I watch too much YouTube and mostly have the mind of a teenager, obsessed with riding bikes or going surfing. When I have my riding head on, I’ll watch a ton of riding edits. 99% of the ones involving jumping are so far removed from what I can do on a bike, but I watch all the same because I absolutely love watching it, and it makes me want to go and my bike. Like the video below, I watched, then immediately ask my wife if she has anything planned on Sunday? Why? She asks. ‘Because the weather is looking perfect for a Bike Park session!

When I feel like riding more enduro, which I can relate to more, I’ll watch some racing, or trail riding. I might not be that fast, but it’s always fun to ride in the woods or on the hills. When I watch gravel riding, I Imagine myself riding a 100 miles on perfect Vermont gravel backroads, but in reality, I go out and do 20 miles on the cow much ridden back lanes here in the Wild West, with the odd bridleway thrown in and come back caked in filth.  

When I want to surf, when I really obsess about riding waves, and that happens more n the winter, because I get to surf less I don’t watch, big wave hero surfing,  tow surfing or massive barrel sessions on the Hawaiian North Shore; Nah, for one, I’d die immediately on first wipeout, and for two, I’ve not got the ‘cajones’ for that. No,  I’ll usually watch Devon Howard who’s nearer my age, or maybe some skinny young whippets, formerly ‘hipsters’, cruising around mellow but perfects waves, looking cool on their mid lengths or longboard surfboards, but mostly Devon, Tyler Hatzikian or Joel Tudor,  because I watch, knowing that I can actually do what they do to a vastly lesser  degree, but I know the feeling. 
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Then there’s motocross. I grew up watching it, had a brief ownership of a 125cc that frightened the life out of me, and became happy to just watch it. Ironically, I’ve never once dreamt I could do it, but always have and always will, hold it up there as the sport that I really love to watch. When the supercross season starts, I get up early every Sunday morning and watch before my wife gets up, It’s a noise thing, or should I say sound. The sound of a 450 annoys her,  and I know this, she has no interest but I make sure I give her a run down of who won the 450 and 250cc races, and who’s leading the championship. This then leads into the outdoor season and then the Motocross Des Nations. It’s a long season.  I’ll also put some two stoke Moto action on, and turn the volume up, just because it makes me smile and makes her cringe. It’s a sound I’ll cherish from childhood and right now,  my new favourite rider is Carson Brown.

The videos below are four of my favourites.

The first video ‘A portrait of Winter’, dropped just before I wrote this post.  The film work is epic, and beautifully shot against the backdrop of Vancouver Island.  The riding is stunning, smooth and inspiring to watch.  

‘Shredder Guy’  features an all out, flat out, trail riding session that just makes me want to go and ride the woods at Grogley, (here in Cornwall), every time I see it.  

Then there Is Devon Howard ‘Assorted Rides’. A masterclass in smooth surfing. If you want to surf smoothly, then just aim to surf like  Devon. Nice chap too.

Finally we have a three lap timed battle between Carson Brown vs Justin Barcia on 150cc Two Stroke Bikes. It’s epic, but to get maximum thrill, be sure to turn the volume up on this one, don’t be shy, I’ll guarantee it will make you smile.

Well I hope you enjoy this little selection of treats, and a welcome insert to your Facebook algorithm thing.  I’ll be putting some more videos up soon, just because it’s good to share the stoke.

Christmas is coming and these would fit perfectly in a knee length stocking!

Wow, these things look sick. Put them on your bike and they look even better. On my enduro bike, wrapped in my DMR Defy stem and Grips, Hope levers and ‘Lordy Lordy’ I was stoked. There is something about a little more rise on a pair of bars that makes the bike look that bit more moto, and I could be wrong but isn’t that what we’re all searching for, I know I am.  As a kid we were lucky enough to get our hands on the throw away bars of some Factory Suzuki MX riders. The boss, who happened to be my mates Dad would cut the cross bar out and throw them in the bin. We would retrieve the odd pair and put a bit of dowling in to replace the missing tube, and if we had a pad, that would go on immediately. We’d put these bars on our ‘trackers’, that were mullet set up forty five years before mullet was even a term. All we knew was that Motocross bikes had a smaller wheel on the back, and ours were made up of different wheel sizes, only because that’s all our mates brother could get from the skip. You were considered lucky if you had two wheels the same, unlucky if you had a reverse mullet and looked like a butchers bike. Anyway, my point being is that as soon as we put these bars on our pre-BMX dirt machines, they made us feel like we just had a cool bike. You see, although most of us could never afford to do it,  motocross was our life back then, we watched every race at our local track at Golding Barn Raceway. We’d go up and watch the pros practice there, and straight after any racing we’d head to our little track and get our legs out round the corners and have our own little motocross race.

Many decades later, I find myself taking a pair of handlebars out of the wrapping, bolting them onto my bike, setting up the cockpit, standing back and having a flashback to the good ol’ days. Although my bike, forty years on was a very different beast, I was so stoked. I hadn’t even ridden my bike yet and I was hooked on the look. I was going to make these bars work whatever. I’d like to just thank DMR, and Olly Wilkings (ODUB) here and now for making my bike scream ‘come ride me’ and some very happy memories. 

Going up in rise from 20mm to 50mm is a leap, so I decided to take a spacer out, making the front end feel little lower to begin with. I played with the rake until I found the comfortable riding position. My first ride out and I was in heaven, and after a few more tweaks like lever position, I decided to cut them down to 770mm, to avoid hitting the trees and my little pinky. 


I have nothing bad to write, at all. I have had these bars on now for over a year and can’t imagine ever taking them off. As far as a mid fifties bloke can and ability will allow, they’ve had a good thrashing. I have ridden bike park, XC, Enduro, and lapped my local hill until I got bored of 30 second trails. They feel so comfortable as my riding position seems to be a bit more upright, which is a personal preference, and when I pulled up to manual the first roller, there seemed to be an effortless transition, and the front wheel came up without fighting.  On the many enduro rides they have felt unreal. A certain winter session in Grogley woods had me smiling all day long. Whether it was the extra rise but again I seemed to be able to lift over the roots easily, and maintain a more flow coming out of tight turns and move around on the trail much more. We hit a huge puddle to get some shots, that required speed in and power out, and I could not get enough of this. 

For those in doubt, they’re not going to make you look like Dakota Norton, the 50mm rise is not that extreme, but apparently if you do ride a bit of motocross, then you’ll feel right at home with these. 

These bars have helped with my jumping too, maybe the high position gives me a better view of where I’m supposed to land, and I can’t really explain how, but I have a new confidence. I’ve never been that consistent at jumping bikes considering how long I’ve done it, but that seems to have changed over the past year. Since getting these bars I’ve found myself slowly expanding the boundaries of my comfort zone.  Since using these bars I’ve also changed to a slightly longer frame, and I’ve felt right at home with these ODUB 50mm up front, the whole bike feels so stable.  

To be honest I was sold on the aesthetics, I love looking at my bike now, more than ever, and when something looks and feels right it will put you in a positive state of mind. If your happy when you head out of the door, wearing your favourite riding kit,  and on your favourite a bike that just looks so cool, you’ll ride better. These bars make me ride better. 

Photos: Josef Fitzgerald-Patrick.  (Forever grateful for the shots)

​This post could be about surfing, hiking, tennis, golf, and so on, but it’s not, I’m writing this about bikes. I’m not sure who it’s aimed apart from others who ride bikes, but I just wanted to post something about cycling and positivity. This was originally written for the Trail Head Project that I’ve been working on for what seems like five years, and it actually is five years, but who’s counting. I also want to post it here as we might also need a nudge in this direction, or be reminded that we are ambassadors. 

We may not be sponsored, but every rider is a brand ambassador. Firstly we represent ourselves, the primary and most important brand is you. We are our best sponsor, we pay for everything, so how do we want to represent ourselves? Obviously in the best light possible.  Secondly, we represent the act of riding bikes. Whether on or off road, as a mode of transport, fun, sport, or competition, from beginner to elite, every rider is an ambassador of their chosen discipline. But I wonder how many of us think of ourselves like this, and why should we? 

The professionals have their sponsorship deals, contractually obliged to present their sponsors products and engage with fans to the point that we, the consumer, are inspired to go and buy a bike, a helmet, some clothing or a pair of goggles. Brand ambassadors are the face of the company, and they represent their values and ethics, acting in a professional and courteous manner at all times and whenever needed.  

Although we may not receive free bikes, or get flown off to far away destinations to film the next best edit, or advertising photo shoot, we should consider ourselves as ambassadors. Although we have no contract, we are one hundred percent invested in the lifestyle and represent disciplines like MTB, gravel, BMX or road cycling, to the best of our ability. 

The everyday rider doesn’t need to have their post ride branded baseball cap on, or their goggles round their neck for the media. For some it’s a dream to be a sponsored rider, and I have nothing but admiration for those rare few who make it, but for those of us who might never be, we must be happy knowing that we’re still riding bikes.

So what does it mean to be an ambassador? How we behave when riding on the road means that the haters might hates us a little less. The way we build trails, how we build trails and where, is vital to how landowners view us. Behave badly and our reputation suffers. Ride four abreast on the road if you like, but don’t then wonder why other road users hate us. But when we ride responsibly, remembering we’re not in a race, pull over and  let the cars pass when you can, and you might get a thank you and that gesture might change a mind or two. When you meet people on the trail, horse riders, walkers, slow down and say hello, and always smile. At the bike parks, be thankful to the staff, and write a positive review. At events always be kind and thank the volunteers, as I’m sure we all do, and remember that the cyclists that have acted like a fool, are the ones to blame if the entire community gets a bad name, and I’ll wager they don’t believe their ever in the wrong and don’t consider themselves as ambassadors. 

If you do get any kind of support, be thankful, be grateful and return the kindness when ever you can. I’m lucky enough to have friends at DMR and Upgrade Bikes. I’ve been asked to write the odd product review which is always great fun because it adds another aspect to focus on riding. I have a very long history with the company dating back to the beginning of the brand, where they began, in the back office of our BMX shop back 1995. But who’s watching me? Who cares about some fifty something old man riding a bike up a little hill in the furthest part of Cornwall? No one really, but there’s always an opportunity to chat if someone admires your bike, or notices the grips your running, the cranks, or the bars. You certainly won’t find me on any website or rider list, but if I post a picture or write something like this, I’ll tag DMR Bikes and I hope they see it, and then they know that I am doing my bit to say thank you.

Our primary role as ambassadors for bike riding is that we must be seen by our friends, our peers, younger or older riders, shop keepers, cafe owners, trail builders, bike park owners, or event organisers, as positive people, and our role in representing our lifestyle is to pass on this positivity, it’s what’s known as transference. Positivity can cheer people up, and make someone’s bad day, a great day, smiling is infectious. The more positive we are to those around us, to those we meet, or share our passion, then this positivity goes a long way, often further than you may realise.

Take a look at your favourite riders, and they don’t have to be professional, they can be friends or someone in your club that always makes you smile. Are you drawn to them because they’re miserable? I doubt it. Their positivity draws us into their lives, their stories and experiences, their manners and their characters are infectious. We all have that riding buddy that’s funny as hell, the young kids we meet at bike parks that are full of stoke, to show you the lines. These are the best ambassadors.

My personal favourites to watch right on the socials are Lachlan Morton, Dustin Klein, and Brandon Billinghurst. They long term relationships with their sponsors for a reason, and I get the feeling these guys are authentic, what you see is what you get. Their projects are engaging whether long distance endurance, joining a local event as a cycling superstar, or designing a new and exciting event. They provide reviews and design tips, and if you took away their sponsorship tomorrow, they’d still go and ride their bikes.  

Positivity is empowering and a testament to any ambassadors attributes. If you’ve never met them, and yet invest time to watch and listen then that’s testament to how they present themselves. They inspire us to get outside and ride, plan a bike park weekend with friends, go on a solo bike packing adventure, or enter your first event. Obviously in today’s world of social media, they are ‘influencers’, so we’re supposed to go straight out and buy what they recommend, or that’s the plan, and on occasion we do. But as people it’s their positivity, and how they are as people that attracts us to them  and companies willing to invest.  So why shouldn’t we always behave the same way.

As ambassadors for riding bikes, we must represent ourselves by also being authentic, being ourselves, and it helps if we surround ourselves with other positive ambassadors, then the shared positive energy is unstoppable. We can be great ambassadors at our local trails, by picking up a shovel and a brush, clearing the litter along the roads we ride most. We can help others who might be struggling with a section of trail and offer some advice. Be encouraging and offer words of motivation, and I guarantee your riding will progress too because you’ll be enjoying the experience so much more. Being an ambassador is about developing a positive mindset that helps your well-being but also others. We have no idea of the impact a few words might have, and If you go back to your inspiring characters, ask what would they say to you when you need a little boost? Ask yourself how you’d like to be remembered or what do you want your cycling legacy to be? I know what I’d like mine to be. 

Someone who loved riding bikes and always did his utmost to pass that on to others. 

Photos: My recent visit this month to Bike Park Wales in front of the people’s favourite. Trail A470, and previous trip on a hot Bank Holiday in May, with two of the best ambassadors I know for sure. My old BMX racing buddies Stuart Breeze and Rich Penney. Riding with these two is always so much fun and every trail is filled with laughter and smiles. These ambassadors will never grow up. 

“You can’t fire a canon from a canoe” said Charles Poliquin. I heard these words a few years back on a podcast with Matt Macduff, a free ride mountain biker who likes to take things to the extreme. He was referring to building a strong foundation in order to move forward, especially in his case after a serious injury, but this simple phrase can be related to so many aspects in life. 

When we’re told we ‘need to do this or that’, I often remind myself I don't need to do anything unless I choose to. But one thing we really should do look after ourselves both physically and mentally, because if we don’t, then both our physical and mental self will protest and on occasion let us down, or at the very least give us a stark warning. At 56 and at the time of writing, my body is full of aches and pain's, but also a few things going on that’s gut related. If a doctor asked me ‘how can I help?’, I could present an itemised list of physical issues from head to toe. Each ache has a story, a memory or a moment; “I probably shouldn’t have done that”, or “doh, that went wrong”. But being late to the game is standard practice for a world class procrastinator. Resistance is my nemesis, unless it’s surf or bike related. 

A few weeks ago I felt like a canoe, a little unstable, and prone to rolling over, I felt pretty crap to be fair.  My wife bought home some new weight scales for herself,  and I decided to also upload the app. What’s the worst that can happen? I stood on them for the first time, just to endure the new purchase. We both watched, waiting for the display, and was shocked to see my weight at 15 stone 2lb, or just shy of 97 kilos, or 212lb depending on what weight measurement you prefer these days. 

“I have not been that heavy since University” I blurted out. Back then, thirty years ago,  I was pretty much stuck to a desk writing and revising, eating a stereotypical student diet, lots of drinking, and at the same time full of stress that I wouldn’t be capable of completing the course. This new weight/health app also told me quite ‘rudely’ I was Obese. My fat levels were high, my protein and water levels low, my muscle was wasting away and on nearly all the elements on the home page, I was being told my numbers were far from the recommended average. But more that this I had already wondered what was happening inside my body. I’ve no idea what my cholesterol levels were, but I’m sure they would be on the high end of the scale. Even my metabolic age was 5 years above my actual age. At that moment I had this overriding urge to be average, and that sounds bizarre but average is a great target.
 
It was time for a change, time to I set my goals. Lose a stone, build a strong foundation for what I’d like to achieve in the future and get fit heading into winter, and stronger coming out of the darkest months into spring.  I set my self a three month window and amazingly managed to reach my first target in 32 days. Yes, in one month I lost a stone and felt fantastic. Did I diet? Not really, I wouldn’t call it a diet, I’ve not watched a single calorie. I just stopped eating huge amounts of ‘crap’ food at work and rode my bike. Regular ten mile sprints and longer endurance rides at the weekend, and my favourite enduro laps of my local hill.  But it was the food that was the kicker. At home, we eat well, all home cooked, but at work, after my sandwiches, I consume, snickers bars, crisps, donuts, pastries, and I know its not good for me, or my gut health. Having a chocolate bar is not a crime, but the amount I was eating. I’m surprised I wasn’t heavier and on the verge of diabetes.  

I’ve worked hard to lose that weight. I got on with my exercises, I rode my bike, surfed, joined a circuits class and stuck to not eating any processed food.  At five weeks I hit 13st 12lb and it felt amazing, a week later another pound, meaning I’d lost 19lb at the time of writing this. If you pick up a set of 5kg dumbbells, well that’s pretty much the extra weight I was carrying around. Being under 14st, is a real personal milestone. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this light, this healthy, and on the way to feeling really fit. The effects on my surfing and riding bikes are noticeable, purely from a lighter body weight. Less weight to pop up on a board, less weight to pedal up the steep hills here in the Wild West. I’ve been hitting personal bests on my Strava routes, and even took the crown on one local stage. I feel more agile on the enduro bike when descending, and even with a body full of nagging injuries, losing weight and eating well has made a huge difference to my mental wellbeing. I’ve always believed in ‘Mind and Matter’, not mind over matter. Look after one and the other follows, either way. A positive mindset is part of us taking ownership and responsibility for our own health.  

I’m just over six weeks in, and by being committed to this feel like the foundation I’m building will continue to develop and I’ll be able to fire that cannon from a healthier vessel. Whether the future means more enduro races again, which for the last couple of years have been plagued by illness and fatigue, longer distant gravel or sportive rides, longevity in my surfing, and most importantly, by continuing to manage my physical health, there can only have a positive outcome. There are days where I could eat for my country, but I’m beginning to understand more about foods, and what my body does and doesn’t need.  I’m enjoying the process and the progression feels and looks like success. 

This isn’t a review for a set a scales, I don’t even know how much they are.  This is a 56 year old man trying to preach to others about being healthier, its about letting anyone who reads this know that if you recognise any of this in yourselves and you’re willing to change a few really bad habits, then have a look at your canoe, and ask yourself if you could indeed fire that cannon, or you require a stronger foundation. 

The scales are my wife bought are by RENPHO, I don’t know how they work, all I do is stand on them every morning, and they don’t lie. I can only recommend them based on the fact they will give you the daily stats and data that I assure you will motivate you to become a better you. There is no weigh in at the village hall with others, no subscription fee, no points to follow, if you want to eat more, eat more. It’s just yourself, being accountable for your own actions, and that’s worth a question. How can I become a better version of myself? If change requires a pair of scales, so be it. If it’s physical goals to gain your fitness back, write them down and make a plan. Invest in the tools you need to begin the journey, and enjoy the process, the highs and the lows.  These scales have been a kickstarter for me.
 
I believe it was Dave Brailsford who once said “quite often there is a way to change the worst things we have going on, into the best things, which become our strengths”.

We can set targets that we can control, like a healthy diet, or a training and exercise routine, practice mindfulness and mind management.  We can control the time and effort that we put into our physical and mental maintenance, and change direction for the better, or try and fire that cannon and see what happens. I think we all know.