private, this project is all about sharing the love.
What are your strengths? I’m getting quite good at licking stamps lately. If you’ve ordered anything from 50to01, there's pretty much a 100% chance that I’ve licked your stamp.
What are your weaknesses?It would seem lately that my main weakness involves trying to bend my knees in ways they don’t want to go... I must learn to remind myself that I'm not a gymnast and that ligaments do snap and cause a long and highly boring amounts of grief, as I’ve realised the hard way these past couple of years.
What’s been your worst crash over the years?The worst one was actually getting back up from sliding out on a corner racing a French EWS last year. I got up with one leg still clipped into my pedal and felt the leg I was standing up on, bend in a way it had never bent before. I wished farewell to my ACL, some cartilage and some bits of bone right then and there… This frustratingly happened a year after doing the same thing to my left knee! I was absolutely gutted as I was flying out to race in Colorado and then Whistler the week after. I still ended up racing, all be it with a fat knee. Its a good job that they have mega pain killers in Colorado!
Which bike from over the years, conjures up the best memories?My first Santa Cruz V10 - a red alloy number, which I ran for 2 seasons. Even though it was hanging, I loved that bike. I remember zip-tying my pedal on for a run once because I’d stripped the crank thread. It meant not pedalling, but it was mint none the less. I remember getting some red rims for that bike off Steve (Peat) and building them up completely wrong, but it looked mega. Best bike ever!
What bikes are you riding right now?Right now I'm putting the hours in on a new (Santa Cruz) 5010, which is such a sick winter set up. I’ve gone down a size on my bikes for next year, which so far has been a good move, making them more playful and fun to ride. Hope (Technology) have helped me trick it up with their new orange bits, which is a great privilege to have the chance to do that.
Who’s your favourite rider?Matt and Dave Hockenull. Easily two of the most talented guys I’ve seen on any bike.
Who or what inspires you?Tough one... I get inspired by anyone I think? If you see someone motivated or doing something cool and generous, it makes you want to keep that going. I’m pretty lucky to be surrounded by a lot of generous people! Failing that I get inspired by skate edits. Check out Thrasher Magazine's
King of the Road Series and try to take some of that to your next bike ride.
What do you enjoy doing away from bikes?I'm really into editing and filming videos, which has definitely helped me as a rider. Having the access to be able to do an edit and do it pretty much where ever, whenever, is amazing.
What are you listening to right now?Future Islands, either 'Seasons' or 'A Dream of You and Me' - go check out the band's videos, especially the one on
'Live with Jools Holland' and check out how into it the lead singer is! His moves are sick and I've definitely stolen a few to take to the dance floor!
What’s your favourite movie?Snatch is my favourite film -
“It's a four tonne truck Tyrone. It's not as if it's a packet of f*****g peanuts, is it?" - gets me every time!
What’s your favourite non-bike website?Thrasher again! Please go and check the
Skateline edits series and imagine what our sport would be like with a guy like Gary Rogers… An MTB version would be so sick! Can someone please step up!?
What grinds your gears?When an edit with wild style drops, like something from
Tom Caldwell for example, and you scroll down the comments to see some 'Derek the do-gooder' commenting,
“he’s not going to last very long doing that”. It just makes me think WHAT THE F**K?! That rider is going all out to get the viewer buzzing by hanging it all out and pushing his limits. The filmmaker has put hours and hours of editing and filming in, just generally putting in a truckload of effort and someone's commenting on how crap the media player is or that the rider's going to get injured doing that, etc… Come on guys!
What makes you happy?Riding my bike. I'm sitting injured right now, which means that I am frothing to get out and loose some traction on my bike. It really is crazy how not being able to ride sometimes affects my mood, it's definitely a form of therapy.
What’s your favourite motto or saying?“If it were any better, it would be too much.” If you weren’t a pro mountain biker, what would you be doing?I love it when you read a rappers answer to this question and they’d say something like, prison or drug dealing… Haha, I'd be back on a building site and stirring brews most probably.
If you were in charge of the sport, what changes would you make?It would be good to see people who aren’t 'race orientated' to be as successful as they should or could be. How many sick bike riders are out there who can’t handle a race situation, but are just as good, if not better, at showing a bike off and getting us all stoked? I think we are seeing a change though, but I'm not quite sure how to put a finger on it? Time will tell I guess...
When you hang up your racing shoes, how do you want to be remembered?Being 22, I’m kinda hoping I’ve got a bit of time to think about that one ha-ha, but I’d like to think that I’d be remembered as a fun-loving guy who likes to help others.
What does the future hold for Josh Lewis?This year I’ll be racing the EWS circuit, some downhill events and everything I can at Crankworx. Along with all my filming projects, I’m going to make a free to view full-length 50to01 movie to get everyone buzzing. Other than that, just continue to love life and take each day as it comes.
MENTIONS: @LadLife /
@robcampbell /
@IsacPaddockPhotography /
@caldwellvisuals /
@HookitProducts /
@SmithOptics /
@hopetech /
@crankbrothers /
@wilderness-trail-bikes
Wanting to be remembered for helping others? That makes you a good one.