Hmm, where to begin with Mavis? Big Brother figure to DH groms, washed up 22 year old DH racer, epic bike skills, all round nice guy. All of these are only the tip of the iceberg when describing this New Zealand biking legend, and somehow he’s managed to achieve all this before the age of 22 without any effort whatsoever.
How old are you?
22
Where do you live?
Herne Bay, Auckland
What do you like best about living where you do?
Central to everything, good flatmates, handy to the casino.
What do you dislike about living where you do?
It’s in Auckland, we are the poorest people in the street!
How did you get involved in the mountain bike scene to begin with, and how long ago was that?
I had a cousin that used to ride/race back when I was around 10 so I guess I started then. My parents moved to a farm in Woodhill not long after so it kind of kicked off from there. I worked at the bike park for a few years when I was a kid and it’s all history from then.
What’s your ‘day’ job? What does it involve?
I work at WH Worrall & CO. I mainly do customer service which involves Sprint3, our dealers’ online ordering programme and the Worrall’s Facebook page as well (www.facbook.com/whworralls).
What are your top five benefits of working with bikes all day every day?
1. You are working with equipment you have time for.
2. You have input into new designs and models.
3. You work with people that are interested in the same things as you.
4. You get to ride sometimes during work time.
5. You see everything in the flesh, not just on the Internet!
How would you describe your riding style?
Umm that’s a hard one. Well I think I’m pretty smooth and relaxed and a bit lazy sometimes!
Favourite trail?
Fernhill Loop in Queenstown.
What’s one thing you’ve learned in the last 10 years?
Treat people with respect and they will respect you. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know!
What’s wrong with mountain biking?
1. Too much politics regarding where you can and can’t ride
2. Pedalling
3. Internet riders (forums etc)
What are three things right with mountain biking?
1. Places
2. 26” wheels
3. Riding!
Top two mountain bike developments in the last 10 years (bike park, part or whatever)?
1. Seat Droppers (Reverbs)
2. Queenstown opening up the Gondola!
All time favourite rider?
John Kirkcaldie
Top five favourite bits of mountain bike kit?
1. Suspension
2. Disc Brakes
3. Chain Guides
4. Wide Bars
5. Good Riding Shoes
Who do you look up to?
Danny MacAskill, Aaron ‘Wheels’ Fotheringham
What are your vices?
Gambling
Finish this sentence: “On a Saturday I like to get up and….”
On Saturday I don’t like to get up, but when I do I like to see it’s a nice day. Recently I’ve been riding heaps on my motorbike so I normally head out for a ride on that. Squeeze a mountain bike ride in the arvo and then do the same the next day, that’s pretty much my weekend!
What are three things right with mountain biking?2. 26” wheels
This.
Respect. Really. You actually wrote that?