The Inside Line Podcast - Leigh Donovan 15

American mountain bike racing legend, Leigh Donovan, talks history, sponsorship struggles, anxiety and ultimately getting more people on bikes.

sspomer
4/17/2018 10:14am
s1600 LeighA 342847

It is with great pleasure to share this week's Inside Line podcast with you. The incredibly funny, energetic and honest Leigh Donovan, American mountain bike racing legend and World Champion, gets on the mic to talk race history, sponsorship highs and lows, dealing with anxiety and how important it is that we get more people safely on mountain bikes. I've always been a fan of hers but have a new respect for all that she accomplished and achieved throughout her career after this interview. I hope you enjoy it and learn as much as I did. -gordo

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Visit Leigh's ichoosebikes.com website and follow iChooseBikes on Instagram

This episode is brought to you by

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15 comments

View replies to: The Inside Line Podcast - Leigh Donovan

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Krispy
5 years ago
Holy shit that was incredible. I will always think of you as a goddess. I just now realize that I most assuredly made you extremely uncomfortable back in 1999, and I apologize!! I had no idea you disliked the attention so much! You were a hero of mine back then and a source of inspiration!!!
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Paracheilinus
5 years ago
Thanks for another great episode. I can feel Leigh Donovan's enthusiasm and energy even here in the Philippines. Its great to hear from her and her experience. Thanks for bringing Rob Warner, Sven Martin, Chris Ball, the industry icons and the people behind the scenes for making mountain biking exciting. Kudos to Spomer and the Vital crew.
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Stiksandstones
5 years ago
So, i've spent nearly every moment with this woman since 1993...thought I knew every ounce of detail and story-but even I learned a couple bits! Was nervous to listen haha, but she did great, nice job babe!
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bman33
5 years ago
I listen to all 'The Inside Line' podcast. This is one of my favs so far. I am 43, raced much of the NORBA series and was at almost all the races she talks about. So cool to know some of the deeper stories. And she called out Missy and no skills, just Rad. Haha! Wow
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FilipK
5 years ago
Holy Shit! There have been some pretty awesome interviews but this one just blew all of them (and me) away.
So much insight into an era that I missed out on and the industry in general.
At 2:17h long my eyebrows went pretty far up when i saw this one, but filled with so many stories, drama, wisdom, it was worth every minute!

I've meant to write in for a long time. Since podcasts are a big part of my commute. I'm really glad I can hear about my favourite topic with these.

But I do have thought on Inside Line:
1) Spomer, being a great interviewer, (prepared, unbiased, cool voice) I wish he would interfere more and wouldn't just let speak the guests for extended periods for more interaction.
2) Podcasts, in early days, were used widely in schools as an education tool, and many, even entertainment podcasts are still trying to be at least informative/philosophical. I think it would be really cool to tackle some particular topic/problem/struggle within the bike industry on the top of interviewees bio. Whatever is close to them, possibly split the podcast into 2 sections.

Anyway i very much enjoy them as they are too. Thank you Vital!
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Oz_Taylor
5 years ago
I love hearing from the stars of the sport from when I first started biking. They are all heroes to me.

Not sure the comment about Missy having 'no talent' is fair. You don't become world champion and have a 10 year career on the back of nothing.
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Stiksandstones
5 years ago
The comment was 'no skills', either way, maybe an unfair assessment?-Missile had the accolades for sure, but was not pretty to watch right? like, always on the edge of death it seemed. If you ever meet Leigh, ask her about it, she is always open minded and in for a debate and has often been persuaded of an opinion haha.
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Oz_Taylor
5 years ago
I stand corrected :-) I loved watching Missy ride. She was wild, although I only ever saw her on VHS ha ha

As a 14 year old kid, completely hooked on biking, all the riders were super stars. Nowadays we have so much access to the riders through social media and online content, that we almost feel like we know them. Kind of makes them seem too normal. I'm absolutely blown away by the race coverage on here, but it felt so much more exciting waiting for the next issue of Mountain Bike Action just to catch a glimpse of your heroes.

The chance to meet Leigh or any rider from the golden era would be amazing. Thanks to Leigh for the interview. Some cool anecdotes and wise words. Having only ridden my bike a handful of times last year due to work commitments she inspired me to get out and ride last weekend. So thank you :-)
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holstermx26
6 years ago
Such a great interview, thanks for being such a rad role model Leigh! Thanks for sharing and being so open.
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twestengineering
6 years ago
This was an awesome interview. With an awesome person. As someone who was on the NORBA circuit throughout the mid-late 90's, this made me miss the old days. Thanks Leigh!
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