March is International Women’s Month, so we’re spending it celebrating the women on two wheels who are breaking boundaries and sending it harder than anyone at the track. From downhill mountain bikers to freestyle riders, meet some women from the Bell Helmets community who are changing the game, and paving the way for more female athletes to follow in their tracks.
Join us in rallying behind the women who rip by tagging your posts on Instagram with #WomenWhoSendIt, and let’s see what you got.
Caroline Buchanan
When did you first learn how to ride a bike?
At the age of 5 I started racing BMX. I had just come off training wheels at 4 and never looked back.
What was the moment that stoked your passion to go pro?
I went to my first world championship when I was 9 years old with my family in Paris. Since then, I was motivated to hustle hard in order to make riding bikes my career.
What was the biggest challenge you experienced during your career’s early days?
Being a female at the time was challenging. It inspired me to lead a legacy by example, and give back to the community with scholarship programs. The programs are in place to this day, and have paved the way for corporate sponsors to get involved with the sport while normalizing girls riding and racing bikes.
Did you have a mentor in the sport? If so, who were they and what is one lesson you’ll never forget?
Layne Beachley, 7-time world surfing champion... She helped me believe in myself! She toughened my shell to compete and have the bullseye on my back and embrace being the target for my competition. Any politics, bullying, jealousy, or hurt she tought me to hold a mirror and visually deflect it back and not absorb it.... To keep going!!
What is some advice you’d give other girls on two wheels interested in following your footsteps?
Be consistent, be unique, and be you!!!!
Vicki Golden
When did you first learn how to ride?
I learned to ride when I ride I was 7 years old. I got a XR50 for Christmas. Pops took me out to empty field on Christmas Day and that sparked the 2-wheeled passion.
What was the moment that stoked your passion?
Getting to go riding with my dad when I was a kid definitely stoked my passion. He had that die hard passion for 2 wheels and took a different type of pride in our bikes growing up. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up but he always took pride in making sure the bikes were scrubbed clean and always prepped and ready for the track.
What was the biggest challenge you experienced?
The biggest challenge I’ve experienced was my injury in 2018. Almost losing my leg from compartment syndrome, and then struggling infection and multiple surgeries. It was a scary time worrying if I was going to have 2 legs to stand on, let alone ride again.
Did you have a mentor in the sport? If so, who were they and what is one lesson you’ll never forget?
I’ve had many mentors of the sport but just riding with the best of the best and calling them my friends has been huge. That one-up mentality and having friends to help you is such a rad environment. I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is weighing the options. Risk vs. reward.
What is some advice you’d give other girls on two wheels interested in following your footsteps?
Keep it fun. The longevity of this sport is fueled by passion not winning.
Rebecca Lynn
When did you first learn how to ride?
I purchased my first bike September of 2017 and spent the rest of the year learning how to ride in empty parking lots.
What was the moment that stoked your passion?
I saw a girl on Instagram wheelie a bike just like mine, and she made me feel like “if she can do it, so can I!” (Why female representation is so important!) She has actually become one of my best friends today! LittleBihhh <3
What was the biggest challenge you experienced?
With riding comes crashes! And I had an unfortunate crash in September 2019. I totaled my bike, broke my right hand, separated my left shoulder, and broke a few toes.
Did you have a mentor in the sport? If so, who were they and what is one lesson you’ll never forget?
I wouldn’t say I had one specific mentor, over the years I have met many people who have helped along way! Lessons I’ve learned from it all is to stay humble, life is short, and do whatever makes you happy.
What is some advice you’d give other girls on two wheels interested in following your footsteps?
You’re never too old, you’re not too small, and don’t ever let a man stop you. Women don’t give themselves enough credit sometimes on what they’re truly capable of!
Jill Kintner
When did you first learn how to ride a bike?
They tell me I was 2 when the pedaling began on training wheels.
What was the moment that stoked your passion for going pro?
Hard to say, but maybe when I was 14. I used to play soccer at a pretty high level, and my coach would get mad that I split my time between soccer and racing BMX. There was a bit of pressure to choose one as we improved past the state level and were ranked nationally. I didn’t talk much about my accomplishments at school or soccer, but at age 14 I was making money in a pro-open class racing my bike, which motivated me to work harder and try to beat all the older ladies. Soccer was great too, but I went to art school, so there wasn’t a long-term path to continue, and biking took over.
What was the biggest challenge you experienced during your career’s early days?
I think fitting in and finding a place to belong. I was shy, slightly awkward, one of the only girls, and kept to myself or hung out with my dad. Most of the other top kids were from California and seemed pretty connected, plus they had warmer weather to ride year-round. In hindsight, I think racing in small horse barns all winter, not having the best gear, racing the boys, watching all the time, and earning my way to the top were all positives that helped me propel forward.
Did you have a mentor in the sport? If so, who were they, and what is one lesson you’ll never forget?
For BMX, I took bits and pieces from everyone. We had local legends that would offer advice, and my dad would also point things out to watch or try. I am super competitive, so I would ask questions, practice, and make mistakes till I got there.
In mountain biking, I did have a few mentors; teammates, coaches, other ladies who had successfully crossed over to the bigger wheels. I was excited to start over in a new sport, and befriended April Lawyer, who rented me a room in Temecula when I got a design internship at Troy Lee Designs. I was 21, so Apes taught me a lot about life and the business side of racing as she ran her own program and always looked good doing it. Leigh Donovan lived down the street from us, was retired, but ran us through training drills, shared great stories, believed in me, and had a lot of experience to pass on. Aussie legend Scott Sharples also greatly influenced Bryn and I; he coached us but also taught us how to work hard and have fun messing around on our bikes. Brian Lopes was also a great teammate to bounce ideas off and learn race strategy. Then of course, Bryn Atkinson (my husband) has taught me the most about being a mountain biker by riding hours and hours together every day and being my training buddy. I’ve had lots of talented friends to learn from over the years.
What is some advice you’d give other girls on two wheels interested in following your footsteps?
Getting to travel and live summer to summer in the off-season boosted my abilities. It helps to have as much variety and seat time as you can get, so spend money and invest in yourself. I paid my expenses to win my first World Cup title, and then things picked up from there. So my advice is to work hard, ride every day, and surround yourself with great people.
Lily Davis
When did you first learn how to ride?
I was 3 years old and my mom and day bought me an electric razor bike for Christmas.
What was the moment that stoked your passion to race?
Watching my big brother ride, and watching Supercross.
What was the biggest challenge you experienced on the track?
Racing Glen Hellen, a big track on a 50cc.
Did you have a mentor in the sport? If so, who were they, and what is one lesson you’ll never forget?
Vicki Golden. I’ve learned a lot of things from her, but never give up and have fun.
What is some advice you’d give other girls on two wheels interested in following your footsteps?
Have fun, stand up, and always wear a Bell helmet.
