MTB News / Lifestyle: Jackson Goldstone leaves nothing to be desired on the bike. The young Canadian always goes full throttle, whether shredding or racing. Jackson knows the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis region from the Specialized RockShox Rookies Cup and recordings for the video "Day out with Dad". This time, however, Jackson not only has his bike with him, but his entire family. Ron, Miriam, Bailey and Jackson not only ride the family-friendly bike park, but also the surrounding single trails. In the interview, the Goldstones ask themselves questions about their plans, Corona and who shot the #bestbikebanger in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis as a daily task.
Hello Goldstone family, how are you? The year started quite successfully at the Crankworx Rotorua in New Zealand. Then Corona came. Where are you now? How are you dealing with the situation?
Jackson: Hello, thank you, we're fine. Yes, it was a great trip to New Zealand. We had a great couple of days in Queenstown and then it was off to the Crankworx. I had some really good runs and was lucky enough to win pump track and downhill in the juniors and of course the whip off contest. The whip off was a big deal for me as I was finally old enough to compete. Just being there with everyone else was amazing. It was pretty windy but I was super motivated that I couldn't hold back and threw everything in.
When we got home, we should have flown to Austria for the Masters of Dirt the very next day. About 8 hours before departure they said "don't come". Since then everything has changed. But we're really lucky here in Squamish. We can still get outside in the woods and nature, so I fill my time with easy rides, laying out new trails, riding motocross and a bit of school. We don't know how long this situation will last, but we're currently enjoying our time together here a bit, because we usually travel a lot.
Jackson and Ron, two years ago you were in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis for the video "Day out with Dad". What motivated you to come back and take Miriam and Bailey with you this time?
Ron: I think they couldn't hear our constant stories about how beautiful it was there, so sooner or later we had to take a family trip to Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. June was the perfect time for this. Since we were already in Austria for a few races, we took the opportunity to show them Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. In addition, we have never been there in June. Everything just looked completely different. Flowers sprouted everywhere, there was even some snow left, but all trails were passable.
How often have you been to Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis?
Ron: We were at three of the "Specialized RockShox Rookies Cups" as part of the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis MTB Festival in the region and then of course on our family trip in summer, so four times in total. We really like the concept of the MTB festival. It rarely happens that a race for children and young people is organized as professionally as in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. I think this race has some of the best young talent in the world every year. Jackson has made many friends there from all over the world.
Do you often go biking together as a family?
Ron: Yes, we try to bike together at least once a week. It's getting a little harder for me and Miriam to keep up with the kids, but since we're still paying for lunch, the kids will at least wait for us until then.
Bailey, have you already taken part in the MTB Festival in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis? How is it for you to shred away from the festival? How do you like the trails in the Bikepark Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis?
Bailey: I've actually never been to the festival. Unfortunately, I'm a bit too old for the "iXS International Rookies Championships" races, but I would really like to see it. This year I would have liked to try to include it in my World Cup calendar, but unfortunately that's unlikely to happen. I had a lot of fun on the trails in the bike park. We must have ridden the “Supernatural” route twenty times! The descents are very well maintained and the shapers are obviously making an effort. In addition, the gondola ride is very short, so that you get your money's worth throughout the day.
Miriam, this was your first time in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. What did you particularly like here and would you come back?
Miriam: It was my first time here and I loved every minute! We did some bike park riding, which was fun, but my highlight was the singletrack at the top of the mountains away from the bike park. The opportunity to take the gondola from one place to the summit, have a coffee in a mountain hut and then ski down the other side and arrive in the next place does not exist in Canada. This is really unique in Europe and exactly my thing.
Ron, what is special about biking as a family in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis?
Ron: Jackson loves jumps and likes to go as fast as possible. Bailey likes things to be more technical and Miriam and I just like to explore. Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis offers the ideal conditions for this. We don't always all ride the same trail, but we often meet halfway through and switch through, or not. There are countless possibilities.
In the video you are out and about in the bike park as well as on the single trails and try to take the best photo. Which hotspots are best for this?
Ron: Definitely the Pious Trail. If you can't get a good photo there, consider throwing away your camera.
What did you enjoy most about this family challenge?
Ron: It was fun to perceive and use our environment in a creative way. Trying to take the best family photo had its own charm and motivated each of us all the more.
Do you often take photos of each other?
Ron: Not very often, but of course we try to capture special moments or places on camera. That usually happens at least once a day.
What distinguishes a really strong shot?
Ron: Good question! I think if looking at a photo makes you want to hop on your bike and experience the same thing, then it's a really good photo. This can be a picturesque environment like in the "Frommestrail" or an action photo in a fast curve or in a jump.
Do you have any practical tips for the best shot?
Ron: Hang in there and have fun!
Bailey, in the video you're jumping over the legendary hut in the bike park and Jackson is cheering you on. Do you always push each other?
Bailey: Of course we always try to motivate and push each other. We don't really compete. Everyone is good at different things, so let's just try to have as much fun together as possible.
How important is social media for you? Do you post regularly?
Ron: Jackson's Instagram has grown so much that it's almost a bit much at times. It's nice to see how many people are interested in Jackson and follow his activities. That's why we try to design his channel with good content. It's also always cool to look back on the past season and see what Jackson accomplished over the year. These are very precious memories and they inspire to revisit familiar places.
Jackson, did you teach Bailey how to mountain bike or was it the other way around?
Jackson: Being older, she could ride a bike before me, but I taught her how to be really good.
Jackson, I'm sure you know the area pretty well by now. What do you recommend to other mountain bikers when they come to Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis?
Jackson: I really like the "Downhill" track. Not only is it a lot of fun to run, but also to shred. In addition, the "Supernatural 2.0" and the "Frommestrail", which runs away from the bike park, are among my favorites and of course the jump trails. There are just so many good routes!
Jackson, how does it feel to be able to officially compete in UCI racing next year? How did the annual Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis MTB Festival prepare you for this?
Jackson: I'm really looking forward to 2021 and the first UCI race. This year it would have been my last chance to take part in the "iXS International Rookies Championships". Unfortunately that won't happen now. I always thought it was great to compete in these races against other kids who are also super fast but maybe not that well known. This gives you a very good impression of how such a race works. The live stream also makes the whole event look very professional. The “rookie camp” is also great fun. It's also a great way to meet and learn from other professionals. I think it's very important to talk to other mountain bikers as much as possible about racing and everything that's going on, and the Rookie Camp is great for that.
And now between us: which team shot the #bestbikebanger?
Ron: Miriam and I of course. 😉
Thank you for your time!
Our colleagues from rasoulution conducted the interview with the Goldstones. Thanks for this 🙂