Steve Bate was diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition in 2011 - a devastating blow for an outdoor instructor and passionate life embracer. Determined to make every moment count though he not only solo climbed El Capitan in Yosemite but joined the British paracycling squad. Through grit, determination and legendarily good humour he’s become a multiple Paralympic gold medal winner, Para World Championship winner and World Record athlete on track and road. He’s also a regular epic event winner on a fat bike. He rode with us on our Grizedale Gravel loop this summer and we caught up with him again just before winning his last World Championship this October.
Who are you?
Just a normal bloke (yeah right - Editor)
What are people likely to know you for?
Probably riding bikes or soloing El Capitan.
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’ve always been interested in what I could achieve with my mind and body. As a kid I always wondered if I had the full support of a sporting team, i.e. coaches, S&C, nutrition etc, could I become the best in the world? So that fascination has driven me.
What are you proudest of in terms of your riding?
The level of consistency over a decade at elite level.
What’s the success that surprised you most?
Probably Rio 2016. I don’t think anyone could have predicted it would go that well. (Steve and pilot Adam Duggleby won gold medals in the Olympic Time Trial and the Track Pursuit.)
What’s the funniest screw up?
Years ago when Adam (my pilot) and I dropped a chain on a climb in Mallorca racing team mates, we jumped off, got the chain back on and cracked on, only to discover on the descent the cranks were 180°out, so when Adam raised his inside pedal to corner flat out, mine was touching the road. That was a pretty exciting descent…
What do you find hardest?
Listening to random people tell me about how many watts they can do.
What’s the bit you never get tired of?
Racing in front of a packed velodrome at a Games, when it’s all on the line.
Uphill or downhill mentality? (e.g. do you tend to make things harder than they have to be or take the easier option)
Uphill, always take the harder option.
Favourite sort of ride?
A multi day journey or point to point riding, I spend too much time riding around in circles.
Favourite riding destination?
Scotland, in winter, on my fat bike.
If Polaris could make you a piece of custom kit what would it be?
I’m a fan of a hooded merino base layer.
What’s your secret skill?
Consistency.
Mastermind specialist subject (non bike)?
New Zealand All Blacks Rugby Team.
WHAT Are you looking forward to the next 12 months?
I have one race left before I hang up my race wheels and buy an e bike 😂
What would you change about your racing environment?
I’d change the lack of coverage Para racing gets. It seems the media only jump on the Games every 4 years, but we race pretty regularly, so it would be nice for people to know.
What would you change about the world of bikes?
For everyone to get on and not be so cliquey within their own niche.
What gives you the most hope?
Seeing youngsters and families out riding.
