This man? Machine? Whatever he is, bob is a living legend amongst u.k downhill races.
His tiresome effort and constant enthusiasm inspires all around him and definitely gets the crowd going.
He can take a hit or two and loves classical music. The man is as homegrown as it gets.

Photo: Ridersguild.co.uk

 

Bob...

 

Name:- Nicholas Eyre

Age:- Getting on

Home:- Birmingham on the verge of the Countryside.

Local Training Ground:- Cannock Chase DH Tracks and some others

Years Riding:- 10

How'd you get into Mountain biking in the first place?

Q1  In 1999 I got myself the MBUK, I saw the sections on DH and thought I'll give that a go. So I thought I'll get myself a Full Sus bike which I did.

First Downhill Bike?

Q2  The first Downhill Bike was strangely called a Barracuda Showdown. Which was in 2000.

Do you think there's still room to improve, when looking at your racing/riding?

Q3  There's always room for improvement. You will always increase in every training session and Race and vastly improve in confidence.

Now... You've been running a Saracen the last couple of seasons, any improvements over the Barracuda?

Q4  The Saracen frame was a better frame than the previous and was a lot more responsive, with better rear suspension and better handling prospects. After getting my next Saracen  it was miles better than the first with a far better suspension and the frame was made out of Carbon Fibre, I think.

Where/who do you ride with for fun and who do you look up to?

Q5  I used to ride with someone over Cannock and other places to train but now I just train by myself and practice on steep sections, roots etc, there's the likes of Steve Peat, The Athertons and Rob Warner
and I try to aspire to get better than I am and hopefully get to a level which is nearly to where I want to get to.

Daytime job?

Q6  I am a Pro Model Maker and used to be in the Army for a few years but mainly it's been Freelancing in Video Filming for a number of years.

Any chance we'll be seeing any international appearances of Barracuda Bob?

Q7  There might be some "International" running's in the future, unless someone invites me to enter abroad before then as a Guest Rider. But anythink is possible on the International Scene if you work hard enough to get there.

Plans/Goals for the 09 season?

Q8  My Plans for the season is to race more in as many races I can do and the goals is to improve on my times, and try to help other people out whenever I can.

Photo: Ridersguild.co.uk

With 2008 being one of the most hotly contested years in downhill for a while, who do you think is going to take the title?

Q9  Good Question, As I'm not a betting person it will of course be the British Riders, Steve Peat to take the Mens Title, and Rachel Atherton for the women's. But of course you have to put in contention is Sam Hill, Nathan Rennie, Cedric Gracia, Nico Voullioz, Dan and Gee Atherton and Greg Minaar for the mens. Tracy Moseley, Fionne Griffiths and Anne -Caroline Chousson for the women. Ant why, it's all down  to how good the person is on the day and how good they are during the season.. Let the best Man/Woman win and good luck to the person who comes trumps.

Downhill is on the brim of taking off, what do you think needs to be done to make it get the coverage it deserves?

Q10  Downhill has to my point gone to the Brim of taking off, probably within the boundaries of the sport itself with the riders and families of riders coming and participating and watching. And I hope it is on the Brim of taking off big time, as people who watch adrenaline fueled sports can understand what it, that bit further. It is like a Space Rocket, the engines starts and the Rocket takes off it can be seen much further afield. What or should be done is that it should be covered more on TV than it is now, so it is more accessible to the masses of what the sport is really like instead of drips and drabs or five minutes here and there. What now is the Olympics and the Organisations to take it that bit  further, like BMX and XC, and have it on Big Time TV.

Blonde or Brunette?

Q11  I like Girls with Blonde Hair the most but you cant always get that so you have to go for Brunettes. Like my Fiance she's got Brown Hair.

Tetley's or PG?

Q12  I prefer Tetley's.

Any good jokes for us?

Q13  Thats pretty lethal isn't it with my jokes going around.  But at the moment I cant think of one.

First album you ever bought?

Q14  The first Album I bought was The Classical Experience. Which is on Classical Music. As I'm not into Heavy Metal, Reggae and all that stuff, I cant stand it, Favourite Artists is Mozart, Strauss, Bach and Elgar. Last Album was of Mike Oldfield as I besides Classical Music I like Easy Listening. The likes of Mike Oldfield, Jean-Michel Jarre and Vangelis. Technically Instrumental Music and no singing.

Downhill sometimes bites you in the ass, ever had any injuries big or small?

Q15  Injuries side of things I firstly had two cracked ribs, that hurt a lot, Secondly, Concussion, the Doctor said after at Hospital "If you did not have your Full Face Helmet after hitting the ground you would have been Six Foot Under. Thirdly was a Broken Wrist.

What kind of track suits you?

Q16  The type of track I like are dry/fast courses which is 80% for dryness and 20% to keep it moist to keep the track together. I like Caersws and Bringewood. Would like to have a go at Fort Bill, and Cwm Carn. There's Morzine and Chamonix and Whistler.

What do you get up to off the bike?

Q17  I used to like watching the Wrestling on TV. But today I like to watch WRC, SuperBikes, F1 and Go-Karting. And have a go at WRC.

Rumour has it, you've travelled to some races by train? Saving the environment or doing it for the crack?

Q18  Its true that I have travelled by Train which has mainly been Caersws before passing my test. Now I have to borrow my Dad's car to get to the Races.

Flats or S.P.D's?

Q19  Flats, SPD's are for Roads.

Skin suits.... Yay or Nay?

Q20  They look pretty silly really. Preferably it's always better sticking to things which you know that works. And not a chance you will see me in any. I HATE SKIN SUITS.

 

Written by :

Joe Bowman

Points: 10