Annie Ford – 55,000m Descending in 24 Hours and Much More
Downtime - The Mountain Bike Podcast
Downtime MTB
4.9 • 628 Ratings
🗓️ 4 March 2025
⏱️ 101 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Today, I’m joined by Annie Ford. Perhaps best known for her recent world record of over 55,000m descending in 24hours, Annie is an adventurer, endurance athlete, and passionate environmental advocate. Over the last few years, Annie has taken on some incredible challenges, but her journey isn’t just about pushing physical limits – it’s about using adventure to make a difference. We talk about her transition from marine scientist to activism, and how she uses extreme endurance to raise awareness for important causes. Annie also shares her thoughts on overcoming fear, finding purpose, and embracing adventure. This is an inspiring conversation with someone who’s redefining what’s bikes are capable of doing for us and our planet. So, it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Annie Ford.
You can watch this episode on YouTube here.
You can follow Annie on Instagram @annieford01 and check out the film we talk about, Southern Blast, here.
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Photo – Chris Dunn
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Then you're like, oh, you can do anything with a bike. |
| 0:02.2 | It can take you anywhere, just like sailing. |
| 0:04.3 | I went from one finger braking to two finger breaking to three finger breaking by the end of the 24 hours. |
| 0:10.3 | I thought I'd get shot. |
| 0:11.6 | How do you overcome every single voice in your head that's telling you to stop? |
| 0:16.5 | I couldn't find my limit and started to realize like, oh, my limit is death. |
| 0:21.0 | Like, you literally can push your brain until, or body, until it can't go any further. |
| 0:26.9 | Like, that's the real limit here. |
| 0:31.8 | Hey, everyone, I'm Chris Hall, and this is the downtime podcast, the podcast for true fans of |
| 0:36.7 | gravity mountain biking, |
| 0:38.1 | immersing you deeper into the sport than anywhere else. This episode is supported by Bickmo |
| 0:42.5 | Cycle Insurance, founded by riders for riders to protect you and the places you love to ride. |
| 0:48.1 | Bickmo makes insurance simple, with cover that you can trust when you need it most. Hassel-free |
| 0:52.7 | claims mean that if your bike has been stolen or damaged, |
| 0:55.5 | or if you have a crash, Bickmo will ensure that you're back riding as quickly as possible |
| 0:59.8 | because they believe the world is a better place with more riders riding more. |
| 1:04.4 | As fellow riders, Bickmo gets what we need. |
| 1:06.8 | They cover helmets, gear and even racing. |
| 1:09.7 | You'll get worldwide protection plus 50% off for multiple bikes and 25% off for e-bikes. |
| 1:15.7 | As well as looking after you, B-Mobilies in operating the right way. |
| 1:18.7 | So they're a certified B-Corps and 1% for the planet member, |
| 1:22.1 | as well as doing good things for the sport like supporting World Bicycle Relief, |
... |
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