Featured Rider - Margaret Gregory

As a new Don's Team member, Margaret won almost all of her races in 2009 as a Cat 1 Downhill Racer. Here is a little more about her:

Name: Margaret Gregory
Age: 27
From: Redlands, CA
Started Racing: November 2008

1. When did you start xc and dh riding? I started riding around 3 years ago. I got on a DH bike for the first time in June 2008 in Whistler. Fell in love.
2. What is your favorite thing about racing? Progression. Races push me to try things that I would not normally try. In a race, if it’s on the course, you have to do it, there’s no getting off and walking around features.
3. Favorite race? Blast the Mass in Snowmass CO. This was my second ‘true downhill’ course; rough and fast and with some tough features that pushed my riding skills.
4. Any suggestions for other women trying to get into the sport? Don’t be intimidated by the guys. In downhill racing, where the ratio of men to women is about 50:1, it’s easy to get scared off by the hoards of men on the race courses. Don’t be! Most men just think it’s awesome that you’re riding.
6. What is the secret to your success? My success has been an utter surprise to me, so I’m not really sure what the secret is! I think it just comes down to the fact that I really love riding my bike.
7. How do you train? This fall I started really training for the first time. My plan for this year involves a lot of anaerobic work and upper body strengthening. In the past I’ve always just ridden my bike, but I’m trying to be more focused and structured with my training this year.


8. Who is your idol or role model? Right now I’m really into learning to jump, so my current idols are gals who fly like Clair Buchar, Stephanie Nychka, Katie Hayes and Tammy Donahugh, to name only a few.
9. Where do you want to go with the sport? My current goal is to get approved to race pro. Racing against the top girls would be amazing. My goal for 2010 if I can manage it financially is to hit all the races on the Gravity Calendar.

10. Favorite place to ride? I’ve ridden in too many awesome places over the past year to decide… but I do have a special place in my heart for the Santa Ana River trail on my XC bike since that is where I learned to ride and it never ceases to put a smile on my face.

Read more about Margaret's adventures on her own blog.