Trail Side Chat With Sarah

TRAIL SIDE CHAT SERIES 

HMBA is chatting it up with some local women riders to find out why they love mountain biking in Hinton!    We hope you've enjoyed this series!   We may have other 'chats' later this summer to get to know some of the men riders as well, so stay tuned...
 

Meet Sarah

HMBA: How long have you been riding in Hinton?

Sarah:  I started mountain biking last year and my first ride was in May. My boyfriend took me up Happy Creek West, and actually, I hated it. What was with all the climbing!!? My tires would slip on roots, gears were hard and the climbing seemed to be soooo long! After a few rides and a couple of tips, I was starting to see the fun and I quickly got hooked!! From the last rider of the group last year, I am now a strong rider and look forward to leading some ladies rides myself this year. 

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Didn't take Sarah look to be hooked on mountain biking!

HMBA: How would you describe your riding level? 

Sarah: Intermediate/Advanced

HMBA: What style of riding do you do?

Sarah:  I ride an all mountain/trail bike. 

HMBA:  What are your favorite things to ride at the bike park?

Sarah:  I like to go to the bike park a few times a month and practice my skills in the skills area and who doesn't love lapping Flow Master!!   My favorite trails at the bike park are Business Time, Cougar Ridge and Flow Master.

HMBA: Do you ride the trails in our trails systems?  What’s your favorite loop?

Sarah:  I ride all the trails in and around Hinton. I don't have a favorite loop as I always love to mix it up.   Finishing on Just Giv'er and the last part of Happy Creek West is always an awesome ending!  <big smiles>

HMBA: If you had one minute to talk to someone new to biking – what would you say?

Sarah:  

1. Don't give up
2. Go at your own pace
3. Challenge yourself
4. Enjoy your ride!

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Sarah is always  challenging herself!

HMBA: If you had one minute to talk to someone who bikes, but is new to Hinton – what would you say?

Sarah:  Hinton has a great trail network and a fun bike park. There is something here for every style of rider.

HMBA: How would you describe a typical Ladies’ Ride to someone who hasn’t been on one yet?  

Sarah:  Ladies rides are fun!  You will make great friends and trail side chats are a lot more interesting than biking with the guys. LOL!

HMBA: In what ways do you give back to HMBA?

Sarah:  I give back by cleaning up trails of litter whilst I am out riding and I also help plan events for HMBA (and does a great job too! - HMBA).    Stay tuned for BBF 2015!

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Sarah's first event as HMBA's newest Event Coordinator!  - 2014 Halloween Ride

HMBA:  What do you wish there would be more of?  

Sarah:  I wish there were more opportunities to shuttle downhill trails in Hinton as apart of a group ride.

HMBA: Thanks Sarah!!  Anything else to add?

Sarah:  Ride Bikes = Happy Life 

Trail Side Chat With Ellen

Trail Side Chat Series 

HMBA is chatting it up with some local women riders to find out why they love mountain biking in Hinton!  

Meet ELLEN

HMBA: How long have you been riding in Hinton?

Ellen: I have been mountain biking in Hinton for close to 10 years.  

HMBA: How would you describe your riding level? (i.e. beginner, seasoned, other)

Ellen: I would say I am a low intermediate rider.

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Ellen's favorite time of the year to ride.  Halloween Trail

HMBA: What style of riding do you do?

Ellen:  I ride a dual suspension mountain bike, cross country, when I am out on the back trails. When I commute to work, I ride a hard tail Schwinn that I have had for over 14 years.   

HMBA:  What are your favorite things to ride at the bike park?

Ellen:  When I ride in the bike park, usually at the end of a long ride, I like finishing off with Flow Master or Stinger.  For a club ride warm up, I love most of the trails winding their way up towards Flow Master.

HMBA: Do you ride the trails in our trails systems? (Happy Creek System, Jack’s Trails System)  If so, what would be your most favorite trail?  What’s your favorite loop?

Ellen:  I mostly head out on the back trails. For a quick ride, I will do the Happy Creek trail and end up with a couple of laps on Stinger.

For a longer ride, I usually head up to EZ, J, then Ranger or Halloween, then Cleos, Phils Thriller and home via Happy. I actually love most of the trails. Slowcooker is the trail that has challenged me the most. I have punctured my leg heading down a hill, fallen off a bridge and thought I broke my neck but discovered I had only snapped the visor off my helmet and last year, I bounced off the bridge, did a face plant and broke my nose. It's such a great trail! How did I manage all those mishaps? 

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There's always fun to be had on group rides!  The "I'm exhausted from climbing" pose.

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The "we are strong and can ride anything" pose.

HMBA: If you had one minute to talk to someone new to biking – what would you say?

Ellen:  If you are new to mountain biking, I would suggest you get onto the town trails lots and practice gear shifting and make sure you get out there and get advice from experienced riders . Phillip Mark from our club offers lessons in the Spring (Phil's Mad Skills - check the website calendar!).  And when going on club rides, you can learn lots by riding behind the experienced riders. In my case, I often had advice from the "sweep".

HMBA: If you had one minute to talk to someone who bikes, but is new to Hinton – what would you say?

Ellen: If you are new to biking in Hinton, join the Hinton mountain biking club Facebook page. Join in on the club rides and just ask to ride with people. Our mountain biking club is soooo supportive. I am speaking from the perspective of an older rider. I feel welcome!

HMBA: How would you describe a typical Ladies’ Ride to someone who hasn’t been on one yet?  

Ellen: The ladies ride! It's a good turnout and multiple skill levels.  No one is ever left behind and no one leaves the group on their own.  Safety and fun are high on the agenda and we rejoice in each others accomplishments.  There are plenty of rest breaks and always great conversations.  I made many riding friends and these same people are ones I contact to ride with me on the weekend.

I have gone on the Wednesday club rides.  It's nice to ride with the guys.  I am aware that I am not as strong as many of them and I don't feel pressured to go beyond my comfort level.  There is a bit more spandex on those nights but that's not a bad thing.  Most of the conversation centers around gear and the guys voices are deeper. LOL! 

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2015 Spring cleaning

HMBA: In what ways do you give back to HMBA?

Ellen:  I volunteer with the club for some of the events. I have led a few rides and organized a few weekend trips. Now that I own a small saw, I do a bit of trail maintenance when I see something that I can fix. I hope that I am considered a good ambassador for our club.

HMBA: Thanks Ellen!  Any parting comments?

Ellen:  Hinton should be really proud of what we have to offer for mountain biking.  Any age and any skill level could have a great biking experience. The Fall is an amazing time to ride our trails. We have some great lookouts and riding close to dusk is absolutely superb.

I wish there were more fresh built trails. I love that fresh dug up path and the feeling of being on something brand new. Thanks to all you amazing trails builders!

I have always enjoyed the random events that people have organized, like night rides or weekend trips to Jasper. 

And...it's good to see there are people willing/able to guide guests from out of town around our trails. 

Trail Side Chat With Julie

Trail Side Chat Series 

HMBA is chatting it up with some local women riders to find out why they love mountain biking in Hinton!  Every week, a different rider will share their experiences with you.  This week, we start with Julie!

Meet Julie

Ladies' Ride, Fall 2010

HMBA: How long have you been riding in Hinton?

Julie: This will be my 18th season!  When I first moved to Hinton, I didn't even own a car.  I bought a mountain bike and rode it to work all summer - a summer that had a major thunderstorm almost every second day!!

HMBA: How would you describe your riding level? (i.e. beginner, seasoned, other)

Julie: I suppose I would be a seasoned rider.  But every year I look forward to improving my current skills even more!

HMBA: What style of riding do you do?

Julie: At first it was just cross-country/trail riding.  Now, I have having fun expanding into some downhill (Gasifier) and winter biking - all because it's possible to do them all in Hinton!  Oh, and I do enjoy playing at the Bike Park!

HMBA: What are your favorite things to ride at the bike park?

Julie: I love challenging myself in the skills area.  Business Time is super fun and I am still working up to completing Fo'Shore.  Totally Lost is my favorite trail in the park.   It's my daughter's favorite too.

HMBA: Do you ride the trails in our trails systems? (Happy Creek System, Jack’s Trails System)  If so, what would be your most favorite trail?  What’s your favorite loop?

Julie: I ride all of them!!  Having biked here for so long - I've seen the multiple changes in our trail systems.  Back in the day - Happy Creek was so challenging that people did Jack's Trail System as the regular go to!  My most favorite trail... I would say Halloween in the Fall.  There is a location that is absolutely beautiful when the leaves are at their yellowest.  My favorite loop is ending at the back of (lower) Big Horn Trail and riding with speed down the powerline to finish on Flow Master - with not one pedal stroke along the way!

Getting gravity on Gasifier with Stacey

HMBA: Have you tried Gasifier yet?  If so, what do you think?

Julie: Yes I have.  And I can't wait to go again!  I have a downhill bike and gear - which makes it really fun.  

HMBA: If you had one minute to talk to someone new to biking – what would you say?

Julie: If you love being outdoors - this is a great way to do it.  There are so many great trails, some with some neat viewpoints.  I always feel great after a ride and wished it never ended!

HMBA: If you had one minute to talk to someone who bikes, but is new to Hinton – what would you say?

Julie: Join the group rides!  It's the best way to meet other riders and to get to know the trails.

Muck Yeah, 2010

HMBA: How would you describe a typical Ladies’ Ride to someone who hasn’t been on one yet?  

Julie: I always look forward to Ladies' Ride.  I'm  a mom of two and it's my 'me' time.  So it's great to ride with other ladies.   There's lots of camaraderie, support and encouragement when we meet those challenges on the trails.  Lots of laughs, good biking, and even bouts of basic trail maintenance!

HMBA: In what ways do you give back to HMBA?

Julie: First, I support them by buying my annual membership!  For many years now, I have been leading the Monday Ladies' Rides and occasionally the Wednesday Group Rides.   I got certified as an IMBA instructor a few years ago, so that I can help riders enhance their skills.  Since 2011, I have been on the executive as Treasurer and now VP.  I also volunteer as a coach with Sprockids.

HMBA: Thanks Julie!  Looking forward to seeing you out on the trails!!

Julie: With a big smile on my face!!