Annie Ford: Yes, absolutely. It was a big day for the tools, lots of big hits, and loads of wear and tear. I ran an enduro saddle rather than a downhill saddle, because I needed to sit down so I could rest my legs. Nothing too big, though, because you're always moving back and forth and side to side. It's such a physical trail and the enduro option was perfect for the downhill world record. It was the best feeling in the world sitting on that saddle, especially when you're 23 hours into a world record. And then the GDH Team grips, they’re just the best. I didn’t have to think about them, I was just locked on. I didn't have to think about my hand placement once. They're super comfy and are perfect for the downhill scene. I gave them hell and they went with it. 

Ergon: You are an active environmentalist and used your record-breaking ride to raise funds to protect and restore the foothills of Coronet Peak. Can you tell us a little bit about this? 

Annie Ford: The foothills of Coronet were formerly beech forest, a biodiverse and beautiful indigenous forest. In the 1860s the whole Whakatipu basin was burnt and levelled to make way for farmland. In total, there's been a 95% loss of biodiversity in the region. A Guinness World Record inspires a lot of attention, so I thought I could use the momentum and attention gained to fundraise for indigenous reforestation and give back to the mountain that has given me so much. We raised $36,000 from the world record, which will be used by a local Māori-led charity to plant over 4,000 native trees on Coronet.  

Ergon: How do you connect your environmental efforts to your mountain biking?

Annie Ford: I was a marine biologist for 10 years. I’ve witnessed environmental degradation and large changes over my lifetime. When I tried to educate and help solve these causes, it was difficult to engage people and politicians. I decided to bring a bike to some of those conversations – particularly going on big rides, raising awareness, and sharing the whole experience. By combining adventure and activism, I found a fun and impactful way to raise awareness about seismic blasting and protecting native forests.  

Ergon: Would you say cyclists are more environmentally aware than other people? 

Annie Ford: Bike riders regularly immerse themselves in nature and get to connect with our natural environment on a deeper level. This experience and connection leads cyclists to care about these places. We get to breathe that air. We get to swim in those rivers. We get to sit on top of mountains. I think that transfers into environmental awareness and becoming active when these places are threatened. When bike riders are informed, they make great decisions. I’ve done my best to bring their voice to environmental campaigns, and can say with confidence: the bike riding community cares, and actively want to improve the places we get to enjoy, we just need to know how.  

Ergon: What's next for you?

Annie Ford: There’re always millions of ideas rattling around in my brain, that's for sure! Next off the bat is a ride on my mountain bike from Scandinavia to Morocco. I‘ll arrive in Norway in June and I'll be riding through Norway, the Lofoten Islands and Sweden, down to the Netherlands, through Germany over to the UK and then down through France, over to Switzerland, then I'm going to head west through Spain to Morocco. So, it's a huge wiggle all through Europe – the biggest ride I've ever done. 

Ergon: Do you want to share something else before we wrap up? 

Annie Ford: Honestly, the only thing that I'd like to add is this: Jump on a bike and see where it takes you. Experiencing the world on a bike is physically and emotionally rewarding. It will connect you with others – and yourself – in a fun and healthy way. It's an incredible world out there, and if you can go after something you care about with passion – it’s the most fulfilling experience I know of. The best parts of life are out there.  

Ergon: Annie, thank you so much for your time.