Even after a broken bone, Nate is certain he is back to 100% when it comes to his riding. Jared Souney © 2006 Lat34
FMX Fast Five
Jul 15 2006 / DenverLat34.com found Nate Adams after he sampled the FMX course at the Right Guard Open. Check out our Fast Five questions and check back later for the full interview.
Lat34: Nate how do you like the course here in Denver as opposed to the one in Louisville?
Nate Adams: Honestly, I enjoyed Louisville a lot more. I just don't like riding at high elevations. The bikes run slow and it can really take you out of your comfort zone. I mean you gotta’ do it, but I don't enjoy it.
Lat34: Does the performance issue bring an element of risk to the bigger moves?
Nate Adams: Absolutely. You have to carry a lot more speed into the jumps which means you're coming into the jump a lot faster. You're hitting the face a lot harder and that creates more compression on the suspension. At sea level you get most of your drive off the take offs, instead of just landing into the jumps.
Lat34: There’s so much finesse in the throttle for you guys in this...feathering so important. It sounds like here you're stuck wide open all the time, is that right?
Nate Adams: Totally. Some people say the motors at this altitude run like vacuum cleaners. You just have to be on the throttle the whole time. There’s no snap to that power, so instead of getting on the gas right before the ramp, you have to be on the gas all the way through. Not good.
Lat34: This stop of the Dew Tour is missing the Quarter Pipe. Are you missing it?
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Nate Adams: Ahhhh. If they had one here just to mix it up, it would be alright. I'm not too keen on the quarter pipe, I think it’s just ok. I really haven't had that much time on it. At one contest they just kind of threw in there, and we get our two ten-minute practice sessions and that’s it. That’s all the practice we get on it. It’s not like we have one at homeso. As they have them more and more, I'll grow to like them more.
Lat34: I know you've had some injuries, some ups and downs. It’s always a fight to come back. Obviously, it looks like you're doing really well, but how do you feel? Are you back 100%?
Nate Adams: I feel like my riding is back 100%. When I broke femur it still bothers me sometimes. It’s not enough to really hinder me from doing things, so yeah all in all Id’ say I’m 100%.
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Travis Pastrana is veritable poster boy for all that's great about FMX. He's a humble, likeable, extremely talented rider who's always willing to share his thoughts on the sport. In Denver, he granted me a few moments for a couple of queries. Here's his comeback to my fast five:
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Lat34: What's your take on course here in Denver?
Travis: Good. We're missing a quarter pipe, though. I've kind of been working on that at home - but the course is good. It's technical because all the jumps are different distances. The crowd won't really notice, but for the riders it's tough with the hard pack. It should be fun though.
Lat34: Will the double-doubles add an element of interest here or steal thunder from your bag of tricks?
Travis: Back-to-back jumps are always a lot of fun, it's just that here, one of them is right out of the corner and the other is right into the next corner so you have to be very precise with your tricks.
Lat 34: Anyone in particular who's ass you want to kick this time around, or are you just going out to beat the board?
Travis: (Grinning) Well, you always gotta beat the board. But probably it would be Nate Adams, (1st place at the Louisville Panasonic Open) cause you know he's obviously the one on top right now, there's a little revenge to get, so we'll see what happens.
Lat 34: I'm not the only who thought you got robbed on your last run in Louisville. Your take?
Travis: No, no Nate had bigger tricks and he was just really smooth. I had a little more sketch factor, but I don't know, we'll see what happens this weekend. We both have new tricks.
Lat34: Injuries are hard to avoid in this game. You've had your share. So, how are you feeling coming into this competition?
Travis: Feeling good. I've had two solid weeks of practice, so we'll see what happens; only time will tell. But I definitely have some new tricks I'm gonna throw this weekend.
Lat34: I know a lot of folks will be pulling for you. Hope you have some good, safe runs here in Denver.
Travis: Thanks, Dude. Catch ya later.
No Travis. Thank you
