When did you start downhill cycling?
I tried downhill cycling for the first time when I was around 12-13. At that time I was riding motor trialbut later chose downhill cycling because I liked more speed and excitement.
What is your favourite trail? What are your favourite competitions?
"My favourite trail is the World Cup trail in Val Di Sole, Italy. It's steeper and harder than any other course I've ever ridden, and all the courses in Norway are child's play in comparison. There's also an insane amount of people there during World Cup races, which is really cool when you're racing.
I like the World Cup races best. Here are the most difficult courses and the best riders. The World Cup is the highest level there is in downhill cycling, and it's very special to ride because you can sit in the lift with some of your idols. "I haven't been able to ride as many World Cup races as a senior yet, due to an injury. But when I was a junior I had some good races in the cup.
What is the highlight of the 2019 season?
"My 2019 season was quite amputated due to a shoulder and knee injury, but the highlight has to be the national championships in Hafjell. I finished third, which was surprising given that my body wasn't working properly. It's also great fun to race on home soil.
Tell us about last year's challenges with injuries and operations?
In April I was in Slovenia to ride in the first World Cup of the year. On the last training ride, I had a fall where I landed right on my shoulder and I immediately realised something was wrong. There was no World Cup that weekend, so I went home to find out about the injury. When I got home from travelling, I started to get a lot of pain in my knee as well. It took a long time to find out what the two injuries were. No physiotherapists or doctors could figure it out, so I was just told to rest and see if it got better. The summer passed and it didn't get better. I finally had knee surgery in November and shoulder surgery in early January. Both operations were successful, but it's going to be a while before I'm back on the bike. I was told that my knee could have been career-threatening, but now I know it will be fine, so I'm happy. I'm patient, but I'm really looking forward to being back on the bike, which will hopefully be this summer.
How have you managed to pass the time while you've been bedridden?
I'm wondering the same thing... But in the beginning I managed to work, so I worked at G-sport in the evenings. I used the days to train as much as I could. But when you have a sore shoulder and a sore knee, there's not much you can do that feels like exercise. I've had a few cups of coffee over the past year, so to speak! When I've been bedridden after operations, Netflix and Playstation have been my saviour, but not exercising makes me very restless!
"It's been a few coffee cups in the last year, so to speak!"
What are your hopes and goals for the 2020 season?
"I don't have many performance goals given that I'm on my way back from injury, but I have both hopes and goals to ride races for the sake of training. The biggest goal is to get back on the bike and make up for valuable lost time. I'd rather extend my season this year, so I'll take it as it comes. I'm just looking forward to being able to ride again.
How did your interest in coffee start? What came first out of cycling and coffee?
Cycling came first from coffee and cycling! When I was younger I thought it was silly that adults could be so addicted to a black and hot drink, so I had no plans to become like that! I've always thought coffee beans smell amazing, but when I tasted coffee for the first time I didn't realise that you could think it was good. Years went by and I remember we were travelling with the national team in Austria. We were tired one morning because we got up very early, so we mixed coffee, milk and chocolate powder to see if we woke up more. It worked! And it tasted pretty good. Eventually, I drank the coffee with just milk and finally without anything in it. Now I've become exactly what I wasn't supposed to be; addicted to a black and hot drink. Thanks to Solberg & Hansen, I've been on a coffee course and have become much more aware of how coffee can taste. Coffee is now part of everyday life and is one of the little highlights of the day. Cycling and coffee are like hand in glove, they go well together. Most cyclists love coffee!
"Thanks to Solberg & Hansen, I've been on a coffee course and have become much more aware of how coffee can taste. Coffee is now part of everyday life and is one of the little highlights of the day."
What coffee have you had today? What is your favourite coffee?
I have a cup of winter coffee from Colombia in front of me as I write this. My favourite coffee has to be Yellow Honey El Tacho or Red Roney San Antonio from Costa Rica. When I got to taste the two types, I wasn't quite sure which type of coffee I liked best, and I'm not really sure today either, but I remember thinking the two were so insanely good. They both had a great aftertaste that I loved. Red Honey, which is dried with a lot of pulp, has a lot of good flavours and is one of the best coffees I've ever tasted. I wish it was part of the range all year round!
How do you prefer to brew your coffee?
I prefer to brew with the Aeoropress and my Wilfa grinder, it's how I can explore different brewing methods and taste differences in the coffee I brew myself. I still feel like a beginner, even after two years with the Aeoropress, because there are so many ways to do it. It also feels more special after you've spent some time brewing a cup. At home we also have a coffee machine that came with the kitchen, this is also often used if I don't have time to brew myself. There have been many bags of Solberg & Hansen coffee at home!
Do you usually take your own coffee beans and brewing equipment with you when travelling?
Answer. I always take several bags of beans and my brewing equipment on a trip when I drive, it's a bit more difficult if I have to fly. I usually drive my car when I'm travelling in Europe, so I often stay at a campsite to save on costs. There's nothing like sitting in the tent outside the car with a freshly brewed cup of Solberg & Hansen coffee somewhere in Europe!
Follow the journey of Simen Smestad on Instagram!
Club: SK Rye
Team: The national challenge team
