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 across the pond in the form of Kevin Menard, one half of Transition Bicycle Co.
From a simple vision to create the bikes they wanted to ride over a game of ping pong, Kevin Menard and his co-founder Kyle Young, have their bikes under some of the fastest and most respected athletes on the planet. Building a respected brand from scratch is no mean feat, and Kevin is 50% of the brains that made it happen.
How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?
I would hope they would describe me as someone that just loves to have fun no matter what trail we are riding or how fast we are going. Super chill, doesn’t care if he is in the front, middle or back, although tends to crash when he is in front trying to impress people.
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?
My favourite purchase (actually they were given to me for free, thanks Hector) are my HT T1 Clipless pedals. You wouldn’t think a pedal would have a big effect but these were a huge benefit to me. They have this amazing float to them that makes them feel like a flat pedal but then keep your feet secure and you never come out prematurely.
Any component or bike that gives you added confidence is huge. It could be a grip for some people so don’t under estimate the little things.
What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?
I wouldn’t say it is that unusual but I love solo rides where I never see a single person on my entire ride. I have a couple places out my back door where I can make this happen and this is when I have my best brainstorming sessions about coming up with ideas for my business. It’s the closest thing to a sensory deprivation tank I can do.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?
Don’t take our industry too seriously. At the end of the day it’s all about riding bikes and feeling like a kid. Ease up on the negative internet commenting. Behind all the products that are produced in our industry are passionate people busting their assess to bring consumers amazing products. Sure we don’t always get it perfect, so have a little patience and compassion for everyone behind the scenes. Don’t take advice from someone that is anonymous, know your source.
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 would go back to Rome, Italy where I raced my first Super Enduro about 6 years ago. I was having an amazing race and crashed on stage 4 but still finished. Of course I would change not crashing because I was having one of those surreal riding days where I felt invincible (probably why I crashed).
If I could have turned in a perfect race run I think that would have gone down as one of my most epic riding days. Even with the crash it was an amazing day capped off with a hand-carved porchetta sandwich and ice-cold Italian beer overlooking the Italian countryside.
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?
I think everything I have poured my energy into since I started Transition 17 years ago has benefited me in some way and shaped who I am and the direction of the company. I probably would have stopped going to Interbike a little sooner and saved myself some trips to Vegas.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?
When I am feeling stagnant or a lack of inspiration I try to shift gears a bit and add a new challenge to my life. Last year I bought some land and designed and built my house as a new challenge. I constantly like to learn new things and challenge myself. The mountain bike industry is tough because you have to go full throttle all the time because there is so much competition and the industry is changing so rapidly. It is all about balance so you can make it for the long haul.
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
At age 43 it is ingrained in my DNA that I have to ride on a regular basis. My brain requires the exercise and rush from riding to supply my adrenaline and dopamine fix. Basically I am physically addicted at this point.
What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?
Adding marketing terms to the widths of tires. Mid Fat, Plus. We used to have super fat tires on our freeride bikes and we never gave it a marketing term. Is a 2.6” a Slim Fat?
What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?
Would love to see the entire industry get rid of model years for all bikes and switch up to versions.
Who else should we ask these questions to?
Angi Weston (Mountain Bike Coach and Owner of Radical Roots and the most stoked rider I know on the planet).
