Video: 73-Year-Old North Shore Betty Rides with Remy Metailler

May 26, 2022
by Rémy Métailler  

A few months ago, I was told about a 73-year-old woman who rides black and double blacks trails about a year ago by a friend and then saw as most of you the Patagonia mini-documentary. A few days later, I bumped into Betty Birrel randomly in a restaurant in Squamish and asked her about doing a trail preview.

We headed to Cypress Mountain and rode one of her favourite lap, Fifth Horseman.

Over the years, I've been lucky to ride with some incredibly talented people, but this day with Betty was something special.

Follow Betty and I on social media @bbbirrel @remymetailler
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Author Info:
remymetailler avatar

Member since Feb 25, 2009
186 articles

83 Comments
  • 109 0
 Oh, good, I’ve got time to learn proper riding techniques. No need to rush.
  • 29 0
 I want to be her at that age too, and to inspire others to keep going. Strength and fitness are paramount to longevity.

And @mikelevy - diet too. lol
  • 100 0
 I'm 54. Old enuff right. But A few years ago when I was about 50 while on a solo ride at some familiar trails, an "older guy" stopped me to ask me some trail directions. I welcomed him to tag along with me. He did and for the most part he kept up just fine. I stopped to wait for him a few times, but he was obviously in great health. . After the ride, by our cars, I asked him how old he was. He said 76. I said NO WAY so he then takes out his DL to show me the proof. Turns out he never even took up mtb-ing until he retired at 65!. That encounter inspired me to stay fit, knowing I could still have another 20+ years of this stoke. I wish I would have gotten his name and number, as I've never seen him again on the trails. I hope he's still above ground.
  • 8 0
 Nice.
  • 10 0
 I got ID'd at a soccer game when I was 49. So to all you young people out there, be inspired that you'll also still be able to drink beer while you age.
  • 5 0
 That's so crazy, a similar thing happened to me! Except the guy was 80! Same deal, I was flabbergasted, and he ended up showing me his DL as well! Told me he had to run, because he was going skiing in Whistler the next day. Inspiring stuff.
  • 3 0
 Meet an old guy in a supermarket parking lot a few years ago, complimented him on his choice of car ( I have the same ).

Couldn't see backing out due to Giant SUV. Guided him out, asked him how he liked it. Me being me, asked him how old he was.

91, still get 'er sideways!

Turns out he was a jet fighter pilot.

You never know 'til you ask.
  • 82 3
 Immediately sent this to forty year old friends who won’t stop complaining
  • 63 3
 ...IKR. ....+Betty isnt even riding an E-Bike \m/
  • 19 1
 @threesixtykickflip: She is too old for that sh...t
  • 1 0
 Don't bother with them - stick with the doers.
  • 41 0
 Your grandma does what??? With who???
  • 43 6
 I was told all people over 40 are supposed to ride "bikes" with motors and batteries? Is this CGI? Hollywood stunt double trickery? Surely she's not actually pedaling a bicycle?
  • 6 28
flag realist (May 26, 2022 at 20:24) (Below Threshold)
 If you want to ride up to that trail, you can but most people use a car/truck. We call it shuttling. Will that be one, two or three laps with your whine?
  • 8 0
 @realist: Even better. Any way you can work a jet aircraft ride into it?
  • 7 0
 Check out at 1:25,She is using her dog as motor
  • 33 0
 Congrats on riding with a legend Rémy!
  • 25 0
 She is incredible. I aspire to ride like her when I'll be her age. Goals!
  • 15 0
 I aspire to ride like her even at my current age
  • 16 0
 Really had fun watching the dog in the background! Wink

The riding was great too.
  • 24 0
 Dog be like, “I’m 17 and not even one mention, nada. Sheesh I don’t get no respect!”
  • 13 0
 Wonderful video. Betty, you are absolutely incredible and an inspiration for everyone. I wish you many, many more years of riding. And that has got to be one of the best mannered and well trained trail dogs I have ever seen. What a great riding companion.
  • 17 0
 I love this woman.
  • 13 0
 Betty legitimately rides better than I do in the prime of my life. I'm just going to go ahead and post my bike to the buy and sell and take up knitting.
  • 14 0
 Thank you Remy. Betty is an inspiration to us all!
  • 14 2
 Video: 73-Year-Old North Shore *Shreddy* Betty Rides with Remy Metailler

Fixed that for ya.
  • 9 1
 This chick puts all the young kooks on ebikes to shame!!..the amount of teens 20s 30s40s year olds I see scootering around on there stupid motor bikes is beyond me..then you see 60 70 guys still grinding away on real bikes .. respect.
  • 1 0
 I'm 59 riding acoustic.. the amount of respect I get riding full rigid or hardtail from these guys is frankly embarrassing. I want to send them all the Betty video.
  • 7 0
 Thank you Betty!

Today you have:
1- Inspired me. To see how no matter what we are or who we are we human beings just want to be better and have more fun.
2- humble me. Your riding skills are very impressive. period.
3- make me so happy. To know we can be doing what we like at any age or level if just really want to!
  • 2 0
 mojamuto?
  • 1 0
 @iiman: Enjuto Mojamuto, oeeeeee!
  • 2 0
 @enjuto: que grande XD
  • 8 0
 Scott needs to give her big shoutout! For an older rider to choose your brand on those trails, needs a t-shirt, beer, water bottle or something.
  • 9 0
 or some sort of brand/lifestyle ambassador role, supply her with free bikes and kit etc. A win for her, and a win for Scott with the popularity she's rightly got already as a humble and clearly talented shredder.
  • 6 0
 When you age I think you get more sensitive to your limitations - fact is younger people tend to bend, older people to break. Kudos to Remy for his support of her riding decisions and his patient, insightful instruction. It really shows how he, himself respects HIS limits as a rider. It's all about having fun after all.
  • 6 0
 This legit made me tear up a bit. That is so awesome. Betty is a proper shredder, her technique and line choices show it. Really impressive and just so cool to see that. I'm thirty five, it is awesome to think if I can be like her I'm not even halfway through my riding life (started at 12 or something?) These are the vibes we need more of! You go Betty!
  • 9 0
 One of the all-time best PB vids!
  • 8 0
 Agreed, this is one of the best vids I've seen on PB period. As already said above, very inspiring!
  • 6 0
 Remi is on point. The more fun you have the better the ride .
For those of you who don't live near the "Shore" 5 th Horseman is gnarly ! Even for North Shore trails .
Inspired.
  • 6 0
 Awesome video, great riding as always Betty. My 59yo friend has a mental block on that drop. Maybe I can get Betty to coach him.
  • 7 0
 Literally the most amazing goddess I have ever seen! We're not worthy!
  • 6 0
 Betty is an inspiration!

I loved watching her doggo digging in the background while Remy was giving tips around 5:00.
  • 5 0
 Two things:

- Betty, incredible rider and legend...yet very very humble it seems. Humility never gets old.

- Remy - can't help but take the french line lol
  • 6 0
 Just so awesome! Remi does the best mtb vids period.
  • 7 0
 Living legend!!!
  • 4 0
 Thanks for the Inspiration Betty. Watching you ride makes me feel extremely hopeful.
  • 3 0
 So Awesome to see this! One of the Best Videos in a while, I am a young pup at 61,LOL. Ride on and keep Riding! JC
  • 3 0
 What an inspiration. I will be happy if I can ride half as fast as her in my seventies.
  • 4 0
 I will be happy if i can ride half as fast as her. Corrected it for you.
  • 2 0
 Great riding.Good to see her using her judgment too. Betty's learned that it's not what you can ride, but when you can ride it!
  • 4 0
 I like how the dog did the drops too.
  • 2 0
 @4:50 digging for treasure
  • 2 0
 Such a positive video. To think if I look after myself I have at least another 26 years of riding ahead of me makes me happy. She is an inspiration!
  • 4 0
 Sponsor Betty! Sponsor Betty!!
  • 1 0
 she already is
  • 2 0
 This is great! I'm a huge Betty fan and really enjoyed this video of her riding with Remy.
Maybe she can have her own monthly segment/series on Pinkbike?
  • 4 0
 She is awesome
  • 3 0
 What an inspiration! She is a shredder too!
  • 2 0
 Great and inspiring video. Lady rode so smooth and in control! Greta example for the rest of us! Keep it going!
  • 3 0
 great video, the enthusiaasm and confidence Betty has is inspiring.
  • 4 0
 Inspirational
  • 4 0
 Heart warming.
  • 2 0
 It would.be a blessing to still be sending at her age... That's awesome btw
  • 3 0
 I think the dog took some of the best lines!! Smile )
  • 2 0
 I told my wife that I could still get another bike as I still have time to ride more…I’m 30 by the way
  • 2 0
 Defo want to be like Betty when I'm 73!
  • 2 0
 True Mountain Bikers can't die by age, just by accident \m/
  • 1 0
 Incredible positive video. She is showing to us that are not ages limits to do mtb riding. I meet similar person years ago.
  • 3 0
 So good!
  • 2 0
 Betty would love to get some laps with you!
  • 3 0
 This is sick
  • 3 0
 Two legends
  • 3 0
 Just awesome. Go Betty!!
  • 5 3
 And not an E-Bike in sight, good stuff!!
  • 2 0
 I love this! I'm a Betty fan! And Remy is cool as always. More,more!
  • 2 0
 Made me smile watching that. What a legend.
  • 1 0
 Yay you do some insane sht on bikes but this honestly is one of my favorites
  • 2 0
 Yo Gramma so fast she rides with Remy metailler
  • 2 0
 What a machine!
  • 2 0
 Betty rules!
  • 1 0
 Lovely video - enjoyed watching that
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