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Emily Horridge
19th March 2004
Writers: James
We chat to Emily Horridge, with her new brand new Shockwave 9.5, hows the season going? Women riders?
How to move the sport ahead?
1) Name?
Emily Horridge
2) Nicknames?
Em, or Traumac, altho that one's only used by the Athertons. Dan invented it, out some dark depth of his mind, and it kind've stuck so far as they're concerned!
3) Location?
Somerset, UK
4) How long have you been riding?
Too long
5) Sponsors?
Windwave - Mountain Cycle, Marzocchi, Titec, Formula Brakes, Nokian Tyres, FSA, FIR rims, um... and my own sponsors - Fox, Vans, Spy and Mecca USA (a US clothing co)
6) Who are the people you look up to in the sport?
Tracy has done so much with her riding these past few years, she's amazing! I also admire Rach Atherton for her fearlessness, and Gaskell for her no-brakes ability, and of course Anne Caro because she's just so fast!
7)Best UK track?
Mountain Ash, South Wales. Good views from the uplift too ;)
8) What are your training plans at the moment?
Ride... loads!
9) Best race so far in your career?
Several thirds at the Nationals this year. The Euro Champs was good, it was super gnarly, the craziest track I've ever raced. It was good but scary!
10) Worst crash?
Um.. probably the other weekend at Bringewood where in bailing to avoid a tree I ended up slamming the back of my head on the ground, suffering serious whiplash. oh yeah, and about 18mths ago I over shot a jump by 15ft, with the bike nosed in, and ended up splitting my chin open, requiring 11 stitches :(
11) How do you think the sport and its promoters can do more to encourage new women riders?
I think having girls uplift days at various places around the UK would be cool - no pressure to perform, or "keep up appearances" in front of the blokes, and maybe a few people like Gaskell and Tracy could come along to give tips and advice on how to ride.
12) What bikes, other than your DH bike do you ride?
Mountain Cycle Rumble (hardtail) Federal Nation bmx, and a Raleigh Road bike which says on it "Raleigh, winner of the Tour De France 1981"!
13) Are you planning to get in on the 4X racing this season? Why?
Yep, defo. It's fun and Windwave are going to let me have a Fury - the new short travel bike from Mountain Cycle - to race on, so it should be mint.
14) How has the sport changed/matured since you first started racing?
I think people take it more seriously than they used to, or perhaps the people immediately around me - i.e my friends, now take it more seriously. Technology has definately developed too, for the better. Everything's more affordable.. or is that just because i have money???
15) Do you ever see the sport getting to a higher level, TV maybe? Why? Why not?
I think it has the potential, but I don't konw if it will. Downhill ski-ing is a really exciting sport but only gets a short slot on a sunday afternoon. The other thing with ski-ing is that its much easier to film cos there's no trees in the way! We always thought 4x would be the thing to crack the TV, but somehow riding a bike just doesn't seem that exciting on the screen.
Thanks to Emily for taking the time to fill in the questions, keep an eye on this space for more interviews soon!
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