Rider Profile: Rachel Throop

Nov 7, 2014
by Dan Severson  
You may have seen Rachel in quite a bit of event coverage over the last few years. From riding enduro and gravity events all over California, to Colorado, Oregon and Whistler, she is making the rounds and loving the race life. But, even with support from her sponsors, Rachel still puts in the work to make her dream a reality. Last year she left her 9-5 job in the bike industry to race full-time, and she now holds a job bar-tending in between races just to keep things comfortable. Let's check in with this working class racer and learn about her past, and see what the future holds.

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

Age: 26
Home: Costa Mesa, California
Sponsors: SRAM, GT bicycles, Troy Lee Designs, Kenda Tire, Sensus, Oakley, RynoPower, Five Ten, Crankbrothers and Fi'zi:k

So, I understand you have been riding mountain bikes for quite a long time. Tell us about how you got started?

I started riding mountain bikes when I was 7 years old. My dad was a big supporter in keeping his kids outdoors as much as possible and away from the TV. So on the weekends when my brother, sister, and I were not in school we would be riding. And we loved it.

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

At what age did you start racing? What type of races were you competing in?

I did my first race in 1999 at Snow Summit Resort in Big Bear, CA. I was 10 years old. It was a Shimano kids race and I clearly remember seeing Gary Fisher there helping push my little brother up a climb he couldn't make. I didn't know who Gary Fisher was until later in life, I just remember this eccentric looking guy with tiny spectacles and a cool blonde goatee. I won the race that day and beat all the boys in my age group. The next day I asked my dad if I could race in the junior women's XC race 12-14 category. Well, I won that one too.

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

Was your family supportive?

They were all very supportive. We all raced XC and traveled together as a family. Even my grandparents were supportive and they would come to as many races as they could.

What were some of the highlights early in your career?

The biggest highlight in my early career was when I won my National title in 2006 in the Junior Expert XC class. It got me a 100% funded trip to race in the World Championships in Rotorua, NZ. My whole family came to cheer me on, which was amazing.

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

There is a bit of a gap between your XC days and current race schedule. What were you doing during that time?

I decided to take a break from racing for a bit and focus on obtaining my global marketing degree. I ran college cross country for two years and continued riding my bike throughout college and raced a few random road races for fun. A week after I graduated I was offered a job at Crankbrothers in Laguna Beach. It wasn't long after working there that I found myself riding my bike on some of the steep, technical trails in Laguna and absolutely loving it. My passion for cycling sparked back up again, but in a new way. A gravity way.

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

So, what made you make the transition from XC to enduro and gravity events?

I think I owe a lot of it to moving to Laguna Beach and learning how to ride more technical trails. One thing my dad did not support was me racing gravity style events. I think it was his fear of me really hurting myself while I was still growing. But now I'm 26 and there's not a lot he can do to stop me, haha. I have the fitness discipline from my XC days and with the helpful coaching I receive from Kyle (Strait) and the abundance of technical trails around here and the newly developed bikes that can pedal and handle technical trails, the transition just happened naturally.

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

What events and series do you plan on competing in next year?

Next year I want to focus on the Big Mountain Enduro events, 3 EWS events and the California Enduro Series.

What goals have you set for yourself at this stage in your career? What will it take to meet them?

My main goal is to continue to become faster and more fluid on my bike each year. Results will come if you always keep that in mind. It would also be amazing to get a magazine cover one day!

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

A lot of the current enduro tracks are extremely demanding, how do you train for these type of events?

Well, I ride my bike, and ride my bike some more, and then ride my bike again. I don't have a strict training schedule. I just make sure to ride a lot and keep things fun. If I am feeling uninspired by the trails around home I'll go ride the pump track or the BMX track for a day. When I know I am going to have a long race day coming up, I will ramp up my training days to mirror that and then taper it down before the race so that my legs are rested. I also incorporate strength training and yoga to help cross train.

What is the toughest race you entered this year? How did it go?

The EWS Whistler Enduro was by far the toughest race this year. The tracks actually scared me. In practice I crashed really hard on my right knee and ruptured my bursa sac and sprained my LCL tendon. I didn't want to drop out of the race without trying so I rode stages 1 and 2 but unfortunately crashed really hard on my right knee again and was unable to continue. Races don't always go as planned. You just have to remember it's only a race and use the frustration to drive you to succeed in the next race.

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

Which female rider, past or present, inspires you the most and why?

When I was younger my biggest inspirations were Alison Dunlap and Katrina Nash. They were both so fast, but so approachable. Alison was actually my coach the year I won National Champs. Nowadays I am mostly inspired by the women I ride with. This year I had the opportunity to ride with many women who are much faster than me, including Anneke Beerten, Margaret Gregory, Katrina Strand, Vaea Verbeeck, Anka Martin, and many more. I was so inspired I hit jumps and drops I never imagined myself hitting.

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

Outside of racing, do you prefer riding with the ladies or guys?

I don't discriminate. I like riding with everybody.

Describe your idea of "the perfect trail".

To me the perfect trail is one that encompasses it all. I want fast, open, flowy sections to tight, slower technical sections to maybe a drop or some jumps. I don't mind climbing some distance to get to it either.

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

Do you prefer riding with headphones or the sound of nature?

Really depends on what I am doing that day. If I'm doing a hard, solo, then definitely 100% headphones. But if I'm not going to suffer, the sound of nature is preferred.

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

When you're not riding, how do you spend your "leisure" time? Any other sports or hobbies that you enjoy?

I still work part time to finance my travels, so in the winter and spring I bartend at a restaurant in Laguna Beach and make as much money as I can. But when I'm not working or riding I like hanging out on the boat when Kyle's fishing, Pilates and yoga, dirt bike riding, and crocheting beanies and beer koozies.

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

One thing that most people don't know about you?

My last name is actually pronounced Troop. The "H" is silent.

Last good bit of advice someone told you?

"Think training's tough, try losing." I got that quote from Tahnee Seagrave's Instagram. I've thought about it almost everyday since.

Rider Profile Rachel Throop

To keep up with Rachel, follow her on Instagram: @rachel_throop

Posted In:
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Author Info:
danyul avatar

Member since Nov 30, 2010
37 articles

198 Comments
  • 275 9
 For your convenience enter "Marry Me" comments/proposals here:
  • 213 2
 Hammm ... will you marry me ?
  • 98 1
 seems like hammm has a bird after him already...
  • 13 6
 @bigburd will you marry me?
  • 73 1
 have fun getting through Kyle..
  • 17 1
 Only if Hammm rejects me
  • 27 2
 Kyle is just a (big) barrier - love always breaks through...
  • 43 85
flag WAKIdesigns (Nov 7, 2014 at 12:13) (Below Threshold)
 Marriage is an outdated concept. It sits in oxytocin
  • 25 52
flag Hammm (Nov 7, 2014 at 12:14) (Below Threshold)
 as are 26" wheels, rim breaks and threaded headsets...
  • 141 6
 just because there's a goalie doesn't mean you can't score
  • 86 3
 Unless the goalie is a grizzly bear...
  • 32 4
 or a camel
  • 19 0
 Kyle Strait might have his foot in the door on this one...
  • 81 9
 Umm, I think he might have something other than a foot in that door......
  • 59 3
 looks exactly like my future ex wife
  • 65 267
flag pdurand (Nov 7, 2014 at 15:07) (Below Threshold)
 I'd shit on her chest
  • 81 14
 @pdurand that is highly inappropriate
  • 2 15
flag AMGoran (Nov 7, 2014 at 15:43) (Below Threshold)
 Hammm Im riding all that lol oh well it works so why not
  • 49 4
 The only thing you'd shit is your pants. @pdurand
  • 11 62
flag pdurand (Nov 7, 2014 at 16:58) (Below Threshold)
 brother when on my account chill out
  • 20 78
flag MX298 (Nov 7, 2014 at 17:04) (Below Threshold)
 @pdurand. Typical Canadian comment !
  • 6 6
 ...in love!
  • 15 3
 vimeo.com/m/86209322

^^ she's in this video too--- riding around with Kyle Strait while he eats baked chicken and taco's a rim on the sidewalk.
#hottie.
#VeryJealous
  • 12 29
flag pdurand (Nov 7, 2014 at 19:35) (Below Threshold)
 Ya because I'm Canadian lol, f*ckin darrell yankee @MX298
  • 7 6
 Mind as well throw my name in the hat here too. You never know.
  • 5 1
 Might as well.......
  • 3 8
flag OFF2theGYM (Nov 7, 2014 at 21:50) (Below Threshold)
 I might as well attach my cart to this train... no pun intended! Haha
  • 2 6
flag gaoxiang89 (Nov 7, 2014 at 23:49) (Below Threshold)
 Hammm ... will you marry me ?
  • 10 1
 Hammm ... will you marry me ?
  • 3 3
 she wants my ring!!!!!!!
  • 11 3
 Let's argue about whar ring size is best for her.
6 or the slightly bigger 6.5?
  • 3 9
flag chiefstash (Nov 8, 2014 at 18:31) (Below Threshold)
 Not sure about 27.5 most women like to say, bigger is better Wink
  • 3 9
flag wolf-amongst-lambs (Nov 10, 2014 at 9:19) (Below Threshold)
 Pdurand is my hero!
  • 2 2
 Not sure about 27.5 most women like to say, bigger is better Wink
  • 1 0
 for sure, too cute to be true.
  • 234 3
 Whenever I see an article featuring a female on the homepage I shudder in anticipation of the horrific comments
  • 47 7
 I think the comments were reasonable this time , nothing overly sexual or demeaning Razz Stunning girl though , kyles a lucky guy !
  • 2 1
 Edit: Wrong comment.
  • 35 2
 except for @pdurand - he's a wicked big douche bag
  • 5 3
 I don't know, gents. .. I gave pdurand a prop just for the sheer out-of-nowhere disgustingness of what he said. there's an untapped brilliance in there somewhere lmao
  • 94 2
 Hats off to her dad for getting them all outdoors and away from the tv.
  • 41 10
 Don't be too hard on yourself, that's a bit easier to do in Laguna Beach than in Wales (pssst the weather)
  • 3 8
flag Bogrider (Nov 7, 2014 at 20:43) (Below Threshold)
 Sorry, meant to up vote. Wink
  • 9 0
 I do it in Cumbria. To me it's one of the most important responsibilities as a dad. Oh shit, this may end up as a rant. Hold tight....
  • 43 1
 Yep, it's a rant...

How do people let their kids get fat?
How do people give them no work ethic?
How do people think shovelling hundreds of grams of sugar down them is doing them a kindness?
What chance do they have???

Fat kids!!

Everywhere!!

AAgggghhh!!!

And..... Breathe.

Sorry.
  • 3 24
flag WAKIdesigns (Nov 8, 2014 at 1:22) (Below Threshold)
 Breathe, breathe! Repeat after me: I sm a good parent, I am a good father, I am moral, I am MoRAAAal! damn it! Mother, Father can't you see me?! I am good... No no no, you can't judge me like that, father! Why don't you play ball with me dad? It's over, it's all over!!! Oh Gooold! Ahebue bueee please accept me finaly damn it! Buee bu bu bi buu buee
  • 7 0
 I've watched my fair share of tv as a kid but (in spite of the welsh weather ha ha) I spent my days outside. If I called on my friend who lived a 100 yards away I went on my bike. I feel sorry for a lot of today's kids because they don't even know they are missing out. On the other hand I see all the youngs guys and girls posting on here (and riding the trails) and I think maybe its not to bad.
  • 2 0
 Whoa. You out ranted me. Fair play.
  • 7 0
 Yeah Norski. I think it's getting better. I was a super active kid but still managed to get pure fat in my 20s. It's why I get so upset by people letting their kids get out of shape cos I know how it feels to be big, and having to start like that must be soul destroying.
  • 10 14
flag WAKIdesigns (Nov 8, 2014 at 8:49) (Below Threshold)
 Whenever I see plenty of props being given, something tells me the thread is visited by lots of insecure adolescents deeply concerned about what is cool and what isn't. Just relax, whatever you do and say, by the time you get 25, you will get your manlyhood (nr of scores, shtty part time job, nr of parties, ehh... It all comes down to living away from your parents anyways) no need to prove anything to anyone, you're cool
  • 3 0
 I see lots of props, I think of lots of dads giving support to other dads.

Can anyone recommend a good pedal shop? My 3 year old keeps asking me to go to one. He has a balance bike but dad has pedals.
  • 5 7
 My daughter is almost 3. She has a 12" balance bike and 12" one with pedals. She was first riding pedalled bike for 3 months with me holding her by the stick (no side wheels!!!), she did a few runs up to 50m without me hokding her, but she was too focused on pedalling, looking at pedals instead of looking ahead. Then when I was holding her she was getting completely deconcentrated, just cruising and looking around. So we bought her a balance bike. She got very good on It in a matter of 3-4 ridea, she can controll speed and dares more and more, she is almost in stage where I can see that she starts playing with the bike doing s-turns and riding on from curbs. One day I thought, let's try the pedal bike. Nothing changed, same problems with balance, she got even scared of riding it. We tried 3 times with no improvement. She even fell twice because of the foot brake. Seeing her continuous progress on balance bike I decided that it's better to teach her basics on it until she reaches some plateau. She still must learn to slalom and ride standing (her Spec Hotwalk has platforms). The only problem is: all kids are different hahaha
  • 12 0
 I've heard from others that a balance bike is a good starter. Teaches them good practice not bad practice. My daughter is 6 and autistic. We're getting her a bike for Xmas - not sure how it will go, autism tends to follow its own plan not mine. I would saw my fingers off to go mountain biking with my daughter. I will keep on trying and I hope other parents do as well. Make the most of it folks.
  • 10 7
 All the best of luck Norski! Two most important things kids taught me so far is: appreciate your free time, like driving a car or riding a bike, do not take it for granted, the worst thing you can do to yourself is be sitting at home, looking at a slight drizzle outside and thinking - meh I'd go for a ride but bleh that just feels bleh, I'd stay at home and do... something... instead. The second is: kids just like any deeply emotional thing that takes lots of emotions, time and energy (biking included) will bring out the best of you but also the worst, it will give you a better picture of who you really are, rather than who you think you are and will put into question many ideas who you'd like to be. World is as good as it is bad, you can choose which vision you prefer and go after it.

Cheers daddies!
  • 1 0
 Balance bikes are great, Norski. My eldest learned with stabilisers, the rest learned on balance bikes. They all ride well now but the younger ones picked trail riding up quicker. I hope you have success with yours. Good luck dude!
  • 2 0
 I remember my dad pushed me off the little hill without any warning or preparation. I rode my bike like a dream. I did the same to my son. He rode his bike like a dream.
  • 5 10
flag WAKIdesigns (Nov 10, 2014 at 1:17) (Below Threshold)
 No no tworldsmine that is something you are trying to convince yourself to forget what really happened. Your dad dressed you up as a mailman and made you dance for him while he went to the bedroom to smoke crack and have sex with some guy you didn't even know on your mom's bed
  • 3 0
 Not sure if impressed or deeply concerned with WAKIdesign's ability to offer what seems like sound parenting advice shortly followed by incoherent and messed up hypothetical suggestions haha!
  • 2 0
 Nah.... That was my mom.
  • 66 3
 Stone IPA on Tap NICE
  • 13 1
 Finally, someone with their priorities straight!
  • 2 1
 good eye!
  • 1 1
 Like and dislike all at the same time haha...Fat Tug needs to make its way down here!
  • 2 1
 Who's buyin??? Cause I just bought a new sled......
  • 7 0
 Pass me the double bastard please.

Continuing off topic: there's a Stone Bastard 4-pack available right now: Arrogant Bastard, Double Bastard, Lukcy Basartd, and a Bourbon Barrel Arrogant Bastard.
  • 1 10
flag twozerosix (Nov 7, 2014 at 14:47) (Below Threshold)
 Rough being an aspiring cyclist and then having a job that requires being on your feet for hours. Someone get this racer a nice desk job.
  • 2 1
 @egourdin67, Fat Tug, turns any shitty pub or restaurant out here into a good one just by having that on tap. Hops: what a divine addiction and, like any addiction, the little gets more and more.
  • 3 0
 Thank you for talking about beer.
  • 3 1
 You sayin they don't have Stone IPA on tap everywhere?!?!?!?!
  • 12 10
 Bleh. Hops are overused to hide crappy beer. I blame the damn hipsters and Portland more generally. There's a hops shortage on the west coast because these breweries are using up to six times as many hops in their brews as traditional recipes. Maybe that's a sign to ease up. Seriously...twice as many hops should be the limit.
  • 8 2
 Sounds like something a hipster would say...... Haha
  • 57 2
 Rachel is rad, and one of the more approachable and talented riders out there, male or female. How about you all just put gender rolls aside and appreciate someone who is talented and working hard to achieve their goals. It's sad that an article like this about an up and coming jr male is received in a totally different light. Quit with the lame shit and just share the stoke of another rider chasing their dreams.
  • 11 5
 Thank you. A thousand times, thank you for expressing this. Rachel seems like a super committed and talented rider, and the photography exhibiting this was excellent! Gender roles are outdated and useless anyways...they might as well be elastomer suspension for all the use they have now
  • 15 26
flag scary1 (Nov 7, 2014 at 22:00) (Below Threshold)
 My wife and mother of my children said You must be a child, because you haven't done much living in order to have such ignorant opinions.
Gender roles are natural and needed. Each gender (generally) has genetic tendencies that they are better at.
That being said, I stayed home to raise my kids until school age, then went to work in the evening for 10 years.
  • 15 7
 The world feels sorry for your opinion
  • 7 6
 wow scary1 - you and your wife are indeed scary
  • 18 3
 Scary1 (and his wife) actually have a valid point, however distasteful that might seem to some of the pc brigade. I don't think his comment is as basic as "boys wear blue and girls wear pink". It's a matter of context- Gender roles have no place in sport or business interactions and no one should be treated any differently because of their sex but it is necessary to distinguish between from an evolutionary perspective. We have different physiologies, brain patterns, strengths and weaknesses. As a society it makes sense for us to use those facts to our advantage.
  • 3 2
 Scary1, just because physical gender differences exist it does not follow that Dave's statement "appreciate someone who is talented and working hard to achieve their goals" is an "ignorant opinion". Physical gender differences do not have an impact on moral/ethical equality, and we all should respect someone for working hard and achieving their goals regardless of their gender because it does not matter in the relevance of Dave's statement.
  • 4 15
flag WAKIdesigns (Nov 8, 2014 at 3:02) (Below Threshold)
 I just wanted to point out that internet is a place where many people write things they would not say in reality, often proportional to their fear of saying something to someone and making the tension being released in form of: "yea what a bun!" Instead of coming up to a random girl they noticed and say: "Hi I just wanted to say that I think you look very pretty, have a great day, bye" which is often the case. Then each one of us grows up in different environment and develop certain ways of behaving in relation to impulses they get. A pretty girl creates an impulse, period. A girl that rides bikes creates impulses in guys riding bikes. Each single one of us deals with them in a different way.

So well, as much as I like @davetrump speaking up as maybe someone in need will take it on board, I think there is no point in getting over excited, as usualy overexcitement feeds the troll Big Grin
  • 11 9
 The fact that i got negged on traditional family values and gender"roles" that exist throughout NATURE is hilarious.
This coming from children making stupid comments to a purty blonde girl that rides a bike. Hilarious.
  • 3 2
 Scary, it doesn't matter that this person is a she or is purty or is blonde or rides a bike- her equality is based on her being a rational/autonomous being, and as such any physical traits (gender, race, ability level, etc) are not part of the moral equation. That you can't grasp that is what is hilarious.
  • 7 15
flag WAKIdesigns (Nov 8, 2014 at 11:20) (Below Threshold)
 ka-brap - I am sorry, as long as "traditional family values" is a piece of medieval bullcrap, what you talk about is getting dangerously close to gender blindness/neutrality which is a concept that could be made up only in a fundamentalist Euro hipster group, consisting mostly of vegan feminist women with high level of testosterone controlling effeminate men with high level of estrogen (probably due poor protein base consisting mostly of soy). Morality is not an universal, definite god-like concept, it depends on the environment therefore don't get on that horse fed with collective consciousness and it's up to date immature guilt patterns. The only trouble of women being valued for their looks by the side (or over) their athletic skill (or whatever it is that they can as well as men) is that they are women, because the most judgments in this world come from men, because men are physicaly stronger - as simple as that. Any political or moral analysis must include that. Bad draw in pregnancy timing lottery IF(!) you look at the world in man's way. My wife also thinks there is too much of overthinking equality bullcrap (she even says that she understands her lower salary) and I am sure there are plenty of hipsters out there who would say that she is just unaware of all those things they happened to know via Facebook shares.
  • 6 14
flag WAKIdesigns (Nov 8, 2014 at 11:31) (Below Threshold)
 In sports you may also consider the fact that perhaps women are not underpaid, men may be overpaid. I bet that if someone does a research he'd (she'd) find number of men practicing the sport thus being potential buyers proportional to number and size of sponsorships among male athletes. Sponsors know exactly that men trying to look tough be it MTB or weight lifting, unconsciously adress their toughness to other men, not (as they's like to think) to attract women. It is male Alpha game, not, gimme your number honey I can backflip. Therefore athletic man achieving something big with a product is gonna help sell that product to a man, better than the sexiest girl doing sickest tricks. There are significantly less women in action sports because they are less likely to enjoy risk taking - not because some man liking "traditional family values" is purposefully holding them down. Accordingly, women overbuying cosmetics unconsciously want to appear to other women, do you hear those idiot part of feminist chanting about failed beauty models in relation to super mdoels in magazines - which normaly functionnig man would take skinny, bony super model over Kim Kardashian?! Super models are meant to appear to women and certain women blame men for that, then certain men take it onboard and preach sht to other men...
  • 1 3
 it's more so a mainstay of secular moral philosophy that predates hipsters by about 300 years. Whether or not stealing or lying or murder is wrong is not something that is based on environment or historical timetable but rather on the idea that we are free, rational beings whose autonomy is the foundation for our equality. And also something fully separate from a god-like concept. But if you think morality, or ethics if you prefer that term instead, is based on environment then I guess you should be ok with atrocities happening outside of your environment. Until they happen in your environment, which is obviously bad right? So then what makes them bad? An imaginary border? Or clothing style? If you think about why something is actually wrong, you will see that it is based on something more fundamental than cultural differences and language.
  • 6 13
flag WAKIdesigns (Nov 8, 2014 at 13:00) (Below Threshold)
 I agree with you that there is something more than environment, be it on spiritual plane or purely drive for preservation of species. I have no issues with that. But because there is such an intrinsic drive towards "good" so there must be drive towards "evil", while freedom of choice gives us... choice. As you say it is borderless, because it is deep in our psyche which is common to all of us, but due to it's social nature it falls under influence of the environment. I have never followed any secular moral philosophy, nor any philosophy in any deeper way. I don't like when people go straight to big things like murder, I don't think it is ok but if you pulled the trigger the let's go to mass murder as well. Murder rates dropped because of increase in punishment. How are you with war BTW? Soldier killing a soldier? In most cases You'd either have to really be pushed into the deepest corner to kill someone or you'd have to be an idiot. The chance of getting caught is just too high and consequences are just not worth the play. However even today, in some countries killing an infertile wife or a homosexual. In some religions it is perfectly fine to cheat on your wife.
  • 6 14
flag WAKIdesigns (Nov 8, 2014 at 13:09) (Below Threshold)
 The biggest myth of holocaust is that it takes monsters to create it and that it is a thing of the past, that we learned something. People setting up Nurnberg process ignored expertise of psychonalists and decided to paint Nazis as monsters, where many of people commiting atrocities were perfectly normal people like you and me changed under abnormal circumstances. There is a book by Polish author who describes the process of transformation of a young man in his twenties working in soap factory to be perfectly fine with making soap of human fat. In all such cases - getting on high moral or intellectual horse is involved, you just need to get convinced. We are who we really are, when nobody is watching. It is a matter of a point of reference. You seem to be perfectly fine to use computer which is highly probably made in conditions your society would consider as atrocity?

A wise mind having courage to look through social constructs (and believe me, there is a lot to fear inside, you look inside yourself - you'll find sht, because society or church told you to repress it which does not mean it is gone) does not need "morality". It can see many interconnections, even on global scale and consequences of his actions. I do not need any moral feminist to tell me how should I treat women. I know what sht comes with it into your head, how much energy is wasted on hate and anger. If you whistle at a girl and say: oh men - then I say: exactly! You are just trying to impress yourself and eventually your buddies that you can whistle at her! It is a pathetic way of boosting your ego and your anima will kick your ass for it, sooner or later by messing up your relationships..
  • 1 0
 "nurenberg" since your so picky
  • 6 1
 Waki, have you heard of 'Godwin's law'? It states that if an internet argument goes on long enough, someone will bring up the Nazis, and whoever brought up the Nazis lost the argument.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law
  • 4 11
flag WAKIdesigns (Nov 8, 2014 at 15:12) (Below Threshold)
 Nurenberg? What else? Nucular aluminum? iamamodel Yes Godwin's law, but it has been changed. It's about Putin now
  • 10 6
 You can tell WAKI is a developed, full grown male that has enough actual , life experiences to ponder life as it is and not only as it "should" be.
He is certainly right about the feminisation of men and society. There are positives and negatives to that action...
But you bitches got so much estrogen up in your skinny britches right now, you can't see the forest for trees.Your hipster mustache and flannel shirt tell you you're a man, but your brain has been hacked and you actually think there is a thing called equality in nature. That is a made made construct.
Go chop some wood or work out , you pansies. Smile
  • 1 0
 That bike though.
  • 6 0
 jeepers, I didn't click on this article to sift through lines and lines of useless talking with negative props which looks like an argument between two people who are bored... of course I barely read the first few comments and then got tired of reading disgusting comments. on to the next article...!


BTW, way to go Rachel! keep working, keep playing... and win.

(I'll be cheering)
  • 2 0
 You said "jeepers".
That's pretty funny.
  • 4 0
 Poor old Waki and his staggering unpopularity with the pb electorate. I'm not even sure Hitler would get neg propped so brutally.
  • 1 1
 Jesus Christ on a freaking bike. So many trolls. Chill out everybody... Noone cares.
  • 41 1
 Dat Bi-cep doeh
  • 6 2
 On the same page, bro
  • 28 2
 I just forgot what I was supposed to be doing today.
  • 24 0
 Ride?
  • 26 4
 That almost gets me interested in Enduro.......................
  • 18 0
 The struggle of working your ass off to be able to go and pursue biking full time, effects us all. My dad got me into biking as well. Bike girls rule!
  • 16 0
 Dear Santa....
  • 16 4
 lets be honest we all know what made us click this article
  • 11 0
 She needs a shampoo sponsor, hair that good while rippin is hard to come by.
  • 11 0
 that studded TLD helmet! maybe if I show that to my girl she'll be more inclined to ride again
  • 9 0
 Nice read. ....not a bad at of guns that lady is showing off, must be doing lots of strength training. Overall a nice interview, thanks pb
  • 14 3
 Sorry girl, I'm married, maybe next lfe ...
  • 11 4
 By the sounds of things, she has her head on solid and straight. A humble mind nurtures the heart of a champion. Keep it up!!


I'm kinda disappointed at the Neanderthal-like comments of how she's "a babe" or how "Kyle has more than his foot in the door"... Way to state the obvious boys. Stop dragging your knuckles on the ground and come up with something remotely wholesome.
  • 4 0
 positive props... tell it like it is!
  • 8 1
 I think some of you need to remember that pinkbike is a mountain biking website, not one of those other websites you boys are using. I can't believe I need to explain this, but when you see an attractive woman in say, a shop, you probably wouldn't walk up to her and say that you'd like to "smash her back doors in" or "watch her have lesbian bum eating sex with Emily Batty". The internet is a public place and this article is about a real person who can read these comments along with her friends and family.

Learn some f*cking manners.
  • 4 0
 Yep agreed. I realise that a fair chunk of Mountain Bikers are adolescent males you spend too much time on porn sites but PinkBike is not the place for this sh*t. This was a good article about a good rider but a lot of the comments here are just cringe-worthy.
  • 10 0
 Bedazzled TLD FTMFW.
  • 6 1
 after reading this article together with my girlfriend................my girl just bought a descent bike for her, and ask me if i could teach her how to ride those trails.....
  • 7 0
 What a Babe! Send in the Throops!
  • 6 0
 Congrats Rachel; looks like the racing life is going really well for you. Cheers!
  • 2 0
 Yeah girl!! Hung out with Rachel at Crankworx last summer and had some good conversations…very cool lady. My wife and I are raising two little girls and I want them to race more when they get older too. (My 6 yr old has won two outa three kids races in BC.) It must be scary (and awesome at same time) to watch your daughter ripping at race speed at a EWS! Go Rachel!!
  • 5 0
 Great article! Rachel is an awesome young lady, and a very good rider to boot!
  • 4 1
 She receives personal tutoring from the freeride extraordinaire brick shit house himself, Kyle Strait!? So she'll be hucking massive suicide no handers off huge drops at Rampage next year!?
  • 4 0
 I saw her at a race this year with Kyle and thought she was just his girlfriend. Good to see she rips too!
  • 5 0
 i want her helmet but with more gems.
  • 1 0
 Awesome to see more press about ladies kicking ass in MTB. They are out there, for some reason the dudes get more attention. Thumbs up pinkbike! Also her rhinestone TLD lid is siiiick!
  • 5 0
 That smile....
  • 6 1
 My dropper just extended
  • 2 0
 Despite the obvious fact that she's GODDAMN pretty, she seems to be a really nice person which is not so obvious with athletes. Best of luck Rachel Smile
  • 3 1
 Mountain Bike Model! Killer bike as well! Hope she goes far with her bike career.
  • 5 1
 very beautiful girl ! Smile
  • 6 4
 pdurand...Wow how's the maturity level here?? Seriously guys it's just disgusting and makes you look like an ass.
  • 2 1
 These are mostly youngish guys Tara. You know damn well this is how they act...all the time.
  • 1 0
 Not all young guys act the same lol.
  • 2 0
 Great to see more rider interviews popping up on Pinkbike. Keep them coming I say :-)
  • 1 0
 Nice to see kids getting out & riding instead of rotting in front of screens all day.
Plenty of time for that when they're older. Frown
  • 9 6
 LET THE DROOLING COMMENCE!!!
  • 6 3
 I need to get me a mountain biker girl!!!
  • 10 1
 www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QUHLMNwcB4 be carefully what you wish for!
  • 2 0
 yup seen this before too but its a risk worth taking hahaha
  • 3 1
 Lame that a rider with that much talent has a job, other than inspiring others to ride.
  • 9 0
 Are you kidding? Finally I can talk to the barmaid about biking and not get a " I dunno, like, it sounds so like, dangerous. You know? " ( hair flip, Hair flip )

Where does she work? I'm going to save up money for tips!!!!!
  • 10 0
 Most riders have other jobs, only the top pros get a decent enough amount of money to live off.
  • 1 0
 Got to ride with her a bit in the Santa cruz enduro earlier this year. Really nice chick that looks like a pretty girl who can't ride. But she can shred.
  • 1 0
 This interview intrigues me (as do several others), by questioning what Kyle Strait actually does for a living (besides fishing, what is odly often stated)?
  • 3 0
 Knee pad $$, bro
  • 1 0
 She rides like a girl! : ) Awesome story, so nice to see a great athlete like this. And she likes to CLIMB!! Wonder if she has any older sisters..: )
  • 1 0
 Very cool story, well written, good picts, supper hot chick with mega skills, love reading this kind of stuff on Pink Bike...Good job keep it up you guys!!!
  • 4 0
 WAKIdesigns overload!
  • 2 0
 She's a shredder on a sick bike !! Best of luck to her,,the sport can use more super powered woman on sweet rides !!
  • 5 2
 Kyle Strait is my idol!!
  • 1 0
 Photo 3 : nice biceps ! nice smile !
Impressive attitude on the bike... très aérienne
  • 2 0
 YES! SANTIAGO OAKS MAKES IT ON PINKBIKE!
  • 3 0
 stella on tap!! ha ha
  • 3 0
 Now i love GT
  • 2 0
 I'm totally going to be-dazzle my lid like Rachel when I get home.
  • 2 1
 What a girl... keep on rollin' and good luck next season!
  • 1 1
 She looks 18 to me... Good luck to your racing endeavor, keep it up. I need to try Laguna beach trail someday.
  • 1 0
 The world needs more women like this!
  • 2 0
 I wish I was her bike
  • 1 0
 Bike Mag, MBA, Decline... Cover model? Did you hear that?
  • 1 0
 Emily Batty or Rachel Throop???
  • 1 0
 im in love what a woman : )
  • 1 0
 Rachel Throop is so beautiful and has such a lovely face and smile!
  • 3 1
 unbelievable jeff!!
  • 1 0
 myyyyyyyyyyyyy goooooooooooooood
  • 2 0
 Too few pictures...
  • 2 0
 good god she is pretty.
  • 1 0
 My dream for my daughters (if they're up for it).
  • 1 0
 I Remember when she worked for Crank Bros customer support.
  • 1 0
 w b
  • 1 0
 Sensacional.
  • 1 0
 Nice work Dan.
  • 1 2
 Good looking rider girl profile = Horny guys forgetting pretty much the riding Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Hot!
  • 1 0
 i want one
  • 1 0
 what a smile..
  • 1 1
 I know her in real life /Flex


Orange County BBs
  • 3 4
 Oh gurl, You could do so much better than Kyle Strait!
  • 1 2
 you lot are all suckers, for a nice face, what bollocks
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