Mountain Biking is 'Creativity with Consequences' - Catching Up with 2020's 'Pandemic Riders' After a Second Riding Season

At the very beginning of this year, I checked in with some of the 'pandemic riders' of 2020, who began riding when gyms shut down and their other hobbies became feasible. When I first reached out to all those riders, I sought to understand the bike boom of 2020-2021 and what it was like for those who started riding during a time of rapid change in the bike industry, an unprecedented panic around sourcing brake pads, and the strange void left where dig days and other events used to centralize a community.

Now, nearly a year later, there are signs of a waning bike boom, but the new riders who sparked so much industry growth remain. All the new riders are the future of our sport and bring with them myriad perspectives from all walks of life, all over the world. While the loudest voices in mountain biking are those who have been around for a while, it's worth checking in with some of the newer faces.

I put the call out for more pandemic riders and some new perspectives on the sport. Like all of us, these riders have relied on mountain biking through the pandemic, and many have been giving the sport their all. One rider has been doing charity rides, another has started taking bikepacking trips, and one competed in the Sea Otter enduro on his hardtail. All of them are pushing their limits, and hearing about their rapid progress, endless enthusiasm, and sense of possibility within the sport is refreshing. Let's get to know them a bit more.

---

Why did you start mountain biking?

California had been under a Shelter-In-Place order for nearly 8 weeks and I was looking for a reason to get outside and exercise. Years ago I was very active in CrossFit and even medaled in a couple local competitions. Since then I had two kids and started a new job, exercise sort of took a back seat to everything else. I needed something to get back into shape, I was constantly feeling tired and drained and lacked the energy to play with my kids. A saw a friend’s Instagram post and asked if I could tag along the next time she went out. That first ride at Lime Ridge in Walnut Creek sent me over-the-bars and down a steep hill. I remember rolling at least 3-4 times and thinking to myself, “I’m tired of falling I’m just going to stand up and run the rest of it out.” By the time I got to the bottom I was in so much pain it was hard to breathe and I wanted to throw-up. I’ve been hooked on mountain biking ever since.
- Michael, California's Bay Area, USA

To enjoy the outdoors and get exercise.
- Robin, Morgan Hill, USA


I started riding a bike again in summer 2019 when my kid learned to ride so I could ride along with him and it could be a family activity. As lockdown progressed, riding became a substitute for martial arts: allowing me to technically and creatively respond to the challenges put in front of me, in real time.
- Adam, Edinburgh, UK

I was looking for an activity to do outside during the pandemic and wanted to capture the adrenaline pump I get from snowboarding.
- Spencer, San Francisco, USA

When did you start mountain biking?

First time I went was 1999. I rode on and off with my son starting around 2013. Been riding regularly since 2020.
- Robin, Morgan Hill, USA

I started MTBing 16 years ago and then gradually decreased my time on the bike due to a pain condition, pregnancies and then child raising. 18 months ago I started working from home during the COVID 19 pandemic. We were in lockdown and had restrictions on the number of people you could excercise with but for some reason this became the impetus for me taking up riding seriously again.
- Natalya, regional Victoria, Australia

I started riding on May 3, 2020.
- Michael, California's Bay Area, USA

I started mountain biking in 1996 when my then boyfriend (now husband) bought me a hard tail. We rode seriously for nearly 10 years. We got busy with work, but after the pandemic we decided to start riding again to get out of the house. And bc my business (NYC Photo Safari) took a nose dive, I had the time to ride.
- Zim, New York, USA

What has been the most rewarding part of mountain biking so far?

The most rewarding part of riding for me is its ability to “recharge my batteries.” It’s funny how I can wake up at 4am, drive two hours down to Santa Cruz, ride 20 miles and climb 3,000’, then drive two hours back home and suddenly I feel recharged. When I ride, it’s like I’m hitting the reset button and I have the energy and mental clarity to get me through the week. In general, I think exercise can do that for you, I just happened to find my form of exercise in mountain biking.

After my first ride that sent me tumbling down a hill, I knew I was hooked. I wasn’t in great shape but I was still trying to ride as often as I could. There is a local trail near my house, Black Diamond Mines, that is mostly fire road but its close enough that I can get there and back in under two hours. I use this trail to test my fitness and progression. Towards the back of the trail loop there is a section called ‘The Wall,’ it’s only about ¾ of a mile and a 12% grade. The first time I tried to climb it I ended up walking and it took all of 20 minutes. In fact, I couldn’t even pedal the entire thing until at least my 4-5 attempt. I just rode it again last Sunday and I hit a new PR, 12:52.
- Michael, California's Bay Area, USA


I'd say that's been the most rewarding part: creativity with consequences! I started gradually upping my skills, riding and mechanical, built up a better bike from ebay parts and started fixing up my scrapper bike which I found next to a bin. Now my commute to the office takes in a local nature reserve and a wee techy bit along there.
- Adam, Edinburgh, UK

That feeling when you get into a good flow on a fun trail and just start ripping down the mountain. That’s feeling really keeps me coming back.
- Spencer, San Francisco, USA

How has your progression been going?

Other than the occasional injury, my progression has been fantastic. The more I ride and pay attention the better I get at it. I wish learning some of the technical bits were easier but then what’s the fun in that right?
- Zim, New York, USA

It’s gone pretty well. I progressed to advanced trails pretty fast. I feel very comfortable picking aggressive lines particularly through rock gardens. They remind me a lot of sending chutes on a snowboard. That being said, I really struggle on features that give you more than 3 feet of air. I cant tell how much is my own fear, skill level, and the fact that ride a short travel MTB.
- Spencer, San Francisco, USA

Chills not skills.
- Harley, Edinburgh, UK

My progression has been pretty good. Not as far as I’d like but given I’ve been mainly riding solo I’m not too mad at it. Because I’ve been having to find and learn trails on my own, I’ve been taking things a bit slower. This means I need to figure out how to tackle any new obstacle myself as opposed to having a more experienced rider show me how or give me advice. This can be super rewarding but I think it does mean I’m progressing at a slower rate than I could if I had friends who were better or a coach but those things will come.
- Will, Santa Cruz, USA & Toronta, Canada

Ok. I probably need to focus on a few skills such as cornering more.
- Robin, Morgan Hill, USA

What bike do you ride?

An Ibis DV9 - I ordered it sight unseen or demoed. I had originally tried a Santa Cruz Chameleon but a 4 week ETA turned into next week, which turned into next week, which turned into next week, with no end or ETA in sight (I understand the supply chain was starting to get backed up at the time and we still aren’t through it). When that happened I looked around for another Santa Cruz or Canadian brand that ideally had something available at the time (July 2020). I discovered Ibis and found a local shop in Toronto that carried them. The guy at the shop said the DV9 was available in my size. I had heard the same thing about my Santa Cruz bike so I wanted to make sure I’d be getting a bike this year (I had put in the original order for the Santa Cruz in May) and it was mid July by this point. I knew it was a long shot but I figured I’d try calling Ibis and leaving them a message. They ended up calling me back the next day and confirming they had the bike in stock and ready to ship to my dealer. I don’t think I’ve ever hung up a phone and dialed a number so fast. I immediately called the other shop and put in the order for what ended up being my DV9. Within 3 weeks I had my new bike and now hardly a week goes by that I’m not riding daily.
- Will, Santa Cruz, USA & Toronto, Canada

What has surprised you about the bike world?

I really like the amount of online content and educational tools there are for bikes now. I remember how lost I felt when I first started biking in the early 00’s but now with YouTube and other online resources like Park Tool and you guys, Pinkbike, there is a plethora of easily accessible knowledge and guidance.
- Will, Santa Cruz, USA & Toronto, Canada


I was surprised that the bike world it so fragmented into different "genres" although I suppose I shouldn't be surprised as I know how much the music world is the same. I was also surprised that mountain biking, trail building and usage is still such an unofficial activity struggling for rights to use the land. I was also surprised to see how much people look to smooth out a trail, where the lumps and bumps are the fun parts for me.
- Adam, Edinburgh, UK

What I have found surprising about the bike world is how MASSIVE it is! Before I started mountain biking, my knowledge of the sport was limited to Redbull Rampage highlights on TV and seeing big box stores still carrying bikes with 3x drivetrains. I thought 26” tires was still a thing and now everywhere I look, people are riding 29ers. I’ve discovered that the biking community is so large, every trailhead on every weekend is always packed with cars and everyone is always super cool. I’ve never had a bad encounter on the trail and the times that I had a mechanical failure in the middle of a ride, someone has always stopped and asked if I needed help.
- Michael, California's Bay Area, USA

What do you most look forward to with biking in the future?

More bikepacking trips and exploring new areas.
- Robin, Morgan Hill, USA

I look forward to being part of building opportunities for all in the MTB community and being an ally to those who aren't able to access MTB as easily as I do. I imagine being part of a community which can provide free skills clinics, coaching and bike loans to get more people riding in the great outdoors!
- Natalya, regional Victoria, Australia

I’m looking forward to seeing the new innovations that will make riding more fun. The advancements like a dropper post in the past 10 years have been amazing!
- Zim, New York, USA

Electric bikes becoming affordable.
- Harley, Edinburgh, UK


I look forward to being able to become more playful with my bike, engaging with my environment and exploring, becoming progressively less limited in where I can access. I look forward to sharing that creative interaction and exploring spirit with my child more, over time.
- Adam, Edinburgh, UK

Do you see yourself staying in the sport long-term?

I see myself staying riding bikes long term, as a way to tick the same boxes in my brain as I do with music, martial arts and food: responding to what I face, trying to take it head on rather than minimise the character of the situation, and harness what it presents. But getting to be outside and soak up the sun!
- Adam, Edinburgh, UK

What do you think the industry can do better to retain new riders?

Skills rides and events, as well and regular planned rides.
- Robin, Morgan Hill, USA

As with everything else, the biking community needs to look towards being more inclusive when it comes to diversity both with regards to gender and ethnicity. It’s very much a white male sport right now – and has been.
- Zim, New York, USA

The communities need to stop acting like everyone needs to be riding a bike from the last 5 years and investing £€$1500+ right off the bat to enjoy the sport. I made it down the red trails at my nearest trail centre on my 23 year old bin-find Rockhopper while some lads on their DH bikes pointed and laughed. I'd slapped some chunky tyres on there and given it some maintenance but it was still fundamentally the same bike. I love my FS bike which feels like a fighter jet but I equally love pushing the bin bike as hard as I can manage. It still stops on hills, provided it's not snowy out. Plus I can throw it about without much concern about damaging it, and I can lock it up without concern about theft. If it stops and it doesn't fall apart, and you can get it up some decent slopes, surely it's doing what it needs to, especially for a beginner.
- Adam, Edinburgh, UK

At the moment with covid and the variants it’s a bit difficult but I think weekly events people can come to and do a group ride are great. The Specialized Experience Center in Santa Cruz has a weekly group ride that they do that is open to anyone to drop by and join. I believe you can also rent one of their bikes if you don’t have one. I think these kinds of regular consistent events in cities would help. Another thing would be to have a monthly ride focused on completely new/beginner riders. I find it can be intimidating and mildly embarrassing if you’re with a group where everyone is drastically above your skill level (even though everyone has been there before).
- Will, Santa Cruz, USA & Toronto, Canada

More group rides, group local dig sessions and more friendly comps for novices and amateurs.
- Harley, Edinburgh, UK

Posted In:
Interviews Coronavirus