Shred Girl IRL Laine Bradley Has Some Tips for Trying XC MTB

When Laine Bradley races her mountain bike in Ontario, she’s got a lot of competition in her field, even at 12 years old. There are plenty of young shredders in the area, but in just one short year, she made huge strides in her riding (thanks partially to the Durham Shredders!) and now she’s a serious podium contender in every race. (She’s also getting super fast in cyclocross!) She’s getting ready to shred the 2018 mountain bike season, and since it’s still snowy in most of Ontario, some of that training is even taking place indoors—so we chatted with her right before this training session:

When you’re racing, how does it feel?

Usually, at the start, I’m nervous, but once I start riding I’m fine. I kind of just… go. The hour before the race is the hard part!

How long have you been riding?

I’d say maybe four years now. I started riding out in the forest with my family, and then we started going to Hardwood (where they have cross-country trails) and then my dad and a few other coaches started the Durham Shredders. My family did it for fun together, and to get some physical activity. We’ve always ridden the mountain bikes—we did a lot of riding in Florida a few years ago, then started going to Joyride150 to ride inside in bad weather.

You got into cyclocross this fall though, right?

Yes! We started racing at the farm, basically in the backyard. I liked it, but I definitely like the mountain bike better.

What’s your favorite part of mountain biking?

Really, it’s just being out on the trails and having fun with friends.

What’s the hardest part?

I’d have to say it’s the training part, to be honest. Just getting out every day and putting in the time. Technical stuff can be scary, but it’s also fun—especially when you master a new obstacle!

Any advice for getting over technical obstacles?

Yes! A few of my coaches told me to be confident and go at things with a little more speed, since slow speed is just one more way that you’re going to end up falling.

Your area has a lot of girls riding—is it started to get more equal in terms of the same number of boys versus girls?

There have been a lot of girls joining Shredders and trying mountain biking! There are a lot more boys trying the sport, but it’s cool to have more girls coming and trying it out.

What’s your proudest accomplishment on the bike so far?

At the Kingston race last year, I came in third. That was really exciting!

 

 

And what are your goals in cycling?

I definitely would like to be pro one day—but I’d like to get more technical and faster right now, so that’s what I’m focused on.

Any advice for those girls who maybe want to try mountain biking but don’t know where to start?

I’d say just look for a club or local team… Or even just find someone you know that’s riding and have him or her take you out for a ride!

Any tips for getting out and talking to those cyclist?

Just start a conversation—and it doesn’t have to be about bikes. It can be about other sports you’ve tried or that you do, or places you want to ride, or people you know who ride—you’d be surprised who knows who!

Final tips?

You don’t have to be as fast as everyone else. You should just try it—and you can get better if you put time into it. Being fast will come, but you have to start riding!