No 4 | December/January 2015
PARK CITY, UTAH It’s more than just a ski town, it’s also an IMBA Gold-Level Mountain Bike Destination!
MY EGO PROBLEM
Danielle Baker gets personal with us, and we love her for it!
SOME PEOPLE FEEL THE RAIN, OTHERS JUST GET WET Winter riding in the Pacific Northwest, Katie Holden style!
CYCLING FAST TALK WITH JESSICA KLODNICKI OF BRG SPORTS Jessica talks about her role as an executive in the bicycling industry and her passion for the sport.
AND MUCH MORE! P. 1 | Mountain Bike for Her
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Cover Photo: Teresa Edgar
Contents
Publisher’s Note
Words by Teresa Edgar 5
My Ego Problem
Words and photos by Danielle Baker 6
Cycling Fast Talk with Jessica Klodnicki of BRG Sports
Words by Karen Kefauver 13
Some People Feel the Rain, Others Just Get Wet
Words & Photos by Katie Holden 16
Park City, Utah
Words by Teresa Edgar 23
Wanderlust
Words by Michelle Lambert 28
Don’t Take It Personally... But Maybe You Need to Harden the F#*k Up
Words by Jaclyn Delacroix 32
Ladies Night at Burlington Bike Park
Words by Teresa Edgar & Photos by Colin Wilson 37
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Mountain Bike for Edgar Her | P. 4 Photo: Teresa
PUBLISHER/EDITOR Teresa Edgar teresa@mtb4her.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Danielle Baker Jaclyn Delacroix Teresa Edgar Katie Holden Karen Kefauver Michelle Lambert CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Danielle Baker Jaclyn Delacroix Teresa Edgar Katie Holden Karen Kefauver Juliann Klein Clayton Racicot Colin Wilson ADVERTISING To receive a copy of our media kit, please email us: advertising@mtb4her.com
Contributors Danielle Baker is a writer and photographer who enjoys long walks in the rain, riding her bike, and shots of tequila. Growing up without electricity or running water helped her to find a great appreciation for all things in nature and, eventually, led to her love of mountain biking and fear of whales. http://www.daniellebaker.com
Jaclyn Delacroix is a Professional Mountain Bike Coach, Internationally Certified Personal Trainer, and owner of Ozmosis Training where she is passionate about helping other people realise and achieve their goals. Jaclyn is actively involved in promoting women within the mountain biking community. She holds clinics for all level of riders, teaches bike maintenance, and has been energetically involved in trail building and maintenance within the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.. Katie Holden is a Professional Mountain Bike Athlete based in Seattle, WA. In the aftermath of 9/11 she found herself on a bike trip in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. No one could have predicted how those five days would change her life. Soccer, softball and swimming had dominated her athletic pursuits; within weeks, they were replaced by bikes. Katie loves people & cultures, and thrives on interactions, experiences and adventures. Check out www.katieholden.com and follow her on twitter and instagram @katieholden
Karen Kefauver is a freelance writer and avid mountain biker based in Santa Cruz, California. For more stories and photos, visit http://www.karenkefauver.com
Michelle Lambert is a cycling obsessed resident of Southern California. She loves being outside, training, and exploring new trails. Michelle has been racing cross-country mountain bikes off and on, and five years ago she took up cyclocross as well.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
T
his is the time of year I typically take a break from bikes. The weather is usually uncooperative: cold, wet, and windy, if not downright hostile. I admit it, I’m a wimp when it comes to the cold and wet. I find myself wishing we had a bike park nearby like Burlington Bike Park in Burlington, Washington. I would love to be able to ride indoors to switch things up! Instead, I’ll live vicariously through the
Words by Teresa Edgar photos until my next visit. However, I recently found a group of women who don’t let anything stop them from getting on their bikes. You’ll find some of them as contributors in this issue...
Teresa Edgar Publisher P. 5 | Mountain Bike for Her
Self-Discovery
MY EGO PROBLEM
Words and photos by Danielle Baker
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hen I first learned that I had a spot on the 7-day Mountain Biking BC Kootenay Tour I was beyond excited, a minute later, I was terrified. This is because I have a secret – I am not a natural athlete. And after ten years riding and six years working in the bike industry, I am still not a great mountain biker. I can get by with the skills I have, but the idea of riding with pros or strangers, or even on new trails leaves me feeling exposed and uncomfortable. It has become an embarrassment I try to hide and writing this under a pseudonym did cross my mind – “who is Daniela Barker? And why can’t she ride a bike?” My family has accepted my lack of athletic prowess since the grade school pageant that had me enthusiastically skipping across the stage while my peers
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cartwheeled. At that time, I was too young to see this difference in our abilities as something to be concerned about, I was happy to just be participating. By high school, however, I was faking menstrual cramps every fourth period to avoid displaying my awkwardness in gym class. Whenever I introduce a friend to mountain biking and they surpass my level in a few short months, I smile supportively. I give the thumbs up and cheer for them, “way to go”, while I am actually thinking, “you have got to be fucking kidding me.” I have always felt that I should be better, I should be able to keep up, I should be able to hit bigger drops, I should be able to shotgun a beer without getting it up my nose, I should – and the list goes on. It was with this knowledge of my shortcomings that I
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nervously anticipated our Kootenay trip. We would spend a week in the region, travelling and riding in Rossland, Kimberly, Fernie, and Nelson. Our core crew consisted of myself and another media person, Ben, Kelli and Darren from Endless Biking, Jason; who won the trip in a contest, and Martin who organized it all. In each location local guides would showcase the best that their communities have to offer from trails to beers – and sometimes, handmade candy. On our first morning, I was the last to drop into the beautiful and flowy trails that Rossland has to offer, but only after asking for the tenth time “exactly how much climbing is there to start?” Now this might be where you are expecting to read about how I overcame my doubts, realized that I was in fact an amazing rider who just had to believe in herself, and the rest of the trip was nothing but hot Mountain Bike for Her | P. 8
laps and high-fives, but that’s not what happened. We had plenty of high-fives, but they were more of an encouraging nature than a celebratory one. In fact, by the end of our first day riding it was clear that I was much slower than the rest of the group. Contingency plans were put in place for the rest of the week as we had an aggressive schedule to maintain and I loath to be the person who everyone is waiting for. As needed, we split the group or I opted for earlier exits, usually skipping that one last climb that would really put hair on my chest. In Kimberly, I picked through the beautiful rocky terrain, in Fernie I peacedout before the last big climb (twice). In Nelson, I struggled to the lookout, arriving just after sunset. There were times that I pushed, times that I walked, and times that I took the alternate route. My internal dialogue used words that
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would make Mr. Rogers blush, but laced through even some of my most negative thoughts was ‘holy crap, I’m doing this!’ I was facing my worst fear, not of falling off my bike or not cleaning a climb, it was of failing in general. Of being found out for the average rider that I am. The less I struggled against the entanglement of my ego, the more I enjoyed my ride. I began to realize that my ability to shred is only about what I can do, and has very little do to with who I am. My love for mountain biking has never wavered, not even with the ebb and flow of my skills over the years. Improvement continues to be my goal, but I am no longer afraid to, for lack of a better term, suck. Just like back in my days of enthusiastic skipping, I am happy to just participate – I am happy just to ride. Danielle used Kelli Sherbinin from Endless Biking as her body double for the photos as she was behind the lens for this trip. Mountain Bike for Her | P. 10
“I am happy to just participate – I am happy just to ride.”
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JESSICA KLODNICKI, AT IBIS CYCLES IN HEADQUARTERS IN SANTA CRUZ, HELPED ORGANIZE A RIDE OF 70 WOMEN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2014, WITH ANNE-CAROLINE CHAUSSON, A FRENCH PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST WHO COMPETES IN BICYCLE MOTOCROSS, DOWNHILL TIME TRIAL AND CROSS-COUNTRY MASS START, DUAL, AND FOUR-CROSS MOUNTAIN BICYCLE RACING. Photo: Karen Kefauver Mountain Bike for Her | P. 12
Rad Women
CYCLING FAST TALK WITH JESSICA KLODNICKI OF BRG SPORTS Words by Karen Kefauver
I
admit it took many years before I got down and dirty on the singletrack trails – I mean building them, not just riding them. I always found a way to avoid local trail work outings with my mountain bike club. I believed I was giving back to the community in other ways, like writing about bicycling! Finally, the time was right: I had to help build a trail in order to give back to the sport I love. On a sunny Saturday morning in Santa Cruz, California, I put on a hardhat and gloves, raked debris and shovelled dirt for a new trail. Guess what? It was fun! I got a great workout, pizza lunch, and strong sense of community. Best of all, I made a new cycling gal pal, Jessica Klodnicki. When we met, Jessica was pushing a big wheelbarrow of dirt up a steep hill. “Don’t tell my husband I can do this kind of hard labour,” she grinned. She had recruited a group of fellow riders from her office to volunteer that day. Only later did I discover that Jessica is the Executive Vice President and General
Manager of Bell and Blackburn brands (formerly Easton Bell). In fall 2014, Jessica was invited to be keynote speaker at the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition annual awards presentation held at Interbike in Las Vegas. I interviewed Jessica and learned about her role as an executive in the bicycling industry and her passion for bicycling. Here’s an excerpt from our talk. KK: You were invited to speak at Interbike. What did you talk about? JK: My talk was called, “The Chicken or the Egg: Hatching a Plan to Grow the Cycling Industry.” It’s about the need to build women’s participation in cycling… I also pointed out that effective ways to do that include things as seemingly simple as making women feel welcome in bike shops. I also challenged our industry to keep a more open mind about who and how we hire to ensure that we get a more diverse pool of candidates.
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KK: You are a woman executive in a male- commitments to women’s bicycling. I dominated industry. How’s that for you? love what Santa Cruz Bicycles is doing with the Juliana brand — they are offering JK: I can bring a new perspective to the amazing, high-end product specifically industry. Not just because I am a woman, for women. And, they are using strong but also because I came from outside female role models and imagery in their the bike industry. Prior to BRG, I worked marketing. In the past, I think there was at Mizuno on golf, running, baseball, a perception that women didn’t need or softball and volleyball. Before that, I want top-end product, but I think there worked in consumer products outside is a stronger demand from women for the sporting goods industry entirely. product that is not just ‘shrink and pink.’ We want product that is just as good as KK: Comment on any changes you have what the guys get. observed in the bike industry for women. KK: What challenges do you face at the JK: I am seeing more brands make big job? CAREER SNAPSHOT Jessica Klodnicki is Executive Vice President and General Manager for Bell Helmets and Blackburn, part of the newly re-named BRG Sports portfolio. Jessica is responsible for growing the Bell and Blackburn brands globally through innovative products and integrated brand marketing. Prior to joining BRG Sports, Jessica was the Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing & Management for Mizuno USA, Inc. where she led consumer insights, brand development and integrated marketing across the running, golf, baseball, softball and volleyball categories. Before that, she worked outside the sporting goods category as Global Vice President of Marketing for Newell Rubbermaid’s Fine Writing and Luxury Accessories Global Business Unit based in Paris, among other senior roles; and Vice President of Marketing & Product Development for Kids II, Inc., an infant product company. Her first taste of the sporting goods business came through a college internship with the US Olympic Bobsled team.
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JK: My team members and I all face challenges in design, research and development, product management, marketing, digital and sales — no different than in any other business. We just have to stay on top of the pace of innovation all the time and I think we do a good job. KK: How was it to attend Interbike this year? JK: I am impressed by what I saw. It was fun to represent Santa Cruz. When people hear we are from Santa Cruz, they get a smile on their face. Many people have had the opportunity to ride or visit Santa Cruz and love what we have to offer from a cycling standpoint. KK: Let’s talk about your background. JK: I moved here from Atlanta with my husband Dave. I’ve been at BRG — formerly known as Easton-Bell Sports — two-and-a-half years ago. It has been a lot of fun to work on Bell, which is a 60-year-old brand this year, and Blackburn, which will turn 40 next year. I love uncovering opportunities to bring
exciting new products to consumers. KK: Where did you grow up? JK: I have a complicated answer for where I grew up. I was born just outside Philadelphia then moved to Southern California as an infant. My dad was in the Navy and I moved all over as a military brat... Maryland, Guam, back to Maryland, Spain, Florida. I had a short stint as an intern for the US Olympic Bobsled team in Lake Placid, NY. Then I got my first real job out of college in Atlanta. I was there for 15 years. My two years in Paris, France were super fun – I used to ride my mountain bike rogue in the Bois de Boulogne, which is like the French equivalent of Central Park and then back to Georgia. My husband and I moved here in February 2012 and hope to stay forever! KK: You said you mountain bike every weekend, and ride your road bike, cargo bike and commute to work and ride with the women’s group you launched. What do you love about cycling?
GIRLS’ RIDE! KAREN KEVAUVER (RIGHT, WEARING HER HELMET) AND JESSICA KLODNICKI (CENTER, IN TURQUOISE) PRE-RIDE AT EPICENTER CYCLING.
Photo: Epicenter Cycling
JK: I feel like a kid again when I ride my bike. It is rejuvenating for me. When I ride my bike to the office in the mornings, my day is better — breathing in the air and getting my blood pumping before I start my day. I love the grind and the workout of climbing, but especially love the payoff riding downhill.
JESSICA KLODNICKI SHOWS HER SKILLS ON A STEEP DESCENT AT WILDER RANCH STATE PARK, ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR MOUNTAIN BIKE DESTINATIONS IN SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA Photo: Juliann Klein
THREE TRENDS AT INTERBIKE Enduro racing: “I know the word seems overused, but it really reflects the type of riding that most of us get to do in Santa Cruz, even if we aren’t racing. There are more and more great bikes and equipment that are perfectly suited for the type of all-mountain riding that we get to enjoy here every day.” Bike packing or bike overnights: “We see a lot of energy around combining biking and camping or off-road adventures. There are tons of ‘gravel grinder’ bikes (basically road bikes that can take you off road) and gear to accommodate packing your own gear for a self-supported trip.” Commuting: “As more and more cities build bike-friendly infrastructures, it is making commuting by bike more accessible for more people. So, there is a lot of great product to support this — such as fantastic bags and crossover apparel that can live on and off the bike.”
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Inspiration
SOME PEOPLE FEEL THE RAIN, OTHERS JUST GET WET
Words and Photos by Katie Holden
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iving out of a suitcase, travelling the world with my bike is the coolest thing ever, but there is no place I would rather be than the cold and rainy northwest at this time of year. It can be kind of miserable. It is cold. It is wet. The days are short. But I love it.
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I love being out on the trails when it’s quiet, when the dirt is dark and the vegetation is green. I love the mud in my face. I love going for tea with dried mud speckled across my face. I love peeling off all the wet and dirty layers. I love taking a shower and watching all the dirt go down the drain. I love sitting in front of the fire. I even kinda love feeling your fingers and toes thaw out, albeit sometimes it can be a little painful.
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If you are sitting inside waiting for a break in the rain, put on that extra base-layer and go. P. 21 | Mountain Bike for Her
Photo: Mountain Park City/Jans.com Mountain Bike for Her | P.Biking 22
Travel
PARK CITY, UTAH
Words by Teresa Edgar
W
hen people think of mountain biking in Utah, the first place that comes to mind is usually Moab. However, 3-hours north is another gem called Park City. Park City is a 40-minute drive from Salt Lake City, which makes it an easy flight from almost anywhere in North America and I was there within 3-hours of my plane leaving Victoria, British Columbia. I had plenty of time to catch the airport shuttle to my accommodation and relax before dinner. My accommodations were provided by Park City Lodging for this trip and I was excited to discover I had a onebedroom suite in a building close to Historic Downtown Park City. It meant that I didn’t need to rely on the free shuttle to explore and I had a comfortable place to call home for the four nights I would be there.
The next morning I picked up my rental bike from White Pine Touring and met the other four members of the tour, along with our guides Scott House, Shaun Raskin-Deutschlander, and Tim Moore aka T-Mo. We were buzzing with excitement as we set off towards Deer Valley Resort, although I’ll admit that I was a bit nervous about the elevation. Park City sits at 2,134 meters (7,000 feet) above sea level, which meant I was going to feel like a fish out of water, flopping around and gasping for air. Scott knew the elevation would be hard on our group - most of us came from sea-level - and to make things easier on us, he chose to shuttle us to our dropin point, which sat at the 2,674m (8,773 feet) mark. You could see for miles and with the leaves on the aspens starting to change colour in the autumn sun, it made
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THE “CHURCH OF DIRT”. BUILT AS A TEMPORARY ALTAR FOR A WEDDING, IT STILL STANDS AND HAS BEEN USED FOR A FEW MORE WEDDINGS SINCE.
Photo: Teresa Edgar
GUIDE SHAUN RASKIN-DEUTSCHLANDER RIPPING IT UP ON LOWER FIRE SWAMP IN DEER VALLEY. Photo: Teresa Edgar Mountain Bike for Her | P. 24
for an absolutely stunning backdrop. It was time to get our wheels rolling. The ride started with a downhill section, which was followed by a 300m (984 feet) climb, and then it was all downhill for the rest of the ride! The cross-country sections were smooth and flowy and everything on the downhill sections was rollable, perfect for the Juliana Joplin I was riding, and a nice break from the rooty and rocky trails I typically ride. Our afternoon was spent playing in the Trailside Bike Park. With dirt jumps and North Shore-style ramps and wall rides, we were able to hone our skills in preparation for the Canyons Bike Park, our planned ride for the next day. Canyons Bike Park isn’t a large bike park but it’s worth checking out if you’re looking for a fun way to break yourself in gently to the elevation. Most of the trails could easily be ridden on an all-mountain bike if you wanted to save yourself the expense of a rental. However, the best riding was saved for last. It was the day with the most elevation gained, as well as the longest day in the saddle. We shuttled up to Empire Pass, elevation 3,051 meters (10,010 feet). This is also the entrance to the legendary Wasatch Crest Trail, but we had something else in mind. Our goal for the day was to ride from Empire Pass, over to Park City Resort - where we would take the chair to the top - and end up at White Pine Touring. The plan didn’t disappoint. Gorgeous vistas greeted us at every turn and the colourful autumn leaves just made the views that much more spectacular. I left leaving Park City wishing I had a few more days to ride. We had barely scratched the surface of the approximately 650 kilometres (400 miles) of trails Park City has to offer.
AN OLD RAIL CAR ON DISPLAY IN THE PARK CITY MUSEUM. IT ALSO SERVED AS AN UNDERGROUND LIFT TO THE TOP OF PARK CITY MOUNTAIN RESORT BEFORE BEING RETIRED IN 1969.
THINGS TO DO OFF THE BIKE While the mountain biking is phenomenal, all good things must come to an end, so what do you do with your time when you’re not in the saddle? Park City Museum is worth a peek if you’re a history or mining buff. Give yourself a couple of hours to enjoy the interactive displays and don’t forget to pick up a copy of the treasure hunt map from the front desk. While it’s meant for kids, adults enjoy it, too. Another stop that I enjoyed was the tour of the High West Distillery. We learned about the whiskey distilling process along with the history of the Utah liquor laws. Even the architecture of the building is fascinating, plus they have a fabulous menu! And I have to admit that a bottle of whiskey did find itself in my suitcase after indulging in their whiskey sampler. If shopping is more your thing, there are several shops lining the streets of Historic Park City and every Sunday from June to September, Main Street hosts a farmers market. While it rained the day I checked it out, it didn’t deter the vendors or the crowds.
Photo: Teresa Edgar RAIN DIDN’T DETER THE CROWDS FROM THE PARK SILLY SUNDAY MARKET. IT RUNS FROM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER.
Photo: Teresa Edgar
PLACES TO EAT It’s a good thing we spent several hours on the bike each day because the food was amazing! From large, hearty breakfasts at Squatters Roadhouse Grill to Southwestern dinners at Chimayo, I was in food heaven. While the dining can be a bit pricey, there are great 2-for-1 coupons in the Park City Restaurant Guide (also available online). Breakfast: If you have a large appetite, the Squatters Roadhouse Grill is your best bet, and the prices are reasonable. I also recommend the Deer Valley Resort Cafe if A RIDER AT THE TRAILSIDE BIKE PARK. Photo: Mountain Biking Park City/Jans.com P. 25 | Mountain Bike for Her
you’re looking for something a bit lighter. Lunch: Sammy’s Bistro had the best selection of burgers, salads, and wraps plus the service was quick if you’re itching to get back on the trails as soon as possible. If you’re looking to relax for a bit, the deck at the Red Tail Grill at Canyons Resort was well worth the stop for more traditional pub fare. Dinner: Park City definitely has a fantastic array of places to go for fine dining. While my favourite was Chimayo (the fish and shrimp ceviche was to die for!), Cafe Terigo, Talisker, and High West Distillery are also high on my list for great meals. PLACES TO STAY
Guided Adventure Wellness Coaching Cooking Classes
A unique experience that combines guided mountain adventures with a meaningful wellness process.
Backcountry Skiing Mountain Biking Hiking Climbing Healthy Cooking Custom Retreats Inspiredsummit.com Info@inspiredsummit.com
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I stayed at Park Station, which was walking distance to Historic Main Street and my balcony overlooked the bike path below. It was a one-bedroom suite with a fully stocked kitchen, perfect if you don’t want to eat out all of the time. You can book a suite through Park City Lodging, who have a wide selection of accommodation available throughout Park City. There are lots of campgrounds near Park City, as well, and Jordanelle State Park Campground came highly recommended. PARK STATION WAS A NICE PLACE TO CALL HOME.
NIGHT LIFE Park City definitely isn’t lacking in the night life department! After the shops close, you’ll find Main Street teeming with life on Friday and Saturday night. One of my favourite pubs was the 501 on Main. It had the most eclectic decor which was entertaining in itself, from elk horn chandeliers to old outboard engines. Other pubs worth checking out include the No Name Saloon and the Wasatch Brew Pub. For live music and dancing, Flanagan’s was our pick.
RECOMMENDATIONS RESTAURANTS • • • • • • • •
Squatters Roadside Grill Deer Valley Resort Cafe Sammy’s Bistro Red Tail Grill Chimayo Cafe Terigo Talisker High West Distillery
ACCOMMODATION • • • • • • •
Park City Lodging Park City Peaks Hotel The Caledonian Marriott Mountainside Treasure Mountain Inn Washington School House Jordanelle State park Campground
NIGHT LIFE • • • • •
501 on Main High West Distillery No Name Saloon Wasatch Brew Pub Flanagan’s
PARK CITY SHOULD BE ON EVERYONE’S “BIKE-IT” LIST! Photo: Mountain Biking Park City/Jans.com P. 27 | Mountain Bike for Her
Change
WANDERLUST Words by Michelle Lambert
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here are many reasons I am so and suffering. A tough climb, a rocky attracted to mountain biking, but at downhill singletrack that scares the crap the top of the list is the fact that riding out of you - being constantly challenged your bike provides you both freedom on every ride is very rewarding. But after and adventure. On a bike, you can freely a while the local trails begin to feel a little explore new terrain and seek out exciting boring, maybe a little repetitive and much adventures. Mountain bikers can go like the day-to-day life, your environment farther and faster in a shorter period of can become stale. This leaves me craving time, and this frees us up to something different. They “Start a new chapter see and experience things call it wanderlust - the desire Find what I’m after that many other non-cycling to want to keep moving and trail users will never see. It’s changing every day experience new things and When I am on my bike I am The change of a season places. self-reliant, uninhibited and Sometime it happens by Is enough of a reason renewed with being at one choice, sometimes not, but To want to get away with nature. moving gives you a fresh start; Quiet and pensive In life, we are passionate a new way of thinking and My thoughts apprehensive about a few very special looking at life. Moving brings The hours drift away things, and for us riders, excitement back into your life the passion of spending a Leaving my homeland and your riding. Not only have day on singletrack is what you changed your physical Playing a lone hand literally feeds our souls. I location, but your mental one My life begins today” try to ride and train daily but as well. If you’re not excited -Neil Peart this does not always work by life then it begins to affect out due to real world responsibilities. We your riding and training. That is why a have to learn to work around our busy change of scenery is inspiring and often schedules and find time to escape - if for needed in order to avoid developing nothing else but your sanity. feelings of complacency. Mountain biking fuels this with its Moving can renew your sense of adrenaline boost. It gets your heart discovery, adventure and freedom. I spent racing and challenges you to push much my early years moving from state yourself to new and fun levels of pain to state until I was nine; when my family
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finally settled in California. I spent the rest of my childhood in the same house and neighbourhood. Later, I started mountain biking in the hills behind my childhood house, and then in my twenties I moved to my own apartment. I went to college and lived in a few different places in the area, but never very far from my childhood home. I continued riding on the same trails for few more years until my husband and I had the opportunity to move to Colorado. I was unsure of the move because it would be big change from where I was currently living, but we went ahead. We decided it was worth the risk of moving to a place that we had never been to, and I had no idea if I would even like living there. At the time I was not very confident about this move and why not…it was “over the hills and far away”! Further thought grounded me in the reality that Colorado is the mecca of mountain biking and I am a mountain biker - why shouldn’t I like it? There were positives and negatives about my Colorado move but in the end I learned a lot, made a few mistakes, felt the pain of adaptation, rode cool, new trails and saw places and things I never would have seen had I not taken the plunge. Next was an opportunity to move to Arizona, which brought its unique take on living. What an amazing place! Two years later, I found myself once again back in California, about an hour from my childhood neighbourhood. This time it only took a couple of years before I found myself longing for new scenery. I was tired of my area, I was bored with the same old trails, and I was feeling restless for new adventures. I found that I was craving the thrill of a new place to live and ride; some place new where I can get an unsettling feeling in my stomach of getting lost on an unknown trail, have my heart race as I stare down an unfamiliar Mountain Bike for Her | P. 30
downhill, where I don’t know every line and may crash on the way down because of a huge rut I didn’t know was there. I realized now the nervousness and uncertainty I had felt when my making my decision about moving to Colorado was actually good for my soul and good for my riding. Next time you are on a ride look long and hard at the trail that lies ahead and ask yourself does this trail make your pulse race, palms sweat, and put a stir in your soul? Even though this is your 523rd time down it? Be honest… it’s probably not giving you the same vibe it did so many seasons ago. So maybe you need to think about changing out the scenery, moving to the next level. Of course, moving just because you crave a new riding spot is neither practical nor feasible but in a sense the trail represents your life path: your job, your family, your sense of well-being. The trail is only a part of your new life, where everything is shiny and fresh. Perhaps for many of us, becoming too comfortable, content or uninspired in our environment can be stifling. People crave new experiences, good or bad; we all want to fill our lives with exciting or challenging activities, which I think is why we are mountain bikers in the first place. We are adventure seekers who love to fly down dirt trails with nothing but a thin piece of rubber between us and the ground. We fight gravity to climb through pain and heat that would make most people cry, but we only think of the summit. We love to get dirty and love to push ourselves to the point of exhaustion. We crash, get hurt, heal and come back for more. We mountain bike because we don’t want to subscribe to the dull scripted life everyone else seems to live. A few months ago, my husband and I were once again looking hard at the trail
that lies ahead, and made the decision that it was time to move on to our new destination-sunny Southern California. The transition to our new location has been laborious (as moving and adapting always is) and subsequently there have many obstacles that we have had to deal with. Heavy competition for housing, dealing with movers not showing up, long drives back and forth from the San Francisco Bay area to Southern California almost every weekend, and adjusting to a new job. The move also put a crimp in my training but the beauty of moving is its new beginnings. These are growing pains, leading to strength. As we are running around getting settled in, a glance up to the mountains around our new neighbourhood reveals ribbons of singletrack weaving through the yet unexplored hills. We cannot wait till we unpack the bikes and head off in their direction. If we are lucky, we will get lost enough on them to make it fun when we find our way again. Thinking about my new place and the endless and exciting mountain biking possibilities makes me feel renewed and energized. Sure, I left friends in my old city but I will make new friends, have new conversations with new neighbours, compete in new mountain bike races and find new bike shops to visit. New Strava segments await! My family still lives in the SF bay area so I will be going back for holidays, and I will bring my bike and hit a trail or two for old time sakes, but it will be a temporary flashback. In order to keep growing, you must keep moving. Never be satisfied with the same old same old, it’s all about the journey. I will always continue to seek new places and new adventures because I have the wanderlust.
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Training
DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY... BUT MAYBE YOU NEED TO HARDEN THE F#*K UP Words by Jaclyn Delacroix
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ave you ever wondered why some people seem to make huge improvements when they start training whereas others seem to hit a permanent “plateau”? If you are one of those people who has already made huge leaps and bounds forward and are constantly improving, then you are probably familiar with what I’m about to discuss. However, if you always watch your friends get better, stronger, faster, while you seem to be on those same 15 lbs dumbbells in the gym and still walk those same sections on your favourite climbing trail, then this article is for you. Keep an open mind and read on! WHY YOU NEED TO HTFU AND PUSH YOURSELF Yes, that’s what I said. Now let me explain a little bit more before you get offended. How did you get better at riding downhill? You pushed yourself, often outside of your comfort zone. The people that usually advance the quickest are those who take more risks and push harder. Why would this be any different when we are talking about other improvements?
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CARDIOVASCULAR IMPROVEMENTS You pedal up to your favourite trail. It takes you just as long now as it took you last year and the year before that. Why? Haven’t you wondered why you never get faster? It’s simple: your body has adapted to head up the hill at the specific pace you have set for it. The first time you did it all those years ago, it really hurt. In your mind, it probably still hurts every time you do it. But your body has adapted to this pace; it won’t go faster as you’ve never pushed it to go faster. The same theory applies to your intervals: are you really pushing hard enough when you do them? How many times when you are pedalling up that hill or doing those intervals do you feel like you may just throw up? And I’m not talking about being a little bit winded… I’m talking about full-on where you can hear your heart beating in your head, you are gasping for air, and you have a moment wondering if you may just expire from exertion. You finally stop because if you keep going any further you will throw up. I know it sounds just awful, and I’m
Photo: Jaclyn Delacroix
Photo: Clayton Racicot
Photo: Jaclyn Delacroix P. 33 | Mountain Bike for Her
not saying every ride should be like this, but sometimes this is exactly how your ride should be. If you want to get faster, then you need to start thinking about how hard you are really pushing yourself. Let’s be honest. Until you push your body to the edge of its limits and understand just how much it can really take, your cardio improvements may be sub-par or even non-existent. Keep that in mind next time you are faced with a hill. WEIGHT TRAINING IMPROVEMENTS A second reason your friends may be surpassing you is weight training. Do you lift? You should consider starting. For a refresher on the importance of weights training, read my article in the September/October 2014 issue. Just adding weight training to your routine will automatically improve your hill climb because stronger muscles equal better endurance. On top of that, those muscles can be trained to become even stronger and more enduring. Although more and more women are discovering what sort of weight training they should be doing, there is still a strong trend for doing too many reps with weights that are too light. Although this has its place, and you likely saw initial improvements, ask yourself what happened after the first couple of weeks. Not a lot. The body adapts to push the weight, meaning you don’t need to get any stronger. My recommendation: Lift heavier weights and always retain good form through every rep. Challenge yourself with a heavy weight. Perhaps on the first and second set you can lift it, but by the third, your muscles are strained under the weight and you are physically unable Photo: Clayton Racicot Mountain Bike for Her | P. 34
Photo: Jaclyn Delacroix
to push out another rep. The message is to challenge your muscles and demand them to get stronger. Again, pushing your muscles to fatigue and failure is not a scenario for every workout. But by pushing your body outside of your comfort zone, you are going to see tangible improvements. You will get stronger, and have the opportunity to transfer these improvements from the gym to the bike. FINAL WORDS...
away: chances are you can work harder and push yourself more. Try a personal trainer to motivate you and help you attain your goals. Even if you just need help to determine how much weight you should be lifting, qualified trainers can help you design a progressive program and help you understand how to safely push your limits. Before you know it, you will be waiting for your faster friends at the top of the climb. Remember Rule #5.
While there are many ways to improve in mountain biking, take this one message
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Photos
LADIES NIGHT AT BURLINGTON BIKE PARK Words by Teresa Edgar Photos by Colin Wilson
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n Saturday, November 8, 2014, Burlington Bike Park in Burlington, Washington held their first ever Ladies Night! There were 65 women on bikes that night, which exceeded organizer Casey Jarzombek’s expectations! Katie Holden, Jill Kintner, and Britney White were on-hand to give guidance to those who wished to improve their skills, while Kat Sweet organized a pumptrack challenge! Meg Valliant was also there, capturing footage for her upcoming Sisterhood of Shred documentary. There were vendor booths setup in the mezzanine and draw prizes throughout the evening. It was a stellar night and we’re happy to hear that it will become a regular event! Keep on an eye on burlingtonbikepark.com for dates for the next event!
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KAYTLIN MELVIN MAKES IT LOOK EASY!
JILL KINTNER GETTING HORIZONTAL IN THE BERMS Mountain Bike for Her | P. 38
LAUREN HEITZMAN GETTING SOME AIR TIME ON THE DIRT JUMPS
YOU CAN’T GET MUCH HIGHER ON THIS WALL RIDE!
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LALENA DESAUTELS EXECUTES A FLAWLESS STEP-UP!
LAURIE CITYNSKI WAS ALL SMILES ON THE PUMPTRACK. Mountain Bike for Her | P. 40
KATIE HOLDEN GIVES ENCOURAGEMENT TO 6-YEAR-OLD CINDER. P. 41 | Mountain Bike for Her
KAT SWEET CHEERING WITH THE YOUNGER PARTICIPANTS AFTER THE PUMPTRACK JAM
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LADIES NIGHT AT THE BURLINGTON BIKE PARK WAS AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS! SEE YOU AT THE NEXT ONE! P. 43 | Mountain Bike for Her
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