Real Life Shred Girl Isabella Macarelli Talks Pushing Limits on the Mountain Bike

MTBer Isabella Macarelli is rad — she’s been riding bikes about as long as she’s been talking, and here, she tells us all about how she pushes to her limits to make strides in her riding and racing — with the help of her teammates, of course!

When did you start riding bikes?

I have literally been riding bikes ever since I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are the rides we used to do. I think that my early introduction to riding is part of why I have found such a passion for it now.

Do you ride with your (super rad) mom, or have you started mostly training with the team?

Often my parents are busy, so most of my training takes place with the team, or when I ride by myself.

What was your favorite part? What was the hardest part?

My favorite part of mountain biking is pushing myself to the limit. I love seeing how hard I can work, and what I can achieve when I set my mind to the hillclimb, or downhill section. I love seeing my progress throughout the season, and when I start seeing my hard work pay off (this, of course, is right alongside my amazing teammates). Another thing I love about mountain biking is mastering a specific skill or obstacle. The feeling that accompanies riding a really challenging rocky section, or making it up a super steep hill is like no other. The hardest part of mountain biking for me is definitely the races. When I race, I give 100% effort. The girls in my category are so fast, to place well I have to practically sprint for the whole hour and fifteen minutes!! However, seeing my teammates and coaches and parents cheering me on at the finish makes all the hard work worth it.

How did you find your HS MTB team? What made you choose to focus on MTB, or have you totally focused?

I have been mountain biking and racing cross for a very long time, so when I found out Golden had a mtb team, I was interested. However, last year, (my freshman year) I played volleyball instead. It was fun, but there were some things I didn’t enjoy about playing at Golden. This summer, I had to start thinking about which one I would choose. The decision between mountain biking and volleyball was very difficult because I love doing both. However, I ended up choosing mountain biking, and every day I am happy I made that decision.

What was the best tip or trick you’ve ever been told?

The best coaching tip I have ever received was to look at the exit when taking a sharp corner or switchback. Before I learned this, riding switchbacks were very difficult for me, but after I tried to implement this trick, I have become a pro at switchbacks. The mountain bike races are SOOO switchback heavy, each one I have done so far has had at least a couple.

They are usually at the end of the laps, so when you ride down them you have an audience! It’s very important to be able to ride them, so you don’t fall, or need to get off your bike and walk and have people pass you right at the end. The only reason that I can ride them and make up time is that I look at the exit of the turn. If you look where you want to go, just like magic your bike will go right there. So, if you look ahead at the exit (or place where the switchback ends), you will be able to ride it almost every time. This was so helpful to me, and the person who gave me this tip is my favorite coach and teacher, Jesse Swift at Golden.

Proudest accomplishment in cycling?

All of my proudest accomplishments are finishing the races and getting a place I am pleased with. For the last race I did, and the first race, I worked as hard as I could, gave 100%, and earned a good place. To finish a race and place good, for me, are my proudest accomplishments. I have also podiumed a couple times in cross and other biking races, and I would count those podiums as something that makes me proud as well.

Goals in cycling?

I have two races left this season, Eagle and Durango. I really am training pretty hard for those two races, but my ultimate goal is to get a podium for the coming races in my high school mountain biking career. I also want to do well in some mountain bike races I will be doing this summer.

Advice for other younger girls interested in riding? What about advice for that first race? (IT’S SCARY!!)

Some advice I would have for younger girls getting involved in mountain biking is that it really doesn’t matter at all how fast or advanced you are. Mountain biking at Golden, or the middle school DEVO program, (which, by the way, is AMAZING) is just so much fun. You will make friends no matter how fast you are, and get better, get exercise, and have an amazing team. The racing is scary at first, but once you do a couple times it just becomes second nature. The main thing is just to have fun and do your best. With that, the pressure is off, and racing isn’t scary anymore. It becomes something you look forward to!

Have you made friends through riding? Advice for talking to other girls/guys if someone is super shy?

I have made SO MANY friends through riding. I get to know people older and younger than me, boys and girls, and people that I might not otherwise meet. That is my favorite part of mountain biking. Most of the people I have met and had the pleasure of riding with are absolutely amazing. One of the best parts about having friends on the mountain bike team is that they are also your teammates. Teammates see you at your best and your worst, and you know each other inside and out. There is something really very special about that type of bond.

Hobbies outside of cycling? Favorite subject in school?

Outside of mountain biking, school is where I turn my focus. I take a lot of honors/ AP classes, and sometimes it can be hard to manage athletics and academics. Sometimes you have to sacrifice one or the other, but in the end, it is definitely worth it when you see what you achieved in sports, while also keeping a focus on school. I really enjoy science, right now I am taking honors chemistry and AP physics, which are hard, but also really fun. I enjoy my English and math classes too.