Why? It’s a powerful question that often leads to some of the most insightful stories that have shaped our human history and it’s the question we asked local riders here in South Wales. Since autumn last year we’ve been meeting bikers on the trails and pump tracks and asking them the simple question of why. This first series of Rise With Us seeks to unpack why rising to ride brings joy to people’s lives; it’s a personal yet inspiring decision to simply put foot to pedal and get outside. So, join us for a whistle stop tour of some inspiring stories of risers from across the South Wales corridor.
Jacob Martin
Introducing Jacob Martin, a photographer, climber and rider from Pembrokeshire. Jacob and his well-loved Orange Crush have been together through a lot. As an adventurer by heart, Jacob has been riding since as long as he can remember with much of his time growing up spent exploring the Preseli Hills behind his home.
Still now, after completing multiple bikepacking adventures in North Wales, Ireland and the impressive European Divide Trail, Jacob’s favourite place to ride is on his home turf. It’s unsurprising though as the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park boasts some of the best views from coastlines to hilltops. He knows these trails like the back of his hand and has worked as a mountain bike adventure guide for Hidden Routes in the remote corners of Pembrokeshire.
Jacob is often found planning another climbing trip or bikepacking expedition with a film camera in hand. This creative adventurer feels most alive when connected to the rhythms of biking which saw him complete the ambitious European Divide Trail. It has only ever been completed by 12 other people, is 7,600km long and spans nine countries from Arctic Norway to the Atlantic coast in Portugal. Previous to this, he had undertaken a 9 day solo trip from his home in Pembrokeshire to the top of Snowdon and back alongside other one night jaunts. Safe to say, he and his Orange Crush have spent some quality time together!
We asked him what advice he’d give anyone thinking about taking on a long distance ride:
“My advice to anyone thinking of undertaking a big adventure is: just do it. I didn’t do too much preparation – most of my energy went into simply getting myself to the starting point. I figured I could work out everything else from there, as long as I had the basics.”
For Jacob, the joy of riding is found in simplicity and freedom. The knowledge that you can literally go distance on your bike with the simplicity of each day culminating in three things: eating, sleeping and pedalling. That is why he rises.
Find out more about Jacob’s European Divide Trail ride here.
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