Name:
Ian Fitz
Age:
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
What's your favourite trail, ride or event? (or all three!)
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.
Fav ride: Would be the 2016 HT550. 550 miles in 4 days 5 hours and 48 minutes. The first multiday ride where I tested myself properly. Perfect weather, trail conditions and company. Particularly the last 'days' riding from Shenaval bothy in Fisherfield to the finish - 300km/6800m in 34 hours.
Fav event: Relentless 24. Impeccably organised race on the selection of the great trails at Nevis Range (maybe a biased choice as I finished in a podium position in 2016.)
What's your favourite bike of all time?
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.
What's your current bike?
See above ;-)
What's the best innovation in bikes or bike related stuff in the past 10 years?
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!
Why do you ride?
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.
You can find Ian on Twitter @edaleskyline
