Not really a Team rider, but more Team/Rhythm Manager
Name: Ronald Benny (No shit, but I go by the name Ben Benny – way better ring to it!)
Age: twenty sumfin
Years Riding: 10 years
Bike: NS Suburban 24” blinged out, Koxx XTP trials bike, Trek Remedy 9
Hometown: Sydney
Local shred spot: Manly Bowl
24 or 26" wheels? 24 – so much more pop!
Favourite trick: Whatever I can land on the day!
Blondes or Brunettes: Brunettes
Worst stack: On my trials bike actually, was hoping across some hand rails in the wet, lost traction and landed on my ribs. It really hurt for the rest of the days riding, and everyone just told me to stop whinging. When I woke up the next day I couldn’t move and it turned out I fractured a couple of ribs!
Funniest story: Well this story isn’t about me, but I was almost in it… I was out in Broken Hill shooting a TV commercial for Nissan a few years ago (had to do the lamest mountain bike skids… nothing cool at all) anyway they were doing “tracking” shot of the car from a helicopter as it hooned down some desert road. They asked if I wanted to come for the chopper ride, and I was mad keen, but the producer didn’t let me go as I had another scene to do shortly. So I watched from the ground as the chopper chased the car down the street and got caught in power lines and crashed! It was hectic! Shit flying everywhere and we all thought these guys were dead for sure. As we ran to the scene, the Japanese producer climbs out of the carnage, pulls his sunnies out of his leather pants, puts them on his head and lights up a cigarette! Coolest thing you have ever seen like out of a movie or something. (But pretty stupid too, considering there was fuel everywhere!)
Luckily no one was seriously injured, but a lot of expensive shit got broken!
Have you ever been arrested? Nope, but my mate did the other day for urinating in public!
Last time you spewed: 2 weeks ago at a fancy dress party. I must have been allergic to my Afro!
Legs bum or boobs? Legs and bums, but I’m converting to boobs!
So what is your local riding scene like?
It’s a pretty cool scene down here, there is always someone to ride with and so much different riding around the area, whether it’s DJ, Street, Park, DH, FR or trials, its all here!
How often do you get out on your bike?
I’ve been really bad this year, I had about 3-4 months of no riding, but lately I've been getting out at least twice a week.
3 things you love?
Bikes, girls and have just fallen for snowboarding (but its more expensive that bikes and girls put together) so doubt this will last long!
3 things you hate?
Holden, Ford, football
What trick are you working on but struggling with at the moment?
I really wanna do 360 brakeless nosewheel pivots, but I keep landing on my face…
What’s your advice on rider progression, how do you get so good?
Don’t be a chump… you won’t be able to pull 360 whips straight up. Start small, perfect your style and from there the limits are endless
What got you into riding to begin with?
I started out doing XC in high school,. Figured out it was pretty boring and couldn’t bring myself to wearing spandex, started riding trials – I know its not considered much more fashionable than spandex, but I love it! Then started riding street to gain a little cred!
Describe your (on bike) style in 3 words?
Trials – Smooth, Street: Bouncy, MTB: hustlin
Describe your (off bike) style in 3 words?
Straight up wack
Where do you see the hardtail scene here in Australia going within the next few years?
I see a hybrid between BMX and MTBing. Both scenes have so much to offer and think that some of the 24” setups we are seeing today really represent the best technology and riding styles from both worlds. Who doesn’t want the best of everything?
How often do you get groms asking if you are sponsored? whats your general response?
Sometimes, I just tell them “I sponsor myself because no one else would!”
What's been your most memorable MTB experience to date? Competing in the World Trial Championships in Japan would have to be the highlight. The riding was awesome, the atmosphere was incredible and Japan is such and awesome place. Oh and fireworks were legal!
Any custom mods to your bike?
My cranks are a prototype 3pc cromoly set that could be the lightest on the market, I've also got a few titanium bolts to bling things up!
If you could have one signature part what would it be?
Some descent quality street tyres. Ones that are super light, but with some descent casing
And so what would you call that part?
TYRES – keep it simple for the punters
What does a 'normal day' in the life of Ben consist of?
Well today I got up pretty early, went for a ride with a mate at Oxford Falls, did a bit of XC and a few DH runs on my mountain bike. Came back to the home office and did emails and invoices, filled out this questionnaire, while at the same time building the new website which is so overdue! Then I will have some lunch, pack and send orders, and try get out of a sneaky ride at around 4:30 - 5pm. Do my shopping, cook up some gourmet meal for dinner, then either head over some friends place or do more work!