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Zelda Walsh is an 11-Year-Old Shred Girl IRL
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Zelda Walsh is one of the coolest Shred Girls IRL I’ve ever seen—when not shredding on the trails on her mountain bike, she’s on the rink playing ice hockey! At 11 years old, this vegetarian bookworm already has the skills—and the right attitude—for staying positive, being herself, and not getting intimidated on the trails.
Just keep riding. Have fun. Make new friends. Ignore the boys. They are always getting in the way!
Tell us a little about you!
My name is Zelda Walsh, and I am 11 years old. I’m from Connecticut. I dream of living in Canada someday. I’m vegetarian. I love to read, especially graphic novels. I have an older brother and a younger brother and younger sister. I’ve been riding bikes since I was three. This year, I started racing mountain bikes. I’m on an all-girls team called Petal Power. I love it! It can be hard, but it’s usually fun. Plus, I’ve made so many new friends. When I’m not riding my bike, I play ice hockey on an all-girls team called The Capital Wolves.
Why did you start riding bikes? Why/when did you start racing?
I’ve been riding bikes since I was three. My first bike was a purple Specialized Hotrock. It had a basket on the front that I put my teddy bear in. A few years ago, I got a cyclocross bike for my birthday. I wanted to try a few cross races, but my hockey schedule made that hard. Still, I would go on longer road rides and trail rides with my dad. I started to ride mountain bikes a few months ago, right before I turned ten. For a while, I rode my brother’s old bike. I got a new bike for my birthday in June. I love it!
This is my first year racing. My first race was in April, a few weeks after I rode a mountain bike for the first time. I finished fourth. I started racing because my dad races mountain bikes and road bikes. I love going to watch him race. I always thought it looked like so much fun, so I decided I’d try.
What is your favorite part?
My favorite part of mountain biking is making new friends, both from my team and girls on other teams. I’m on an all-girls team. It’s fun to hang out with my teammates before and after races. We all support each other and cheer for each other. Even with girls not on my team, everyone is so supportive. After races, we usually play games and have fun together.
I also really like learning new tricks.
What is the hardest part?
Staying focused and positive can be hard, especially when it’s hot and the course is tough. I make sure I always finish, even if I’m the last girl. It helps that my teammates and coaches encourage me.
I’m still new to mountain biking, so riding over rocks and roots can be hard. Riding on the road is so much easier. There really aren’t things you have to go over like when on a mountain bike. Jumping is also hard. I’ve gotten better, but I still get a little scared.
What makes you most excited about riding?
Going super-fast! And, having fun. Also, surprising myself with what I can do. I got fourth place in my first race. It was cool. I didn’t think I would even finish!
What was the best tip or trick you’ve ever been told?
When you’re racing, don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. Don’t let others, especially boys, intimidate you. I have every right to be racing, and I’m not going to let someone yell at me to move aside. Our coaches tell us this all the time.
Also, have fun! Enjoying racing and riding. And, share it with friends. That’s one of my favorite parts for riding and racing: doing it with other girls who are competitive but also want to have fun.
Proudest accomplishment/favorite race moment?
Winning fourth place in my first race ever. Also, winning third place at another race. At the same races, my teammate Eva finished second. In that race, I was in sixth place at the start of the last lap. Somehow, I made my way to third. It was cool that we were both on the podium.
I finished fourth in the state series. Two of my teammates finished second and third in the series.
“Forget your fears. Make them fear you.”
MTB is tough! How do you deal with a new, scary obstacle?!
I made this up, but it’s a good saying: “Forget your fears. Make them fear you.” I think about that when I get scared.
I also know that I’m going to fall or crash. My dad crashes all the time. He tells me that’s how you learn, and you can’t be afraid to crash. I know it might hurt, but hopefully it won’t be too bad. And, hopefully I’ll learn to do new things. It’s so different than playing hockey. I fall on the ice and crash into the boards, but I have so much equipment on when I’m playing hockey. I only have a helmet and gloves on when I’m riding my mountain bike. It was much scarier at first. Now, I try to impress my friends with cuts and bruises from mountain biking.
Advice for other young girls interested in riding?
Just keep riding. Have fun. Make new friends. Ignore the boys. They are always getting in the way!
Favorite piece of gear?
My bike! It’s a bright yellow Trek Marlin. It’s the first new bike I’ve ever had. I have an older brother, so I usually get his old stuff. But, for my 11th birthday, I got a brand-new bike. I was a little scared at first, because it’s so big. But, I love it. My favorite color is purple, so I got purple grips to make it more unique.
Any tips for young girls who want to ride but maybe don’t have friends or family to ride with and don’t know where to start?
I was lucky to grow up in a family that loves bikes. My mom raced BMX when she was a kid. She still rides road and mountain bikes. As I said, my dad races road and mountain. Our garage has always been full of bikes. But, for those who don’t have friends or family who ride, talk to people at a bike shop. They might know of a team or club you can join. Find videos on YouTube. There’s a lot of really cool stuff. You can find races online, even professional women’s races. I love watching Kate Courtney race. Read Shred Girls!!! Also, Roller Girl. That’s one of my favorite books, even though it’s not about bikes. If your parents let you, follow other racers and riders on Instagram. It’s cool to see pictures of other girls riding. You can follow me and my dad on our shared Instagram account: @stackedpenalties. It’s about our lives playing hockey and riding bikes.
Keep an open mind. Have fun.
