To celebrate Mother’s Day, Patagonia Films has released North Shore Betty – a 12 minute film about 73-year old mountain biker Betty Birrell and her incredibly inspiring life riding mountain bikes in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
Betty Birrell picked up mountain biking almost 30 years ago, following a career as a mountaineer and professional windsurfer. Three decades later, Betty is a role model for her son, her friends and anyone she’s met along the way - and proof that you’re never too old to send.
For more about Betty’s life story, click
here.
Directors: Travis Rummel // Felt Soul Media & Darcy Hennessey Turenne // Well Travelled Collective
Editor: Nico Frank // Friendly Neighbor
Cinematographers: Scott Secco, Joey Schusler & Travis Rummel
Producers: Travis Rummel & Darcy Hennessey Turenne
Executive Producers: Monika McClure, Alex Lowther, Jimmy Hopper & Sakeus Bankson
Original Composition: Jeff Melanson // Friendly Neighbor
Going to share this with father-in-law who turns 70 next week and thinks he's too old to mountain bike yet continues to ride road (which I keep telling him is too dangerous with traffic nowadays).
The Pro's of an ebike far outweight any negatives they come with.
Thanks for the advice though clown. 5 years from now after his knee replacement surgery we'll just "ride slower" when it takes us an hour to ride 5 miles. Lmao
[Reply]
Just enjoy the movie for what it is.
I still ride on average 3 times per week here in the northeast. which is either climbing or descending. I used to ride with guys much younger than I am. At some point I realized I was holding them back so I found older guys to ride with. Sometimes I do ride with my sons who are in their 20's. When I do, they are respectful enough to slow their pace a bit for dear old dad. God I hope the day never comes where I am even tempted to resort to riding an emtb.
Realistically Betty is an outlier, nevertheless she gives those who fear the march of time hope.
The best endgame is to be healthy until the day you die.
I understand the fear of losing access to trails due to potentially having more riders but that's a very elitist and selfish behaviour. I'd rather focus on regulating trail access for everyone than barking at someone who's equally trying to enjoy the trails - just with a different vehicle but generating the same environmental impact. If it's a question of trail erosion due to the number of laps, wouldn't it be as simple as asking ebikers for higher donations to trail building associations?
What a petty person you are.
There are a plenty of old heads out there with nagging injuries and issues that can tolerate riding a normal MTB until they're 40, 50, 60+, but in regards to my own situation, my dad can't. We support our local riding scene and shops, we don't skid or ride like jackasses at our trails, we pack out what we pack in, and we regularly donate to our local trail associations. All these kooks can keep downvoting all my shit and hating, I couldn't give less of a f*ck.
However, it’s not how you take care of yourself now that’s going to help with slowing down the aging process.
It’s more so how you got to here in the first place. I abused my body doing carpentry for the last 20 years, military before that and mountaineering, climbing, skiing and MTB for over 35. It takes a toll on your body.
Those fancy guys looking ripped at 55 on Instagram didn’t do shit to abuse their body just so they can be a responsible dad. Those guys, they’ve just been selfish for the last 30 years. The adage of “my body, my temple”
Mindset…100%
But to say it’s only in the head, I call that BS. I don’t have an e-bike but if someone would give me one, I wouldn’t say no.
Yeah mention ebikes and the assclowns come out of the woodwork in droves. Ignore them and go ride and have fun with your dad.
Break over. Time for me to head up to the roof to replace some exhaust fan motors...
www.enteralliance.com/b/number-of-mountain-bikers-around-the-world
And FWIW since none of us can walk around with machine guns okay. Stop watching the news.
And to ebike riders, ride courteous and change minds. Saw one yesterday riding like an a*shole not calling out passes on the climbs, and not waiting for wider sections of trail before attempting to pass. Just making enemies out there. I’ve seen plenty of spandex jockeys do this also to be fair.
I'm nearly sixty, still ride hard and go big, no plans to slow down.
I always enjoy seeing people in their seventies and eighties still riding, that's my future and I'm looking forward to it!
Tips for young people: Care for your body, eat well, don't smoke, wear eye and ear protection, and care for your joints.
You want to be like Betty, not watching videos of Betty.
If you're dedicated to what biking means I don't really care what you ride, wear or how you contribute. Be authentic; be nice.
Very inspiring. Everyone in my family who is or was over 70 have lost their minds and/or bodies. Im determined to break that cycle.
Kid goes back up to the desk where some of the other staff have been watching and laughing. One of them says something to the kid, who turns white, heads back over to the old guy, and sheepishly asks, "you're Fred Beckey, aren't you?"
Beckey must have been 91 at the time.
(Worth checking out, "Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey" -- dirtbagmovie.com)
I hope your not serious and just being a polite and kind youngster. I would agree with early 60's" but not even remotely look close to 50" is a bit far-fetched.
youtu.be/D9iuSVnfisI?t=514
Her technical ability is astonishing for her age.. is it the chicken or the egg..? Surely negotiating those trails keeps her mentally sharp.
I'm 59 and always looking for older role models.
Thanks for this.
She is riding North Shore Gnar. ! Sweet !
7 or 70 riding is fun .
Love the parenting mantra. I've always said: 'my kid can be gay/trans - don't care! They will ride, or I'll disown them'
I've say it in jest, but I've been really fortunate to have a couple of biking buddies for kids.
I remember Betty from my windsurfing days and she is a treasure.
As far as all the ebike and the "good genes" conversations go, how many apologists eat asparagus-arugula sandwiches like Betty? Or ride in freezing cold rain?
Sorry for my bad English, I am Swiss: read it with the swiss accent in you ear.
So glad you are still having a great tiime biking. I had a very serious crash and it took me almost 5 years to come back riding my bike. I scaled down, but I still love it.
I once rode with two American bikers I met on the chairlift. When I started talking to you and you took off your helmet, the two Americans froze in awe. They told me who you are (the best surfer in the world, they told me), you never did.
You are such a legend
Ride On and now I want to ride 5th horseman with you and Vic again
While you can look after yourself as best you can, the wear and tear from physical activity is much harder to control.
I’m a Brit, but I have an uncle from the USA, who served for many years in the US Navy as a diver in bomb disposal. His military career allowed him to do many adventure/extreme sports including skydiving and he made over 300 jumps.
His body has taken a battering, he’s had hip and knee replacements, but in his 70’s, he doesn’t regret any of his choices.
I would never imagine my parents doing the same. And they are 73 too.
Concerning me, already 20+years I ride, and I still have 30+ years ahead of me. The best is to come.
Thank you Betty.
And no bloody Ebike!
What a woman!
Anyway. I find the article awesome, inspirational, motivational and encouraging. I’m only 53. Good to know that people can do that at this age as long as you stay healthy.
Yup, still playing hockey, skiing, and riding MTB bikes specific to the discipline.
Hey, at 101 you'll surely remember Miele Mountain Bikes out of Ontario in the 80's. My OG rigid. Replaced by a GT RTS-3 after dissing the need for suspension in Ontario flow and then moving to SoCal and riding the steep and rough stuff. The Miele 100% sucked. Make that 1000%. Lesson learned - different needs for different folks.
Betty is awesome - the video was a joy to watch and hopefully inspirational to many folks!
I still own the GT and it actually functions....and is 1000% frightening to ride. Like so many that thank God they will never ride an E bike, I thank God there are E bikes. For those in need.
Especially 180mm slacked out mullet weapons.
Ride On 50!
Truer words were never spoken.
The "yay no ebike" comments on here are petty asf. - you either haven't ridden one or cant afford one, plain an simple.
f*ck off mate