Hope is one of those people that always seems to be stoked, not just on riding but everything in general. From 9-5 she is the “go-to-gal” at Sportspro (the Fox clothing distributor) and on the weekend she can be found slaying trails on any one of her Transition bikes.
How old are you?
33 this coming Monday
Where do you live?
The Mighty Beach Haven – AKL
What do you like best about living where you do?
I have a 90m² shed that would make any grown man weak at the knees and green with envy.
What do you dislike about living where you do?
It’s still a bit of a drive to the bike park. I dream of the day I live 5 mins from a trail network!
How did you get involved in the mountain bike scene to begin with, and how long ago was that?
I was always into bikes but somehow lost my way until my early 20s. I had a best mate called Mudgie who had just ‘seen the light’ to this crazy thing called mountain biking. He only ever talked about riding his bike, wanting to ride his bike or trails this, awesome gear that, we all know the type. Anyways he finally managed to drag me from my heathen hungover weekend ways and get me on a bike while proceeding to kill me with his interpretation of a ‘short ride’. However since that early summer of 2004 I’ve never looked back. I blame him for my endless pursuit for all things bike related and my always-empty pockets. But I also owe him thanks, because mountain biking has changed my life in more ways than I can count on my fingers and toes.
What’s your ‘day’ job? What does it involve?
I work for Sportspro. Most people will know us as the dudes who bring in Fox gear. A day in the life of me always starts with coffee! Then follows the routine ‘bike site’ surf on the net. You can never be sure just how much has changed over night, and working in the bike industry gives you a ‘legit’ reason to be doing this on work time! Then it’s the usual reading and replying to emails, followed by some serious eye-squinting, mouse-clicking time playing with images for print and web. Chatting with customers and just doing what ever it is that needs to be done.
What are five benefits of working with bikes all day every day?
1. What I love has become part of my day to day life.
2. Being around like minded people who are passionate about the sport.
3. Seeing all the new stuff arrive by the pallet load before it hits the stores always excites me!
4. Being part of the cycling industry. The innovation, the engineering. It changes so fast!
5. The bikes!
How would you describe your riding style?
Possibly lacking slightly in the ‘style’ part of it! More of a rip shit and bust kinda girl!
Favourite trail?
Any one that puts a smile on my face and a desire to ride it all over again!
What’s one thing you’ve learned in the last 10 years?
Change is the only consistent thing other than tax, death and benefit fraud. You have to learn how to adapt to get ahead.
What’s wrong with mountain biking?
I wouldn’t say wrong but more a love/hate affair. The Internet. Ignorance was once bliss about the epic riding in other countries, now I daydream about perfect riding holidays and how I’ll have to spend the next 10 years saving my pennies to get there!
Three things right with mountain biking?
1. The smell of the forest on a crisp dewy morning.
2. The people you meet and the memories you create while riding bikes.
3. You can do it when you’re old.
Top two mountain bike developments in the last 10 years (bike park, part or whatever)?
1. The Collective MTB movie. That changed the way MTB movies were made. The cinematography was artistic and stunning, and they had the balls to lay down killer soundtracks that appealed to wider range of riders, and not just the thrashers.
2. My uppy-downy Reverb seatpost. It has changed my life. Honestly there should be a religious following for seat droppers. And my old knees love me for it!
All time favourite rider?
Matt Hunter and Stevie Smith – 1st equal. I think it’s the accent…
Top five favourite bits of mountain bike kit?
1. My Transition TR250
2. Everything Fox that I own
3. RockShox Reverb
4. Anything CNC machined.
5. Ts that are of the BLUE variety
Who do you look up to?
My Aunty Lyn and Uncle Frank. They are the sorts of people that we need more of in this world. Kind and caring in every possible way but willing to lay the smack down if they think you’re in need of a reality check. They are also killing it in their 60s, hitting ziplines and kayaking in Canada, trekking mountains in Thailand, the adventure list goes on!
James Lewis. He has the patience of a saint when it comes to teaching me all things fork service-related. And possesses in his brain everything I want to know about fixing stuff!
What are your vices?
New bike stuff and Apple products. In all seriousness, it is an actual problem…
Finish this sentence: “On a Saturday I like to get up and….”
Smash the snooze button a few times, grumble and moan to my partner about never getting enough sleep. Give my fleabag puppies Bosty and Zip a belly scratch, skull down some coffee and have an internal debate with myself about whether it will be the bike and trails or the house reno and Mitre 10 Mega.
