Known for his entertaining YouTube channel, thirst for going fast downhill and big smile, Ben Deakin has been hooked on bikes since getting his first hardtail aged 14. A past national DH champ (in Masters), this former Royal Marines Commando can now be found travelling the world to ride, making fresh content for us all to enjoy or designing kit with his clothing brand OiOi. ‘The Deakinator’ can still be seen on the race circuit around the UK, too, and is often featured in . We can’t get enough of his bike stoke and endless, infectious energy.
What are you up to in 2023?
I'll once again be riding for Focus Bikes, who are super-supportive of my trips away with teammate Olly Wilkins, where we document our travels and upload to our YouTube channel and other social platforms. A number of trips are in the pipeline. We’re always trying to find exciting new places.
What does a typical day look like for you?
The beauty of my job is that every day is different – ranging from riding to filming and documenting my travels. Unfortunately, though, as much as social media looks amazing, there are a number of days spent behind a laptop in the office, too.
What would your ultimate fantasy day be?
I try to live life to the fullest, as much as i can, but riding with amazing friends in some super-exotic places, finishing with beers and a sunset, would be awesome.
Where do you call home and what’s the riding like?
I’m on the south coast [of England], where the riding isn’t the best, but I absolutely love the scene we have here – small hills that we session over and over, some great pub-to-pub rides as well, with some epic scenery and being by the sea.
Who were your heroes growing up?
Steve Peat was the biggest larger-than-life character, whom I met in person for the first time at the NEC bike show. Rob Warner was also a firm favourite – we saw him do his thing in the retro Sprung video series.
We couldn’t have instant updates back in the day, having no internet, so all the guys that graced the pages of the mag were really interesting to read about. That’s why being on the front cover is such a big deal for my generation, and almost more important, in my eyes, than a viral video on social media.
Favourite bike component of all time?
For my generation, having brakes that work! But i feel the dropper seatpost transformed people’s riding and saved loads of time. Being more specific, the DMR OiOi saddle will always make a bike cooler and faster!
Worst mountain bike trend?
Skinsuits and peakless helmets for DH in the ’90s/2000s. I fully understand that they were there to save time, but it really made the sport uncool. That’s why I loved Rob Warner back then, because he was so against it.
If you could only ride in one location ever again, where would that be?
Queenstown, New Zealand – it has epic riding, a bike park, off-piste stuff and dirt jumps, with some amazing scenery and cool vibes!
Worst crash you’ve had?
Unfortunately, I’ve had a few. I overshot a jump in New Zealand during a Crankworx competition in 2016 and broke my shoulder and thumb (this can be seen on my YouTube channel). I also broke my elbow at a skate park, which had complications – I don’t have full rotation of my hand now.
Scariest thing you’ve done on a bike?
I’ve ridden some extreme trails, including some pretty savage places in Utah, where Red Bull Rampage is filmed. But recently, we rode down a live volcano in Sicily, and it was pretty scary hearing that thing going off behind you!
Tell us something no one knows about you...
A few people know this story, but it’s unique – I was a Royal Marines Commando, and I was shot, along with three colleagues, during an operation in Afghanistan. We all survived, but what a crazy time that was.
Most treasured possession?
The bullet I was shot with – which went through a mate first! It’s sitting in my trophy cabinet, with all my riding trophies, and it reminds me to live each day to the max.
What three things would you want on a desert island?
I couldn’t live without food and drink, and the missus would kill me if I chose the bike over her... Bike it is, then!
What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
Have fun, don’t take things too seriously. Life goes by in the blink of an eye, so accept every opportunity, and don’t take things for granted.
This article was originally published in MBUK 422
Words: Rachel Bennet
Picture: Steve Behr
