MTB Legend: Chris Eatough
Q&A with One of the All-time Greats
In the late 1990s and into the 2000s, long-distance and endurance racing was front-and-center in mountain biking, pushing the sport like never before. Part of that scene included 24-hour races, mostly ridden by teams/groups, but there were individual/solo riders, too. One of those riders was Chris Eatough. Born in England, he arrived to the USA when his father’s employment brought him here. Educated at Clemson University (civil engineering degree) and the University of Virginia, earning a master’s degree in transportation engineering, Chris discovered mountain biking during those days, fell in love with it, and trained to become a pro racer.
As a professional mountain bike athlete, he went on to have one of the most successful careers in the history of the sport. Among his accolades:
Six Time 24 Hour Solo World Champion
Five Time 24 Hour Solo National Champion
2007 24 Hours of Moab Champion
2007 National Ultra Endurance Champion (100 mile mountain bike races)
2007 BC Bike Race Champion
Ten victories in 100 mile mountain bike races
I reached out to Chris, and true to his reputation (I’ve never met him in person), he graciously agreed to do a Q&A. His focus on family, youth development, and community is inspiring.
1. It's been over a decade since you retired as a pro racer/mountain biker. I know you were coaching for a while and that you are/were working with the city of Arlington, VA on bike programming/access. What's going on/what are you up to these days?!
I retired from professional mountain bike racing in 2010. Of course, I still love mountain biking and it will always be a big part of my life. My daughter, Emerson, is now 16 and she inherited my passion for mountain biking. She races in the Maryland NICA league on the “Bolts” team and I am head coach. It’s a great way to stay involved with the sport. The league director is my long time friend and former Trek team manager, Jon Posner, so it’s also a great way to keep in touch with people. I also have a son, Pierce, now 14 who inherited my other sporting passion, soccer. I coach Pierce also, much of my summer and fall is spent coaching youth sports.
For work, I am a transportation planner specializing in bicycle and pedestrian facilities. I plan and design sidewalks, crosswalks, pathways, bike lanes, etc. It’s very rewarding and we have made a lot of progress. I did this for Arlington, Virginia for 5 years, then shifted to work for Howard County, Maryland, which is where I live with my wife Allison, our two children, and our dog, Billie.
I still do a little online coaching, but not as much these days.
2. As a fan of the 90s/early 2000s mountain biking race scene, but not a racer, to me you were one of a few people who really pushed the cross-country race/sport/scene. What drove you then to do what you did and accomplish so much?
Looking back, I think I was mostly driven by my love of the sport and of the lifestyle. I always wanted to be a professional athlete and I loved the training, the travel, the competition and the challenge. I was motivated by the opportunity to train and race full time and to make a living out of it.
3. I'm a born-and-raised East Coast kid now living out West/San Diego. You've ridden all over the USA. Preferred mountain biking/riding/trails/terrain -- East Coast or West Coast?! Why?! (You can't say both!)
That’s a tough question! Mountain biking is so diverse with so many different kinds of terrain and trails. If I would have to pick a favorite, it would be the technical, rocky, rooty trails of British Columbia. It’s similar to what we ride closer to home (Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia), so I consider this east coast style riding, but it is cranked up a notch in British Columbia.
4. I remember reading somewhere that you once said in an interview that if you can ride Michaux, you can ride anywhere, or something like that. Whether you said it or not, I know you are/were a Michaux fan. What is about that place that causes many East Coast/Mid-Atlantic mountain bikers to hold it up with such high regard?
Michaux is a hidden gem. If you looked down on it from above, you would never know what was lurking beneath the tree canopy, but there is so much there. Rocks, roots, steep trails. It tests all of your abilities and I have seen it break down many strong mountain bikers.
5. Favorite trails/rides nowadays?
Frederick Watershed. It’s very similar to Michaux. When I started riding there 25 years ago, the trails were all raw and undeveloped, but more recently there has been some great trail building there and it’s a good mix.
6. Gonna show up to any races in 2024?
As a coach, definitely! As a racer……to be determined.
7. If you have a post-ride beer, any recommendations for indie breweries/beers in your area?
Manor Hill is our local brewery in Howard County. I like their IPAs.
8. Final thoughts ... say what you want ... anything goes.
I just want to express appreciation for people that give back to support the sport. Whether it’s coaching a NICA team, trail maintenance, race organizing, volunteering… So much of what makes mountain biking great is because people are willing to give some of their time and effort. I love and appreciate that.
Agreed, Chris … and HUGE thank you for taking the time to join us here at Paseando MTB. I much appreciate it. Also, I think I gotta get to BC to ride, sooner than later!
Announcement: Sue Haywood was the first in what is looking like/shaping up to be an MTB Legend series on Paseando MTB. You can read her Q&A here/click. Already confirmed and next up is: Jeremiah Bishop. After that? We’ll see!
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Chris Eatough set the bar very high for 24 hour racing in his tactics, training, ethics and friendliness. He was a great teammate. It's inspiring to see his level of dedication to his family and community.