Click here to watch Aaron Chase storm Nuremburg

Birthplace: Belmont, NH
Residence: New Jersey
Nickname: AC, Ace
Age: 27

Aaron Chase in La Paz, Mexico Courtesy of Red Bull

Career Highlights
Reputed as one of the most progressive and influential riders in mountain biking, Aaron Chase was recently named a "Legend of Mountain Biking" by MBUK magazine. Before becoming a freerider, Chase was a cross-country, slalom and downhill racer. In 2005, he won the prestigious Red Bull Nuremburg freeride contest. When not competing, he is starring and making mountain bike movies.

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(MZ) My most memorable experience in freeriding came when...(AC) I won the 2005 Red Bull District Ride in front of over 40,000 people in Nuremburg, Germany. That day was amazing, I laid down a solid run and it held up.

I’ve been successful as a mountain bike free rider because...of my ability to ride everything. I race, jump and love to ride it all. The key to being a good rider is quickly adapting to whatever comes your way.

The last thought in my mind just before I execute a difficult trick is...usually nothing...but before that I like to say out loud "What are my odds? Is it better than 50/50...yep, maybe more like 90/10. Well, that’s good enough for me!" That’s a scenario that has played out in my head a few times.

I am most proud of...having my own signature bike with Cannondale, a company that I have been with since the beginning of my career and has believed in me enough to let me design my perfect bike. Doesn’t get much better.

My experience has helped me...last as long as I have. You have to pick and choose your time to throw down or let be. There are stunts that you have to let be, but you are measured on what you do and you can’t do much when you are broken.

Confidence is something you...acquire. The more you ride the more you know what is going to happen in a situation and that will give you confidence.

I am different from most other guys in that I...have raced Professional Downhill for five years. There is a little bit more of a work ethic in racing than there might be in Freeride. I think that might separate me from the rest of the other guys, but besides that I’m one of them....for sure.

I live by the phrase...you gotta look bad to look good.

If I had a younger brother, one piece of life advice I would give him is...don’t sleep too much.