Welcome To The Family, Georgia!
Georgia grew up in Whistler, British Columbia and spent her winters snowboarding and summers out of Whistler. It wasn’t until she discovered the bike park at 16 that she finally stuck around town and would become completely hooked on biking. She started coaching the local after school program, and worked in the park, while juggling other jobs and racing to keep the dream alive.
Since then she has made a career out of racing downhill and enduro and finally making the move to the freeride scene.
Images: 1, 3 Robin O’Neil // 2,4,5 Corbin Selfe
8 Questions With Georgia
What sparked your passion for mountain biking?
I grew up loving exploring and riding in the backcountry and out of bounds Freeridey type terrain on my snowboard. My Dad and I would go to a new zone and pin spots on the GPS when they worked, and hike back out when they didn't and we got cliffed out. When I finally discovered the bike park and the trails we have in the Whistler Valley, it really felt like when I would go on those missions with him. Enjoying the time spent in the forest, getting a little lost but ultimately exploring new zones using a really fun mode of transport.
Describe your riding style. What types of terrain or features do you enjoy most?
My style is gravity heavy, I love going fast and incorporating big smooth transitions into my riding. I love hitting a mix of big features with enough technicality to make you think before hitting. Lately a lot of blind drops and step downs, although if you asked me what I'm most scared of it's probably blind drops and step downs.
Beyond sending it at competitions, what do you value most about being a professional athlete?
The community and people we get to surround ourselves with. It's really special to be in a space where the industry folks as well as those chasing the professional side come together and can go on a ride as the work meeting for sponsorship deals.
Can you share a particularly memorable or funny story from a ride or competition?
My very first time hanging out with my riding bestie ALN was at Finale EWS 2016, we rode the liasons together and had our own mishaps and adventures during the day, but on the final transfer of day 1 we caught up and chatted the whole pedal back only to realise we rode 2 towns in the opposite direction of our final time check in and had to pull a hard sprint to make it back in time for cut off.
What are your goals for the 2025 season?
I would like to come into Rampage 2025 swingin. New trick learns and full focus on the event.
Who are some of the riders you admire or who have influenced you or your riding style?
Miranda Miller, Casey Brown and Claire Buchar were all high on the inspo list when I first got into racing and seeing their seemingly effortless speed and fun on and off the track.
What advice would you give to young riders coming up in the sport?
Think twice, hit it twice.
If you weren't riding, what other career do you think you might have pursued?
If I had the mental fortitude for post secondary education, physio. But my passion project/dream job, Dog walker and rescuer.
Latest Stories
- by Wolf Tooth
Backcountry Bike Repair Episode #4
The dreaded sliced sidewall! Sooner or later, anyone who rides rocky trails or rougher gravel roads is bound to suffer from a slice in a tire too big for plugs.
- by Wolf Tooth
Michael Van Den Ham - Fuego XL Race Recap
After a packed winter of coaching cyclocross in Europe, I wasn’t feeling quite dialed in for the kind of high-level prep that the Lifetime Grand Prix gravel race demands. Instead, I chose to line up for the Fuego XL MTB race — a race I was excited about, a little more within reach for where I was at in my training this time of year and that fits well with my objectives in the second half of the year.
- by Wolf Tooth
Sea Otter Gravel - Alexey's Race Recap
"Did I work a bit too much? Possibly, but damn do I love racing my bike." - Alexey Vermuelen
Read on for the full recap!
Share:
Athlete Spotlight - Steve Vanderhoek
Athlete Spotlight - Kait Boyle and Kurt Refsnider