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 none other than Dominic Loh.
Dominic Loh is a man with his fingers in lots of pies, having spent time on the Singapore Cycling Federation board, whilst being co-owner of Pipedream Cycles and running both Funn MTB and Granite Design. Dominic is also the link between a lot of brands and the factories that build their wares. He’s a bike rider at heart though.
Photos by Dean Koh.
How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?
This is Dominic. That’s it.
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 did buy a couple of things for the last year but I think one thing that has the biggest effect on me is a pair of Quoc Lala Slide sandals (check out quoc.cc). It’s so comfortable that it is now my most trusted slip on footwear post-ride and after a long day standing and walking at trade shows like Eurobike. Disclaimer: I do not work for them or have any perks from saying this.
What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?
I usually ride solo and love to do it during lunch time when no one exactly are in the trails from country I live. It’s the “me time” and I can sort my thoughts out. And when I ride in a group (Road, Gravel, MTB), I am usually the last rider just to make sure no one is left behind. Probably because of the years I was into long distance running when I was between running and mountain biking in my younger days.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?
Do not be obsessed with the latest and greatest. Sounds contradictory from someone who is from the bike industry but you have to be comfortable on the bike you are on and the parts that you got yourself with. Just go with what you think works.
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?
My happiest day to date is the rides that I did with some mates in Rotorua. We had a miserable ride the year before on the same trail in Whakarewarewa Forest when I visited. The following year was a great day out with the boys and we rode so much more trails vs the year before. It’s really about the company and the decisions they made.
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?
Arguing about the right tyre pressure. These days as long as I do not end up with a puncture, the pressure is “correct” and I have a great ride out of it.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?
I usually would go back to cooking. My second passion is experimenting with cooking recipes and I do love cooking a lot other than riding my bikes. My recent focus has been to get the perfect cider braised pork shoulder and a nice Korean Soft Tofu Stew (Sundubu Jigae).
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
Getting people into riding and specifically, mountain biking. It brings me great joy to see people realizing how much freedom and fun they have when they jump on the bike and ride in the woods and the trails.
What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?
Can’t think of anything now, but I think the war right now in Ukraine might be one to be erased so that everyone can go back to their lives normally and ride their bikes.
What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?
To have more children and youths pick up cycling and mountain biking. And more work to help less privileged people have access to a bicycle.
Who else should we ask these questions to?
Richard Gasperotti, long time Funn MTB ambassador (20+ years), Raoul De Jongh from South Industries Carbon. Maybe Gary Fisher too…
