Dropping the bomb - Dirty Girls 2005
They're blond, they're brassy, and they're Bomber Girls
Words by Stuart Kernaghan.
Date: 2005-02-05
In the second half of this interview, the girls and I talk about hanging out, what they admire in other people, life lessons, and paying the bills. ...
 Lisa all geared up and ready to race || Photo: NoBrakes.ch |
nsmb: What skills do you admire or envy most in other people - on and off the bike?
KS: I admire versatile riders - race, freeride, street, park, dirtjump, XC ... there are a select few that can rip it up in every discipline. The second part of the question? People that are ambitious, determined, genuine and passionate with their approach to life impress me. Working hard to achieve while helping others do the same.
LL: I love to see people who are really talented at riding 4X. I think that the skills you need from start to finish are overwhelming. There is a technical degree of skill that you need, and when you see someone who has it all together it is a thing of beauty to watch. I admire people who are ambitious and determined. And one has a lot to do with the other. Anyone can have an idea but it takes a
risk taker to go after it.
I also admire people who have something to offer to the world, whether it simply be through being a good person or making a difference. I think if you are a person who can walk away from someone and leave a lasting impression, it is admirable.
nsmb: It can't all be about the bike. What do you do for fun when you’re not riding?
KS: Snowboard, ski, surf, rock climb, lake lounge at Barking Bay with Max, dance, and adventure.
LL: I ski and snowboard a lot. I travel a lot. I like to hang with friends, party, and adventure as much as possible.
nsmb: Do hang out together when you're not riding?
LL: We're very good friends who have had some amazing adventures together. She is one of my best friends and we have been close ever since we first met, when I borrowed her ID. People always ask if we are sisters. Frankly, I think I'm better looking, but who's to say ... heheheh.
KS: Yeah, Lisa tags along once in a while ... no, just kidding. She is one of my best friends, and we have tons of fun together on and off the bike.
High alpine meadows in the Chilcotins are hard to beat when the sun is shining || Photo: Blake Jorgenson
nsmb: What about during the off-season?
LL: Off-season? Well, this year is the first time that I have ever trained before the season, so as of January I have been on it. I like to stay active and I like to ride my bike, so if I have the opportunity I will go out and ride. It doesn’t really matter what month it is.
Our company, Xtreme Sports Talent [a sports marketing and management company Lisa runs with Cedric Gracia], will be putting on an event in Panama in April so I'm busy with that right now. I will be in charge of six builders and 15 athletes for the event. After that, I am travelling to Chamonix for two months with Katrina and Klarko [Claire Buchar] to ride. I will be in Europe for all of May and June.
KS: Off-season would be from around October to March but that’s spent keeping myself fit, getting smart at school, working on business plans and playing in the snow, and if I’m lucky, the surf. I’m so go go go, I don’t really use the word off-season. I’m off to Peru at the end of January for a Mega Avalanche with Claire Buchar and a bunch of DH/XC racers - sooooooooooo excited!
nsmb: It sounds like you guys are having a lot of fun these days. Ever plan to grow up and get real jobs?
KS: I don’t really plan to ‘grow up’ but I do have a real job, real jobs I should say! Right now I have my business in coaching and instruction, and am at school studying Human Kinetics so I can expand this into an athlete centre, physical and mental training, coaching, and athlete representation.
I hope to expand beyond the mountain bike world and have this centre open to all athletes in ‘alternative’ sport (snowboarding, skiing, etc.). I’m also working on some other projects for other companies. I have a lot of ideas, one step at a time!
LL: I kind of have a real job. Both Cedric and I started Xtreme Sports Talent a year and a half ago while I was in Europe and it has been growing ever since. [Lisa and Cedric used to be a couple. She's still his manager. - Ed.] I love it because it allows me to work in the industry I enjoy and with the people I enjoy.
I am my own boss, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it's easy. We are in the midst right now of structuring the company into a position to attain the goals that I would like to achieve in the next couple of years. Keep your eyes open for the new Web site that should be ready in the spring.
"I kicked your ASS going down A-Line, sister! So nyahhh!" || Photo: Blake Jorgenson
nsmb: What are your plans for the ’05 season?
KS: Racing, riding, coaching ... Since my main goals are to learn and have fun, I’ve decided the best way to do it is to put myself up there with the best. After Sea Otter, I’m travelling with Claire Buchar to the first three World Cups in Europe. Since we have some time between races, we, and Lisa too, are spending some time in Chamonix to ride, have fun, shoot photos, and do some enduro DH races.
I plan on racing Nationals in June as well as the WC at Mont Saint Anne. I am working on some plans for the rest of the summer, which aren’t set in stone yet ... you will hear about them, I’m sure! Hopefully, I will be back in Europe at the end of summer racing the World Champs and a few more WCs. Of course, in between all this I plan to coach, film, photo, work on my business, and other projects I have on the go - I’m a multi-tasker!
LL: Europe for May and June, race Avalanche Cup races, Marzocchi days, Freeraid classic, shoot the Sun-Valley catalogue, shoot and write a story for Big Bike, Canada in July and August, the Crankworx festival, shoot another episode for “Hard-core Candy”, and ride as much as possible. I would like to try to go out with more filmers and photographers this season to boost the amount of coverage I receive.
Katrina ripping it up in Chile this past fall - check out the custom 888s
|| Photo: Lucas Kane
nsmb: We're starting to see a few more women on the trails, but how can we get even more women involved in Shore / park / hard-core riding?
LL: I think the industry is doing a good job of this already. I mean, just look at the Whistler bike park. It is getting closer and closer to being even [in terms of the ratio of guys to girls] every year. I think it's great.
KS: By involving more women in marketing schemes, video and photo projects, the extent of women riding will be more visible to everyone. Women need to see that it is possible ... we live in a world (still) where women aren’t encouraged to explore their limits. I’ve seen quite a bit of change over the years in this part of the world - a lot of girls ride hard now - and I think if women are embraced by the media, this change will happen even quicker.
nsmb: I'm guessing there are other Marzocchi ads planned. I've even heard rumours of a James Bond-themed shoot. Anything you wouldn’t do as a Bomber Girl?
LL: We have already been asked to be the Bomber Girls again in 2005. What would I not do? Well, I was asked to put on a bathing suit and pose in a fountain for an interview in Velo Vert [a French bike mag]. I was not down, to say the least. So I guess I do not feel comfortable showing too much T&A.
KS: You won’t see me riding my bike in slut boots and a mini skirt!
nsmb: Anything else you’d like to add?
LL: Life is what you make of it, so take the reins into your own hands and chase after your goals. You will catch them eventually. I'd also like to thank all my sponsors: Marzocchi, Commencal Bicycles, Syncros, Formula Brakes, Sun-Valley, Dainese, Dakine, and Oakley
.
I'd also like to send a shout out to Bryson from Marzo, and the whole crew. Max Commencal for the continued support. To everyone at Oakley, for eveything. All the Shore girls for the good times. To Kat and Faye for putting my ass on a bike in the first place. To Kat for the constant encouragement. To Richey and Brett Tippie for the great suppport at the begining, and the continued friendship. To all the great people, from around the world, who I have met through this great sport. To Gracia for the years of entertainment and excitment. And finally to my parents for the continued support, in so many ways, no matter where in the world I have ended up or what situation I have gotten myself into. All my love!
KS: I’m just stoked that I get to ride and race my bike all over the world in cool places and with cool people. Thanks so much to my sponsors for helping me make that happen: Marzocchi (of course!), Dakine, Oakley, Be One Bikes, Magura, Syncros, Giro, Deep Cove Bike Shop, and Whistler Blackcomb and everyone else along the way that has lent me a hand.
Thanks to Lisa and Katrina for their time and help with this. Good luck this year, girls. I can't wait to see the Bomber Girls poster for 2005!
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