SCOTT Sports

Source from Mountain Bike Action

Mike Hopkins’ Scott Voltage Gravity Sled

Although Mike Hopkins is just 24 years old, he is already an accomplished big-mountain freesker and mountain biker.

“Growing up in Rossland, British Columbia, Canada, was like growing up in an oversized playground,” explains Mike. “It was biking in the summer, skiing in the winter. Having Red Mountain on my back doorstep meant I spent more time on the mountain than I did anywhere else. Over the years, I did really well in big mountain and slopestyle competitions, and that grabbed the attention of a few companies. These days, I spend the winter bouncing between Europe and North America with the Rossignol Team, fighting to film in the best snow.”



Mike’s wintertime resume is impressive, and his two-wheeled passion runs deep as well. “In 1994, my dad, brother and I went to the Grundig World Cup at Silverstar resort,” says Mike. “He cleverly orchestrated circumnavigation of the pits that put my brother and me face to face with legends like John Tomac, Missy Giove and Myles Rockwell, each sporting their team attire, and Missy in particular saw it fitting to accessorize using a petrified piranha. After that adventure, I was sold. I rode throughout my childhood and raced on the BC Cup circuit. I studied every bike movie that was ever released and spent the majority of the time trying to chase down my brother, Joe, who won everything he entered. It wasn’t until I met Derek Frankowski (ed.--photographer and producer of Life Cycles) that my mountain bike career slowly took off. He introduced me to the business, got me my first sponsor (Titec), and things just snowballed from there.”



Whether on snow of dirt, Hopkins doesn’t shy away from challenging terrain. Last year, he placed sixth in a stacked field at the resurrection of Red Bull’s Rampage monster slopestyle event. “Rampage was amazing!” exclaims Mike. “I’m really happy with my result, and I owe a lot to that event for establishing me as a rider. I wish there were more contests with the Rampage makeup, because I think it defines mountain biking.”



We caught up with Mike to dissect his bike park weapon, the Scott Voltage FR, “Scott’s new addition for 2010, it fills the void between the Gambler and the Ransom. I can completely customize the suspension, wheelbase and geometry. I run a 350 spring, which keeps things pretty plush.”