Rider Profile: Paul Stevens

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PAUL STEVENS

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It sounds cheesy but if I can get other people stoked to ride bikes, then my goal is achieved.

Although he grew up on the Isle of Wight, which has "pretty much zero mountain biking", Paul has been passionate about riding from a young age. He recalls pedalling 20km oneway to meet up with friends at the nearest trailhead after school. Post shred he would ride another 20km back home, all on his Raleigh with its square seat and high-rise bars. “I loved that bike until the day I found out there was a BMX in the shed waiting for my next birthday, and then of course I was over it!”

A Whistler local for the past ten years, he made the trek to Canada after he saw it featured in bike movies and magazines in the UK. After the 40km round trips to get to the trails of his youth, Paul is still overwhelmed by “insane amount of world class riding within such a short distance” that is now available to him. He also blames his decision to stay in Canada on "the incredible people" he has met here.


In general Paul can be described as quiet and laid-back, however when it comes to racing he has a competitive streak; “if I want something I get after it, I am pretty determined.” So when injury sidelined Paul's racing plans last year he adjusted and found a new focus. He took the opportunity to get involved with some unique photo and video projects, including some trips with Reuben Krabbe and Roo Fowler, as well as some videos with Matt Dennison and Tourism Whistler. And even though he was off the bike through the middle of the summer, he still managed some great results at the weekly enduros, Toonie and Phat Wednesday races.



Healed up and ready to charge this year, Paul’s focus is on enduro. And with such a stacked calendar this year it is possible for him to race every weekend without ever leaving the Sea-to-Sky corridor. He has set goals that include a top 5 placing in the Sea-to-Sky enduro series, a top 30 placing in the Crankworks EWS and top 20 at the Crankworx Garbanzo DH. Of course he will be racing the local downhill and XC races as well, the atmosphere of friends that builds throughout a season of weekly races is “pretty hard to beat.”

There is so much racing going on locally that it is possible to race pretty much every weekend and not even leave the Sea-to-Sky corridor!

Combined with his focused winter training with Whistler core and his varied riding and racing to this point, Paul feels that he is prepared for enduro and set to achieve his goals for this season. A lesson that he has learned through pursuing different riding disciplines is that “it is dangerous to try to ride flat out all the time, you need to know when to turn it on and when to conserve energy" - an important tool for enduro and what could be the key to a successful season for Paul.

As far as career highlights go, Paul’s says that competing in Deep Summer, in 2012 with photographer Jonathan Hayward, was the most fun he has had in a competition. "We had such a blast making our slideshow.” Winning the Whistler Phat Wednesday series overall in 2011, and his results at Crankworx are also at the top of the list.

If I want something I get after it, I am pretty determined.

Sponsored by MEC and NSMB.com Paul is backed no matter what he is riding or what his focus is. “From smashing laps in the Whistler Bike Park and racing, to epic adventures in the back country, my sponsors support me and enable me to get after it!” After the tangibility of race results, and with the disclaimer that "it sounds cheesy", Paul's main objective has always been to inspire others to ride bikes. With his combination of inspired projects, trips, and a packed race calendar there is no doubt that he will be achieve this goal.