2024 STAFF STANDOUTS
EMMA’S TOP PICKS
Looking back at 2024, it was a year punched in as foundational and necessary to keep me growing as a person and a rider, rather than full of non-stop good times. However, it wasn’t all doom and discomfort, with plenty of good times thrown into the mix that I felt compelled to share with you.
I rode in the holy grail of trail meccas; nearly fainted as I witnessed women throw down for the first time in Red Bull Joyride in the flesh, and enjoyed the heck out of Canada. Rides in Revelstoke and Golden are particularly vivid in my mind – I still dream of Frisby Ridge and its huckleberries. Now, onto my top picks!
WILD RYE’S FREYAH BIKE PANT
The hype is real, and the Wild Rye Freyah Bike pants are a staple in my wardrobe. They’ve proven just as durable as my other bike park pants, except they’re more expensive so I don’t particularly want to continue to subject them to the same abuse. The pocket placement and size are ideal, the color is stunning, and the backside is iconic.
OUTDOOR RESEARCH’S FREEWHEEL HALF-ZIP SOFT SHELL MTB HOODIE
I am likely going to buy another one of these jackets, but in black because these brands keep trying to brighten up my wardrobe and I’m tired of it. However, the bright yellow does mean that Cole can see me from a distance when I’ve ditched him on the climb. OR’s Freewheel half-zip hoodie has been a perfect outer layer for me. The Inland Northwest has been experiencing a mild winter and along with my OR Freewheel long sleeve, it’s been ideal for staying warm while sessioning jumps. I wore it in Whistler and Bellingham in May and it can withstand some light to moderate rain. The hoodie breathes well so I generally don’t take it off during my rides, which is nice being that it’s a half-zip. For Outdoor Research’s first mountain bike specific collection, I was impressed. I’ve fully enjoyed all of their clothing out of this lineup.
CONTINENTAL TIRES
Midyear I tried out a couple combinations of Continental Tires. Almost nothing I do on the bike is because I’ve decided it’s the smart thing to do, it’s usually out of convenience. Every so often, this strategy gives me a good outcome.
After puncturing my previous rear tire at Silver Mountain, I picked up the box of fresh Continental tires that had been delivered for testing, and gave them to my lackey, Cole, to slap on the bike. I had no theories, nor did I read any reviews to sway me. Since then, I’ve primarily been running a Kryptotal up front and Xynotal in the rear, both in the trail casing with a soft compound.
For me, these tires have been the most predictable yet, while still managing to be enjoyable and fast-rolling. I have yet to test them through real spring weather, but I’ve already been pleasantly surprised by their performance. I did put a tiny bit of effort in selecting the tires, with the primary motivation being that I wanted a tire that would keep me from sliding around. Nothing more, nothing less.
My home trails have quite a bit of variation: hardpack with beads of sand on top; fast and loose rocky sections, and the occasional loam with plenty of slick roots. These tires have seen Whistler, Silver Star, Revelstoke, and Kicking Horse bike parks, and lived to tell the tale.
Continental’s tires are a top 2024 pick for me because of how dependable they were for my riding style. Being a nervous rider in a lot of cases, I found myself being able to trust my bike quite a bit more because of the consistency in grip of the tires. Even when pushing the range of traction, I’d know in the split second of losing it that the tire would take a bite and it’d come right back. Making them real winners was also the fact that I didn’t have to sacrifice weight for traction, like I had been doing with my previous tire set-up. I’ll be sticking with Continental tires for the foreseeable future.
SHUTTLES IN A U-HAUL
I highly recommend grabbing a group of people stoked on bikes, renting a U-Haul with your local bike shop (thanks Bike Hub!), and doing shuttle laps at your local mountain. The weather was moody, but the group had a blast riding! Even on trails with slippery roots and overgrown, water-logged bushes.
We warmed up afterwards with grilled hotdogs and burgers, knowing we had all shared in creating a core memory. Our local women’s bike group offers a wide range of group rides, whether you want to come out to socialize; session difficult trail features, or work on the fundamentals. The Biking Betties are fun, kind, and most women who join a Betties Party Train return because of the genuine support the group gives.
WOMEN IN RAMPAGE
I’m writing it off now that I’ll never be able to find the words to describe this moment the way it deserves to be written – I don’t need that pressure. What I will say is that watching this event changed me to my core. There are people out there that don’t get the hype and don’t understand the significance. There’s even some that don’t believe it was deserved.
People who have grown up seeing themselves reflected in all corners of society will not easily grasp the meaning of what it is like to be included in a space that previously wasn’t meant for you. And that’s okay, because this moment was never about them. It was about all the women seeing versions of themselves out there on the mountain. Watching Georgia Astle go from backup roster to 2nd place; Chelsea Kimball showing her grit and truest self; and Robin Goomes finishing a historical run, I finally saw a version of myself in all of them. I’m beyond thankful for all the women of Rampage, and for what they have accomplished.
FOR 2025:
ENJOYING DIRT.
I’ve got some lofty goals for this year, including the usual enduro races (Hubapalooza and Sturdy Dirty!); leading the Biking Betties in building a new trail at Beacon Hill, and a big set of jumps (for me) that I’d like to tackle before the end of 2025.
Mostly, I just want to be outside enjoying the dirt, rain or shine.
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