Robin
O'Neill
Adventure/Photographer
I am a professional photographer who specializing in MTB (and ski). I love chasing athletes through canopied forests and long alpine pursuits. I am happiest when my shoes are filled with dirt, sweaty from working hard and feeling the flow of a trail. I enjoy being there to capture athletes pushing their limits and actualizing a goal and the friendships developed on the trails. Racing my bike when I can to feel the fitness, friendships gained as well as the exposure to the new trails I get to ride. Working through the creative process of concept to completion is the career of have chosen to keep me embedded in the bike culture.
Yeti bike of choice - why?
I love the SB140. For me it is the perfect bike for my home trails in Whistler and Pemberton, BC.
I am quite petite and find it the right balance of weight and travel to tackle the aggressive terrain in my backyard.
What is your first memory on a bike?
Oh geez, big wheels. And then training wheels with ribbons off the grips. I'm a suburban Ontario kid, with absolutely no exposure to biking until I moved to Whistler as an adult. It was Canadian tire as a kid and then nothing until I moved to Whistler. I came for the skiing and stayed for the the mountain biking.
Best feeling on a bike?
When I am so in tune with the bike and trail that everything is effortless. Or when I was at the Transcascadia race and the feeling of dirt and trail that was reminiscent of a powder ski run. It was amazing!
What is your biggest source of inspiration outside of mountain biking?Why?
Ski. I love being in the mountains. And skiing is so creative as there is no predetermined "trail". And it's not repeatable.
A word of advice to the groms
Find out what you love and do more of that. And talent alone doesn't make success. Hard work will win out every time.
Speed or Style?
For me speed for sure. I like the feeling. I also have no style. But I REALLY appreciate people with style. I'll keep working on it.
Top 3 riding destinations?
1) Sacred Valley Peru
2) Ashland - in Transcascadia in the fall when the dirt is tacky
3) Home (Whistler, Pemberton, Chilcotins BC)
Three places I want to go!
1) New Zealand
2) Swtizerland
3) Oaxaca Mexico
Accolades:
- RED BULL ILLUME FINALIST 2109, WSSF People's Choice Winner of the Pro photo invitational photographer showdown, Winner of Deep Summer and Deep Winter Photo Competitions.
- Completed the Coconino Loop, bikepacking on an SB100 loaded down with camera gear, raced the transcascadia and won the women's amateur while shooting an assignment for Bike Mag. And have enjoyed numerous age group wins in local point to point races and stage races.
