When we look back at 2014 and think about up and coming riders that really caught our attention, we always think of Courage Adams. After a few years of hard work, he was given the well deserved bump up to the Flybikes and Red Bull Spain pro teams and his riding just keeps getting better and better every single time we see his name pop up! We didn’t know a ton about Courage beyond who he is riding for, that he always seems very positive and has a smile on his face and just how incredibly good he is. So, we figured it was time to get ahold of him for an interview! Let’s see just what he had to say! If you don’t have Courage on your radar yet… You are blowing it!
Name: Courage Adams
Location: Pamplona, Spain
Sponsors: Flybikes, Red Bull, G-Shock, Vans, Cromoly BMX, POC Sports, MarieJade Crew
Years riding: 9 years
What was it that first got you into BMX? Any early memories come to mind?
One day, one of my best friends took me to a skatepark near my house. When we got there, I saw a group of guys doing some nice and awesome tricks with BMX. It was like love at first sight, so I decided to buy a BMX and start doing stuff like that guys were doing at the skatepark.
2014 was an exciting year for you and I feel like a lot of people took notice of your riding. You were given the well deserved bump up to the Flybikes pro team a few months back. How crazy was that for you to get the news?
That notice was awesome for me because that means I am doing things right. It’s super motivating to keep going.
I know those guys have kept you busy with trips and everything last year. Do you have any projects in the works with them as far as trips, videos or anything you can tell us about yet?
I’m thinking about going to the USA a few months to learn more stuff, enjoy the country and film a video… I want to go because I feel like I need that experience since I have never been there before.
You were recently added to the Red Bull Spain team as well! How did that opportunity all come about? Do you have anything going with them that you can tell us about? I’d love to see a welcome edit soon!
I had been on the Red Bull Spain flow team for a year, and then last year they took me up to the pro team. I still really can’t believe it because it is not easy to get on to the Red Bull pro team, but they gave me that opportunity and I have to seize it. I can’t wait to start traveling around the world with my bike and learn more this year!
How are things going with the rest of the sponsors? Anything going on with Vans, Mariejade, Poc, G-Shock or Cromoly you can tell us about?
All the rest of my sponsors are happy with all the things that I’m getting done and they keep me fresh and motivated. I’m happy with them too.
I know you did a fair amount of traveling last year. Where all did you have the opportunity to go to? What would you say your favorite trip was?
I had the opportunity to visit Germany, France, Stockholm, Estonia and Italy. My favorite trip was to Tallinn, Estonia for Simple Session. I will never forget that experience because that really helped me progress.
What’s your travel plans for 2015 looking like? How likely is it that we will see you over here in the U.S?
Yeah sure, the first plan that I have in mind is to go to the US for a few months and film an edit, enjoy the country and have fun cruising the streets. Not sure where else, but that’s my biggest goal for traveling this year.
I noticed you have spent quite a bit of time in Barcelona lately. Any plans on moving there in the future?
Not really any plans to move there. I love spending a bunch of time in Barcelona because the weather in my town is not very good this time of year. When I visit BCN I can’t stop riding!
Let’s say you got a big budget from Red Bull to take 4 riders, a filmer and photographer anywhere in the world to film for a week. Who would you bring with, where would you go and why?
I think the riders would be Simone Barraco, Moritz Nussbaumer, Stefan Lantschner and Sergio Layos. The filmer would be Hadrien Picard, the photographer would be Vince Perraud and the location would be Nigeria. I have chosen these riders because they are good guys and they always kill it. Hadrien Is one of my favorite filmers and Vince is the man when it comes to taking pictures. I chose Nigeria because I was born there and I think there are a bunch of untouched spots to ride and to film good stuff on.
Photo: Vince Perraud
We saw you at a few contests last year. Are you a big into riding in contests or are you just there for the fun of it? Any that you want to make it to this year especially?
I hate contests, haha!! I’m just there for the fun of it and because I know that is important to keep going and “surpass yourself” and it is a good place to push yourself.
You have blown my mind countless times on some of the clips you have posted on Instagram. Do you feel like social media motivates you to try and push yourself a bit when it comes to riding?
Not really. I ride because I feel good on my bike. I post some instagram videos because I think it is a good way to reach a lot of people and to have stuff for the sponsors. But I usually hold on to the big things for full edits, haha..
What’s one trick you can’t do no matter how many times you try and make it happen?
X-Up Grinds are so difficult for me…
Who are a few of the riders that really inspired you over the years?
Eneko Navarro, Chad Kerley, Simone Barraco, Garrett Reynolds, Brad Simms and Alex Kennedy…
What do you think you would be doing today if you never got into BMX?
I think I would be a Football player, because my father loves football but I hate it…
What are you usually up to when you aren’t riding? Do you have any hobbies or anything else you are really good at that you like to do?
I like going for a bike ride on my fixie and chill with friends.
What kind of music are you into? Any songs or artists you are really into these days?
ASAP Rocky is the man! Song:ASAP ROCKY – MULTIPLY (FEAT. JUICY J)
Who or what are some of the biggest influences on your life outside of BMX?
My family and good friends.
Let’s say you won the lottery. What’s the first thing you buy?
I think I would build the best street plaza in the world and throw the best event with all my friends and riders in the planet. I would also build a BMX school in Nigeria.
Where do you hope to be in 5 years?
Traveling around the world with my bike and living the dream!
Photos: Vince Perraud
What’s something about yourself that might surprise people?
I’ve never broken any bone in my body since I have started riding BMX. That’s because I just enjoy riding and I don’t like to push myself to do something that I know that I can’t do.
How can people keep up with you these days?
Yeah, Instagram or Twitter are the best way!
Instagram: @CourageAdams
Twitter: @CourageAdams
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Thanks to The Union for the opportunity to do this interview and shout out to all the people that taking care of me and keeping me moving in a good way!
Anything else you want to say?
I’m Okay! Thanks for everything!
