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!
This week’s Wise Words come to you courtesy of Juliana Bicycles’ Brand Manager, Katie Zaffke.
Katie is the captain at the helm of the good ship Juliana Bicycles. In between turning up late to bike rides then making a lot of noise and eating lots of snacks once the ride has started, it’s Katie’s job to keep Juliana’s athletes and ambassadors in check.
Photo by Sven Martin.
How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?
My friends would probably tell you I’m the loud one (Yahoooooo! Yewwww! Woot woooooot!). They’d probably also tell you I’m the bossy one (Let’s start at this time! Let’s meet here! Let’s ride this trail! I’ve only got 2 hours, so no “faffing” allowed today!). They’d definitely tell you I’m the fun one (Right?!).
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?
The WeeRide baby bike seat. You’re probably looking for a tougher answer, and I wanted to give one. But, nothing in the bike world (or world, really) compares to bombing down the hill on my bike with my 1 year old, her arms flapping in excitement, and both of us going “weeeeeeeeeeeeee”.
What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?
I eat too many snacks.
Photo by Dain Zaffke.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?
Best advice ever: Keep your head on a swivel. (Wise words from Dain Zaffke, the hubby.)
Ignore: Women have shorter torsos and longer legs.
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?
Italy. Vacation with road bikes (gasp!) in tow. May, 2012. Me and Dain… One of the days, we rode up one of the big mountain stages during the Giro d’Italia just before the pro racers came through. I was wearing a replica maglia rosa (the coveted pink jersey), and all the fans on the side of the road were cheering me on like I was the one winning. I cheered back, they cheered louder, I rode faster, they cheered louder, and so on and so forth. It was amazing. We got to the top, enjoyed the sunny break, and then cheered and heckled the racers as they came by.
Seconds later, rain and hail started dumping on us. We jumped on our bikes and raced down the mountain alongside thousands of other fans on bikes and in cars trying to get down and out of the storm. After a quick hot chocolate at a tiny (and packed!) bar ¾ of the way down (where we watched more of the Giro), we braved the crowds and the weather once more. 10 minutes later, we were down, back in the sunshine, and on our way to get our daily scoops of gelato. Perfetta! Wouldn’t have changed a thing.
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 waste way too much time getting ready. It’s like a time warp. I always add in this or that because there’s sooooo much time left, and then, all of a sudden, I’m the girl that’s late.
Photo by Gary Perkin.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?
I remind myself that I can eat more ice-cream after dinner that night if I get on my bike.
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
Bikes make me feel good and that makes me happy.
What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?
This article (it was more like 18 months ago, but close enough). I’ll just leave it at that.
What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?
Everybody gets an all expenses paid mountain bike trip to _____! (Insert destination of choice.) Yay!
Who else should we ask these questions to?
Andy and Aneela McKenna of GoWhere Scotland Mountain Bike Tours.
