Authored by Matt Dixon

Saying Good-Bye

In 2006, I led a group of cyclists on a magical adventure riding trip around the French Pyrenees and Corbier Mountains based out of Limoux, France.  Our designated riding guide for the trip was some Kiwi guy named Paul Buick. Personal, yet slightly eccentric, Paul was quite simply obsessed with bicycles.  He had an unimaginable focus on detail, unable to bear a single cable to be frayed.  He was commonly found in the bike room until the early hours, refining the shifting of a lucky rider to ensure great passage the day following.  I had never met anyone with more knowledge or focus on all things bicycles. I still haven’t.

What became apparent over the week with Paul is that he was also a talented technical coach.  He had an almost genius quality in his ability to watch an athlete move and find areas to improve or reasons for evolution and change.  His "eye-ometer" was like no one I had ever met. I still have yet to meet better.

Over the following years, my relationship with Paul evolved and grew, organically, as he slowly became immersed with the Purple Patch professional squad.  From here, Paul began working with my individually coached athletes and then, finally, the great Purple Patch population. Paul evolved from our bike guide in France to a trusted partner in the Purple Patch approach and world.  He was an unimaginably loyal and supportive resource and friend to us and became a hugely influential part of so much at Purple Patch. It is now time for Paul to move on.

With great respect and affection and following a series of discussions, we have all agreed it is the perfect time for Paul to evolve and spread his wings.  Paul’s primary passion has always been to work with people in person where he can deploy his talents and "get his hands dirty."  His goal? To help people love and improve riding their bikes.  Over the last few years, Paul has had to spend extended time away from family and children. He has traveled the globe many times, contributing so much but getting stretched in so many areas.  Paul’s new path will enable him to work more and more with athletes in person, extend into adventure travel, and try different things. Kelli and I support him 100% and are thankful for the time we got to spend with him.

From May 31, Paul will be moving on from his official duties with Purple Patch.  There is a good chance he may be joining us at camps and other adventures, future collaborations and partnerships remain a strong possibility but, for now, we say goodbye.

I write this realizing that news about a departing employee is hardly educational nor typically news for athletes to be too interested in, but I know that Paul has helped so many of you and been such a huge part of Purple Patch that recognition was more than deserved and earned.  I am also sure many athletes would appreciate being told the news directly from me with full context in mind.

Kelli and I, as well as the Purple Patch team, wish Paul tremendous success and look forward to retaining our friendship.  I just cannot promise that our conversations will evolve from the bicycle, but they will remain fun.

Cheers,

Matt