Loeka 2008 Grassroots Team
Rider: Jennifer CarrBio: My love of mountain biking began with the somewhat random purchase of a xc hardtail. I hardly knew anyone who rode, but for some reason it was something I knew I wanted to do. Learning (and crashing a lot) on the trails of Kamloops, I decided that if a small bike was fun, a big one must be even more fun! Five years ago I bought my first DH bike and a serious addiction was born. Since then I have spent as much time riding as my other interests (snowboarding, travelling, trips with my friends) and work would allow, and have had a variety of terrain to ride including the smooth, flowy trails of the interior, rocky, shaley, steeps of Wyoming and Montana, the ever tricky North Shore, and most recently Pipeline BMX Club's awsome indoor track! Racing has always been something that I wanted to become involved in as I grew up competitive in other sports. I began racing last year, and it opened a whole in new world of possibilities to me! I was pretty clueless at first (what, pick your line? you dont just ride down the trail?), but I learned tonnes, most importantly that I wanted to learn how to ride faster. I love racing because it forces me to push my limits, step up my riding, and because all of the amazing people you meet along the way - not to mention the opportunity to ride all kinds of new trails! I am super stoked to be able to focus my energy on racing this year. I plan to compete in the majority of BC Cup races at the amatuer level, as well as Sea Otter and Crankworx. I want to focus on racing because I love riding my bike more than anything else, and I want to see if I focus all my energy on riding, how good I can be. I never would have thought to seek sponsorship at this point, but I am lucky to have great friends who encouraged me to peruse it, and now I am fortunate enough to have support from both Loeka Clothing, and Obsession: Bikes in North Vancouver. I can't wait for the trails to dry, the race season to start, and to meet the other Leoka girls!! See you all at Sea Otter! |
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Rider: Heidi Mae KanayanHometown: Lake Arrowhead, CA Bio: My love of bikes started at the young age of five when my dad gave me my first motor cycle. This also built the foundation of my love for speed. The other cause came from eleven years as an alpine ski racer where Slalom and Super Giant Slalom were my favorite. In high school I found mountain bike racing and became hooked. It all started with Cross Country (1999) and has now morphed into Down Hill (since '07), Super D (since '04), Cyclocross (since '05), Road (since '05), and Triathlons (since '05). My favorite trails are ones that are fast flowy and have some technical surprises. This must come from my childhood of riding my dirt bike through the tight twisty mountain trails be hind my house in the San Bernardino Mountains. On my sixteenth birthday I asked for a bike instead of a car. I still ski race for fun and I am working as a Professional Ski Instructor for Mammoth Mountain Sports School and spend my summers and falls racing my bikes and mentoring new riders. Though, the best part about racing is meeting new people, traveling, and exploring new places to ride 2007 Successes Cross Country/ Endurance:
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Rider: Danielle MachonHometown: Portland, Oregon Bio: Biking is a fairly new sport for me. Last year (2007) was my first "official" season. I raced in Portland's Cross Crusade Cyclocross series and really became hooked. The series runs September through December lots of rain, mud and obstacles a blend of technical riding and endurance. Everyone should experience running through knee deep mud with a bike on your shoulder at least once. I found a serious physical and mental challenge for myself and love it. It doesn't hurt that there is plenty of beer flowing at the races always at the end and even during if you decide to partake in the handups. The biking community in Portland is amazing at whatever level you are. It has really been inspiring and has opened my eyes to a whole new biking world. I'm excited to hit some trails this summer and for my 2nd season of cross. My other passions are soccer, kiteboarding and snowboarding. I've been playing soccer since I was 8 years old (maybe that's why I'm so comfortable in the mud.) I started kiteboarding in 1999 and have met some of my closest friends and traveled to some amazing countries through kiteboarding. Portland has so much to offer I definitely keep myself busy all year long. I'm excited to be a part of the Loeka team it's motivating to see so many talented women join together, push themselves in the name of sport and, of course, have fun doing it. |
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Rider: Rachel MillsopHometown: Springdale, Arkansas Bio: Four years ago I started seriously riding my bike through the city and on the trails. By my second year I was nestled into the mountain bike racing scene and have been addicted to racing ever since. For the past three years I have been racing in the Arkansas series and the surrounding area moving my way up through the categories of beginner to expert. This year I have joined the collegiate scene and have found my love for racing to have intensified. I have enjoyed experiencing new types of racing such as downhill, dual slalom, and 4cross. I am excited to continue to grow in these areas as well as moving up in my focus areas of XC and short track. Off the bike I love to swim, hike, read books on rainy days, and continue my love for art through photography and painting. I spend a lot of my non-biking time studying in school. I hope to one day have a career as a Graphic Designer, working with a cycling products company. As for my 2008 goals, I hope to open up my racing to the National level. I plan to travel to many of the NORBA series races during the summer, and will again be a part of the collegiate scene this spring and next fall. I look forward to being a part of the Loeka team and the exciting things to come this year! |
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Rider: Krista TurcassoHometown: Fernie, BC Bio: Krista Turcasso is a local Fernie girl who has been active in the mountains her whole life. Her first competitive events were in running. Krista's first race was the Victoria Marathon where she was awarded 1st place for the first time marathoners and 12th in her age category. It surprised her that she could do well without training. Once she moved back to Fernie in 2006 mountain biking became a major part of her summer and quickly became an obsession. She started competing again but on teams and mostly as a runner. Having a good track record as a team competitor and becoming an avide mountain biker, she decided to challenge these stage events solo and was very successful. After watching the competitors of the 2007 TransRockies cross the finish line, Krista knew it was her destiny to complete this epic adventure. Alongside another born and raised Fernie girl - Jennifer Delich (actually they were raised next door to one another) Krista is tackling this endeavor in August of 2008, and is actually following a structured training program! Races
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