It's your thing

Mountain biking's our shared passion but it's what it means to you that makes it special

eading Sim’s feature (p50), about what makes us tick as mountain bikers, got me thinking about why I ride. Without spoiling it, it seemed that every rider he spoke to had a single thing that really motivated them. But for me, my 'thing' might just be everything. Well, except fat bikes, I draw the line there – sorry all you fat bikers. And I think this capricious attitude is what’s kept me so passionate about riding for 30 years now. Usually it’s the thrill that satisfies me. Going fast (relatively) and staying upright is immensely satisfying, as is trying to find ways of unlocking speed on trails you’ve ridden a hundred times. Puzzling engages the little grey cells, while trying to put those theories into practice keeps the motor neuron and muscular system firing. But I also occasionally enjoy aimlessly cruising around in the sunshine, lapping up the views and making the coffee stop the most adrenaline-fuelled part of the ride. Riding alone is amazing for getting in a rhythm and letting your mind

wander, but social rides are also some of the best rides you can have. Once in a while I like to strap on a number board, and racing was for many years the be all and end all, but most of the time, the only clock is now in my head. So while during my many years of riding, different ‘things’ have been my primary motivator, now, if I was to pick one thing, it would be variety. Maybe that’s sitting on the fence, or maybe that’s the wisdom of experience. I don’t know. Gee Atherton is one person for whom it’s not hard to guess what their 'thing' is. Pushing the limits has been Gee’s raison d’etre since, well, forever. And despite that horrific crash, he’s still got that glint in his eye and scheme in his head. We talk to him about recovery and his next steps on p42. It’s a must-read.