First up in a series on girls who ride bikes is 16 yr old, Specialized/GROM rider, Lauren Daney of Stafford, Virginia.
Lauren Daney began riding BMX when she was 7, and started riding DH when she was 12. She has put together a list of solid results over the past couple of years including 1st in JR Women at US Nationals in 2008, 1st in Amateur Women at the US Open in 2009 and 2010, and she qualified and raced at World Cup Finals at Windham this year.
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| Lauren Daney over a rock drop at Plattekill this year, 1st place in Cat 1 at this Eastern States Cup race and Pro GRT #2 |
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| Lauren Daney, first place Amateur Women at the US Open. |
How long have you been riding: I started racing BMX when I was 7, then started riding downhill when I was 12.
How long have you been racing: 4 years now.
Best result: Probably the US Open this year, I got first in Amateur Women, but my most memorable would have to be just qualifying at World Cup Finals at Windham in New York this year.
Career highlight: Getting to ride in the World Cup with the fastest people in the world.
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| Lauren Daney qualifying at World Cup Finals at Windham |
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| Racing World Cup Finals at Windham |
Details How did you get started mountain biking? My brother brought home a video, Kranked 5 and we started building skinny's and drops behind the house. Eventually we moved on to racing downhill.
Why do you race? I love the whole atmosphere at races. Getting to ride with other people, and pushing yourself to be faster.
What made you choose DH instead of XC? Downhill has a little bit of everything: drops, rocks, roots, jumps. It's hard to compare to any other sport...
Scariest moment on a bike? I'd have to say this year at the Windham World Cup. I've never been so nervous at a race, I almost threw up at the start gate.
Favorite place to ride? Snowshoe WV, and Diablo NJ
What influences you in racing, who do you look up to? I look up to a lot of the girls, not one in particular. I just want to push myself to be as fast as them in a few years.
Are you inspired by any pro women DH racers, if so, which ones? Rachel Atherton, and Tracy Moseley.
You're a girl, how does it feel to be in a sport that's predominantly male? I love it, I like riding with the guys, I think it makes me a better rider.
Do you do any other sports? Cross training? I've always sucked at team sports. Riding bikes is the one thing that I'll always stick too.
More Personal Stuff… Girly or Tomboy? Girly, but I have my tomboy moments for sure.
Dresses or Jeans? Jeans are my go to.
Favorite riding clothes? Troy Lee pants, with soffe shorts underneath just in case ha ha!
Tea or Coffee? Neither.
Makeup? Yes, I ride in makeup ha ha!
Pink or Black? Baby pink is my favorite color, obviously.
In 5 years…? I think in 5 years I can accomplish a lot. I hope to win Junior Worlds next year and train as much as I can to be the best in the world.
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| Lauren Daney - self portrait |