A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT US
HI THERE, I'M BOB.
WELCOME TO ELEVATE MTB!
Grab a cuppa and pull up a chair, let me tell you about Elevate. I began riding mountain bikes as a young fella in the early 90s and became hooked pretty quickly. I had been riding a BMX but it was the ability of the mountain bike to take you just about anywhere that really sucked me in. It seemed that you were only limited by fitness and courage back then!
Over the years I have ridden just about all disciplines, from trials to downhill, and competed in a great many races but it's always been the challenge of riding new terrain that has fueled my passion. Oh, and the bike tech side of it too of course! As well as being a PMBI and MTBA qualified Skills Instructor, I am also a professionally qualified Mechanical Engineer so I'm in a good position to understand the design and technology around bikes. More than this though, I live in the real world and understand where best to invest your hard earned bucks. And that's where Elevate started. Rider Skills, Bike Setup and the Trail are the MTB Holy Trinity, and Elevate aims to help all riders with bringing these together. Skills Teaching, Bike Service and Group Rides - come join us!
THE JOURNEY TO NOW
1989FIRST MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE - SORT OF
At a tender young age I took part in my first MTB 'race'. Back then, the sport was only just getting off the ground and races were more like orienteering on bikes. So with my map flapping in the wind I took off - and loved it!1992MTB FOR TRANSPORT
Living in a rural area and too young to get a car or motorbike, my bike was transport and freedom. I rode my bike everywhere - and I mean everywhere! Great training though...1995TIME TO GET A DECENT BIKE
Now fully hooked, I got my first 'proper' MTB a Scott Super America - awesome! Fully rigid alu frame and canti brakes - what a rocket that thing was! Races were my weekends now, taking part in local race series, Student Championships and various MTB festival events.1997ITS NOT ALL ABOUT RACING
Taking every opportunity to ride my bike wherever and whenever I could, and inspired by the likes of Hans Rey and The Martins I began practicing street trials. I didn't stop when the sun set either, bike lights were getting better and night rides a blast!1999TO GO FOR IT - OR NOT?
By now I was getting some decent results and I was encouraged to participate in a coached training scheme. Studies at uni were also ramping up as it was my final year - bad timing. Another life maybe... For my final paper I wrote a thesis on Mountain Bike Suspension Kinematics and Design.2000THERE'S A WORLD OUT THERE
So with studies wrapped up and no job to go to, what do you do? Travel of course! I became the principal Mountain Bike Guide and Mechanic for Neilson Active Holidays based 4hrs from Athens running groups into the very best Greek backcountry! Stay tuned for more...
STORIES ON THE SOCIALS
IMPORTANT VALUES
HERE AT ELEVATE MTB
The Values at Elevate are pretty straightforward really:
SAFETY - Always first priority
FUN - It's the reason we ride after all!
LEARNING - to improve and progress
SOCIAL - connect & share with others
