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 is coming at you from one Anna Buick.
If you’ve ever watch the World Cup downhill live feed then you’ll no doubt recognise Anna Buick’s face from her interviews in and around the start hut.
Beyond that, Anna was a pretty handy XC/stage racer until she impaled herself on a spiky bit of Cyprus, and then devoted her energies to documenting cross country racing through words and photos. That’s just the tip of the iceberg for this master (mistress)? of all trades.
How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?
Small human, big smile. Cultivates questionable tan-lines.
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?
Bike-packing bags.
I’ve always loved both cycling and camping, but it took me a long time to come round to the idea that the two were compatible. Now I look for any excuse to pop the packs on and head off on an adventure, even if that’s just to the farm shop to get groceries. It is really refreshing to re-purpose what a bike ride is sometimes.
What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?
My indecisiveness has a habit of playing out in some very unusual line choices.
I love stretching.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?
Whether it be bike, kit, line-choice, training, enjoyment, rest or any other aspect of the sport, there are very few cases of right and wrong, you need to discover what works for you.
I’m not too sure about what exactly should be ignored, but I definitely think it’s worth considering who should be (politely considered and then) ignored.
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?
A back-country ride from Hamner Springs, New Zealand, in 2017. It was truly awesome. If I could change anything, it would be to have my Mum, Dad and sister there with me as well.
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?
Not having the confidence to be pro-active in approaching people for work. It’s an ongoing battle to be honest, but I’m increasingly aware that even the biggest companies are not out of reach, and the best riders are often the most humble and easy to work with. I must remind myself that the worst people can say is “no”, and that generally people in this industry are ace.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?
To ride. Ride to somewhere for something; give the ride a purpose. I find ‘to Mum’s’, ‘for a brew’ is a good one.
To work. Instil structure. I generally need to write a list and a timetable, and sit at a desk. Sometimes you just have to get all ‘officey’ and crack the F on. Productivity breeds motivation.
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
Being in beautiful landscapes. When you take a moment, look around, and think, ‘this is bloody lovely’.
What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?
Annie Last’s puncture at the World Championships.
She finished 6th in the end, but her lap times without the puncture would have seen her get a silver medal. Annie’s year was full of misfortune but her build towards Worlds was near to perfect and her form was incredible.
Choosing one rider and one race might seem a touch superficial, but having worked closely with Annie for a few years now I am so heavily invested. She’s not one to share a lot on social media, but I will share with you that her work ethic and approach to cycling and to life are exemplary. She deserved another Worlds medal.
What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?
I would like to see that the impact of the Coronavirus does not buckle and break the growth of international mountain biking, especially the resurgence in popularity of cross-country racing. With many contracts ending at the close of 2020 (what would have been the end of an Olympic cycle), I hope that sponsors are financially able and willing to reinvest in teams.
Who else should we ask these questions to?
You have already interviewed loads of folks I’ve loved hearing from. I’d like to see what Kenta Gallagher has to say; there’s more to him than banter and Haribo…
