Anna Cipullo is a super popular YouTube presenter and social media creator who rode with Guy for our Swaledale trail of the month. She’s got deep roots in the bike scene but it’s her fresh ideas and enthusiasm that always makes her worth talking to.
Who are you?
A mediocre mtb racer and an above average niche influencer. ;)
What are people likely to know you for?
Either silly Instagram reels, a loud laugh at bike races, or being on GMBN Tech.
There must be easier things you could be doing in the normal 9 to 5 world that would probably pay better. So why do you bother?
I don’t look for easy, I look for fun. I enjoy the creative process of coming up with an idea and trying to convey it in a video.
What are you proudest of in terms of your work?
Getting personally sponsored by Trek and Shimano. That vindicated everything I was doing with “annaonthebike”, and encouraged me to pursue the YouTube channel. I’m still a little starstruck to be honest.
What’s the success that surprised you most?
Getting 10k views on my first few YouTube videos! I thought it would take months to build that.
What’s the funniest screw up?
I screw up all the time. I’ve ridden to shoots without mics, I’ve used the wrong settings on my camera, I’ve uploaded my videos in low-res. Honestly, I’m not sure any shoot or video has ever gone smoothly! That time my bike fell on my camera and they both landed on a rock when Guy and I were filming the recent Polaris route was probably the most significant face-palm moment.
What do you find hardest?
I have a vision for my YouTube videos and my reels, and they almost never come out the way I pictured them. I’m not a perfectionist, but my skills are not quite at the standard I want them to be to meet my visions, which frustrates me.
What’s the bit you never get tired of?
I never get tired of the positive comments on my feed. What’s most rewarding is when people comment that they are inspired to try something I’ve shown them, because that’s the real goal of all of this “content”.
Anna as a rider...
Uphill or downhill rider / sweater or jumper?
I enjoy both. I’ve started racing XC, moved more towards Enduro but now I do both of those and bike packing too.
Uphill or downhill mentality? E.g. do you tend to make things harder than they have to be or take the easier option
I’m happy to chill some days, but generally I like a challenge.
Favourite sort of ride?
My favourite ride is one with friends.
Favourite riding destination?
The Forest of Dean.
Favourite bit of clothing?
My Trek cap for post-ride helmet hair coverups.
If Polaris could make you a piece of custom kit what would it be?
A relaxed fit thermal gilet for MTB.
What’s your secret skill?
Creative concepts with tenuous links.
Mastermind specialist subject (non bike)?
I dunno. My brain isn’t really designed to hold facts!
The future according to Anna...
Are you looking forward to the next 12 months?
I’m off to Madeira, I’m racing Enduro2 in Verbier, and I’m exploring Majorca after my brother gets married there. So yeah, I’d say it should be a good year.
What would you change about mountain biking?
I would stop people getting upset about new product releases. Just because it exists, doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Progress is always a good thing.
What would you change about the bike industry?
I would kick out all the sexists and the dusty old has-beens that insist their opinion is the only possible opinion that could be right. There’s no place for that thinking when the goal is getting people riding bikes.
What gives you the most hope?
Seeing new people try the sport and then stick with it.
