Hometown Hometown: New York, Mountain Biking Hometown: Big Bear Lake, California

Current home: Nuremberg, Germany

Years riding: 8!!!

Sponsors: Ergon

Favourite trail/spot: Does the entire state of Utah count as a spot?

How did you get into biking?

I was very into rock climbing, and I moved to Big Bear, CA to climb. I ended up needing a job, of course, and found out that the local bike shop was hiring. It wasn’t an introduction to biking but rather an inundation into every aspect of the sport! Suddenly it was my entire life; talking bikes, bike parts, trails, races and soon enough I was riding every day and loving it!

I feel like you’re a gear nerd, so let’s have it? What are you riding? or what is your dream bike?

I’m less of a gear nerd than I used to be, but I can share some generalities! I tend to favour aluminium over carbon, especially for handlebars and wheels. I believe wholeheartedly in the power of good suspension tuning and setup. I prefer smaller bikes than some of my friends of similar height. And I believe that if you’re going to spend a lot of money anywhere, it should be on your helmet.

You work for Five Ten/Adidas managing their athletes, what’s the toughest part, and the funnest part of being there for the athletes?

I love my job; I get to bridge the gap between the world of mountain biking and the opportunities that come from a company like adidas. The best part of my job is bringing something to life, whether it’s a film, edit, event or even just an athlete partnership. The roadblocks that I have to navigate during the process can be the hardest part, though; I am so focused on the outcome and how cool it will be that I tend to get weighed down by delays or setbacks. It’s worth it in the end, of course, when I get to watch something like Vero Sandler’s Vision movie and know I played a part in making it happen.

With extension like that maybe CJ will get a part in Vision 2…? Photographer: Dominik Fedeschmidt

After Adidas bought Five Ten what do you think the best change has been, since they came together?

There’s a lot of confusion about when adidas bought Five Ten. They bought the company ten years ago, but three years ago we transferred Five Ten into adidas Outdoor and while nothing changed for our shoes this is when I moved to Europe. The best changes have been the access we now have to all the knowledge and talent of a company like adidas. Five Ten could never have recycled plastics to make shoes, but sustainability is such a huge part of adidas that now we have the freedom to make recycled shoes and find other creative solutions to reducing our impact on the planet.

Craziest thing you’ve done on a bike?

The best craziest thing I’ve done was riding the Dark Fest step up, some days it feels more like something I did in a dream. But it was the most fun opportunity I’ve ever had.

Going to all the top events must be inspiring. What’s the one event you want to ride in? (Congrats on Dark Fest step up!! That was awesome!!)

The Fest series are my favourite events to be at, for the atmosphere, company, and getting to ride there is a huge bonus. The World Cups are the most exciting and bring the most energy because I get to stand among the cheering fans. But it’s events like Speed N Style that I most want to ride in because I feel like I can be competitive and be in my element.

I think CJ has Speed & Style, can’t wait to see her at the events! Location: Bikepark Ferme Libert

Personal goals for biking? Any specific tricks you want to do or lines you want to ride?

Way too many! At the end of each year, I’ve been making a mashup out of the videos on my phone, and this has given me time to reflect on how much I’ve progressed. I think my personal goal is to just keep growing as a mountain biker; whether it’s tricks, races, new lines, or rides in new countries, I just want to look back each December and be happy with the progress I’ve made.

I think we all have a new trick goal, jumping with Gators!! Don’t know if I’d be taking my hands of with that kind of wildlife around. Yeah CJ!! Photographer: Steffan Cherryinger

What’s the biggest piece of wisdom a rider has given you?

This goes back to me being a complete beginner, but it always applies; never apologize for your skill level! If you go out on a ride with some friends, you don’t need to apologize for being at the back of the pack because your friends know your skill level and they chose to ride with you anyway. The same goes for showing up at a jump. If you are riding safely for your own skill level, you belong. Everyone starts out as a beginner, and everyone can appreciate the time and effort it takes to improve; it’s a journey for everyone and it’s a process you have to learn to love and embrace.

That is the best piece of wisdom!! Thanks for the share!

Riding parks around the world! Let’s hope we all get to do it again soon. Location: Portes Du Soleil Photographer: Ryan Franklin

Since you get to travel lots, your frequent flyer miles must be off the hook. If you cashed in your points, what is the one place you’d go tomorrow, if you could?

This question is sort of ironic in a post-covid world. Assuming I could go anywhere without lockdowns I’d want to go back to Asia. In 2019 I went to Thailand for the first time, in 2020 I was supposed to go again and then visit Bhutan. What I saw on my first trip – from the people to the riding to the food – makes me dream of going back and exploring further!

Drawing crowds and jumping drops, at Darkfest. Photographer: Samatha Saskia Dugon

I know you love the World Cup DH races, top five favourite riders and they don’t all have to ride for Five Ten/Adidas. ;) (Even though we know you love them the best!!)

Okay, if we’re talking about favorite World Cup racers…

Sam Blenkinsop- I love his style so much, he always makes riding look fun

Brook Macdonald- I think the entire world cheers for the bulldog

Myriam Nicole- she’s has the most incredible riding form, which is inspiring to watch, and she backs it up by being so incredibly nice

Sam Hill- I know he’s moved on to Enduro but I don’t care

Emmeline Ragot- Also retired from DH, but she was the definition of small but mighty and she gave me hope for the short women out there

Eyes on the prize, like any DH racer. Location: Bikepark Ferme Libert

And last question since you’re an athlete manager, who the next person we should be watching. Young gun and up & comer, girl and guy?

I think since WFM is so well connected you’re already tuned into the ladies, but here’s my list:

Any shoutouts?

My biggest shoutout goes to the bike community. I’ve been so welcomed by everyone who loves bikes over the years, and whether it’s been showing up at a local trailhead or bike shop, or heading behind the scenes of the World Cups, I’ve been able to make great friends and I’m so grateful for everyone who’s been a part of that.

These days, my biggest shoutout goes out to the athletes on my team. They are the reason my job doesn’t feel like work and I appreciate that I can count them as friends as well as colleagues.

Who Dat? CJ Selig