North Shore Betty: You’re Never too Old to Send | Patagonia Films

After nearly 30 years on the harrowing and hallowed trails of British Columbia’s North Shore Mountains, Betty Birrell still thinks life is one big playground-and that you’re never too old to send.
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Directors: Travis Rummel // Felt Soul Media & Darcy Hennessey Turenne // Well Travelled Collective
Edited By: Nico Frank // Friendly Neighbor
Cinematographers: Scott Secco, Joey Schusler & Travis Rummel
Producers: Travis Rummel & Darcy Hennessey Turenne
Executive Producers: Monika McClure, Alex Lowther, Sakeus Bankson & Jimmy Hopper
Original Composition: Jeff Melanson // Friendly Neighbor
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About Patagonia:
At Patagonia, we appreciate that all life on earth is under threat of extinction. We’re using the resources we have-our business, our investments, our voice and our imaginations-to do something about it.

[@mattdelcomyn8012]

Ive gotta say…I’m a 57 year old long time outdoorsman mtn biker. And I have my eye on replacing my 13 year old mtn bike. But sometimes I’ve doubted this $5000 decision as the thought, “I’m getting too old” creeps in. This awesome little vid about Betty has blown away the clouds of doubt. Thanks Patagonia and Betty for sharing this inspiring story!! Im throwing down the $$, and ridin on. : )

[@BCpov]

Such an inspiration! I hope I'm still riding at her age! And on the shore no less!

[@joanneleyva4942]

As a 63 year old mountain biker, this is by far the most inspirational film about not accepting limits because of your age. Thanks so much for making this film!

[@CherDele]

Just needed to hear it......(paraphrased) you're thinking you're fast but you're no longer fast'.... I'm a 60yr old but feel like a teenager when I'm out on my bike. It's so liberating. GO BETTY. ❤

[@victoriaquinn5002]

As a 61 year old female mountain biker who started riding 3 years ago, Betty is my true inspiration! I'm not out to impress or challenge anyone but myself. I'd like to still be riding in my 90's too! lol

[@JAG-ALL-EGO]

WOW!! As a 58-year old mountain biking "old fart", I really loved this video. I am inspired to continue riding as often as I can and for as long as I can. Never Stop!!!

[@brendaandstevenhillier8734]

I’m a Bad Biking Betty from the Pittsfield Vermont 1990’s group we started in our 30’s. Now at 61 we are still riding! Go Betty’s!!!!

[@VideoSchoolOnline]

Inspiring for all of us mountain bikers!

[@joysassoon9003]

I feel like I'm only 5 yrs behind you. I was pro windsurfing on Maui in waves, then moved to CA and became a mountain biker. I just recovered from a rotator tear and am back at it again~ Thank you for the inspiration for my almost 68th, birthday!

[@jglobe2001]

Such a great film. Betty is epic. And so inspiring to keep riding and having fun. And awesome to see Patagonia highlighting riders of different ages.

[@johncole3010]

At 56 and riding a full suspension MTB, I am amazed at the possibilities. The bikes of the past were hard on the joints, making riding a trade off. Now, I can see improvement while being able to function after a 20+ mile ride over previously difficult terrain. This was an amazing example of living life to the fullest.

[@justinhays0827]

This was the most inspiring mountain biking video I have ever seen. As a 40 year old husband and father of 3 girls, I just returned to the sport since I was a kid. Riding bikes was my life as a kid, and now it has become a passion and hobby with a profoundly deeper meaning. I get to use the great outdoors to heal my soul and to stay physically healthy. Now, as I teach my daughters to ride, I get to spend quality time with them away from the distractions of life. I'm making life-long memories with my children and using the time to mentor them. Mountain biking provides a common interest among us and is a great analogy of life to teach them about decision making, balancing risk and reward and building self-confidence. Even at home they're learning to problem solve and use tools to repair and upgrade their bikes. My girls would rather get up early for school on the weekdays so we can ride our bikes there and home and show off their rides to their friends. I can only hope to be riding at Betty's age of 73. By the way, Betty, you look like you just turned 40. Keep up your amazing work, Patagonia. It's some the best mountain biking cinematography on KZbin. Happy riding everyone from Justin Hays in Huntsville, Alabama (The Rocket City)‼️

[@kayakutah]

Nice! A legend, for sure! My wife is about to turn 69. She started at age 58 and it's a passion!

[@aeronduskauthor]

This made me smile so much. I'd buy her book if she wrote one.

[@SeitxiS]

she is 73!!!! can you believe that? This human being is an inspiration for everybody! :)

[@igordimitroglo]

Amazing! I'm 32, and I thought its kinda late to get start riding MTB...but damn, I have about 50 years of riding ahead 🙏

[@soccerchamp0511]

As someone who "just" started mountain biking a couple years ago when I was 31, Betty's story is very inspiring. Although I love MTB, I've also struggled sometimes with feeling like I started too late to ever be good. Stories like Betty's reminds me that isn't true at all. I hope that I'm still healthy enough in the future to keep doing this for 40+ more years!

[@justanotherbikedad2536]

Same here, started at 30. Better late than never.

[@Muskiehunter92]

Ahh you are in your prime still.... 30-40 is when many athletic disciplines hit their peak... I look at the fighters as a good reference to see how much abuse the body can take and most fighters hit their peak in their early 30's and often improve until about 40... and the good ones can go into their early 40's... and that is for pummeling each other as hard as you can with kicks and fists... so for MTB, I see us all riding into our 60's without to much issue as long as the desire remains. I will be 30 this year and still feel like I could ride bmx like when i was 15.... heck i may even get another bmx someday and try it again, but for now MTB is where my time on a bike will be spent. There's always road biking and gravel biking too as we age.... I think gravel biking is intriguing. My father started doing it this year and he's 62 and loves it, although he was a roadie his whole life so that makes sense. Anyways, You have well over a decade to continue improving before you plateau, keep riding! best of luck

[@timothybrown2274]

Incredible. I just showed that to my 8 year old daughter and 11 year old son. Such an inspiration. We plan to keep shredding as a family for many many years to come.

[@wessmithp5560]

Rock on Betty;). My moms name is Betty, she’s 82, and just won a 5K in Florida. You legends are truly inspiring. 🙌😎🤙🏼

[@chrisgravel7157]

Knowing Betty still rides and seeing faces like hers, Digger and Peter Moran around the Shore keeps me inspired and pushing at 51. Diggers ending was priceless, such a reminder of what it was like at the time. Most will think he's kidding but there was real stigma around riding things Digger and Dangerous Dan built. Check out the North Shore Extreme video series or clips for a taste of the Shores glorry yrs.

[@TammyLeeFitness]

I can’t connect anymore with this. OMGGG I feel like this is my story too. I’ll be 50 on May 16th and although I rode a bike all my life it is really only these past 10 years that I truly learned how to ride a mountain bike. I am still shredding and getting better and recently found a love for park riding over the last few years since I moved to Alberta. We did a park tour last summer in BC. Wild! I heart you, Betty. You are my hero. I AM gonna be just like you when I grow up.

[@scottsecco]

Betty rules! What a legend.

[@JackyLegs]

One of my first rides ever I was walking down a rock garden swearing to myself it wasn't possible to ride a bike down it, then a guy in his 60s (on a hardtail) ripped past me at full speed, it changed my whole perception of mountain biking and age!!

[@mariopresi8649]

Betty is the living proof that age is a “number limit” society has imposed on us. “By that age your life should be like this and that..”! Total BS. Thank you Betty for showing us all that life IS A PLAYGROUND. Thanks Patagonia for making this movie 🙏🏻.

[@raghuram2815]

Great story. Inspiring woman. Kudos to Travis Rummel (director), Nico Frank (Editor) and rest of the team. Also noteworthy how Patagonia as a brand is so magnanimous that it doesn't mind other folks wearing competitor brand's jackets and it was being shown clearly instead of being hidden or requesting them to wear leased Patagonia jackets, because all brands do that sort of thing when filming movies like these.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

I have been bike riding since 1953.. currently have 6 bikes. Backed off these last 2 years because of relocation and business responsibilities. Last evening my wife and I had a BBQ and a conversation with a neighbor couple, the topic... now is the time to dump it all and do only what you want. My list had cycling at the top. Talk about timely.. this video of Betty confirmed and validated my decision. I have believed for decades that life is like riding a bike, slow down, fall off. Don't slow down. Thanks Patagonia and Betty for the inspiration.

[@EdwardKeefe]

I am 50 and my wife is 51, we have been mountain biking together since 2006, i started in 1995. We have been considering hanging it up and just sticking with Road bikes, but dam this is inspiring. We went about 2 weeks ago and had a great time as always, we simply skilled some of the more crazy parts of the trail.

[@cabbynate]

I starter mountain biking at 53. Now at 56 I am nursing a ruptured patella tendon in my left knee that I got a year and a half ago. I also ruptured my supraspinatus in my right shoulder. You are an inspiration and I hope I can keep riding into my 70's... Keep it up!!!

[@pabliux57]

What as inspiration at my 46, just last year I learned how to unicycle and I used to be very consistent as a mountain biker. She is teaching me that I can go back to ride again!! Thanks Betty.

[@gfbrnby]

What a great video and inspirational story. I'm 73 and started mountain biking when I was 49 - 4 years after Betty. Sadly, after a friend had a serious mountain biking accident, our group turned to road riding when I was about 60 to allow him to continue riding with the group. I still recognize some of those trails but my mountain biking skills are no longer a match for most of them. This video brought back the exhilaration of flowing down a well-built trail with the bike moving under me - something road riding doesn't afford. Keep riding!

[@lwwaters]

Go Betty - loved the vid. I started mtnbkng when I was 50, 22 years ago - and like Betty, crashed a lot, and got hurt a lot - thankfully never as bad as some of Betty's injuries. And am still loving DH - (now at Mt. Bachelor) but cut my teeth on the Northshore (so grateful that I had the opportunity to experience the Northshore - what a magical place). Then started doing Whistler and didn't do NS as much. Go Betty!

[@SevanStick]

I was shocked when right at the very end of the clip, they revealed her age. (props to the cutter). So it is possible! Thanks Betty.

[@JahOhKay]

So inspiring! It’s wonderful for young people to have role models - they need them. But it’s equally as wonderful for those of us who are not so young anymore to have people to look up to. I had a realization the other day - in our society we tend to believe that we have about 20 years to “become” - between the ages of 15-35. And after that, we are “supposed” to settle and stagnate and leave all of the fun for the young folks. I don’t see why this has to be. I want to keep “becoming” as long as I have breath and I’m so grateful for examples like Betty.

[@dominicanenduroseries4555]

Thank you Betty, your story inspired me to the point that my tears flowed while I watched the video and listened to you tell your life story, if one day you decide that you would like to come and meet and ride in the Dominican Republic, let me know to make the arrangements, It would be an honor to have you here.

[@Hybrid330i]

My dad started when he was 65 (now 70) and got me (45) into it .. Im in the middle of getting my 6 year old into it, absolutely love it and we travel around our country as much as possible to head out and about. Such agreat sport and community world wide.

[@matthewoneill5354]

Wow wow wow!!! Now THIS is an inspirational woman!! Not some shallow, social media influencer but an actual real woman who has achieved and is achieving real worthwhile life affirming goals. Props to you Betty. You have my respect!!

[@laurasaling9464]

This 60 yr old needed to see that!! Keep riding Betty! You are amazing 🎉❤

[@hoff482]

Wow, what an inspiration. I now have a new hero. Thank you, Patagonia, for sharing Betty's story. At 49 I just got back into mountain biking last year, after a 25-year absence.

[@AdventureMuse]

What a role model. Keep sending it Betty! Thanks Patagonia for bringing us these stories. ❤

[@thecakeisalie7070]

Such a great story. Thank you so much for sharing! Big respect for Betty and all parents/guardians who stay involved!

[@alannavarro1889]

This is so inspiring, Betty you rock!! Thanks Patagonia for this, keep the vibe!!

[@filacaamspeter8810]

So inspiring! I'm a road cyclist all my life and have tried mtb a few years ago in my fifties and get addicted to it. I love her quote, "...but old people you just need to know that you can keep going".

[@shamrock3639]

This is the mountainbike-spirit we all had in those times. Thank you for the video. To be hurt was part of the game.

[@hanxor]

What a beautiful story - shared it with my dad who's 71 and still loves riding!

[@andymorris15]

Such a rare and inspirational story. Beautiful film, I nearly cried twice - you can really feel the love for adventure and trail stoke!

[@tavakessler]

So well done! Kudos for always sharing such inspiring stories!

[@juliensls]

Pure spirit 👌🏻 Keep it flowing !

[@theaircooledcollective8600]

What a inspiration, mindset and legend!!! Deep respect!

[@flourbvoy1269]

What a beautiful story. Thanks for producing and sharing this.

[@tom.allez2134]

Betty is definitely an inspiring person. Love the drive that she has to keep riding.

[@Ibanesastian]

What an inspiring person! Total legend and great for her story to be shared.

[@cameramansam3240]

Brought me to tears. Simply an incredible story, told through a very moving piece of art. Congratulations to all who created this. @Scott Secco amazing images! Always love watching your current work.

[@aliakseinikulin8369]

What a beautiful and powerful soul! Thank you guys for this film, I'm smiling right now!

[@Angela-uo4ur]

Thank you for this video. I needed this as an inspiration to know that age is not a barrier, and that it’s how you take care of yourself, your mental attitude and passion for life that matters. I see many people in their 50’s who have a hard time even walking because of their health due to society’s stress, conventional food choices, and lack of exercise, many times of no fault of their own, but due to ignorance of what is presented to them through mainstream grocery food choices, having to work excessive hours to make ends meet or the workaholic culture, leaving less time and energy to exercise, enjoy nature and socialize. The way society is structured, it is increasing our mortality and decreasing our ability to thrive. Thank you, North Shore Betty, for showing us how to thrive!

[@MarkMatthewsMTB]

So good! Inspiring me to never stop.

[@chinitaninoska]

Just feeling utterly inspired! Thanks Patagonia for putting in the spotlight such a remarkable lady

[@PLArseneau]

Wow, Great piece, love the energy she has, great job to the production team to have captured the joy of life she has!

[@xmetal280]

That woman is fricken awesome. Keep rockin’ it!

[@GunnisonCrestedButte]

Betty is rad! We love hearing stories of folks breaking down barriers in the mountain biking world. Keep shredding, Betty!

[@dubijou]

Real inspiration, never say never, no boundaries, enjoy life, enjoy outdoors ... Thank you Betty, thank you Patagonia ...

[@alexli9097]

I started MTB 3 years before, when I was almost 47, love it so much. I feel that I am still young when I peddling in woods!

[@reinmutuc8999]

Absolutely amazing! You're an inspiration to us all, Betty!🤙

[@zekct747]

Way to go, Mrs Birrell - I truly admire your outdoor and adventurous spirit, you are an inspiration to us!

[@sedonamtbtrails]

Thanks Betty & Patagonia for creating a visually stunning & inspirational edit. I picked up MTB @ 62 & 4 years later I still have 7 years until I catch up to Betty. Go go go Betty!!!

[@patrickbarrett5790]

absolute LEGEND. you damn right she's an inspiration! seeing this.... i'm 52 and i have no plans to stop riding either! Cheers to you, Betty!

[@puakane9285]

North Shore Betty you rocked my 60+ mind! I am not a biker but I still love to surf a longboard. Mahalo for sharing your story. When is part 2 coming out?

[@albertlee9238]

You are truly an inspiration Betty, thank you !

[@GeorgeLoch]

So impressive. Her riding, her outlook, her choice to be there for her son. Truly, a remarkable human.

[@riverdog6875]

This is awesome! So inspiring. I'm soon to be 70 and love riding the trails around Crested Butte & Gunnison where I live. So grateful to still be out there. Rock on Betty!

[@markmontgomery2562]

WOW watched the whole video with a big smile on my face. Being an ex bmxer , cross country motorcycle racer, and circle track car racer at 59 I found mountain biking. Betty is such a bad ass. She has been there and done that. Thanks for the inspiration young lady.

[@aidanclifford2164]

really good to see this. I started mtb at 28 during lockdown. I wanna keep sending way into my old age for sure!

[@justinmaurice9697]

Amazing. Love it!!!

[@marekbamhor1557]

Absolutely brilliant. Love it.

[@ChrisStenberg]

Great film! Makes me nostalgic for those early days on The Shore and in my old stomping grounds. Betty's an inspiration!

[@jonathanclay7215]

Thank you Patagonia! I just love the videos that you put together! This is awesome.

[@olivercollard8767]

I am so inspired by her, my absolute respect and love goes out to her

[@thomasdecarlo8543]

You go Betty … keep on rocking … keep on keeping on with your badass self … good for you … show them all whose still the boss. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@Breakingstrongholds]

Betty, I hope you get this message. You are such an inspiration! Your journey with your son and the timing line up with mine and at 48 , my son turning 9 …. I was always active both surf and bike but given up so much the last 9 years … 2 months ago when I saw this … you reignited the passion in fitness again and kicked my glutes into gear. I said to myself , she is what I imagine me to be as I advance into my later years. I’m weight lifting again and cleaned up areas of my diet that needs it (losing long hanging ‘baby weight’) … surfing… mountain biking and running… and now, my son is joining me in parts until he can in full (and kick my booty in it 😉) . Thank you for your openness and light. God Bless you and your ohana. LIVE LIFE! Health is wealth! With Aloha 💟 from Maui

[@csjtbanks]

What a beautiful film capturing a beautiful spirit !

[@dragoberghe5690]

inspirational and for on spot, just finished my oldschool mountainbike, start riding again after 25 years, with 59. and i found the spirit immediately it feels great😊

[@adamrussell9117]

Such a great story - one of the things I love about mountain biking is how it really is a multi-generational sport. Modern trail builders are making things that are for everyone...and IMO that's a great thing.

[@franritchie4233]

I want more Betty!! What an inspiration on so many levels!!

[@Maderum]

This popped up on my recommended. I'm glad it did, made me smile :) You're an absolute joy and inspiration, Betty!

[@rsanoian]

Awesome video, I can't imagine my life without bicycles. I grew up in the 70's racing BMX and when MTB's came out in the 80's my life was changed forever. You are never to old to Send !

[@kalingtamut8008]

Dear Patagonia ,your documentaries inspire us to Live more.

[@brianyee2387]

Great film. Thank you Patagonia for sponsoring this film and putting a spotlight on an inspirational woman. Thank you Betty for your can do spirit and being a great mom.

[@ngamac]

Long form, quality content with subtle product placement. Gotta love it. Thank you @patagonia for dedicating budget on telling those stories!

[@kramnik666]

Betty is such a class act! wonderfull woman that still shreds. huuge motivation thank you!

[@brunoalary6642]

Hell of a video, great job!

[@gofras]

This is the content I love KZbin for. Mad respect.

[@montechie]

A legend! Just what I needed nursing my mid-40s soreness contemplating another ride. Good motivation

[@martinhayes5087]

This is actually amazing, what an inspiration

[@RSW033]

a beautiful poem to the best sport in the world, chapeau to betty - truly inspiring

[@hijack80]

absolutely stunning

[@1Bigmac69]

What an amazing woman. Would have been stoked to have a mom like her. So strong and fearless.

[@a-survivors-journey]

Thank you Betty, you are an inspiration!!!

[@michaeldobrowolski8228]

total legend! such a great movie

[@hannahisraelsen6816]

Thanks for sharing her story!

[@JavierISampedroTNF]

What an inspiration and pushing the limits. Sport has no age as long as you put your heart into it and your body can keep going.

[@bradgantt1818]

Bravo! Such an inspiring portrait. I've been mounting biking for over 30 years and have no plans of stopping. Slowing down a bit, yeah ;)