Hello,
I was evidentially suposed to do this a long time ago (whoops!) Probably nobody will read this anyway, but maybe somebody will and go "oh, well that explains a lot."
Name: Jake Umberger
Answers to: Jacob, Jake or "Hay old guy!"
Age: 37
Location: Fort Lupton Colorado
Riding since: 1986 officially and actually learning tricks (85 on a BMX bike goofing around and riding my friends on the pegs)
Bike: Not entirely accurate, but this is my current ride for the most part:
http://www.global-flat.com/bikeconf2/setup.php?ID=2087Differences are Eclat levers, Eastern Fuquay Flyer Grips, Animal Bar Ends, Stolen Class Ring Sprocket, Mechanik Half-Trac Chain, KHE Astern Freecoaster, Odyssey 7K-A Rims,
Notable History: Lets see.... In 1988 Started riding for Kory Riddell on his "Ground Crew" team (him and I by that time). Did a few parades and a couple of shows before the team officially disbanded.
Started my own team with a few friends called "Ground Effects" (inspired by Kevin Jones' GT add in Go: The Riders Manual.) Only a couple of us were ever noteworthy. The team was myself, Brian Benson, John Cox, Matt Sprinkle, Zach Sprinkle (that name might ring a bell), Seth Axelson, Jason Neufeld, and Abel Gooch (that name might ring a bell too). The team pretty much completely disbanded in 94.
Knew and rode with most Colorado riders in the 90's at one time or another (minus Leif Valin. He moved from CO before I could meet him) like Pat Dehne, Jay Eggleston, Mike Hill (rode flat with him most of the time), Mike and Nick Chessnoe, Brian "Yella" Gavagan, Troy McMurray, Matt Howard, Marcin Biegunajtys and a bunch of others I cant remember.
In 1990 started working at a shop called "Jim Dye's Bikes" as a mechanic (those from Stockton, CA might remember that shop. They moved it to CO when it was sold) Later they renamed it Cycle Madness and I later became the Manager. The shop was bought out from under me by the guys I brought in as investors in 95 (get them non disclosures kids).
From 95 to 2000 I still rode but the shop selling was a pretty big blow to me. I rode a lot less and any chances of a career in BMX vanished. In 2001 tried to recapture that passion and opened a new shop called "Side Show." Partner pulled funding and we closed it two months after opening the doors. Kept the bike, but put it away for what I thought was for good.
2005 realized that smoking cigarettes had replaced the buzz I got from riding and started riding again in order to quit smoking, but just barely and didn't give up the smokes. 2009 finally got serious about quitting smoking and started riding more and smoking less. 2010 finally quit smoking and loving riding again. Been smoke free since 12/12/10. Don't start smoking kids.
Working on getting everything back now. Was pretty good back in 95. Was probably able to compete in ams at that point. Now I am not quite back at square one, but close.
That's it. Like I said, who cares. Nobody is going to read it anyway. If your in Colorado though, I could do with someone to ride with.
Jake
"So whaddid I do? I rode like a maaaaan...."