Name:

 

Ian Fitz

 

 

41, riding MTB since 13 but with a sizable gap involving lots of climbing then fell running before getting back into it in my 30s

 

 

Fav trail: I'd say the Coire Lair decent to Achnashellach in Torridon. Although I have enjoyed riding some some pretty decent bits of singletrack and ridges high up in the Pyrenees too.

 

 

Usually the one I'm riding. But it's hard to buy a bad bike these days. There is something about the right tool for the job though. I'm happy with a short travel 29er for multi-day or technical racing, a rigid hard tail for most of my year round riding, a summer road bike for smashing round France in the summer and a drop bar, mudguard compatible, winter/cx/gravel bike for everything else.

 

 

See above ;-)

 

 

Modern bikes generally but in particular - suspension.  Bikes were rigid when I first started riding them, 26ers with 1.9 tyres, narrow bars, massive stems, 3x7 gears and canti brakes. None one which worked very well really.

 

Its easy to forget just how capable even a short travel 29er with a dropper post, good brakes, and a 1x set up is. Probably weighs the same as my first 'proper' MTB in 1990 too!

 

 

I usually ride a lot, 800+ hours last year. I rode a lot as a teenager then had a 20 year gap involving climbing, surfing and fell running in various combinations. I love the simplicity of long rides - all you have to do is ride,eat, sleep repeat.