Welcome to Julbo Rémy Métailler
The mountain biker from Nice, who has been living in British Columbia since 2013, is followed by more than 535,000 people* on social media.
Now a Julbo athlete, we took the time to chat with this phenomenon. An interview during this period of global lockdown.
IRST OF ALL, RÉMY, TELL US ABOUT THE CURRENT SITUATION IN CANADA WHERE YOU LIVE.
“For now, Canada hasn’t taken any drastic measures like Europe has. The government is asking people to keep their distance and only go out if really necessary, but we can still ride individually. So, when I get news from my parents, I feel like I’m living with a delay. We’re about a month behind. I don’t know if the Whistler Bike Park, which welcomes thousands of mountain bikers every season—along with its share of injuries—will be able to open this summer. The resort is in full swing during the summer, and the busiest time of the year is during Crankworx (August 5–16 this year), so there’s a lot at stake.”
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT STATE OF MIND?
“Being on the bike is my job. I’m a professional and I’m here to produce content for my partners. But right now, when I ride, I don’t necessarily have a free mind and I know that if I crash, it’s on me. Currently in Canada, some people are refusing to ride even though it’s still allowed. If tomorrow we’re no longer allowed to ride, I’ll follow the government’s recommendations, just as is happening in France.”
LOOKING BACK AT YOUR JOURNEY, YOU’RE FROM NICE BUT NOW LIVE IN SQUAMISH, CANADA. WHAT WERE THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF YOUR PATH?
“After graduating from business school, I wanted to have an experience abroad. A friend had done this in Canada and I wanted to follow that path. As soon as I arrived, I felt comfortable very quickly. I realized I wanted to settle here. The pace and quality of life—I liked everything about it. I arrived in February 2013 and tried to find a job in a Canadian company to get a permanent resident visa. I landed some sponsorship contracts, which was enough to cover my expenses. I progressed, had opportunities, and today I’m truly a professional. I’ve been a permanent resident since 2017.”
YOUR MOUNTAIN BIKING JOURNEY IN NICE STARTED IN A PRETTY CLASSIC WAY?
“Actually, no! I didn’t go through mountain bike school. I used to ride my bike around my neighborhood! I did my first competition at 16. In business school, I rode more since I had a driver’s license and a car, which allowed me to discover new spots. I would ride downhill or enduro once a week and BMX once a week.”
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOURSELF TODAY IN THE MOUNTAIN BIKING WORLD?
“It’s not easy. Even though I don’t compete much, I focus on urban downhill events. I’ve been invited to Red Bull Rampage four times—since 2000, the number of participants in this event hasn’t exceeded a hundred riders. I see myself as an athlete who trains. I’m not on the bike just to create content. Like a freeride skier, I try to push my limits. In five or ten years, that might not be the case anymore, but for now, I consider myself an athlete.”
IN WHICH DISCIPLINE DO YOU HAVE THE MOST FUN ON THE BIKE TODAY?
“I really enjoy big enduro. It’s versatile, the bike pedals really well, and I don’t feel limited by the equipment. When I’m on a trail, if I see a new jump or a new gap, I don’t feel like the bike is holding me back. And I really love that. Right now, it’s the bike I use the most.”
HAS THE CURRENT SITUATION PUT YOUR PROJECTS INTO QUESTION?
“With events, everything is up in the air. On the other hand, since last year I started a YouTube channel. The ‘Trails preview’ videos are doing pretty well. I introduce the person riding in front of me, I introduce the trail. I comment while riding and talk about how the rider in front of me is riding. People like it. I’ve been contacted to do this kind of thing in Australia, but also in Europe, Quebec, and the United States. I think no one has done it this way before me. I’ve focused on difficult trails—I think it makes people dream a little. People like the commentary. They learn things. For tourism, it helps promote the trails and the area. I really enjoy making these types of videos. The format is fairly long and the partners like it. Unfortunately, with the current restrictions, I’ll be making the next video on my own. You have to adapt!”
FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS, YOU’VE JOINED THE JULBO ATHLETE FAMILY. TELL US ABOUT THE PRODUCTS YOU USE.
“I ride a lot with the Fury. I have a small face and it fits perfectly. It was love at first sight—it stays on really well, it’s light, and I like the style. I also wear the Rush, which is more technical. I plan to use it more in the future, even though my clear preference is for the Fury. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to ride with the Quickshift MTB goggle yet—I don’t do downhill in winter, but I hope I’ll get to soon. I can’t wait!”
*Rémy Métailler has 131,000 subscribers on YouTube, 173,602 on Facebook, and 231,000 on Instagram.
That’s a total of 535,602 followers
