Blind Bobby McMullen Update

Mar 9, 2010

by Mike Estes

Source: Blind Bobby Racing/Lauren Leisz

Blind Bobby McMullen Launches New Website And Adds 'Motivational' Speaker Tour

Blind Bobby is at it again! 2010 is here and Bobby McMullen, long-standing team member of the WTB/SantaCruz/Fox squad, is throwing a new website your way: www.RideBlindRacing.com. You can check out what Bobby has been up to on his blog; view his race schedule/event calendar; shoot him an email with a heckle; get a look at his sponsors product offerings, or take in a vid or some pics of the most inspirational man on a mountain bike. More details inside,

A Guide Leads Blind Bobby Through The Rock Gardens Of Canada.- photo by Matthew Mallory

Bobby is not only out there with his guides at the races and events, he is throwing his hat into the motivational speaking arena. If you haven't seen him in action on stage, he makes it personal. He shares his less-than-normal life and makes every person in the audience feel involved in his life, on the bike, and as if they are the only person in the room. You might laugh a bit as well! Details about speaking engagements can be found on the site. Check it out HERE. Bobby can also be found on Facebook at RideBlindRacing's fan page.

Does a Blind Man fear drops? Bobby answers with a rowdy HELL NO! - photo by Matthew Mallory

Soaking Up The Sights? Nah, Bobby is just breathing and smelling the whole thing in...- photo by Matthew Mallory

Bobby is proudly supported by these sponsors:
Santa Cruz Bicycles
WTB
Fox Racing Shox
Clif Bar
SwoBo
Camelbak
Smith Optics
Race Face
Kali Protectives
Crankbrothers
Five Ten

Writers Note: I met Bobby a couple years ago when he came for the Hood River Super D in 2008. I stayed on the course till the very end so I could see in person- a blind man riding his mountain bike down Post Canyon. Well, he emerged with his guide yelling out every single command. Describing the rocks, what gear to be in, when his front tire would drop- Constant communication was being shouted out. I started to ring my cowbell and scream for him. He was stoked as he descended out of sight. I ran to my truck so I could see him cross the finish line and once again- ring my cowbell for Blind Bobby McMullen, a true inspiration to mountain bikers everywhere and to the fellow blind. -Mike 'northwestdhdad' Estes

The Hood River Super D is scheduled for May 28th-30th 2010 and Bobby is attending this year to race

Blind Bobby At the 2008 Hood River Super D

by northwestdhdad

Views: 6,015 Faves: 2 Comments: 1

For more information on the Oregon Super D Series, Go HERE.

Posted In:
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60 Comments

27 0

konagoern (Mar 7, 2010 at 4:28)

my deepest respect for this guy, this is more than inspiration! This is one of the biggest kind of dedication to the sport I ever read about! Keep it up and all the best bobby!

mtnbker395 (Mar 9, 2010 at 18:50)

I've seen him ride before, he's incredible. just the fact that he can ride the way he does with his disability, it's a really inspiration thing to see.

eleventyfive (Mar 9, 2010 at 19:48)

So rad, I saw him in the Whistler bike park during the summer shredding and keeping up with everyone on Freight Train. Best of luck man!

thisguytaylor (Mar 9, 2010 at 20:15)

Wow... now when you tell your friends they need to get out and bike, if they give you anything about not being able to ride they just should shut up and go if they keep complaining then show them this and tell them there is no reason you cant ride. Nothing but Respect from me, Ride Strong Ride Hard!

Fragma (Mar 9, 2010 at 20:21)

I saw him race the AIR DH in Crankworx too... Man, everyone was going nuts. Kudos to him

DirtBagMedia (Mar 9, 2010 at 21:27)

this man has some awesome perseverance, amazing. lotsa respect from me

nouser (Mar 9, 2010 at 21:32)

yea bobby! so much dedication! just goes to show that nothing is impossible as long as you set your mind to it!

nouser (Mar 10, 2010 at 13:35)

was he in KRANKED 8?

badmonet (Mar 9, 2010 at 22:30)

Mike, thanks to you and all at Pinkbike for making space for me on the site. You and I will be getting some dirt this year for sure my friend! I would have never imagined the response! To all of the riders here..there are no words except "Thank You." Each of your comments are what make me want to go harder, go bigger, go farther, go higher, all things we have in common. Please shoot me an email with questions, comments or to just give me a bad time. Thanks again for making me welcome and, in the words of Jamie Goldman "GIT IT!"

Cheers, Bobby McMullen

northwestdhdad (Mar 9, 2010 at 22:40)

Who loves ya kid? Hugs.

holydirt (Mar 9, 2010 at 18:22)

Congrats man, you are a real inspiration, keep doing what you love!

ELLIS-831 (Mar 9, 2010 at 18:25)

seriously this is amazing! It's awesome seeing someone who is blind can kick ass on a Dh or mountain bike! PROPS TO BOBBY MCMULLEN!!!

nouser (Mar 9, 2010 at 21:28)

first heard about bobby in a decline mag article a few years back, that guy is a true inspiration to mtn bikers, diabetics, and people everywhere, on and off the bike! hope he makes the fluidride/ nw cup this year! nice write up as usual mike!

AlexRob (Mar 11, 2010 at 14:55)

Why diabetics in particular? lol im diabetic and I've never had it affect me in any way while Dh biking

northwestdhdad (Mar 11, 2010 at 15:02)

Have you spent time on dialysis? Have you lost your pancreas yet? How about losing your sight from diabetes? Obviously Bobby's case is way more severe than yours.

nouser (Mar 11, 2010 at 15:22)

mike, just to point out, no case of diabetes is more severe than another, and i think bobby would back that. it's all in how you care for it. I have to give bobby a TON of my respect though, since he got the experimental surgery done before it was a sure thing.

and ALEX, how is bobby not an inspiration to diabetics? don't let the disease get you down, just get out and ride your bike!

hope to see ya in hood river bobby!

northwestdhdad (Mar 11, 2010 at 17:32)

Agreed. I invite Bobby to Hood River too......and Alex!

AlexRob (Mar 17, 2010 at 7:25)

okay my bad, i didn't realise he lost his sight as a result of Diabetes, i take back my first comment then

panzer103 (Mar 9, 2010 at 19:32)

How does that work? He cant see yet he can ride down a mountain. Strange, but in a good way.

icedemon05lrb (Mar 9, 2010 at 20:16)

I didnt think that there was such a thing.. It would be pretty sweet to see this guy ride... I cant wait to see and echo location rider...

tianosanchez (Mar 9, 2010 at 20:34)

This by far has to be the most gnar thing I have ever read. BIG UPS to this guy.

RPereira (Mar 10, 2010 at 1:38)

Huge respect, you're a true inspiration and every single rider in this world, regardless of his discipline, should have the biggest respect for you.

I wish you all the best, sir. You're a true role model

hangloosefighter (Mar 9, 2010 at 18:27)

such a great insperation on every rider.

norcolauncher (Mar 9, 2010 at 18:28)

there are no words to describe how inspirational this is

Herndonmtb (Mar 9, 2010 at 18:33)

thats just amazing. really amazing.

ladien (Mar 9, 2010 at 18:50)

Wow, how is that possible?

Kubsik (Mar 10, 2010 at 5:48)

That needs a lot of Guts!!!! I can't even drive my own track, or just drop in with out seeing nothing... Just crazy, Keep up the good work!!!

lalodh (Mar 10, 2010 at 7:17)

Felicidades, takes big balls to do it and also a big congrats to the or guides that should be working hard with him, only a great person can get that kind of help. saludos

Skinner11 (Mar 9, 2010 at 19:42)

You the man Bobby...

mickeydesadist2 (Mar 9, 2010 at 20:21)

Bobby shows that I can succeed in goals. He's the man!!!! It's so cool that our sport has people like Bobby involved.

aptsdirtjmpr12 (Mar 9, 2010 at 21:24)

that is such a nice bike. Santa cruz and Fox in one bike. Thats amazing. And he is blind. HUGE PROPS MAN!!

cannonball (Mar 9, 2010 at 21:49)

Yeah Bobby, Im proud of you man.

ahurst95 (Mar 9, 2010 at 23:43)

as if hes blind, i feel sorry for him but you are a legend mate for going riding still, respect mate.

BRibas (Mar 10, 2010 at 1:10)

I saw im first on kranked 8! I have a lot of respect for these man! many props.

dsazonic (Mar 10, 2010 at 5:34)

wow fantastic riding from a fantastic guy, well done, makes me want to ride and make the most of what ive got

fullbug (Mar 10, 2010 at 8:04)

if we could all ride the way we want to be remembered. my + key would break giving this guy all the props he deserves.

gnarbar (Mar 9, 2010 at 18:27)

Complete and utter respect to you Bobby, from a fellow Kali rider.

midwest-mtb (Mar 9, 2010 at 18:27)

Is he completely blind or legally blind?

riccardoleumann (Mar 9, 2010 at 18:36)

legally....
completely on one eye and the other 20/1200

Herndonmtb (Mar 9, 2010 at 18:45)

what exactly does 20/1200 mean?

WP0l3 (Mar 9, 2010 at 18:48)

In Kranked he compared it to looking through a rolled up piece of paper with vaseline at the end of it, so he can only see very vague shapes and movement

ExCactus (Mar 9, 2010 at 19:07)

20/1200 means that he can see things from 20 feet away that the average person can see 1200 feet away. As in a car could be 1/4 of a mile away and you or I could see it, but he wouldn't until its about to hit him.