Catching Up with...Jeff Fehr

Photos by James Lissimore

In 2006 he traveled 105 feet in the air, landing a backflip over the famous McGavaran’s Jump in Cainville, Utah for Nitro Circus, becoming the third rider, next to Twitch and Mike Metzger, to backflip a natural terrain dirt jump. Three years prior he became the first Canadian to land a backflip on national television. That same day he won the Canadian FMX competition (his first competition), filling in last minute for an injured Mike Samson. From that day on, Jeff Fehr, rode to international recognition. He’s been named one of the most underrated freestyle motocross riders.
Like most freestyle riders, Jeff began his dirt bike life racing motocross. However, his jumps are so smooth and natural that its obvious freestyle is what he was born to do. From the day I met Jeff back in 2003, he was the most down-to-earth and respectable dirt bike rider I knew. And not long after his Canadian mark on the FMX scene, he signed on with sponsors that brought him around the globe competing against the world’s top freestyle riders.

He ended up in Salt Lake City training at the OGIO Facility with fellow canuck, Andy Bell (who you may know now as one of the crazies on Nitro Circus). He led a new life in the States, and continued his escapades across the sea. Just recently he returned to his place of birth, British Columbia, and settled back into a more routine, yet familiar tour across his home land with his long-time buddies.

Last year he had gotten to a point in his FMX career where he just needed to stop. Completely. He put away his dirt bikes and took sometime to breath in his life without the influence of his moto-profession. Over the years, you may have seen Jeff perform at the Montreal Supercross or the PNE in Vancouver or even the Calgary Stampede. On May 30 at the historic Calgary Stampede Park Grounds, you can see Jeff compete at round two of the Red Bull X-Fighters contest. For further info check out: www.redbullxfighters.com. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.ca.

DMX: I remember I was walking on the pier at Daytona Beach last March when you called me and told me that you were taking a break from dirt bikes. Your comment surprised me, but after you explained yourself, your decision made scene. The next time I saw you was at the Montreal Supercross. What were you up to between March and September 2008?

Jeff Fehr: I did a lot of learning about me. Not to sound sappy. But honestly, I found everything I was looking for. Why I do what I do is for me. I have no desire for sponsors. It’s not promising in Canada for money. I want to ride either way. As soon as I stopped doing it, I enjoy it that much more. I went from 210 lbs to 150lbs. I put my dirt bike away for two months, bought a bicycle and quit drinking. I started doing things for the right reason.

When did you get back on the bike?

I did the Dew Tour last summer. Only three rounds. Baltimore, Cleveland and Salt Lake. It’s the hugest competition next to X-Fighters and X-Games. I didn’t want to do the points race. I rode well, but I didn’t care about points. I was credited for doing the best underflips! That was the highlight of my summer!

Fehr waits his turn at Montreal.

Fill me in, what's an underflip?

It’s a cross between a backflip, barrel roll and 360. That’s how I’d put it.

So does the underflip have variations like the backflip?

There’s NacNac underflips, one-handed underflips; those I think are the only two that have been done.

Did you do one of those?

No. I just did an underflip.

What made it the best underflip?

I guess it’s just the way I do it. The bike is in the right place when I’m coming around. It actually freaks people out. I learned it by accident.

I’m not surprised. You seem to learn every trick by accident.

I know! I just do it and I did it.

Didn’t you learn the backflip by accident too?

It wasn’t really by accident. It was about not doing it because I wanted to for a job. I had a good internship back then…

Fehr at Montreal doing...something crazy. Great shot by Lissimore as well.

The backflip was more about doing something for yourself?

I did it for the fact that when I’m 50, I don’t want to look back and wonder if I could land a backflip.

You’ve had some big sponsors over the years. Honda was your primo sponsor back in the day when you first caught the moto-world’s eye in 2003 and then Kawasaki carried you through for quite sometime. You bought your most recent bike yourself, right?

I paid for my own bikes. I have some close supporters here, for small parts. I don’t want to ask someone for things and get a free t-shirt. I rode so many years at a top level. The reality is that the money is not coming in.

What’s next for you?

I’ve got the X-Fighters at the end of the month. Benoit Milot is going to ride now. I was supposed to be the only Canadian.

Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour Dates: For more info check THIS out.

May 30 - Calgary Stampede Park, Calgary, CAN

June 27 – Stockyard, Fort Worth, USA

July 16 & 17 - Plaza de Toros de las Ventas, Madrid, SPA

August 22 - TBA