Hans ‘No Way’ Rey needs no introduction to the readers of Singletrack, right? He is a pioneer of extreme Mountain Biking and Trials riding, considered by many to be the original ‘Freerider’. A former Trials World Champion, inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 1999 and renowned for his incredible bike displays. Hans is one of the best-known mountain bikers both inside and outside of the sport, having performed in front of 3.5 billion viewers worldwide as part of an extreme sports act during the 1996 Olympic Games closing ceremony.
Since retiring from racing in 1997, Hans formed the ‘Hans Rey Adventure Team’ – which involves a vast range of mountain biking adventures, from biking across Iceland with British Downhill legend Steve Peat, to completing the first bike descent of Mount Kenya – and now Hans brings his amazing stories from his 30-year career on two wheels, to stages across the UK as he tours his debut ‘audience with…’ style show, Riding Life, to 11 UK theatres, from Horsham to Inverness, presented by adrenaline-activity speakers specialists, Speakers from the Edge, and in association with GT Bicycles and Deuter backpacks
It’s not the first time Hans has appeared on a UK stage (and we covered a previous talk here), but this is the first time he’s done a UK theatre tour with his talk.
Rey’s ‘No Way’ moniker comes from all the times he said he would try a particularly insane stunt to be told “no way” by other riders, before completing it. As a result, Hans is one of the leading figures to have helped propel mountain biking from the niche sport it was in the 1980s to the major activity millions now enjoy across the globe, and Danny MacAskill has cited him as a big influence. In fact, the pair took on a journey to summit Kilimanjaro with bikes last year – something we covered in issue 112 of Singletrack.
In Riding Life, Hans will tell his fascinating stories on a personal level, taking audiences on an inspiring journey through his life, showing some of the best trails and riding destinations worldwide. Covering his early riding days in Germany, the mountain bike boom in America, his extreme biking feats, awesome adventures – which include riding the Indian Himalayas, the Alps and Inca Trails, and traversing the Sinai Desert – and how his charity Wheels4Life is changing the world one bike at a time. Hans will also offer his vision for the future of the sport and what keeps him motivated.
Having been to listen to Hans in the past, we can recommend going to see this still-entertaining legend of the sport.
Riding Life is touring UK theatres, from Wednesday 1 November, to Saturday, 25 November. To book tickets, or for further details, visit www.speakersfromtheedge.com
Hans Rey. November 2017
Wed 1 MALVERN Malvern Theatres 01684 892277 / malvern-theatres.co.uk
Thurs 2 BRECON Theatr Brycheiniog 01874 611622 / brycheiniog.co.uk
Sat 4 LEEDS Carriageworks 0113 376 0318 / leeds.gov.uk/Carriageworks
Thurs 9 HORSHAM The Capitol 01403 750220 / thecapitolhorsham.com
Fri 10 BUXTON Arts Centre 01298 72190 / buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
Fri 17 LANCASTER The Dukes 01524 598500 / dukes-lancaster.org
Sat 18 DUNKELD Birnam Arts 01350 727674 / birnamarts.com
Sun 19 INVERNESS Eden Court 01463 234234 / eden-court.co.uk
Mon 20 GLASGOW Drygate drygate.com
Wed 22 ANDOVER The Lights 01264 368368 / thelights.org.uk
Sat 25 NEWTOWN Theatr Hafren 01686 614555 / thehafren.co.uk
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Buxton! wicked.
Love Hans. He has been a hero of mine since the late 80’s. I have 5 kids from 23 years old to 3 years old. They all know which is their ‘Chocolate foot, ya!’.
No dates near me but will maybe make the trek
Hans is a Legend! I still have the signed A1 poster from meeting the man himself at the 1990 London Bike Show. It hangs with pride in my man cave/shed.
Wish I had a tenth of his bike handling skill!
Looking forward to seeing him in Buxton!
I saw him talk earlier this year in Clitheroe and it was brilliant. I would recommend.