Musings of a Mountain Biker
(R)adelaide Rider Profiles
Danielle
Schmandt
Name: Danielle Schmandt
Age: 28
Rides: Giant Anthem 29er (my companion of 3 years! brought with me from the USofA!)
Works: PhD Student/Researcher
Lives: Adelaide, SA for the PhD (from America)
Years riding:4
How did you get started?
I was living in Colorado and it looked rad.
Is your family supportive? Yes, but my dad likes to buy my helmets since he is a bit on edge about how much I crash.
Pick three words that describe how you ride a bike:
smiling, eager, ravenous
If you had a mechanical, you would: a)walk it home b)ride it home and screw the consequences c)pull out your portable workshop and fix it
Portable workshop, with spares for the group!
Do you race?
I wish!
What pushes you to ride?
The sense of pure liberation from thought when smashing down a hill, or powering up one (although not as fun).
How does riding impact your everyday life?
I suppose I think about it pretty much every day. Which might be deleterious to focusing, but generally improves my standard of living.
When you crash you: a) laugh it off b) let a little water escape c)swears loudly
I swear like a sailor, crashing or not.
What do you use to explain an off day on the bike? "Not feelin' it today. Maybe I need a hamburger and a beer" (also the best food/drink after the most epic day of riding)
What’s your favourite trail and why?
The last bit of the Colorado Trail in DurangoCO. It is the most amazing ride. Its partly shuttle-able so get some ups to make you feel like you've earned something and a chance to check out the scenery while going slow (beautiful mountains). Then the best, fast, downhill, on tight single track through aspen tress, rocky-smashy sections, super fast track through pines, its got it all and its long. Its epic. Also of note: Monarch Crest Trail, in CO, and of course the Whole Enchilada in Moab, pushes your limits!
What else do you do when you hang out?
Like with other ppl? Im new here so have about three friends! But I like going to the beach and playing beach games or to the park and playing park games. Or the bar and playing drinking games!
What do you talk about when on the bike?
Everything and nothing.
