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!
This week’s Wise Words comes from arguably Great Britain’s best mountain biker, Tracy Moseley.
There aren’t many riders out there, male or female that can turn their hand to being as successful in any given discipline as Tracy Moseley. Downhill World Cup Series and World Champion, Enduro World Series champ, National Cross Country medallist amongst many other accolades to many to mention, Tracey Moseley is the UK’s finest cycling talent.
Photo courtesy of Red Bull Content Pool.
How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?
A driven, organised and highly motivated lover of lists, bikes and everything outdoors.
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?
A breast pump. So I can express my breastmilk. I leave it with James so I can get out on my bike more often.
What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?
I don’t like cutting hairpin corners to make the trail a straight line… It seems to be an unusual habit these days with the advent of Strava.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?
They should all hear ‘ look before you leap!” and ignore “you need a full suspension bike to improve your riding.”
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?
I find it hard to really pin point one day, as I have had so many utterly amazing days out on my bike, but I guess looking back the first time James and I went to Verbier around 2007, I think it was. I messaged the guys at Bike Verbier to ask for some guiding/local trail knowledge and Lucy took us on the most amazing and epic day in the mountains.
We were out until dark and rode some of the most amazing natural, technical singletrack. It was my first real experience of proper mountain riding and I was in love… We have been back to stay and ride with Lucy and Phil at Bike Verbier every year since. I wouldn’t change a thing it was such an amazing spontaneous day where we met Lucy and have stayed friends ever since.
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?
Trying to do mechanics on my bike. I can do some basic stuff, enough to get by in a race, but I don’t enjoy it. I am not practically minded when it comes to bike mechanics so stuff takes ages and I get frustrated.
Good job I married a bike mechanic.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?
I just have to think about that feeling of going for a ride when you are so unfit, and how horrible that it is.
That’s enough to get me out the door and doing some exercise. Sadly, right now 8 weeks after having a baby I am in that unfit place so ever day is a big effort to not only find time to get out, but then suffer like crazy when I do get out.
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
The feeling that the distance and area you cover in a big ride has all been from your own legs. It always amazes me how far we can travel on a bicycle.
Photo by Matt Delorme.
What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?
All the doping scandals in our sport. It would just be amazing to know the race you are watching on TV is clean and the best athlete is winning.
What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?
I’d love to see greater acces for cycling across our country and an acceptance of other users in the outdoor world.
I’d love to see cyclists all being good role models for our sport and the hatred some people have for people on 2 wheels to stop.
Who else should we ask these questions to?
Nick Craig, Katy Curd, Natalie Schneitter.
