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 at you from none other than Sammie Maxwell.
Sammie Maxwell is the real deal. Having represented her home nation of New Zealand at the World Champs in 2019 as a Junior, she took the U23 Worlds title in 2023. Her rise to the top of the Elite ranks has been nothing short of meteoric. Her win at the last round of the World Cup in Andorra was a true champions ride, full of grit and raw power. Her post-race interviews are also a breath of fresh air.
Photos by Noam Meresse / Decathlon Ford.
How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?
Probably “Loves to half-wheel” or “Not very chill”. I always love pushing myself on my bike and hate stopping so all my mates and teamies know a ‘chill’ ride with me will never be chill, and we are only stopping to take photos if the view is something truly special (or there is a gelato stop involved). In saying that, off the bike I am a completely different person, I love laughing and making jokes, having fun. I am also a big nerd, I love learning and reading and have always been really curious about the world around me.
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?
A Ninja-Cremi. I use it to make my recovery shakes, and now I’m so obsessed that I have purchased one overseas in Europe and take it with me to all the World Cups, training camps etc. It’s such a game changer and I can’t rate it enough.
What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?
I’m not like most cyclists and I never listen to music while riding or warming up, but I like to read books when I am on the indoor trainer; I have a lot of books with sweat marks and crumpled pages. I also hate coffee, much to the disappointment of my team who love tinkering with the coffee machine.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?
Never look at the pinecone.
Something they should ignore is whatever latest ‘5-min quick fix’ is currently trending. Just because someone faster than you does something different doesn’t mean it’s better than what you do… they might be fast in spite of the fact they do it, not because they do it.
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?
Christmas Day ride 2023 with my dad. Wouldn’t change a thing, but such a special memory and moment just being out with my dad, in nature, enjoying somewhere new.
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?
I have been very open about my struggles with eating, and I regret all those years I spent suffering and trying to normalize unhealthy behaviors. I wish I had sought professional help sooner and stopped trying to hide my struggles from others. I have gained so much strength and support from finding help and speaking out about my eating disorder that I really wish I’d done it sooner.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?
I tell myself that I simply have to get out of the door and try. I remind myself starting is the hardest part, and once I’m on my bike I am normally fine. I don’t have to nail the session and get PB numbers, but simply try and see how it goes.
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
Seeing the progress I make; mentally, technically, physically, tactically. There are so many ways to improve as a MTB athlete and I love the diverse number of components I can try improve on.
What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?
I can’t think of anything.
What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?
I just want the sport to keep growing the way it has been. MTB has such an incredible community and I really love everyone involved with it; I love seeing strong, happy, kind athletes succeeding, and as the sport keeps growing more and more, athletes are able to be rewarded for all the hard work they have done.
Who else should we ask these questions to?
Bec Henderson. She’s such a wise woman with so much experience, I always learn so much from her and she is always willing to pass on her advice just to see others grow. Such an incredible human who has done so much for the sport.
