With 18 years of biking under her belt, hear from one of the biggest senders on insta about her life on 2 wheels, the changes in mountain biking over the years and the things that still scare her. With Suzanne Lacey.

Today I chat with Suzy Lacey about her awesome bike adventures and achievements over the last 18 years. Suzy has raced downhill world cups, 4x champs, Crankworx and hits humongous jumps to name a few. She has watched the mountain bike scene change over the years and seen more and more progression in female riders entering the sport.

Suzy shares advice on how to progress your riding, lets us in on the secret to her jumping success, reveals what still scares her on her bike and talks about how bikes are such a huge part of her life, she isn’t sure where she would be without them.

Her passion and love of bikes shines through and she will get you reaching for that hardtail and heading to your nearest pump track quicker than you can say cased it.

The Guest:

I have been riding bikes since I was 12 so around 18 years. I have raced multiple disciplines from 4-cross racing, BMX, downhill racing and now do the odd enduro race for fun and for the social side of it. After racing 10 years or so I realised i wasn’t enjoying biking anymore as the serious side and pressure took the joy away. It took me sometime to find out why I picked up a bike as a little girl before I raced. After reflecting i realised that biking saved my life, helped me get through so many bad times and was a release for me as a kid and is still now. I’m a supported rider for whyte bikes, feel super grateful to have their support and now I ride bikes to have fun for my mental health, to socialise, I love jumping big jumps, helping my friends and fellow riders conquer their jumping goals. I love to inspire both men and women, both young and old at all levels to pick up their bike, go out the woods and have fun! I try to portray this by using my social media.

You can watch Suzy in awe on YouTube and follow on insta: Suzanne (aka suzy) on YouTube @Suzanne_Lacey on Instagram

Take away's from the episode:

• Practice, consistency and patience are what you need to master jumping your bike. Zero fear and a MASSIVE pair of big girl pants would also not go amiss.

• No matter how good you are on a bike, there is always something that scares you and always something you can learn. We are all human after all.

• Knowing when to walk around a feature is just as important as pushing yourself to try it. Listen to yourself, don’t risk it for a biscuit if you are not feeling it.

• We love bikes.

Useful Links:

• If you want to get out on your bike and need some riding buddies then check out some local mountain bike groups. They create opportunities for connection, a sense of belonging and friendships.

MTB Chix and Trails are really active on facebook https://m.facebook.com/groups/370678596444806/

Trail birds, a midlands based group with members all over https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/trailbirds/about/.

Cycle sistas are based in Essex https://www.instagram.com/the_cycle_sistas/?hl=en

Girls Alive are a community aimed at getting women outdoors and hold regular mtb rides in Surrey- https://www.facebook.com/girlsaliveuk/?locale=en_GB

Get following GOW podcast https://www.instagram.com/girlsonwheelspodcast/ or on facebook https://www.facebook.com/girlsonwheelspodcast

and Shawnee https://www.instagram.com/_shredlikeagirl/ for news on group rides social events.

The Pod:

Don’t forget to head on over to the GOW website https://girlsonwheelspodcast.co.uk/ and subscribe to the newsletter, you’ll be updated on upcoming guests and episodes and get a chance to get involved, either by suggesting topics, guests, coming on to share your story, or joining the panel for random episodes.

If you liked what you heard please rate the pod and leave me a review on podchaser and the app you listen on. It will help the show to grow and make me do a happy dance.

Don’t forget to hit subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you don’t miss the next episode.

Huge thanks to the pods number one supporter Shawnee at Shred Like a Girl. Go check out her awesome womens mtb clothing and join the community https://shredgirl.com/

Girls on wheels coming at yaaaaaaaaaa.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.