Wise Words is our new interview series talking to some of mountain biking’s most switched on people.
We’ll ask our short list of questions to a heap of influential, inspiring and outspoken people that we feel are driving the direct of mountain biking today. Some will make you think, some will make you laugh, some will be plain dumb, some will inspire you to better yourself and your riding. We hope!
First up – it’s mountain bike fitness coach Alan Milway.
Alan Milway has rightfully earned the title of “coach to the stars” from years of training World Cup superstars and World Champions alike.
During his career as a professional strength and fitness coach he’s helped Danny Hart, the Athertons, Brendan Fairclough, Manon Carpenter and many more reach the very top of their game.
If you’re interested, Alan is hosting a fitness coaching workshop this Saturday on 27th January to “help amateur riders gain a better understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses and to help them address their fitness and riding performance”. You can learn more here.
What would you most recommend all mountain bikers do in the next year?
From a training point of view; have a realistic, manageable routine you can stick to weekly. Don’t be too ambitious, but really to stick to. I promise it will be worth it come the summer!
And from a riding standpoint; head to a new place to ride – and try staying off the main trail centre routes.
I have done some amazing riding recently on more technical, natural trails that was so refreshing and challenging. South Wales has some incredible stuff and so too the Forest of Dean.
What thing or things have you bought yourself in the last year that had the biggest effect on your life as a mountain biker?
Flat pedals.
I used to race in clips and more recently have debated the pros and cons with Brendan, Jonesy and Alan Muldoon and I have done much more on flats this summer.
Forget the performance argument we could have, I’m enjoying riding more because of them.
What unusual habits do you have?
I have to put on my left shoe first. To even think of putting my right on first gives me a shiver. It’s not odd though surely, it’s just logic?
In the gym the first bumper plate on the bar has to go on bolts facing inward, the rest bolts facing outward. Don’t even think of doing it another way. It comes from the old school weightlifting plates that were printed on one side only so had an orientation so you could see the load.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear?
For me, ‘Talent’ is an over used word – practice, repetition and regular riding and training often make a young rider look talented because they do this without thinking about it.
Don’t be turned off or disheartened if you ride with someone who is better than you or stronger than you – practice, practice, practice with regular focus on skills and fitness, and take advice and coaching. It will bring you on so much quicker.
If you could go back and re-ride one day on two wheels what would it be?
Please don’t hate me for this, but I can think of dozens of days in the mountains that have just blown my mind. It’s really hard to narrow this down! as I can think of dozens of riding days that
However, one that stands out was a day in the Alps – me and a good friend Luke were out riding steep, technical empty walkers paths from dawn to dusk in the Portes du Soleil.
We just rode long, technical, tricky trails with tacky soil and big rocks and both of us were on our A game. We both had the perfect ‘Flow’ that day. I wouldn’t change a thing!
What have you wasted the most time on in your life as a rider or in your bike industry career that you wished you’d given up years ago?
Twitter. What a load of rubbish. I deleted it the other week.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling to get out and ride?
I look to the reason for the ride – is it for fitness, skills or just to see a mate?
When you look at it like this it puts it in perspective and every little ride or practice is a building block. You’ll feel even more achievement that way.
I had an amazing day in the pouring rain recently as I was with mates and we picked slow, tricky trails to keep us focussed.
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
It sounds a bit deep but it’s a feeling I haven’t found in another sport- just feeling in control and focussed on what you are doing when riding difficult sections or even being out in the hills and away from the real world is bliss too.
What do you most want to see happen in 2018?
I really want to help the guys I coach reach their potential at the track this summer – Downhill and EWS success for them is a real motivator for me.
Alongside this, bringing on the promising young Juniors I work with.
A longer term development plan that will set them up for their racing careers with good movement, strength and competency is a responsibility I want to take on and enjoy being involved with.
Who should we ask these questions to next?
I think Chris Porter would have some interesting answers to these questions after the year he has had. He seems like an interesting chap who is passionate and sticks to his opinions which I can respect.
More from Milway:
Alan Milway on Instagram
Alan Milway on Facebook
