Adam Billinghurst: Just Some Guy That Rides Bikes

70 Comments

Score Time Who Faved

+ 71

iamamodel (Oct 5, 2011 at 0:20)

"My future involves more biking, some ups, some downs, then death."

Awesome. Bumper sticker coming soon?

the-mountainbart-experience (Oct 5, 2011 at 3:24)

would be ace, I really wonna go ride right now ! but gotta got to school first Frown

+ 16

vt6spd (Oct 5, 2011 at 4:03)

If school is your dream, then thats what you should do...Hahaha!

nutter-1 (Oct 5, 2011 at 14:37)

Living in whistler , thats what its all about!!

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+ 20

gldk (Oct 5, 2011 at 21:19)

It is extremely rare that I comment on comments made to pinkbike but in this case I feel a certain responsibility. I have known Adam for over 10 years and have had the priveledge of being his friend and supervisor/boss on and off for those years on behalf of Whistler/Blackcomb and more recently Gravity Logic. I can assure anyone who thinks Adam is a trust fund kid, you are wrong, and anyone who thinks he is a drain on society you are equally wrong. Adam is on of the most passionate, hardcore cyclist I have ever met and has a work ethic exceeded by noone. Every penny spent on bike equipment he has earned with sweat and passion and if a bike manufacturer gives him an incredible price on product, believe me he has earned it. With Adams intelligence and work ethic he could be riding around in luxury vehicles attending parties for the rich and famous but instead he rides his bike to the grocery store, eats meals at home instead of out, goes to the local rec centre instead of pub and has focused his life on his true love, downhill biking at the Whistler Bike Park. He coaches kids throughout the summer and is an extremley great role model for the youth of Whistler. Congratulations to every bit of success Adam has achieved and let him be a model for how you can enjoy and live life to the fullest.

anthill Plus (Oct 5, 2011 at 22:52)

Well said! Thanks to you, and others, for helping set the record straight.

clownshoes (Oct 6, 2011 at 7:48)

Adam taught my kids to ride back in the day and is a great role model for them and everyone else for that matter. He is a great rider and one of the funniest, friendliest guys in the park. He will invite me to do a run with him even though I'm the worst rider in whistler. I'm glad for all the success and recognition that he has received.

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+ 20

reecewallace Plus (Oct 5, 2011 at 0:42)

Billinghurst is the man, plain and simple, guy shreds; livin' the dream.

rydindirty (Oct 5, 2011 at 11:59)

agreed, this guy is a total pinner...first time I rode Whistler he blew by me in the air...every time I go there I see him pinned like no other. It's about time he was in a good production for the World to see. I hope we see a lot more of him, super stoked to see this article.

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+ 13

bretttippie (Oct 5, 2011 at 3:27)

Adam Billinghurst is the real deal. Everytime I've EVER been to the Whistler Bike Park, I've seen Adam absolutely pinned...for 13 years...with or without a chain. He also has some of the best one liner Facebook status comments ever. Can't wait to see his segment!

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Elspecialized (Oct 5, 2011 at 10:05)

No job? then how the heck do you pay for that lamborgini of bikes? nice Session guy.

Views (Oct 5, 2011 at 10:46)

i do not understand that aswell...

gombo8 (Oct 5, 2011 at 14:32)

ever think he may of inherited money. one of my friends just inherited $2million and a $3million estate in New Hampshire. He never has to work a day in his life, and hes 16....id much rather know that i earned what i buy though

Views (Oct 5, 2011 at 16:49)

its kinda senseless to mention that you have no job when your anyways rich...

tom-cuthbert (Oct 5, 2011 at 17:50)

'He never has to work a day in his life' Eh, I would anyway. That money isn't going to last forever.

Worm-Burner (Oct 5, 2011 at 23:16)

brush up on your dishwashing skills I say...

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rocketarmedradical (Oct 5, 2011 at 11:49)

Adam is a living god and i wish more people were like him. Founder of www.theearthodyssey.com, this guy is the farthest thing from a "dirtbag". He say's he "owns nothing" at the start of this clip, fail. He owns a passion for riding bikes and has been able to live a lifestyle of doing just that...something so many people around the world are now envious of you for. I'd say if you can live in Whistler for 13 years and ride your bike as much as humanly possible with "no job", you should be writing a book about how you did it. Keep killing it Ads, kill em' all

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shieldsy97 (Oct 5, 2011 at 9:26)

where does the money come to fund this?

voltagerider (Oct 5, 2011 at 17:26)

wondering the same... Maybe he works at whistler or something?

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TAridingMTB (Oct 5, 2011 at 1:41)

he is living the dream. his oxygen quote was damn right too.

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Costellodh (Oct 5, 2011 at 12:23)

This video sums up my ambitions, Live and ride bikes, regardless of fame or sponsorship. Just ride

jakeheath (Oct 5, 2011 at 13:56)

Props to you my friend!

Mitch78 (Oct 6, 2011 at 4:50)

That's what I'm thinkin' about Wink

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TheBlazer (Oct 5, 2011 at 7:13)

Never knew Billinghurst was from Bracebridge. Muskoka Lakes representing on the west coast!

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Marlfox87 (Oct 5, 2011 at 2:41)

Gotta love his short simple answers. Who needs Plato to describe life when you got a bike?

vt6spd (Oct 5, 2011 at 4:04)

I can see it now if we had machines of today back in Plato's world- "Hey someone give this guy a bike". We probably would have saved thousands in printed pages of philosophy. His most famous quote would be; "Ride a bike, that's what life is about".

Marlfox87 (Oct 5, 2011 at 10:41)

"Like the turns of the crankset, so are the days of our lives" or was that Socrates? Same difference

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summergravitycamps (Oct 5, 2011 at 12:31)

AB is a Whistler legend, great dude, amazing coach.

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FunnBOB (Oct 5, 2011 at 7:14)

This guy has got it all figured out by having the guts to live up to his dreams! I love his short but meaningful answers Big Grin

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cthorpe (Oct 5, 2011 at 12:15)

he basically lives my dream. my only current holdup is permanent Canadian residency.

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scary1 (Oct 5, 2011 at 12:25)

Can't believe there are still people that think something is "free".Comedy.

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badog-ita (Oct 5, 2011 at 8:37)

i still have to understand how does he earn a living,but that guy got the answer to life.

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baschdifass223 (Oct 5, 2011 at 23:17)

that guy is just simply living som many peoples dream...mine included ride on buddy

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dockjump (Oct 6, 2011 at 15:44)

Adam forgot to mention that "Dr.Gee" was his inspiration for riding! That's fine, I'm not a unicorn, I get it.

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georgy291 (Oct 5, 2011 at 3:38)

that camera in the first pick looks like its soo heavy it could cause neck injuries

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squarepantscymru (Oct 5, 2011 at 8:17)

Thinking about the 'mechanics' of it - how does he fund his dream?

brule Mod Plus (Oct 5, 2011 at 9:43)

If you listen to the words again as he's talking you'll see that he lives very modestly and gets by. I know that Adam serves in the winter and is a coach for SGC in the summer to help fund his lifestyle - he is also a bad ass pump track builder who's small company builds the odd municipal park - best of luck to him in the future.

Byrd (Oct 5, 2011 at 10:41)

I was thinking the same thing, how do you have a Trek 9.9, TLD kit?? And I did listen to the words, "I don't have a job", at the beginning. How do you go to the doctor when you go down? Where do you live? Eat?? Kinda makes the entire story a little unrealistic.

rootsrockpisgah (Oct 5, 2011 at 11:00)

You guys would be surprised how little you really need to get by if you put your mind to it. Try being a "dirtbag" for a while. It's pretty rad. Cook your food yourself, buy in bulk, live cheaply and take care of your few possessions. Don't buy all that stuff you want but don't need. You would be surprised how far you can go on little to no money.

I don't have a job, per say. I am a student and I scrape by. I ride my bike, go to class, build trails and love my life. Give it a try for yourself. Don't go into debt to buy your toys and you'll never be held back.

@Byrd, if you go down and you have no money, there are systems to take care of you. Medicade in the states and a functioning social healthcare system in Canada..

Byrd (Oct 5, 2011 at 11:51)

Try being a dirtbag?? Cook your own food?? Take care of your possessions?? You have to have money to buy your food. You have to have electricity to cook your own food. But from you other comment you most likely depend on a social system to provide what you need to survive. I'm aware there is medicaid, but I guess I have different morals. You see those programs are for people who need help. Not people who are leeching on society because they choose not to "take care of themselves". In order for there to be money to help those whom can't help themselves someone else has to go to work and pay taxes. Those same taxes also provide trails like the Bent Creek system, and Pisgah Nat. Forest that I'm sure you enjoy.

I'm not trying to take anything away for the guy, I would love that lifestyle. And one day I hope to live like that. But I also live in reality, where people with new 5K bikes whom don't have jobs are SPONSORED. If not by a company then by mommy and daddy.

Mishtar (Oct 5, 2011 at 12:08)

As far as Medicare goes he is Canadian and we get free Medicare as mentioned by rootsrockpisgah above.

cGonzalez (Oct 5, 2011 at 14:15)

@byrd all canadians get healthcare, its part of there taxes and all that. its not like america where only the poor get it paid for

iamamodel (Oct 5, 2011 at 14:28)

There would be no free health care if no-one had a job. On a totally different point, if you are a nice person, and you have a high profile in the riding community, you don't necessarily have to podium in pro men to get discounts or free stuff. I am very sure this guy is not paying retail prices, or even anything close.

dirtbagluvin (Oct 5, 2011 at 14:28)

Byrd- I am a dirtbag- hence my handle, but I have to agree that keeping your debts small and doing things like cooking and buying in bulk help you lead your ideal life. For me it was the 4 1/2 month BC bike road trip this spring/summer instead of buying that Tacoma I want. As far as the leech on society comment- we spend more per capita than any other "developed" county in the world, yet we have a very high infant mortality rate, and have tens of millions without insurance. WHY?? Because we are a bunch of greedy money grubbers that don't care about the health of our neighbors. Pretty sad.
Stoked to check out the vid!! Glad to see more people getting the spot light!!

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TLDlover04 (Oct 5, 2011 at 13:12)

if my future job was to be anything in the world apart from fmba world champion it woud be his

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SantaCruzerAir (Oct 6, 2011 at 5:15)

I got lessons from him at whistler, such a cool guy

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sidhoyer (Oct 5, 2011 at 16:04)

thanks to all for the mind numbing social commentary .

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ummevan (Oct 5, 2011 at 0:29)

I'm with you on the sleeping part

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tworldsmine (Oct 5, 2011 at 1:28)

up, down, dead?

yes please!

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drop20 (Oct 5, 2011 at 11:35)

dude i wish i could live at whistler all year long! stupid school Frown

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niesen-ranger (Oct 5, 2011 at 2:54)

what a great life!

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niesen-ranger (Oct 5, 2011 at 3:02)

best video since time...

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airsoftesneeto (Oct 5, 2011 at 0:15)

ride buddy ride!!!!

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type-r (Oct 5, 2011 at 16:37)

cool dude cool life

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pinnr2010 (Oct 5, 2011 at 13:08)

What a beauty

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Protour (Oct 5, 2011 at 1:59)

Not meaning to diminish this guys narcissistic version of "living the dream" or anything, but the Session 9.9 comes nowhere close to "bicycle perfection".

If it weighed 25 pounds, had two travel settings of 4" and 8", accordingly adjustable head angles (ala Cannondale Claymore), a no-maintenance internal gearbox with a super wide range, tubeless tires that didn't lose air or puncture, a remote adjustable seatpost with no play, and brake pads that worked great but lasted a long time, then it might be something approaching "bicycle perfection". The Session 9.9 is nowhere close.

+ 25

Worm-Burner (Oct 5, 2011 at 2:03)

it should excrete fresh bananas too...via a bar mounted lever...

+ 16

Marlfox87 (Oct 5, 2011 at 2:43)

Never saw a Claymore on a world cup podium

vt6spd (Oct 5, 2011 at 4:06)

Ohhhhh, snap! Hahaha, good call.

Stewartlowe (Oct 5, 2011 at 5:27)

If it was like that then everyone would be as good as eachother. Which would be... gay.

mattpatt (Oct 5, 2011 at 7:18)

I see where you're going with that @Protour, agree with you regarding improving the drivetrain, reducing weight, punctures (would add wheel failures to that), brake pads all that. But, not so much with the adjustable geo, travel, seatpost on a DH bike. Perfection isn't in my mind having one bike to do it all on.

However, picking apart the Adam's interview is pretty pointless. It's all superlative. I mean, what next, are you going to tell us he's full of shit for saying "My bike plays the same role as oxygen in my life."? Try to think of it as poetry rather than statement of fact and you'll be closer to the truth. =)

djuro2705 (Oct 5, 2011 at 12:23)

I believe he thought the bicycle was perfect for him - for his needs and from his point of view; and that he doesn't need anything more than that. And when you are COMPLETELY satisfied with something, than it is perfect.
His statement was like @mattpatt said - kinda poetic...

Solman (Oct 5, 2011 at 15:31)

man i hate derailleurs! I would part with a decent amount of cash for a durable, strong, sensible weight, internal hub gearbox for DH. Is there anything out there?!!

bigtard (Oct 5, 2011 at 15:52)

hey protour shut up before the whole world realizes you're retarded

nitebuild (Oct 5, 2011 at 18:00)

Adam sees perfection in dreams and lives it, Protour sees no perfection in reality and lives it.

Stewartlowe (Oct 6, 2011 at 4:14)

@soloman , I think Chris Smith was using a Rohloff speed hub on his freeride bike. I think they are about £900 though :/.

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Protour (Oct 5, 2011 at 13:10)

But it's not presented as poetry, it's an interview about bicycle riding. I get the point though.

He sort of lost me when he was bragging about how everyone was looking at his plastic bike in the lift line and how he spent more time watching it than his television. Hope he doesn't watch much television. And then to top it off the photo....of him intently looking at his plastic bike while he is out on the trail...really dude?

kevinseven (Oct 5, 2011 at 13:27)

that bike is sick. no question about it, id probably spend most of my time staring at it too, and if i saw it in a lift line id definitely stop to say something. theres a picture of him looking at it, but that doesnt mean the 99% of the time he wasnt riding it. this guys living the dream

braapstar (Oct 5, 2011 at 15:48)

hey protour its the raddest bike in whistler he got it because he shreds dont waste your time being jealous just waste your time shredding

Marlfox87 (Oct 6, 2011 at 1:57)

You do realize that is article has absolutely nothing to do with the bike right?

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