iBikeRide.com

Rachel Atherton is the number one ranked Elite Downhill Women's Mountain Bike rider in the World. She took the World Championships in 2008 and also took the series win for the World Cup overall.

Her brother Gee is the number two ranked in the Men's Elite Downhill and her other bro Dan rides both 4X and Downhill, is ranked number 3 in the 4X category. A pretty impressive set of adrenalin busting air flying genes in this little family from Salisbury. The Atherton clan are a close family and they all ride for Animal Commencal. This week at the Cycle show in Earls courts she was there also with her brother Gee (with his arm in sling!). Rachel kindly put aside some time to speak with me on behalf of iBikeRide.com

Rachel Laura Atherton began BMXing at the age of 8 and mountain biking at the age of 11. In 2007, she joined the Animal Commencal race team along with her brothers. In June 2008 Rachel Atherton made history by becoming the first British woman to win the Elite UCI Downhill World Championship, defeating second placed Sabrina Jonnier by 11.99 seconds in the final. A pretty impressive and wide margin.

When I arrived at this years Cycle Show I knew that the Athertons would be flying in to do a Q and A session on the main podium. Having nothing to lose and presenting my press pass I asked at the press office if it was possible to get an interview with Rachel and Gee during the day. They said they would see what they could do and took me over to the Shimano stand who were involved withtheir schedule. Here they seemed less positive and let me know that they were coming in a bit late as yesterdays race was delayed due to wet muddy conditions and they would have to see. This was not going to be easy.

Near the end of the day after their Q & A session, Phil (official press photographer), Rich (really tall South African guy who looks pretty mean) and I walked over to the hidden away in the corner dimly lit Animal Commencal tent. Rachel was in there talking with someone whilst clearly mucking in and working on the stand dressing one of the Mannequins with the team kit. Gee was sitting with his arm in a sling also chatting away. I walked into the stand and then thought hmmmh!! Now what do I do? After a few seconds of grinning like a Cheshire cat I began to think I really do need a plan before they think I too am a Mannequin!!.

An image of 2007 flashed by! This was when I saw them in the stand at the Fort William Downhill World cup. At this point the site was just born and I didn't have the confidence nor as much knowledge really to speak up. This was not going to happen today. So looking for the right moment I noticed Dan Brown their manager, passing. I introduced myself told him a bit about the site and what we are about and asked if it be OK to get a photo of Rachel and Gee. I also told him that I was one of Rachel's biggest fans and it would mean an enormous amount personally. Luckily deciding not to call security Dan let me know he could do better and he went over to speak to Rachel and came back having arranged iBikeRide to spend 10 -15 minutes with one of the greatest sportswomen Britain has ever known

Rachel and I were introduced and we shook hands. I thanked her for taking the time out of her busy schedule to talk to us. I asked her how she was feeling after her journey and she said she was a little tired but feeling good. Saying that she looked lean and fresh enough to jump on her bike and drop a 10 foot drop quite comfortably. I was to be honest quite nervous on two fronts. 1) I knew this was for the site and I wanted to make a good professional impression for us all at iBikeRide and 2) as many of you know I really am a big fan. No worries though as Rachel is a naturally very warm and genuine person and within seconds she makes you feel relaxed.

We discussed how she was feeling at this point when the season is pretty much coming to a close and she told me in true mountain biking terms that she was really "Stoked" with how the year had turned out and was really happy. Is itjust me I love it when mountain bikers say "Stoked" . Who invented this phrase it's great!

She asked about the site and I explained we were a community committed to helping people push their mountain bike boundaries and get more out of the sport through skills and knowledge sharing (as well as riding lots). I mentioned there were articles that covered topics from bunnyhops, to jumps to wheelies tor just training for a race ofr fixing that noisy bottom bracket. She said that was great and she should maybe check it out as their were still things she was learning. She told me that maybe it could help her with her Wheelies as (although I and you readers may find it hard to believe) Rachel is still working on mastering this one and it was still on her list. We went on to discuss riders that can jump or drop 12 feet but can't trackstand and people that can ride 20 feet skinnies but still learning their bunnyhop. Me personally the list is endless and she seemed to believe that quite easily I felt! ;) Anyways. We discussed how everyone always has something to learn be you at the top of your league or just starting out and that this was one of the biggest reasons the sport really was just so much fun.

Discussing her relationship with her brothers she said they were all really supportive of each other and they all got on really, really well. I asked her if her brothers were really protective of her as a little sister or whether she was the one that bossed them around. She smiled and said that they really did look out for her and that she maybe tries to boss them around but it didn't really work. She also mentioned that they worked well together to help each other keep motivated and keep trying. Clearly something is working well in this family.

We ended on discussed how the opportunity was coming for some rest soon and I thanked her again for her time and wished her luck for the next season.

Rachel is naturally a really warm and approachable person who clearly has not let fame and success change that. It's refreshing for such an accomplished and driven athlete that the words "Arrogance" and "Rachel " don't really co-exist. Humility, a softer self belief in the end goal, warmth and making others feel at ease are her nature clearly.Talking with her feels like you are talking to just another passionate mountain biker who just loves to get out and ride their bike whilst striving to push their boundaries further every day. It was easy to forget that to all intents and purposes you are talking to a mountain bike world champion. Well THE Mountain Bike World Champion quite frankly that is also clearly both skilled and driven to win and to conquer. Rachel Good luck and a big appreciative thanks from us all at iBikeRide.com

(Photo: Phil Moran)

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