Danny MacAskill has been cycling from a young age and was riding a mile to school on his bike at the age of five. Photo Red Bull Content Pool

SCOTSMAN Danny MacAskill has been attached to his bike since the age of four and today is one of the most respected trials cyclists in the world. His videos on YouTube have been watched by millions and his book and most recent films have proved that he is a man currently at the top of his game.

In this exclusive interview the shy Scotsman talks about some of his earliest memories in cycling as well as what he sees as his biggest achievements in the sport. Read on to find out what’s in store for him in 2017 and learn more about his book and most recent YouTube hit.

When did you start cycling and when was it you realised you had a real passion and talent for the sport?

I got my first bike when I was four years old. By the time I was five or six I was cycling just under a mile to primary school in Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye. Soon, I was cutting up the road and getting really good. We all had bikes and would do stunts and race home from school. It’s a great place to grow up. I was always outdoors  racing around, climbing trees or jumping off the house.

I pretty much grew up outdoors in the woods. When I was 11, I got my first mountain bike and got into trials riding. My older brother’s friends all had trials bikes and I would follow them around trying to see what tricks I could do.

Danny is passionate about all things cycling and despite his rise to fame is keen to stay out of the limelight as much as possible. Photo Fred Murray/Red Bull Content Pool

Who were your biggest mentors and supporters at the beginning and where and how often were you able to practice on your bike in your younger years?

I was obsessed with bikes ever since turning my first pedal at the age of four. As I got older I started reading mountain bike magazines as a kid and used to watch videos until the VHS tape was worn out. I went out to ride my bike every day. Many great riders have inspired me. Hans Rey’s and Martyn Ashton’s influences reflect in many things, that I do. Steve Peat is still an idol for me today as well, because he is still doing what he loves and has been riding at such a high level for a long time.

When did you start as a trials cyclist and what were some of your earliest successes in the discipline?

Well, I have been riding trials from about 11 and started doing a couple of trials shows later on, which was the first success; to have fun riding and maybe inspiring others with the shows. The ‘big breakthrough’ was when me and my flatmate Dave Sowerby uploaded Inspired Bicycles to YouTube in 2009.

Danny started making professional videos for YouTube in 2009. Photo Fred Murray/Red Bull Content Pool

When did you turn pro and could you tell us how much and how hard you are currently training on a daily basis?

I was doing shows at quite an early stage, but regarding YouTube and virals it would have been 2009. Training wise, I never really class my riding as training. A few years ago when I worked in the bike shop, I used to ride every single day, maybe three hours a day. I just road my bike like I did when I was eight years old.

These days I travel a little more so I maybe ride three to four days a week and about three hours a day.

What do you see as your biggest achievements in the sport to date?

That is a very difficult question to answer. I think being lucky enough to do what I love and hopefully inspiring others to go outside and ride their bikes, is an achievement I can be proud of. I shy away from the limelight as much as possible though and try to let the videos do the talking.

Tell us about your videos and where our readers can view them?

My videos are available on YouTube. You can find my latest project ‘Wee Day Out’ on the Red Bull channel.

Although I’m doing very abnormal riding, I set out to make a video that hopefully relates to the normal rider. For example every rider has had to ride through a puddle when it’s been a bit unknown, how deep the centre of that puddle is; it just so happens that the puddle in my film is 6ft deep. I wanted to do a video on the mountain bike again and give myself creative freedom with this film. It’s meant to be a fun day out on the bike, so I wanted it to be quite light hearted.

After a busy year with ‘Wee Day Out’ this year Danny is looking forward to new projects and challenges in 2017. Photo Fred Murray/Red Bull Content Pool

What exciting projects are you currently working on and what do you have planned for 2017 and beyond?

This year was very busy with filming for Wee Day Out and the book among other things. For next year, I have various different ideas and will be travelling with the Drop and Roll Tour again. You will have to wait and see.