DOING ZE WHEELIE

CHIPPS PROFILES THIS POPULAR RIDER’S REINVENTION FROM COMPETITOR TO ADVENTURE RIDER TO PERSONALITY AND BRAND AMBASSADOR

WORDS BY CHIPPS

PICTURES BY CHIPPS AND CARMEN REY

There are many versions of Hans Rey. There have been many other versions over the years too as he has sought to keep himself current and relevant in the fast-paced mountain bike world. He is a different person to different people, but he is always Hans Rey. And while that might sound a little disingenuous, it’s not meant to be. As Hans enters his 30th year of sponsorship (in many cases (like GT) continuous sponsorship) he is still as relevant to his sponsors, still as popular with the magazines, and importantly, still as popular with the fans as ever.

I’ve been lucky enough to meet, and to see in action, many of the different Hans Reys over the years and I Finally got to ride with him on my home trails and talk over what makes him tick. But first, join me in the way-back machine as I look in on some of my previous Hans Rey moments.

It’s 1994 and I’m at the World Championships in Vail, Colorado. The mountain bike world is fresh and exciting and the personalities, like Ned Overend and John Tomac, are our superstars. At the event, top trials rider Hans Rey is there, competing with the world’s best and drawing a crowd because already, hey, he’s Hans Rey – the man has his own VHS tapes and appeared in the first mountain bike feature film, Tread.

It’s a year or so later and the Malvern Classic event is huge and hot and full of our stars of the day. Hans has been invited over and gives trials displays in front of an enthralled crowd. Despite a ponytail and a Lycra outfit, Hans is a real-life celebrity and goes on to prove his skills when in the ‘longest wheelie’ competition he literally laps his fallen competitors.