How were you first introduced to Dirt?
“Jerry Dyer!! (I’m old!)”
What has Dirt taught you over the years?
“Not to take myself so seriously, and to try and ride more than I do. I love riding, Dirt captures the feeling and more than anything ride for the right reasons.”
Press releases or journalism?
“Journalism”
Who have been your favourite riders of the past 20 years?
“I realise what a cliché I am but JMC, Palmer, Peaty, Tomac, Vouillouz, Hart & Hill.”
What Rider has most pushed the boundaries over the past 20years?
“I can’t give you a one rider answer – Sam Hill for his class and craft of the time. Aaron Gwin for setting the new overall speed precedent that the new younger riders have had to adjust to.
Danny Hart on his day – for me, he has delivered the two most outrageous displays of pure speed, skill and talent when it mattered on the day that will be impossible to forget.”
What has been your favourite or most memorable race?
“Danny Hart’s 2011 & 2016 Worlds Runs.”
What does the next 20 years bring for Mountain biking?
“Tekkers! Suspension refinement, and surely, hopefully we’ll finally get away from derailleurs on downhill bikes soon. Surely?! Oh and high end bikes fitted with OE cable ties! WTF?!”
What’s your opinion on E-Bikes?
“If it gets more people riding bikes it’s is a good thing.”
What life lessons has Mountain biking taught you?
“Chill out and smile. It’s there to be enjoyed. Young racers I’ll say this, you’re riding a bike in the woods, not finding a cure for cancer! It isn’t as serious as you’re making it out to be!! Be competitive, race and ride hard – but don’t lose perspective.”
What’s been the most questionable thing to come out of Mountain biking?
“Shimano air lines! Another place to get a puncture!”
Who doesn’t get the credit they deserve in the industry?
“I’ve always been a fan of Troy Lee – he’s kept things tight for decades. That brand after all this time still feels so special to me when I get a new lid. I probably get more excited about getting a new Troy Lee Crash Helmet than a new bike if I’m honest…He’s remained so true to it all after all this time.
“I think as an industry we look after our own – and openly acknowledge all those around us who are doing a good job even if they’re a competitor, the beauty of this industry is that we’ll all go ride together anyway. We usually pretty good as a collective and eject anyone by default from the industry if they’re assholes.”
