Subject : Hannu Cools
Interview and Questions : Rob Harrison
Photography : Jon West [for contact details contact the editor]
Additional comments [ ] : N/a

Location : Rumst, Belgium
Date : February 2004

Ed Note: Hannu is a cool guy. When all the kids who have got used to this easy come easy go culture that currently exists in bmx, and riders are expecting everything they can get and more from their sponsors in a way that de-personalises the rider owned element of the sport to a pure 'gimme-gimme' attitude. Hannu is the guy that rides for the love and feel of it, finds his own way round and brings his sponsors crates of beers despite having to work 60 hours plus a week. Hannu, you might be too much for my low energy levels sometimes but you are sure a guy i like and respect for staying true.]

Yo Hannu!

1 You're Hannu Bjorn Cools born 17 jan 1981 in Wilrijk, but currently living in Rumst, is that right?
Yep that's me

2 And your identity card is due for renewal in August 2007?
Yep in 2007 I can change my alien picture on my ID

3 Ok, what is it like to ride in Belgium?
The scene is quite nice here. We have a good park in sint niklaas and in wevelgem. But the last one is not so bmx friendly. The trails scene is growing, so that's fun also! But the best part are the riders, most of the time we have lots of fun riding together. It's not really important what you do in life, it's how you do it!

4 It's a place that has many historic places from what I know (It has to be said that I don't know very much about Belgium), is it a bust? Are there many problems from the police for riders?
Yes probably we have lots of blablabla's but my grades for history sucked, so don't ask me. A couple of times I came in contact with police while riding, and probably I was lucky but they were every time quite friendly. One time I was riding a flatbank to subrail for an interview for a French mag. Two cops showed up, We had a little chat and then they said "don't get cold, keep on riding" So till now Cops are cool!

5 The last time I saw you in person was the Carhartt/Country bikes/Wethepeople tour in the UK, it is right that this was your first r/trip?
Two years ago, the worlds were cancelled so my bro, Manu and me made this little trip through germany. That was amazing, we rode everyday park and every night street, we met lots of cool riders so we had a very good time! So if I can count this one, it's my second trip! Roadtrips rule!!!

6 I thought it was pretty cool because you had the box of things that you had from your girl and from home, if you're away for a while do you feel good to return back or are you a person that would like to just keep on the road?
I love to travel, I don't think I could handle it to be a whole year in Belgium. I need to visit different places, do different things, like going to the mountains for snowboarding or visit other countries with my girlfriend, or just walk around in nature, thinking about how nature works. Or a weekend shopping in londen. Everything is on the list! But don't take away my 'home' I really need my family my friends and especially my girl. So every time my trips are over I love to go back home, home sweet home!

7 When you pack a bag to go someplace what type of stuff are you packing, do you have some kind of priority list?
Nope

8 What kind of preparations did you make for this interview?
I had a nice sit on the toilet, by the way, that shitting on the bustoilet on the roadtrip wasn't so nice. I didn't know the toilet was out of order so I had to clean it! Yeah yeah start laughing! [Ed. Note. Hannu is referring to the time he used the bog on the Country bikes tourÄ..unknowing that it was out of order (and that we couldn't shit in it anyway cause the entire bus would reek) and then was peer pressured into cleaning it out, or now I think about it, he might have just done it after realizing but for everyone else it was hard to watch]

9 Do you prepare for everything or nothing?
Nothing, I'm to lazy

10 Is it cool that your brother also rides well, or does it cause a conflict?
It's cool because he's so different, style,tricks. At the same time it's difficult because there are lots of things he can do better than me. Example: he makes tailwips like it's the easiest thing in life! But it's cool because it gives me the motivation to do tricks which don't feel natural to me. Yep like the tailwip, still working on it AARGH!

11 It must also be slightly strange for your parents having both sons involved at this level in something that many peoples parents often think badly ofÄhow do your parents handle this?
My father supported us from the beginning, he always brought us to skateparks and contests when I didn't have a drivers license yet. He always supports us in things we want to do! In the beginning my mother was afraid that bmx was the only thing in my life. Now she knows it's only a part of my life she is really proud. It's not always sunshine in my family, but if I think about it, I love them all! ( oh damn there goes my macho imago)

12 I met your father really briefly after the last tour, I think I was the only one who was still awake but you seemed like a cool guy. How much have your parents affected the way you are and how you live your life?
The further I go in life the more things I recognize in myself from my parents I think it's good that I recognize things, so I can minimize the negative characteristic features which I have from my parents. I want to be somebody who would be able to live with himself.

13 Does Belgium have like a national bmx magazine? Is it pretty easy to get hold of other countries magazines?
A couple of times they tried to make a Belgium Bmx mag, but unfortunately never lasted long. but we're lucky it's not difficult to get mags from other countries.

14 I saw the interview with your brother Sig in Soul magazine, was it from your perspective a good representation of who he is?
I tried to read it but it was French. And French and me are not good friends!

15 What is it in your opinion that creates a good interview?
Be original

16 Based on your last answer, ask your self a question ?
What do you think about protection I hate that people think it's silly to wear protection on the streets I never saw someone wearing a helmet on a street mission, ok I know I'm silly

17 How would you best describe yourself?
My chinese horoscope is a monkey, Hannuman is the god of the monkey's, I love to climb in trees, I eat bananas and I see monkeys as my brothers. so basically I'm a monkey

18 Is this your first interview?
No I did one for Soul And for the WTP website

19 Can you explain one thing that happened when you first started riding that made you think that bmx could mean more to you than just being a bike to visit the shops on?
I rode trials before so I knew the feeling

20 I see your style of riding as being more park orientated, is that a true perspective?
Yes I ride mostly park But I also love street and dirt

21 Can you describe what happens during a normal day for you?
Wake up at 5.55am, most of the time at my girlfriends home 7am, I start working (laying-out of gardens). I'm finished at 6 or 7pm I go home and eat a lot ( no, not only bananas) Then if I'm not too exhausted I go to the skatepark (About twice a week). If I don't go riding I mostly go to my girlfriend or try to read a book or watch natural Geographic channel.

22 You are beginning to be a regular at the contests, what is it that you like about them, or do you go for other reasons?
It's fun to meet people from all over the world, who in general are all very different. But because They have one thing in common they are one big family Contests are a very good reason to leave Belgium behind I go there because I love to ride different places, I have more motivation to go big if I visit different spots, especially on contest of course

23 Do you think that it's ironic to have 'a contest' for something normally so free? (I mean in a way that bmx is a free expression)
Yep It's kind of strange. That's why I don't really care about the results of a contest. BMX is art, you can't judge art! The thing I care about on contests is whether I like my runs or not

24 Contest traveling isn't cheap, how do you sort that out? Who pays? Work? Sponsors?
Sometimes Hangloose pays for my trips, but most of the time I pay it myself

25 I know that you are sponsored by wethepeople and hangloose, but are there more?
Hangloose WTP Carhartt

26 Do they also pay your bar bill?
YEP they even pay my limousine, my girls and my private helicopter No no I am already satisfied when they give me some parts and clothes. The best thing about it is when you get invited for roadtrips! So if someone has a seat free let me know!

27 How do these guys help you out? Do they just send you stuff?
Yes If I need something they will try to help me which is really cool Still sometimes I buy some parts because sometimes I'm too shy to ask, I don't want to be to demanding. I have to get used to the fact that they just give me stuff, it feels kind of strange

28 You have been with wethepeople for a fair while now, but did you have support from someone else before?
My parents

29 How did they come to pick you up?
Stephan prantl Asked it via hangloose

30 What frame is it that you're on?
New Omen frame

31 Fancy a signature model frame then ?
It's very nice [ed. Note I guess that means no for now]

32 If it happened what would you change from your current set up?
Sometimes I think about riding a 21 again, But it's just, some day's I think my bike sucks and an other day I think my bike is the best in the world! So honestly I have no idea what is best for me!

33 Do you know who else is part of the same team?
Sort of

34 Tell me three skateparks in Belgium you think I should visit to see what the Belgium scene is like, and why these parks?
There are only three -Anderlecht: Big hall, lots of mellow stuff but 2 good hips. Really good for three times a year -Zumiez: smaller hall but pretty good, nice bowl, mini but not bmx friendly -Sint niklaas: big hall a bit mellow ramps but really fun!

35 Basically you're pro. But are you still in touch with the un-sponsored aspects of riding?
I don't really feel pro, I get some parts but the rest didn't change

36 The last time you went riding where did you go?
Sint niklaas

37 Can you build a wheel?
Normally I can, but most of the time my brother builds them. Thanks Sig

38Have you ever had a perm ?
Yeah right!

39 Do you still appreciate the cost of things? (I mean in reference to being pro and getting things for free)
I have more fear to break a free part then one I bought

40 What was the last thing you bought? Actually gave money for? (sex doesn't count)
Food lots of it!

41 When you read or see bmx related media (mags, vids) do you get anything from them?
I don't read or watch lot's of it, but I like it and get motivated by it.

42 what purpose Do you think magazines have in the scene?
The borders get closer

43 People complain about magazines but for me they only exist to get people talking. What are your thoughts.
Probably you are right, we are almost all guys so you have to pull the words out of our mouth

44 Do you think that Belgium has a well developed scene?
I think it's ok we ride together and not fight together so we can't complain.

45 Do you know of, or rate any other magazines [Freedom, Cream, Soul] ?
I try to read freedom Its good for my German and there are spots in it I rode myself Sometimes I watch pictures in Soul, ONLY pictures, The rest is Chinese.

46 And maybe the internetÄDo you use that much?
No not really

47 There's a listing on the Fatbmx web site that is also pretty much the same format as the one that Dig runsÄabout what's hot and what's notÄ.i don't care who did it first, let's hear your version?
Hot first?
Titanium parts

Not?
Helmet free street riding

48 Do you eat to live or live to eat?
Live to eat!!

49 Have you ever been to a race meeting?
no

50 Do you think that racing has an influence on your style of riding?
I think it's good for your endurance and for flow

51 Where would you like to see the bmx scene at?
Lets go to the moon!

52 How Do you life work, how do you hold it together? Do you plan things or is it a day by day process?
Most of the time I don't plan anything, it's not in my nature to plan things . Sometimes it leads to chaotic situations. For example, I have the questions for this interview since a month and it's still not finished(sorry rob). So then I have to plan it or nothing happens. I think balance is important, I would not be able to live with a strict schedule, but there are some obligations you have to accomplish!

53vDo you get stoked on new parts coming out?
Most of the time I am not aware of it, I have to ask my friend manu he's the freak!

54 What's the last thing that made you look twice?
A beautiful girl passing my window right now!!

55 There has been a fair bit of talk about freecoasters for street riding? Could you get into that yourself?
Once we were going to a jam in France and my right crank arm was broken, I really wanted to ride, so I put a left one on it so I had no chainweel. It was a bit difficult in the beginning But after a while I was having fun. If the freecoaster would be light and if you don't have to pedal a lot before the freecoaster gets grip on the wheel, I would ride it.

56 Do developments in parts design make you think about different ways of riding? Or is it more riding first then consideration about parts?
Both I guess

57 What about youÄmany injuries or breaks from riding?
Broke my collarbone twice and a little crack in my elbow.

58 What is the longest time you have had off your bike through injury?
About two months

59 Can you remember a particular photo of yourself that you liked?
There was one in Cream, A fufanu on the side guard rail of the miniramp at the worlds in K�ln. I didn't really land it but it's a nice picture

60 Let's face it you're a photographers' dream, big style, consistent and at most of the contests, but is there anything about the en-mass media involvement that annoys you?
I think it's a pity that most of the time, for the same trick unfamous people get less appreciation Than big names, it should be the other way around!

61 It has been said about taking photos of riders and the fact that the riders get nothing from it is a bit harshÄI don't agree but how Do you feel about it?
For me it is an honour if somebody wants to take a picture.

62 Have you ever been used? ;) just a jokeÄ.
No, but if Cameron Diaz would come to me, I wouldn't mind

63 Is there a photographer's style in particular that you likeÄLard@RideUK, Kay@Freedombmx, Cameron@RideUK, Ed@Dig, Carson@Dig, Joe RichÄ. I guess there's too many to be one..?
no idea

64 While we're talking about mediaÄhave you a video preference?
Not really

65 Do you get many videos? nope 66What was the last you bought, whether you liked it or not?
Props

67 Do you use music as an influence for riding?
It influences me but I don't take cd's to the park

68 Like listening to music as you ride?
Yes I'd love to ride on Ska music, it gives me lots of happy energy!

69 Do you have different tastes in music depending on what you're doing?
Lots of different music but it doesn't depend on occasions but on the mood I'm in.

70 What's your ideal listening environment?
Depends on the music, sometimes I listen to psychedelic techno music and then it is, headphone, eyes closed and fly to another planet!!!! If I listen to Ska, the best thing is a good party and happy dancing Ä For every style there is a ideal environment

71 Does the music they use at contests get on your nerves? Or does it helpÄ?
Depends which music they play, No hiphop on Bmx contest for me! Not really hard music cause then I ride too brutal, So I have to try Ska one day, I think it's perfect for me!

72 Do you believe that consideration of a faith (Religion) could alter your mental state?
It probably could, but Not with me, I think I am to sober to follow a religion I don't believe there is a bigger force around us than nature itself

73 I think that's it's impossible to not be influenced by others as you develop so I would like to hear who you think has influenced the way you ride?
I think there are to many to name. In the beginning I just tried lots of things that I saw. Then I made a compilation of stuff I really liked and worked it out in my style. It sounds way to much planned but I think it happened like that.

74Ä. and then who might have influenced the way you think or your thoughts on a particular subject?
Probably my parents, my brothers, my friends and nature

75 What about pre-eventÄhave you any kind of a prep routine?
Before a contest I have to know my lines and tricks I'm going to do, otherwise nothing happens And of course EAT EAT EAT!!

76 Even bike prep stuff? I usually have a look at things before I go riding so I don't have to walk home over something stupid?
Most of the time I start to ride immediately because I'm excited and overloaded with energy like a little child on a playground (especially on new spots) When I've calmed down I Look around and check out the possibilities.

77 I haven't heard anyone slag you off (say bad stuff about you), are you a good guy?
Monkeys are quite friendly, But they also have big teeth so watch out!

78 Tell me a couple of words that are pure Belgium? Teach us your alphabet Ä.
If you go to eat something in belgium, ask this and your in heaven! -Frieten met stoofvlees en ne jupiler!!!! If you ask this to a girl in belgium you are in heavenÄ or in trouble!! - eei poepke hebt gij zin om met mij iets te gaan eten en daarna te gaan sekse of hebt ge geen honger

79 No more questions so if you have something else to add now is a good time?
Just the usual thanks to everybody. I don't mention any names because I don't want to forget anybody.

Thanks for the time Hannu. rob
Thanks Greetz hannuman