Frankly Thursday: Eden Cruise

We featured Wellington’s Eden Cruise as an up-and-comer back in Issue 47… since then he’s gone from strength to strength, winning his second Oceania title and smashing out a 6th place at Karapoti, making him the youngest ever top-ten finisher. Blue Shark’s Rick Woodward had a chat to Eden for Frankly Thursday…

How old are you?

13.

Where do you live?

Whitby, Wellington.

What do you like best about living where you do? 

We’ve got our own place to dig trails and ride.

What do you dislike about living where you do?

It’s far from places like Rotorua and Queenstown.

How many bikes do you own?

Four bikes – an old BMX, 2 Specialized stumpjumpers, an XC hardtail and a fully (thanks to cool sponsors) and an old DH bike.

The bike you rode at the recent Super D – what width bars did you ride?

720mm on the Stumpy fully

Without using Google, is it true or false that John Tomac won a World DH title using drop bars? 

Ummm, no idea? I’ve seen Tomac bikes around so I’m guessing yes? He’s the man if he did!

Do you train on the road?

A little bit in the last season, mainly to go on a ride with a mate somewhere.

How did you get involved in the mountain biking scene to begin with, and how long ago was that?

I rode my bmx a lot and liked racing, but bmx racing was boring so tried a couple of PNP mtb races and yeah, I liked it. I’ve been mountain biking since I was 8.

Highlight of your New Zealand summer? 

The Karapoti, travelling with Samara Sheppard and Karen Hanlen to do the Oceania champs in Tasmania and it was cool racing 2W Gravity Enduro without practicing the tracks.

Lowlight of your New Zealand summer? 

Nelson cancelling a MTB cup round, I wanted to go riding in Nelson.

If you could only do one discipline from today on, would it be Enduro or XC racing? 

XC racing, because I still get to do the downhill but I like racing up too.

How would you describe your riding style?

Pinned to win.

Favourite trail? 

Rata Ridge (Wellington) or Tihi-o-Tawa in Rotorua.

What’s one thing you’ve learned in the last 10 years?

My math timetables.

What’s wrong with mountain biking?

Nothing

What’s right with mountain biking?

It’s fun and a good reason to go on a trip.

All time favourite rider? 

I like watching Anton Cooper race.

Favourite piece of MTB kit? 

My Gloworm head light, it’s awesome!

Who do you look up to? 

Anton Cooper and lots of Wellington riders. Bryn Dickerson was someone I first looked up to. He’d do shuttles with me when I was about 10 and I’d freak at how he rode stuff, then I’d try and copy.

What are your vices? 

Food, sleeping in and my phone.

Finish this sentence:  “On a Saturday I like to get up and…

…at the moment, go play rugby for St Pats then dig some trails on our tracks.

Thank yous? 

Nigel from Endura, Endura NZ race team, Specialized bikes, Revive massage for massaging me and my mum and dad.