15 Lessons We've Learned from Steve Peat 24

Steve Peat is the king of downhill, a true legend of the sport. He's competed in 20 World Championships (winning one in 2009), won 17 World Cups and has positively influenced multiple generations of world-class downhillers from Great Britain. With a smile on his face and beer in his hand, here are 15 lessons we've learned from the Great One.

All photographs by Sven Martin

1. A little bruising is no excuse

It's like the guy is filled with beet juice. WTF, Peaty?!

2. You can definitely win at life even if you haven't won a World Championship

Prior to winning his first World Championship in Canberra in 2009, Peaty was still everyone's favorite downhiller. With World Cup podiums coming out of his ears just like those beer cans, the elusive one-day race did not define the king.

3. Your helmet can never be too awesome

Fingers and flare.

4. Your World Champs bike can never be too awesome

He's been to 20 World Championships, case closed.

5. Smile, Even If You're From England

Don't let cold, rainy winters, driving on the wrong side of the road or blood pudding get you down. Turn that frown upside down.

6. Get the shot no matter what it takes

Bromont, 2008. I'm still pissed about this photo. Sven sent it from the first day of practice for Littermag. I made it the cover because it was so sick! Guess what? The old man is just standing there, posing the shot and Sven didn't say anything until like a year later.

7. Drinking and racing can go hand-in-hand

The day they can't go hand-in-hand, I think we'll all quit.

8. Don't take yourself too seriously

Come on, Peaty has a box on his head and Rennie is passed out, we had to come up with some lesson just to run this photo.

9. Never win a World Championship in a skinsuit

10. You don't have to be a meat-headed, cross-fit-training hard ass to sell bikes

We know Peaty is plenty fit, but he's also plenty cool and plenty down to earth, and that seems to make all the difference.

11. Mentoring the youth of the sport is a great idea

There's no arguing Peaty's positive influence as a racer and a human on any of the successful downhillers to come out of Britain.

12. Don't over-shoot to flat when you're ahead at the split during a World Cup race

13. When trying your hand at photography, always keep a keen eye on the details

Before Minnaar grabbed the 300mm, Peaty may or may not have shot this photo on the right. We're going to say he did.

14. Always make time for your fans

15. Never Give Up

Had Steve Peat ever thrown in the towel in years past, our sport would suck today. Thank you for never giving up, Peaty!