Mountain Biking with Six-Time World Champion Chris Eatough

With ambitions of completing a 100-mile mountain bike race this Summer, I researched the internet to learn more about the characters who were winning these races. Not because I expect to do so myself (I simply want to finish), but because I want to better understand the genetic makeup of these individuals and what is required to ride 100 miles off-road in one day. As luck would have it, one of the most dominant figures in endurance mountain biking racing—Chris Eatough—lives nearby, so I contacted him. Chris has won six 24-hour solo MTB world championships, numerous 100-mile MTB races—and recently retired from professional racing. I “interviewed” him a couple times on the Capital Crescent Trail as he biked home from work—and on Friday we met up at Patapsco State Park for a half-day riding clinic. It was my first visit to Patapsco—the riding was epic. Chris’s MTB abilities are unlike anyone I have ever seen. In terms of speed, the dude can take off like a speeding bullet and be out of site within seconds. In terms of technical ability, Chris can balance on his bike without moving for hours at a time, negotiate the most treacherous rock gardens like they are melted butter, and ride full speed over downed trees without ever touching his tires. I picked up some good riding tips and had a great time.