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| Photos by Arné Greyling |
Who are you and what do you do?
A wannabe pro biker gone wrong having to
work a day job to keep my expensive hobby going. By trade a mechanical engineer.
How long have you been riding for?
Since I could get to pedal without falling
over, but riding regularly for about 7 years now.
What was your first bike?
A red BMX of no official recognized brand...that got passed onto me by my older sister.
Talk us through your worst crash ever?
Followed a friend into a line up of jumps
on a windy day, clipped his back wheel mid air on the last one and landed on my
shoulder/head a few bike lengths past the landing. Out for close to 4 months.
Favorite local trail?
Sneaky hidden trails...but I do like the majority of trails in Jonkershoek.
If you could ride any trail in the world, where would you choose?
Jamaica…maybe.
Who is your riding hero?
Nicolas Quere, the Frenchies know how to handle a bike.
What do you enjoy most about mountainbiking?
The freedom of being out in nature. Takes you to places you have never been.
When not mountainbiking what do you get up to?
Tinkering with my bikes, catching up on the
interwebs on the latest trends. Doing CAD designs for bike related parts and mods.
Mountainbiking related plans for the next year?
Ride ride ride!
Arné Greyling
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| Photos by Hanco Binneman and Ewald Sadie |
Why Mountainbiking?
Mountainbiking is not just something I do in my spare time, it is a way of life for me. It keeps me from getting bored and prevents me from getting stressed and also keeps me fit. The challenges that is unique to trail riding keeps things exciting and is something to look forward to when studying and work gets me down.
What do you like to eat after a ride?
Cinnabuns, cupcakes, donuts, anything sweet.
Trail you like most?
My favorite trail is the bottom part of the Firehut trail in Jonkershoek. Although it is kindof flat, it is just so much fun with roots and small jumps to pop over. I always have a big smile on my face when I get to the end of the trail.
What music is playing in your mind when going down your favourite trail?
Mostly Hillsong music as it also keeps me focussed and reminds me that I shouldn't be scared or underestimate myself or my abilities as there is a Higher Power looking after me. Other than that, I sometimes catch myself thinking about my studies and inventing new teaching strategies.
Why purple?
One day everyone in themountainbike aparrel industry came together and decided that purple should be the colour of almost 70 percent of all women's mountainbiking gear. I guess it's less girly than pink!
Worst crash you had, how, where and why?
I am lucky that I have never suffered a serious crash. The worst crash that I can think of at the moment was at the bottom half of the downhill track in Jonkershoek. Somehow I otb'd and landed face first in the dirt. With my bike scorpioning and hitting me on my back. Hanco was riding closely behind me and had to do an emergency stop. Luckily I fell with my legs kindof open and he parked his front wheels neatly between my knees. I didn't get hurt and afterwards we laughed more about how comical it must have looked to onlookers.
Left foot forward or right foot forward?
Left foot forward.
Best weather to ride in?
Spring in South Africa with the sun shining but the temperatures still low.
Rough or smooth?
Depends. Sometimes riding a smooth neatly manicured trail can be fun, but it can get boring quite quickly. A rough trail on the other hand, is sometimes more tiring. There is a time and place for all kinds of trails.
Most memorable moment on your bike?
I love how my bike brings me closer to nature. Riding past and interacting with all kinds of animals is always a highlight. I also love riding with friends and taking time out at the top of the trails to have a chat and a mini tea party before heading down.
