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!
Legendary cycling snapper Geoff Waugh is the man getting the Wise Words treatment this week.
A photographer from the pre-digital age, and still going strong, Geoff has very much been there, done that, and collected the race jerseys. Geoff has taken some of the iconic shots of mountain biking over the years. That Francois Gachet shot, that Palmer shot from the ’99 World Champs, plus plenty more.
If you don’t know who Geoff is, then you need to do your homework. Not to be confused with the punch-happy Canadian ice hockey lunatic.
How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?
A random recluse. Introspective with outbreaks of extroversion. Will stop for coffee. Likes a good beat.
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?
For me personally, an eBike. I have a Simplon Steamer Carbon and I wish I could have had one 15 years ago. My banger-to-buggered ratio would be inverted. I have no qualms about riding one as a work tool. I am not macho in any way and have nothing to prove; if it makes my job easier and allows me to produce good work then I embrace it. That is human nature. You won’t see a bloke filming aerials of the Tour de France from a hang glider. I have other heart/lung/leg-powered bikes for the fun times.
What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?
I often shout ‘HELLO’ at riders who pass with no acknowledgement that we are on the same trail, dirt, planet as each other. No, it is not a law, but it makes it so much nicer, it’s simple and it’s free. I think it’s the newer lifestyle riders that don’t get it. Maybe I should write a pamphlet. It must sound like they have passed a bloke with tourettes.
Sometimes I make moto sounds in my head to make me feel faster and realise I’ve been doing them out loud. And they don’t actually make me faster. Natch. Or I let out an involuntary yelp as I force myself over a drop. A bit like a warrior yelling to release the fear of a battle charge, but really absolutely nothing like that.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?
Don’t be a dick to other trail users. The repercussions are endless and effect all of us. Some trail users cannot distinguish between a mountain biker or a motorbiker because we all wear helmets. Don’t leave litter, particularly at jump spots, never straighten corners, clean your hydration bladder before it kills you. Ignore your phone. (Unless I am calling you).
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?
I would love to ride Porcupine Rim again with no camera pack. Likewise all the other great trails around Moab. Oh, and Whistler, Fruita, Breckenridge and a lot of the Passportes du Soleil. And plenty of stuff in Scotland late in the year with nice balmy weather. What would I change? Regarding the aforementioned locations, I would really have loved to have shot them at the right time rather than on someone else’s schedule. Middle of the day on Slickrock is not ideal. Can you say hard light?
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 wasted too much time trying to retrieve slides from the black hole that exists at magazines. They were never coming back. I’ve wasted a lot of swearwords fitting or removing tubeless tyres. Luckily I can easily recharge that particular arsenal.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?
Tough, tough question. I used to ride for fun and still do but these days I appreciate if I get off my arse and ride it has mental as well as physical health benefits. Back in the day I would slam Crusty Demons into the VHS player and get revved up by the action. It was better than all the MTB videos that were around at the time. Even the music fitted the images which is rare.
I suppose the biggest motivation is knowing I will be outside and surrounded by trees. I’m no hippy but disappearing into nature is definitely therapeutic. I like to disappear alone into the woods and I am lucky enough to able to pick the best times of the day (and night) to do just that.
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
Peace, and peace and quiet, hopefully with a warm sun on bare forearms. But I also find great pleasure and satisfaction in building and fettling bikes. So long as I have a decent workstand mind.
What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?
Don’t erase it but call it what it is. Bike Packing is Cycle Touring. It has gone from the nerdiest backwater of cycling to the Hippest Thing Ever. Or maybe I am missing something?
What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?
I wish I had a magic wand to heal all the riders who can no longer do what they love due to life-changing injuries. The list is long because it is not confined to well-known riders. There must be plenty we never know about. They have my deepest admiration for their courage.
Who else should we ask these questions to?
Keith Bontrager, Cedric Gracia, Scot Nicol, Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesja, Miranda Miller.
