Video: Field Day - Checking in with Grant "Chopper" Fielder

When the chance to get Grant on the team arose earlier this year we couldn’t have been happier. The guy is a true legend of the sport and began his professional career in the same era that DMR was born.

Grant has spent the last 12 years competing and riding in some of the highest profile contests and filming for some of MTB’s biggest productions. He is known both on and off the bike as one of the sports biggest characters. We are stoked to have him on board! This year Grant will be representing DMR in a select few events as well as heading up his fast growing cycle tuition company; Star cycling in schools around the UK. We caught up with him to see whats new in the world of Chopper.


Introduce yourself!
I'm Grant Fielder aka Chopper from Romsey, UK.


Hows life?
My life over the past few years has changed massively with moving house twice, getting engaged, having a baby and trying to ride at a high level at the same time... Mmm hard one that.

It seems like you've been keeping a low profile for a while. Whats been going on?
Well the most time consuming part over the past few years have been has been bringing up my daughter Poppy. It's fun but your days go from riding & partying when you want to becoming a grown up…Sort of! After having Poppy I had to make a change to my life. I couldn't spend all my life in airports travelling around, partying and riding in events. Something had to change. Riding has been my career for the last 12 years and that's all I know. I've been rethinking how I approach it so that I can spend as much time as I can with my daughter as she grows up…. and keep riding.


So you have a new business, tell us about that
I have been attending schools for over the past 5 years delivering displays and talks. I felt like it was a perfect opportunity to involve children more, so I created Star Cycling ltd. Star Cycling offers after schools clubs, holiday clubs and demos at schools around the UK. We are currently in the south but have a large waiting list of schools wanting to sign up. It’s going way better than I thought it would!


What made you want to start this business?
When I was at school, I didn't have the chance to do something different. It was all the same; football, rugby, athletics and a ton of other mainstream sports. I’m not saying it was boring, as I loved football but I also remember tons of my friends wanted something different too. That’s why I wanted to start something fresh for the next generation. Cycling is growing and the children need direction! Star Cycling offers that, or at least give them a chance to try it. I can honestly say I never thought I would become a pro rider. Back when I started it was different, there wasn't anyone showing you that if you liked riding bikes, then you could make a living out of doing it. It's cool to be able to show kids that they should do what they want, whether its ping pong or darts, it's worth doing what you enjoy and could even turn pro with the right skills and attitude.


Riding or Ride-teaching?
Teaching really is the most rewarding thing I can do. Star Cycling is the biggest club in every school we are in. I think that just shows how much interest the children have. The only problem is growing Star Cycling and be able to offer this to more children. The plan over the next few years is to offer this to not hundreds but thousands. Make it like a retirement home for pro riders and give something back to the sport we love! Riding is still super important for me, I’m obsessed with it. Riding and teaching is the perfect balance for me.


So has this affected your appearances in contests in recent years?
I would say it has for sure as it does take up a ton of time. As for contests, I'm definitely not over it as I still feel competitive to a certain extent. What I mean is that I like the big crowds and the limits of riding being pushed. Every time I see a rider go for something gnarly and they stomp it, it makes me want to do the same. My body is hurting but mentally I'm so up for riding big events. Nothing is stopping me from doing this but I have a lot on the line if something was to go wrong, but at the same time, a 1080 could work haha…! My job has changed from the contest years. I have less pressure to compete but with the teaching come’s more responsibility so managing this is difficult especially after I watch live contests and want to go crazy just watching em! Eerrgghhhh…


What do you think of the current level of contest riding on the FMB tour?
I can honestly say I enjoy watching it now. The level is so high now that every single jump needs a banger on it. The last few years have been good but this year has gone off!

Any riders in particular that stand out for you?
Right now I like the fact the podium always changes. That’s because the limit is close between all the riders and who simply pulls a dream run that day. Matt Jones is a favourite for me right now (although he stole a sandwich out of my bag like a gypo) and obviously my good pals Pilhead the Polish Butcher and Sam ‘Selfish’ Reynolds.

Are you going to be riding any contests this year then?
I might go out to Bearclaw's again as that’s the most laid back, yet gnarly riding event. It’s also a really good chance to meet up with all my riding buddies like Bearclaw, Aggy, Andreu, and all the other big hitters in the sport, you know who you are. I’ll probably ride dirt wars and some other UK events too. I’ve been working on an edit filmed by Pilgrim for so long now, so hopefully that will be finished before I go grey! Do the usual ‘how to/do this’ mag article but mostly focus on growing Star Cycling.


What do you like to ride the most nowadays?
Just because I ride for DMR now I’m not brown nosing and telling everyone to go buy one at all (actually do) but the DMR Bolt is my missing puzzle piece. I’ve needed a bike for so long that I can trust and throw hard into everything, including my van! It’s such a sick bike designed perfectly for slaying UK trails. I love going hammer time on it. Just my cuppa tea!


Any shout outs?
Off bike- my supportive misses Rosie and gorgeous daughter Pops. Mum, Dad etc…
On bike- @Odub_23 at DMR Bikes Upgrade for sharing the same brain as me.
The Princes Trust for supporting my new adventure with Star Cycling
No Proof No Glory (Veho/Muvi)
GreenOil UK
Vans

Cheers…..Chop

PS. Giz a Follow on Twitter- @GrantFielder @StarCyclingLTD

www.starcycling.co.uk