Wise Words | Lyle Hyslop.

Wise Words is our 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 to you from Mr Lyle Hyslop.

Lyle Hyslop is a man you’ll recognise if you have even the vaguest interest in downhill bicycle racing. Responsible for keeping Greg Minnaar’s bicycle in tip top condition is just one of the many hats he wears. Head mechanic for the Santa Cruz Syndicate and Operations Lead is a solid job title. If Lyle’s not smiling, the apocalypse is nigh.

Photos by Sam Needham and Sven Martin.

How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?

Tall, smiley, enthusiastic, passionate biscuit-dunker who you’ll hear before you see.

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 was pretty stoked on my over shoes until I put my thumb through them. Also got a new spoke tension meter, I’ve always wanted a proper one.

What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?

I probably duck more than most? I’m 2.0m/6’7″ tall… Other than that I don’t think I do anything out of the ordinary.

What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?

As long as you’re smiling you’re doing it right. More isn’t better, more is more.

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?

Probably day 2 of Trans Provence 2019, I wouldn’t change much but I’d probably be a bit fitter, the wheels well and truly came off after that.

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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?

Riding bikes that were too small… Not a lot I could’ve done really but it would of been real nice to have them before now. I had a large 2007 Specialized Enduro. I felt like my beak was ahead of the front axle the whole time. New bike has a top tube 40mm longer and a wheelbase 200mm longer.

How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?

A good song, a favorite riding segment or sometimes just reminding myself that I’m lucky enough to go and you never regret going.

Connor Fearon’s Gamble segment. Song depends on the day. Cheesy songs that make me happy are the one. Kylie Minogue, Can’t Get You Out of My Head.

What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?

It has to be being outside, whether it’s in the forest or in the mountains, in the baking sun or pouring rain. It’s just brilliant.

What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?

Ebikes. More is more, no better. I’m not against them but just to replace a regular bike, they’re not for me.

What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?

I’d like everyone to get what they ordered.

Who else should we ask these questions to?

Ash Smith.

You can keep tabs on Lyle’s adventures on his Instagram feed here.

You can catch all our previous Wise Words interviews with the likes of Sven Martin, Manon Carpenter, Ric McLaughlin and plenty more here.


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