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!
Wise Words this week come from Aussie double Olympian, Caroline Buchanan.
Caroline Buchanan is an eight times World Champion across MTB and BMX, as well as being a double Olympian. Needless to say, she’s pretty handy on two wheels and definitely has a race head on her shoulders. She’s also a children’s author and is supporting the next generation of female cycling stars.
Photo by Bill Perches.
How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?
Determined, strong, all round rider and lover of everything 2 wheels, passionate about girls the sport and riding.
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 bought a Garmin that’s helping me track my expenditure, and working with a nutritionist to monitor my fuel to balance my training load and recovery.
What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?
I like to cross between many different wheel sizes and disciplines of riding and racing. Like BMX racing, mountain bike racing, freestyle BMX, dirt jumping mountain biking and road cycling.
Photo by Bill Perches.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?
Stare at the tree.. hit the tree. Stare at the rut and where you want to go, you will go where you want to go.
Riding and life go hand in hand. Let go of what’s not important and off track and focus on your goals and plans to your path ahead
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?
If I could go back to the Rio Olympic Games I would have tightened my bars properly on my bike, I would have relaxed more in the semi final and not pedalled into the transition at the bottom of the hill causing me to front wheel case the first jump, my bars move and crash in the semi and not make it to the Olympic Games final.
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 fit the mould of the bike industry and what they want. I wasted time trying to fit in versus standing out. When I focused on building my brand and projects, passions and corporate sponsor support out of Industry that’s when my true self and performer started shining and my income went up and greater opportunities arose.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?
By saying this shall pass if it’s something challenging. And by trying to not set the world on fire every day and simply be better than the day before in all aspects of life.
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
The freedom, the challenge and the people. That’s a hard one to split.
Photo by Bill Perches.
What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?
That’s a hard one personally what’s happened has defined me and shaped myself and industry.
What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?
Women’s mountain bike slope style/freestyle events expand and have a solid platform for growth for the women in that space.
Who else should we ask these questions to?
Sally Fitzgibbons.
