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 comes to you from none other than Kath Goodey.
Kath Goodey is the boss of her own guiding and coaching outfit, Ride High MTB, whilst also chair of Trail Collective North Wales and director at the UK MTB Trail Alliance. She’s also pretty handy at teaching English.
How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?
I asked them and they came up with, confidence-inspiring, always brings the fun to a ride, a good listener and storyteller. Fearless, passionate and a good cat-herder.
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?
Probably my 7mesh Thunderpants (yes, hilarious name) but they truly are waterproof, like, pissing it down Welsh rain waterproof, and they are comfortable to pedal in. Amazing.
What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?
Falling off due to getting distracted by interesting plants / flowers at the side of a trail, often ending up face down in said greenery.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?
To think about the trail they are riding and give something back. This could be something small which costs nothing e.g. saying thank you to the trail builders, pocketing a bit of trash, draining a puddle or clearing wind blow or debris while out riding. They could also support their local trail association with their expertise, donate or join an official dig day or informal maintenance session.
They should ignore this oft heard little gem ‘go on, you’ll be fine, just gotta man/woman up’.
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?
It would be the amazing ‘Peak to Creek’ descent from Top of the World, Whistler down to Creekside. It was quite simply one of the best descents I’ve ever done. What would I change? To ride it feeling great, without the flippin agony of damaged ribs (from a crash before the trip of a lifetime to Canada had even begun). I was in so much pain and really trying not to ruin the trip for me and Rob.
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?
Saying ‘yes, no problem’ to too many people and giving too much of my time to trying to please and appease everyone. Setting up my own MTB guiding and coaching business and being a founding member of Trail Collective North Wales has been a steep learning curve, and I’ve come to realise that no matter what I do, there will always be some folk who will never embrace change.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?
Start planning bike adventures either in the UK mountains, in one of my favourite alpine valleys or start virtually exploring new places which look like they’d be awesome riding holiday venues.
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
Can I have two things please?
Riding beautiful ridge lines, don’t know why, maybe because swooping down an exposed ridge just makes me feel so light and full of joy… It’s just pure escapism.
Successfully planning a big group ride in a beautiful place on sublime trails and everyone finishing the day absolutely buzzing.
What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?
The current NRW Recreation Strategy which has resulted in reduced commitment to, and financial support for recreation in their forests. I am worried about the potential consequences of this for all of us involved in trying to progress MTB in Wales and particularly those of us in trail groups/associations trying to work with NRW.
What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?
To enable all trail groups and associations in Wales and England, who are working so hard to secure the future of their trails and to build communities around them, to finally get the official trail management deal that they want with their landowner, whether that be NRW, FE or any other organisation/private individual.
Who else should we ask these questions to?
Ally Campbell, Campbell Coaching & DIRTT, ATB Trainer.
