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 come from none other than the inimitable Bérengère Boës, or BiBi to most.
BiBi is the fresh wave of French filming talent attempting to breathe some slightly less Northern fresh air into Steel City Media. Whether it’s the Syndicate or Commencal Vallnord Insta accounts during World Cups or pretty much anything for Steel City’s clients, BiBi will no doubt have had a hand in it. A proper grafter and pinned enough to bag a Trans-Provence podium.
Photos by Gary Perkin.
How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?
I hope enthusiastic when I’m on two wheels, happy once outside and sometimes unnecessarily scared about some trail sections.
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 iPhone XS Max for working a lot on it or my Citroën Berlingo, to be able to put all the stuff I want in it.
What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?
I’m don’t always drink a beer after a bike ride.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?
Advice: Don’t forget biking is all about fun, just enjoy, love and respect the nature.
Ignore: People getting angry with bikers because we’re riding on some trails.
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?
Is it too soon to say I would like to ride Trans-Provence 2019 again? All the trails I have been ridden since didn’t taste the same and I’m not kidding.
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 don’t feel I wasted that much time, I learned a lot and it put me in this actual situation/position that I love. So nothing really.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?
I check Instagram.
Well, I try to do something useful instead like cooking, tidying, calling a friend I haven’t call back… I just try to do something which helps me to have a break and I use my hands.
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
That everything tastes so good after a ride: your body, the shower and the food. Well, I never come back unhappy after a ride and this is pretty relevant.
What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?
Probably doping because I’m such a fan of the athletes who works hard to follow their dreams and seeing cheaters is something really annoying.
What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?
More accessibility for the mountain bike, less struggle to create new trails and see more family/women/kids riding bikes.
Who else should we ask these questions to?
Anka Martin.
