Youth Of Today is a series that features the most progressive young riders of the Slopestyle and Dirt Jump scene.
VII. BAILEY PECKFORD
Name: Bailey Peckford
Age: 17
Hometown: Pickering, Ontario, Canada.
Years riding: 5
Sponsors/Hook-ups: None.
Current set-up: Deity Streetsweeper.
Hobbies: Cars, bikes & girls.
Music: Rap, Rock, Reggae. Basically anything but Country music.
Favorite riders: Matt Macduff, Brett Rheeder and Nick Clarke.
Favorite video part: Matt Macduff’s “Dreams”.
Favorite spot: The SOF — Sanctuary Of Fun.
Favourite trick: Double tailwhip or Triple Truckdriver.
Instagram: @bailey_peckford
What have you been up to lately?
I’ve been focusing on having as much fun as I can on and off the bike, considering this is my last year of high school.
How did you start riding?
I started riding through my cousin Jeremy. I’ve always looked up to him from a young age, and for his birthday, one year he got a Dirt Jumper. I thought it was the coolest thing seeing him launch off a wooden jump he made in front of the yard. After that, I just had to get one. Then I went to my local bike park — Joyride 150 — for the first time with my buddy Fran, and I was hooked ever since.
What does inspire you or keeps you motivated?
My biggest motivator is Matt Macduff. Every time that I hang out with him and watch him ride, he just gets me so hyped to go out and ride my bike. Sadly, the freestyle mountain biking scene is at an extreme low level in Ontario right now. So other than that, it’s hard to keep motivated. But every time I learn a new trick that I’ve been trying for a while, or just having a good session with the homies and everyone is throwing down bangers is enough to make you come back for more. Nothing beats that feeling!
Do you study?
I’m currently doing my last year of high school and I plan on doing a 4 year apprenticeship.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be an Industrial Mechanic — Millwright.
Who do you look up to?
It’s pretty sweet to say that I’m pretty close to the people who I look up too. Matt Macduff and Nick Clarke. They are both killing it in the mountain biking world and they always inspire me to put in my all everyday and strive for the top.
What is the best advice that you have ever received.
I would have to say that the best advice that I have have ever received has been to always trust that gut feeling and surround yourself with people who bring the best out of you. If you want to be a millionaire, surround yourself with millionaires.
What does your bike mean for you?
I know this sounds cliché, but my bike is an escape. Every time that I’m stressed out with life or school, riding my bike always makes me forget about reality. Nothing beats the feeling of transition under your feet and going upside down. I will never stop riding my bike.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to get as good as I can on my bike and progress daily.
Any last words?
Shout out to The Rise for being really rad humans and shout out to Joyride 150 for being the sickest indoor bike park of all time. I also want to thank Matt Macduff for being a legend and also for helping me out with some parts when my bike breaks.
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Photos by Jeremy Menduni
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