Interview with Daisy Craig
At just 13 years old, with a long list of accomplishments, Daisy Craig is an inspiration. Here at Honestly we love to chat with inspirational people (especially ones who love our products) so we were thrilled when Daisy agreed to answer some questions for us 🥰
Q: Where do you think your love of bikes came from, and how/when did you get started?
D: I’ve been around bikes since I was really little because of my family, my dad and grandad have always been into two wheels, especially trials. I started with motorcycle trials first, then got into biketrial to help improve my motorbike skills. My little brother actually had a bike first and that’s why I ended up getting one as well. I quickly fell in love with the bike side of it too. I loved the challenge of getting better, and I guess it just became something I wanted to keep doing more and more. Plus I made some really good friends.
Q: Do you think talent is essential, or is it all about hard work?
D: I think it’s a combination. You might have a natural feel for balance or timing, but honestly, it doesn’t matter much unless you put in the work. I’ve definitely had to practice loads to get where I am, and there’s been a lot of failing and retrying things over and over. Even when something looks easy, it’s usually taken hours and hours behind the scenes.
Q: What pushes you to keep practising so hard, even after a full day competing?
D: I just really love it. I enjoy the process, managing something I couldn’t do a few weeks ago is one of the best feelings. And I always want to be better than I was yesterday. Competitions are great, but I mostly ride because it makes me happy, and I like feeling strong and in control on the bike.
Q: You’ve just won the UCI World Youth Trials - congratulations! What are your current goals or dreams? Have you always had big dreams?
D: Thank you! That was honestly such a big dream for me, and I still can’t believe it happened. Right now, I just want to keep improving, ride with the best riders in the world, and push myself further as I move into the next age category. I’d love to compete in the Elite Women category when I’m old enough and see how far I can go. And yes, I’ve always dreamed big, not just about winning, but about being the best rider I can possibly be.
Q: Is there a skill you’ve struggled to master? How do you overcome problems like that?
D: Definitely! There are loads of things that have taken me ages, like certain up-to-fronts or awkward sidehops. In fact I had a massive crash during the winter and I had to work hard to try and put that behind me. When something’s not working I try to break it down, my dad films it so I can see what’s going wrong. Then I practice the little parts until they start coming together. And sometimes, I just have to take a break and come back to it the next day with a fresh mind.
Photo credit: P Wiles
Q: How do you keep in the best physical health for your sport?
D: I try to eat well, sleep enough and listen to my body. Riding is definitely my main training, but I also do a bit of strength work and stretching to stay balanced. Riding my motorbike is both strength work and fairly relaxing for me compared to the intensity of the bike. If I feel tired or sore, I rest, recovery is just as important as training so we keep an eye on my data. And I make sure I fuel properly, especially around competitions. Or my dad does 😉
Q: How does the sport affect you mentally, and how do you prepare for competitions?
D: It definitely challenges you mentally. You have to deal with pressure, nerves, and even disappointment sometimes. But I’ve learned that mindset is everything, staying calm and focused helps me ride better. I try to visualise my lines, take deep breaths, and remind myself that I’ve trained for this. And if something goes wrong, I try not to let it affect the rest of my ride. The quicker I put it behind me the more chance I have to repair any damage to my score.
Q: Why do you use Honestly products, and when/what for?
D: I love Honestly products because they’re clean and simple, no weird stuff in them, just what my body needs. I’m young enough now but I’ve heard my dad’s stories about the impact of sport, especially in hot weather or after a long day riding. They help me stay healthy and feel ready to go again the next day.
Thanks so much Daisy for taking the time to talk to us & huge CONGRATULATIONS on your World Championship win 🎉
Your love of bikes, enjoyment of the process and willingness to do the hard work is what makes you truly inspirational.
Click the button for your chance to win the same products that Daisy uses 🎉