Club Ride Leaders

Wednesday , January , 20 2021

Pat Fife

This is a test
Tara Nolan
Melinda Davie

How long you've been riding?: Riding since 2002, Racing since 2007

What bike you're currently riding?: 2019 Trek Top Fuel, 2017 Trek Pro Caliber

Favorite location to ride: I love twisty pine stands anywhere , not many in the Don, it's moe deciduous forest but there are loads in the GTA to ride. In the Don , my favourite piece of trail is the sumach stand along the river on the flats

Why do you ride, and what do you hope to get out of this season?: I ride for the sense of freedom on the bike, the peacefulness of the woods and the sense of profound satisfaction when the riding goes well and the intense desire to try it again if it doesn't. These are the things I want to share with new friends! This year I am heading to Peru in September with Sacred Rides for another women's only trip with them. Before that I intend to ride as much as possible and maybe jump in on a race or two

How do you feel about wearing spandex? Really?, you have to ask, have you seen our kit?

What's your advice for new riders?: Come on out and do it in the woods with us, it's easier than you think to get started!

Dream destination:
Rebecca Atkinson

Master Sport

Bikes: 1998 Rocky Mountain Element Race (winter beater), 2005 Devinci Moonracer and 2008 Trek Top Fuel 9.8 (race bikes)

Got my first bike (yes my first bike ever) in 2000, racing since 2001

Fav ride: Kelso, I love the hill climbs

Why I ride: To get and stay in shape. Things start to droop too much after 40!
Isabelle Faucher

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RIDING?

I've been mountain biking since 2004 - this season it's my ten year anniversary!

WHAT BIKE ARE YOU CURRENTLY RIDING?

Norco faser

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LOCATION TO RIDE?

Springwater forest, just north of Barrier (Susan Lee's backyard)

WHY DO YOU RIDE AND WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO GET OUT OF THIS SEASON?

I ride because I love the sport, the combination of physical activity, contact with nature, and the club camaraderie. I'd like to build my strength and endurance to be able to complete a stage race in the Fall (Crank the Shield)

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WEARING SPANDEX?

it's a necessary evil

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE FOR NEW RIDERS? Try it and get hooked!

DREAM DESTINATION?

Guatemala, Peru, New Zealand
Lisa Fender

How long have you been riding?: 2019 marks my tenth year!

What bike are you currently riding?:
2017 Intense

Favorite location to ride: The Don. wait for it.....Motown! (it will be yours too, right Julie?!)

Why do you ride, what do you hope to get out of this season? I love how good I feel after tackling a big rock, root, hill or pushing my endurance to a new level. I feel strong, accomplished and confident!

I would like to get better endurance, to be able to balance on the spot, lift my front wheel up and over large rocks and logs, podium three times, do Crank the Shield and meet new women who to to ride!

How do you feel about wearing spandex?: I've gotten used to it and the knickers are surprisingly flattering!

What's your advice for new riders?: There's no shame in getting off the bike to walk something.

Dream Destination: Last spring me and my partner checked Moab, Utah off
the list. Next would be Spain ... no Switzerland ... no Mexico ... no
Colorado ...
Sarah Truscott
Katrina Brandt

Master Sport

How long you've ridden/raced: 6 years riding, 0 years racing

What do you ride/race: KHS Prescott

Why do you: because when I ride, boredom sleeps and excitement reigns.

Where is your favourite place to ride/race Waterloo Hydrocut
Mari-Ann Goettsch

Master Sport

I have been riding 5 years, this will be my first year racing!!

I ride a 2010 Gary Fischer X Caliber 29er hard tail and a 2006 Giant Trance 1 dually

I ride because it challenges me every time I go, and I live to overcome challenges, plus it's wicked fun!!!

My favourite places to ride are the Agreement Forest in Milton and the Kingdom trails in Vermont
Kelsey Bennett

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RIDING?

I have been riding off and on since I was 16 years old, more consistently for the past 5 years! (12 years total...reveals my age).

WHAT BIKE ARE YOU CURRENTLY RIDING?

Trek hammy down from Melinda! It's awesome!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LOCATION TO RIDE?

I love riding the Don with all the Betty's. It's close to home and with so many trail options.

WHY DO YOU RIDE AND WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO GET OUT OF THIS SEASON?

I love getting outside, exploring new places and the challenges of mountain biking. Mountain biking takes you places that you would never really come across otherwise and I love that.

I'm really looking forward to this new role as a leader, helping women achieve mountain biking goals and taking them to neat little spots in the Don Valley.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WEARING SPANDEX?

It's going to be my first time, so I'm excited.

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE FOR NEW RIDERS?

Just to get out and try it out, the challenge is awesome.

DREAM DESTINATION?

The Chilcotin mountains in BC.
Jackie Balazsovits
Chantal Leclerc

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RIDING?

I've been trail riding on and off since 1995. My kids are 6 and 8 yrs-old so it's getting easier to get back to riding on a more regular basis.

WHAT BIKE ARE YOU CURRENTLY RIDING?

I love my old Specialized Rock Hopper, I've had three different Specialized bikes and I have loved each of them. I guess I'm a bit old school...I ride in baskets, but think I keep up fairly well with some of the zippy riders.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LOCATION TO RIDE?

Shunia Mines in Thunder Bay where I cut my teeth learning to ride and Ravenshoe, north of New Market stands out as another fun, fast, favourite place. Really, anyplace that has meandering trails where I can't see what's around the next corner.

WHY DO YOU RIDE AND WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO GET OUT OF THIS SEASON?

Riding single track trails really makes it easy to leave things at the office and just really focus on what you are doing. It just makes me feel HAPPY! It's great to be able to be with others who enjoy it as much as I do. Plus, I just feel relaxed and healthy getting all this outdoor time surrounded by nature. The apres-beer and conversation makes the ride with the WildBetty's even better.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WEARING SPANDEX? Spandex is ok, not essential...whatever is comfortable (and doesn't catch on your crank) is good.

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE FOR NEW RIDERS?

Just go at your own pace so you feel comfortable and safe and you will have fun. We all gab while we wait for each other at short intervals so it's all good. It helps if you find a trail that you enjoy and ride it many times as you will start to anticipate turns and climbs and find each tour around a little easier and maybe a little faster.

DREAM DESTINATION?

Hmm, I've always wanted to go to Arizona or maybe even Chile...wherever the trails lead.
Karen Glancy

how long you’ve been riding? - was into downhill 10 years ago and stopped biking for years while working too much, now back to cross country for 3 years and loving it!

what bike you ride? - 2015 Giant Trance Advance

why you ride with the Bettys? - nice to ride with some ladies instead of always the boys and gain more confidence and skill without the pressure. It's a great social adventure with some great women.

dream destination, or 2015 goal? - to hit up Colorado without suffering too much.
Michelle Courtemanche

I have been riding for 5 years.

I have an Opus Stakh 1.

I ride with the Bettys for the friendship, coaching and support.
Janel Sauder

Race Category:

Senior Expert

How long have you been riding/racing?

I have been riding since I was a little kid (20+ years) and racing on and off since 2006.

What bike are you riding for 2015?

I will be riding a Cannondale F29 Carbon 3

What do you love about riding/racing

I love the speed, the adrenaline, and the sense of accomplishment you feel after a race. I love being out in nature, exploring new trails and challenging myself.

Goal event 2016:

Why do you ride with the Bettys

Having a group of women who love to ride and challenge each other is hard to find. Being a part of the Wild Betty’s creates a positive and fun atmosphere that makes racing enjoyable.
Heather Gerson
Patty Long

I've been riding for 18 years

I ride a Specialized Fate Expert Carbon 29.

My favourite place to ride is albion hills!

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Ilke VanHazel
Stephanie Maunder

How long I've been riding:  19 years and counting...

What bike I'm currently riding:  2013 Ellsworth Epiphany 275

My favourite location to ride:  In Ontario, Hardwood Hills, with Albion a close second. Out of everywhere I've been, Moab and Costa Rica.

My Dream Destination Ride:  There's so many! But if pressed I'd have to say New Zealand.

What I like best about riding:  How everything else in life just fades away until it's just you and the exhilaration of speeding along a great stretch of roller-coaster singletrack. There's nothing else like it.

Goals for 2016:  To ride more often!
Sandi Tait

How long you’ve been riding? Since 2009, enjoyed O’Cup racing for a few years in the 40+Sport category from 2010 to 2012

What bike you’re currently riding? Norco fatbike and optic

Favourite location to ride: As long as I’m in a forest with single track I am happy. My home trails in the Dundas Valley are very nice.

Why do you ride and what do you hope to get out of this season?

I love the joy of physically challenging my body and pushing my risk-taking limits while exploring beautiful natural areas; I love that mountain biking requires total mental focus to be successful in challenging trails; and most of all that I get to hang out with a tribe of women friends who are supportive, fun, and adventurous.

How do you feel about wearing spandex? Well, it isn’t pretty but it works for me! hah!

What’s your advice for new riders? Be patient with the learning curve it will be worth it. Don’t be afraid to ask experienced riders for advice as I find that other Betty’s have a wealth of skill and experience they are happy to share. And get ready to have fun feeling like a kid again, in the woods on a bike with friends.

Dream destination? I really like the idea of a week-long group Betty’s journey exploring remote single track trails, overnight camping, but not sure where.
Julie Rossall

Bike

TREK Top Fuel 9.8

Goals

Continue to be on the podium at OCups despite being 9 years into my age class. Better manage work/life balance for consistent riding/racing through the season.

Why I love to ride and race

Mountain biking is a non joint-jarring total body exercise which can be undertaken at any level of intensity, in our beautiful Ontario forests, in any season of the year. It demands full attention of the senses and is therefore a wonderful respite from life's other demands. Races, like group rides, bring together women and men from all walks of life, to revel in our sport and forge bonds outside our regular riding friends. Races are feedback on our fitness, technique and mental strength, and provide a great "fix" for us Type A's.

Why this team?

The Wild Bettys provide the unique comaraderie, vibe and leadership opportunities of an all-women's club and race team. It's important for our sport that women, and particularly older women, are visibly participating in organized events and mentoring other women into the sport. I'm in!
Tonya Blackmore
Kim Rosano

How long have you been riding? I've been riding for 10 yrs (since I was 49) and this will be my second year leading with the Wild Bettys.
Why the Bettys?Leading/sweeping for the Bettys is fun and I'm happy to help out with such a great group that gets and keeps women riding mountain bikes

Bike :Felt Virtue Nine 3 is my full suspension bike and I have a new Felt Surplus 30, 27.5 plus hardtail.
Favourite place to ride: My favourite trail is the one I'm riding!
Cynthia Leung

how long you’ve been riding/leading? - been riding 15? years, leading only 1 year (or 0.5 year if getting injured last year even counts!)
why you lead - I've benefited from others before me who've taught me, given tips, showed me new trails and I'd like to be able to give back somehow. I like how the Bettys does such a great job of encouraging women and new riders to come out and are so welcoming.
what bike you ride - Santa Cruz 5010 custom build
favourite trails - Porcupine Ridge and 3 Stage

photo credit : Sven Martin
Izabela Minnes

Bike: Giant Anthem Advanced SX 2016

Goals: I want to bring my personal best and give racing a try. My goal would be to race in as many O Cups as I can fit into the season.

The reason I ride: MTB brings together many things I'm passionate about; challenge, nature, fitness, biking and speed.

Racing for the WildBettys: From the day I joined the Wild Bettys in April of 2016, I was embraced by comradely, support and friendship. In Bettys I found a group of amazing women with whom I share passion of biking. It's only natural that I want

to race for the Wild Bettys.
Patty Johnson

How long have I been riding ? - Approximately 4 years

Bike: Rocky Mountain

What do I love about riding? - Being in the woods, being adventurous

Goal event 2016: To represent the Betty's well

Why do I ride with the Bettys: A fantastic group of strong women who all share common goals
Sandy Stoyko

How long riding: I’ve been riding since 2017 and my racing started in 2018.

What bike for 2019: Trek Top Fuel 9.8

What do you love about riding/racing: I love the sense of accomplishment and the freedom it gives you. When you ride, nothing else matters but the trail ahead of you.

Goal event for 2019: My goal this year is to be better than last year. I’ll be racing at Woodnewton again, maybe a second OCup.

Why do you race with the Bettys: The Bettys know how to have fun and teach me how to be a better rider.
Krista Brodhurst
Heather McPhail
Jen Hawkins

How long you've been riding?: 6 years, 3 with the Bettys

What bike you're currently riding?: Giant Talon 2

Favorite location to ride: Albion and Kelso

Why do you ride, and what do you hope to get out of this season?: I love being out in the woods and challenging myself to learn new skills. This season I'm hoping to get to more destination rides and try some new trails.

How do you feel about wearing spandex? Depends on the occasion :)

What's your advice for new riders?: Relax and go at your own speed. Keep looking ahead to where you want to go. Have fun!

Dream destination: England & Scotland
Odette Hutchings

What I ride: Giant Stance

How long with Betty's 3 years

Why I ride with Betty's:

When I decided to take up mountain biking after many years away from the sport, finding Betty's was a revelation. Riding surrounded by experienced women gave me confidence and helped me develop my own skills. I love the supportive environment and the community around our club.

Why I ride:

I love the thrill of riding and getting the opportunity to enjoy nature, even in the middle of the bustling city. Mountain biking makes me feel free and inspired.
Kim Neelands
Lauren Shuster

What I ride : Norco Charger

How long with the Betty’s: 2 years

Why I ride with the Betty’s: it’s inspiring to ride with such a diverse, strong and passionate group of women. I love learning from the other women.

Why I ride: For my mental health! There is nothing more wonderful then being out in beautiful nature and pushing your body beyond what you think you are capable of. I always feel so great after every Betty’s ride.

What I ride : Norco Charger

How long with the Betty’s: 2 years

Why I ride with the Betty’s: it’s inspiring to ride with such a diverse, strong and passionate group of women. I love learning from the other women.

Why I ride: For my mental health! There is nothing more wonderful then being out in beautiful nature and pushing your body beyond what you think you are capable of. I always feel so great after every Betty’s ride.

What I ride : Norco Charger

How long with the Betty’s: 2 years

Why I ride with the Betty’s: it’s inspiring to ride with such a diverse, strong and passionate group of women. I love learning from the other women.

Why I ride: For my mental health! There is nothing more wonderful then being out in beautiful nature and pushing your body beyond what you think you are capable of. I always feel so great after every Betty’s ride.

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