Isabelle Gets Pinned Up

Isabelle sat down with local photographer Hung Mai to talk about amateur racing. 

Click here to learn more about how she got started and why she races.

TDP featured in Mtb4Her Magazine

The latest issue of Mountain Bike for Her Magazine hit the digital shelves today and features a terrific article about Team Danger Pony's own Siobhan Fox. Written by our friend, Ash Kelly, the article tells Siobhan's story from hospital bed to BC Bike Race finish line, and left me teary-eyed by the end! 

http://mtb4her.com/mountain-bike-for-her-issue-3-octnov-2014/

BC Bike Race Update- We're in the home stretch

Day 3 - Powell River

Day three was in Powell River. We arrived to what can only be described as a hero's welcome. It was as if the whole town had come out to welcome us. Very moving.

Our campsite was on the beach and the gorgeous views were definitely enjoyed by all over the next few days.

It was an especially nice venue to kick off our Canada day ride, which was done by Tahnee Juryn singing the national anthem at the start line; another near tear jerker.

I had low expectations for Powell River because everyone just kept saying it was "pedally". What they should have have said was that it was flowing singletrack goodness.  In the end it was a great day on the bike and a great Canada Day.

Day 4- Earl's Cove to Sechelt

Day four started with a seaplane ride for me, which was super exciting.

That said, day four is a long hard day. Probably the toughest day of the race. Not only is it hump day, it's the longest day in terms of kilometers and it's mostly on wide open fire road and doubletrack. I knew I just had to get through this day and I would be back on the trails I know and love. In fact, the day wasn't as bad as I expected. It was long and hot as hell, but my legs cooperated and the enduro was probably the funnest one so far. At the end of the day, I was barely able to hold myself together, but with a little help from my friends, I got my recovery drink, made it to dinner, and got to my much needed massage appointment on time. Pivotal Health was a life safer on day 3 and 4 for sure.


Day 5- Sechelt to Langdale

I picked my bike up from the awesome guys at Obsession before starting day five and was stoked to ride my steed after it had gotten a little extra love. Day five was super fun as I expected. These are like the trails that I know and love on the Sunshine Coast. It wasn't as hot as the day before and we were shaded most of the day. Unfortunately, my Garmin battery died part way through day four and then it wouldn't work on day five. I was bummed to say the least. That said, it was kinda nice just going by feeling and i was on the 9 km descent before I knew it. Swoopy fun downhill all the way to the ferry.

Day 6 is in Squamish and I've ridden most of the course. I'm excited to ride on what's essentially home turf, but I know that this day shouldn't be underestimated. It's our biggest day of climbing and we all know what Squamish kilometers feel like.

Kelowna Enduro Race Recap

Last weekend was stop #3 for the BC Enduro Series in Kelowna. It was my first time riding there so I was excited to check out some new terrain! We got in on Thursday, so we had a whole day to pre-ride and scope out the trails.

Checking out the fast lines.

The area we were in, Crawford, was both beautiful and odd:

Burnt out and beautiful.

Teddy Bear Junction is a bit odd and creepy.

 Race day was a bit warm but nothing like Okanagan weather can be so we lucked out there. The climbs were all very mellow and manageable and the stages were all so different and super fun in their own way.

Climbing in a tank top to keep cool!

TDP! Thanks Iz for waiting for me all day:)

In the start gate for stage 3.

I've been working on my mental game lately. After flat-fest at round 1 in Penticton, I've been putting less pressure on myself and toning down the competitiveness a bit. It's enduro, whatever will happen, will happen. Roll with it. I try not to constantly compare myself to other racers and wonder how I stack up. I just ride for the joy of riding. I also ride slow. On the uphills I am very slow. I'm working on getting faster but for now, I am literally one of the last people to finish. It's cool though cause in enduro, you aren't timed on ups, just downs:

Second place ain't bad!

I'm super happy with my result, I had a blast on the trails and the whole event was done wonderfully. Congrats and shout out to Isabelle for a 4th place finish!! Yeah pony! 

On Sunday, we got to ride for fun in Smith Creek. This is such a fun spot!! I highly recommend it to anyone. It's a super fun rip for beginners and experienced riders alike. 

Beauty views on the way up!

Riding through cars on the way up and using the doors as jumps on the way down!!

Day 1 and 2 Home Turf and Cumberland

Day 1

Of course I was so excited before day 1 that I could barely sleep, and with good reason. A year of preparing, racing on my home trails, and knowing my amazing friends would be there.

I seeded myself in the 4 hour group and we headed up Lynn Valley Road. When we got to the end of the line so many of my friends were there with signs and costumes that I seriously teared up before even riding any trails!! The first bit of singletrack (Circuit 8) created a 20 minute bottleneck. I was worried that things were off to a bad start. Luckily I was wrong. I got nearly clean runs at both the fun descents and definitely passed tons of people, which is a huge confidence booster. Having all my friends out and racing at home made for what was one of my best days ever on a bike.

Day 2

After the North Vancouver stage we took a ferry and a bus and rolled into our huge tent village around 9:30 in Cumberland.  I was hoping for a better sleep then last night, but first night in a tent and midnight trips to the bathroom kinda stood in the way. 6 am is an early start, but luckily Bean Around The World had coffee on hand and I tried to eat a huge breakfast. We started right on Main st in Cumberland, which really speaks to the towns commitment to riding. We started with a 15km road climb, which of course I didn't love but I stuck to my plan and stayed in an easy gear and went slow. The first bit of singletrack was a fairly new trail and was really muddy. I felt really great on it and once again passed lots of people, which in case you didn't hear, I like, especially the guy who commented that I wasn't working hard enough on the climb. Lots of awesome long descents today, but some hard hot road climbs too. 48km is a long time to ride even though it was less climbing than yesterday. On a ferry now to Powell River and I'm looking forward to being in the same place for two nights.

It's been go go go for 2 days, but despite that, it's insanely well organized considering the feat that it is to move, feed, and house this many people. Sorry for the lack of cohesiveness to this and to any typos. I'm doing it on my phone after a long hot day in the saddle.

Day Zero BC Bike Race

I can't believe it's here!!! It was only a year ago that I was given the ok to ride again from the doctors and now I'm about the embark on The Ultimate Singletrack experience. It's all exciting, overwhelming, and awesome all at the same time. I've been a bundle of nerves all week.

Today was registration, the kid's race, and later today will be the race meeting. Waking up this morning, I was more grateful than ever to live on the North Shore. I literally walked over to Argyle school where the festivities were taking place. It was a nice feeling of relaxation amidst the otherwise frantic nature of preparing for something so big. I was surprised by how big the lines were considering I showed up right on time, but everything moved quickly and I was soon outside watching my friend Heather's son rip it up in the kids race.

When I got home with my racer bag and swag from numerous sponsors, the excitement was too much, so I headed out for my last pre-race ride. In true North Shore fashion it poured rain the whole time.I felt grateful that this didn't phase me one bit and felt kind of bad for the racers from drier places.

Now it's time to pack, go to the racer's meeting and get a good night's sleep. It feels like Christmas!!! Before I sign off, I just want to thank all my friends and family who have been messaging me, cheering for me, and supporting me. I couldn't have done this without YOU!

The Sturdy Dirty Enduro - Pinkbike Race Report

The Ponies were down near Olympia, WA for the Sturdy Dirty Enduro in Capitol Forest State Park. Out of 125 ladies, Aja was only one minute off top spot while Veronika finished 4th in pro. Check out this race report on Pinkbike, with a couple of mentions and photos of Team Danger Pony:
http://www.pinkbike.com/u/umabomber/blog/race-report-the-2014-sturdy-dirty-womens-enduro-event.html

Aja, Veronika, Isabelle and Cheryl after finishing Stage 1

Thanks to our friends, the Sturdy Bitches, for an awesome event. Check out their website: http://www.sturdybitchracing.com