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 candidate is none other than one half of Flare Clothing Co., Hannah Myers.
The creative drive behind the clothing brand Flare Clothing Co., Hannah Myers has helped create a brand that is punching well above their weight in a market that is saturated with clothing brands.
How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?
Creative, loyal and witty when drinking.
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?
Bikepacking kit! Although I’ve not been able to use all of it as much as I’d like, I love the sense of freedom that comes along with having everything you need to take yourself away and explore somewhere new.
What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?
I have yet to see evidence of this, but I am reliably informed that while climbing I wobble my head from one side to another.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?
Be nice! If you pass some walkers on a trail, slow down, say hi, have a chat about the weather. You’ll a) leave having not been shouted at, and b) painted a friendly and considerate picture of the whole mountain bike community.
In terms of what people should ignore, it’s not so much advice but something I hear people saying a lot; “I’m not good enough to [wear/have/ride] that”. If you want to wear full yellow from head-to-toe, do it! (I do) If you want that swish bike you’ve been eyeing up for the last year, get it. There are no rules to MTB, nobody saying you have to get your brown belt before you progress to a black belt. If wearing that outfit is going to make you feel like an über race machine while you’re whizzing round Sherwood Pines, go for it!
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?
It’s got to be Raasay. Last summer a group of us went up to the Isle of Raasay (just off Skye), planning to ride to a bothy in the North of the island and back the following day, simple, right? We thought we’d be epic and adventurous and followed the coast around the bottom and up around, but for most of the way there was no path, just walls of ferns, fallen trees, landslides and all the midges in Scotland battling us for a full 12 hours. It was the definition of type two fun, with hindsight I’m really proud that we made it, and stoked that we had such an adventure.
But if I was to re-ride it, I’d have taken the road.
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?
Moaning. I’m trying really, really hard to, rather than moan, to either find a productive way to fix the situation (if it’s within my control), or to focus my energy on something else. We as Brits, or mountain bikers, or people can always find something to moan about for the sake of moaning, and I’m trying hard to be positive instead. Easier said than done.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?
Do something else. Go for a ride or walk with the pooch, read a book. Try to get out of my head and think about something else for a while, then the inspiration has space to strike! Last year I had no ideas for the colour palette for our collection, I left it for a while, went for a ride and bam! There is was, beautiful shades of green and purple in the heather.
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
I love the view from the top. Feeling proud of getting somewhere amazing under my own steam, feeling tired and happy, marvelling at the views, and excited about the fun descent to come!
What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?
For me, this year has been the shittest one on record, but I’m not going to be able to erase anything. Instead, I’m trying to move forward and appreciate the good stuff. Enjoy riding my bike in the moment, whether that moment is soaring down sweet singletrack in the baking heat or if I’m climbing into a massive cloud.
What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?
Access. I understand that open access for everyone, everywhere isn’t always possible but it would be amazing to pitch up somewhere new, look at a map and see a network of trails ready to explore.
Who else should we ask these questions to?
Catherine and Euan from H & I Adventures.
