Former Northfielder John Gaddo and Hans "No way" Rey dazzle the crowd at the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival

Hans Rey, Griff WigleyAs I got ready to dig into my plate of lasagna at Maucieri’s in Crosby last Friday night, in walks Hans “No way” Rey, “considered the world’s leader in extreme mountain biking… a former trials riding world champion, a showman, a stuntman and an adventure mountain biker.”

He was the featured stunt rider for the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival, brought to the event courtesy of GT Bicycles, with financial support from MORC, IMBA, and Bloomington, MN-based QBP (Quality Bicycle Products), one of the largest bicycle parts distributors in the world.

Gary Sjoquist, Hans Rey, John Gaddo, Jeff VerinkHans is a god, even in my world of motorcycle trials, so I was thrilled to be invited to join him and some other mountain bike industry guys for dinner and beers. In the photo, L to R: Gary Sjoquist, Advocacy Director for QBP; Hans Rey; John Gaddo, Inside Sales rep at QBP; and Jeff Verink, sales rep with GT Bicycles and the talented master of ceremonies for the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival.

While chatting with John Gaddo, I learned that he grew up in Northfield.  Many locals might know his dad, long-time general manager at the former WCAL-FM. John mentioned that he was also a trials bicycle rider but I had no idea the level of his skills until he teamed up with Hans for the bicycle trials exhibition on Saturday night.

See my album of a dozen photos of the John Gaddo bike trials exhibition, view the large slideshow (recommended), or SLOW CLICK this small slideshow:

See my album of 28 photos of the Hans Rey bike trials exhibition, (and photos of Hans signing posters and speaking about his Wheels 4 Life non-profit), view the large slideshow (recommended), or SLOW CLICK this small slideshow:

I think Northfield should feature a bicycle trials exhibition by John Gaddo, right on Bridge Square, during the Milltown Cycles 4th of July criterium. How about it, Ben Witt?

7 Comments

  1. John Gaddo said:

    Such a great event!

    June 14, 2011
  2. Minor point, but my former colleague and friend John Gaddo Sr. was not a “longtime” manager of WCAL (surely Paul Peterson is the only one in recent memory who can claim that status), but he did hold that position in the final several years of the station after Paul’s retirement and the departure of Paul’s short-tenured immediate successor.

    June 14, 2011
  3. Jerry Bilek said:

    Unbelievable Griff. you met one of the greatest trials riders of all time. Hans is a legend. check out his tire in photo #2. nice photos of John and Hans

    June 14, 2011
  4. Griff Wigley said:

    Thanks, Penny. I’ve stricken “long-time.”

    June 15, 2011
  5. Griff Wigley said:

    Glad you noticed that rear tire, Jerry. Most people don’t realize that for trials, soft tires are a must because of the traction that’s needed. Other photos show John Gaddo bracing the picnic table for some of Hans launches… the traction can be *that* good.

    June 15, 2011
  6. Jerry Bilek said:

    nice photos Griff. love the night riding shot.

    June 15, 2011

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