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 direction 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!
Next up is a man that needs little introduction. The first ever Elite Men’s Enduro World Series Champion, Mr. Jerome Clementz.
2002 was the year that Peaty took second place to Nico again at the Kaprun World Champs, and Sam Hill pipped our Gee Atherton to junior gold. Look down the Junior rankings though, and in 10th, you will see Jerome Clementz. From there Jerome started his rise to enduro stardom and amongst many other gongs, became the first ever Elite Mens Enduro World Series champion.
How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?
They will probably use the word hyperactive as I struggle to sit down and stay quiet.
I like to have projects, plans and to travel. Either my brain or my body enjoy being active and doing something. If not hyperactive then probably, that I love to be outside, that I’m someone you can rely on to say a lot of stupid things.
What thing or things have you bought in the last year that had the biggest effect on your life as a mountain biker / cyclist / person that works in the bike industry?
I thing my Bluetooth headphones, as I use them every day when I train. No need to plug them into my phone, just press play and ride. I love music so I need it all day long.
I would say that the new Alpinestars Kicker pack jacket is also life-changing, so light and easy to pack that you can carry it everywhere without a bag and put it on if you get cold.
What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?
I think it’s a unusual non-habits that make me different… Like I don’t shave my legs. I don’t have time to loose for this and I get a lot of question why I don’t shave. I just don’t see the benefit.
Photo by Matt Wood.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?
Respect the trail.
I think we should educate better the people that start riding and tell them how precious trails are and we should be aware that we need to have a role in the maintenance and other users. I see too many riders that ride but never dig or take time for the community. No dig, no ride.
They should ignore if someone tells them to put more air in their tyres to avoid puncture, riding with the right pressure is so much better then the nonsense of no grip because you have hard as a rock tyres. It’s better to use the right casing!
If you could go back and re-ride one day from your life so far, where/what/when/who would it be? Would you change anything?
In 2001, I was 16 and I was in Reunion Island for the Megavalanche. After the race we planned a ride with a magazine and René Wildhaber (my idol) on the volcano. My alarm never worked and they left without me. They were no cellphones at the time, so they couldn’t contact me as they didn’t know where I was staying.
I was so sad that morning as it was my dream to ride 1: on a volcano, 2: with a magazine/photographer, 3: with René Wildhaber. Luckily I managed to do all these things separately but not with this combo. I would love to go back and live this day as a kid dream.
What have you wasted the most time on in your life as a rider or bike industry career that you wished you’d given up years ago?
Scrolling on the internet watching useless social media. I don’t mind when I don’t have my phone with me but if it’s there I have to touch it. Hopefully I can take a break at some point.
Photo by Digby Shaw.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?
In case of doubt just send it.
More seriously when I struggle or I lose motivation, I tell myself that I’m lucky to have this life, that I worked hard to get there and there is nothing else I would enjoy more. So I work my ass off, I train harder, I push more and I see all the positive aspect of life.
Fortunately I’m a happy person and I don’t get this often. I know the chances I had and do what I need to keep improving and have new goals. As I set them myself it’s easier to find the motivation and to try to reach them.
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
Being out in the nature. I love to be outside, discover new places and see what the world has to offer. Biking is the best for this.
Photo by Digby Shaw.
What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?
A bit of rain during EWS. Not all of it but just a bit less.
What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?
More legal trails and better recognition of MTB worldwide.
Who else should we ask these questions to?
Mitch Ropelato.
