Video: Why We Ride Chapter 3
What is the meaning of mountain biking? Why do we ride? In this continuing Kitsbow video series, we explore what it means to ride from the motivations and perspectives of those whose tireless efforts have lent the sport meaning and inspiration to our own lives.
In this third chapter, we return to our backyard in Sonoma County and meet Vanessa Hauswald, a former Petaluma English teacher now serving as the Executive Director of the Norcal League — Northern California's arm of the National Intercollegiate Cycling Association. Her role with NICA is simple: get more high school kids outside and on bikes. But Vanessa's story has a twist - a powerful complexity that keeps her going back to the trail for reasons that far eclipse even the job she loves.
kitsbow.com
If you missed a past Chapter, view them here:
Chapter Two
Author Info:
Smithers, BC, Canada
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14 Comments
- 171
Eco51stLRS
(Sep 10, 2013 at 18:05)
Inspirational...i found mtb this past year after a long absence from racing bmx in the ABA league in the 90's. today i ride bcuz i have PTSD from being deployed over seas and every time i ride all the world is behind me and i just enjoy every minute of it.....i cant wait for the next morning. Thanks to mtb i now have a grip in my life.
- 130
EastCoastSmorgasbord
(Sep 10, 2013 at 13:26)
Rad vid. Inspirational!
- 70
h82crash
(Sep 10, 2013 at 14:24)
Will to live is a strong healer and mountain biking is as good as any reason to want to be alive. Stay strong, ride long Vanessa!
- 20
seraph
(Sep 12, 2013 at 0:13)
Huh, I must not have been working when they filmed this. Her office is upstairs at the shop where I work. I have worked on her pink Soulcraft many times. It was put together with donation parts from various companies when she was diagnosed with cancer. I'm glad to see that she's been getting a lot of press recently, because she has a very important job.
- 30
alecazam13
(Sep 10, 2013 at 15:07)
Amazing video! Makes me wanna go ride some singletrack and enjoy some views... 
- 50
SamF15
(Sep 10, 2013 at 15:55)
Yay NorCal League!
- 31
saxman2324
(Sep 10, 2013 at 16:03)
Yay Vanessa! Representing my town, Petaluma!
- 31
mrmanmanmon
(Sep 10, 2013 at 18:21)
Now we need a video with Aggy.
- 20
bholton
(Sep 11, 2013 at 18:39)
Congrats on your victory Vanessa! Keep riding and telling your story.
- 10
ryderup
(Sep 10, 2013 at 20:56)
You go girl, this biker loves you.
- 10
richardhulton
(Sep 11, 2013 at 3:43)
Great video. Pinkbike need's more video's like this!
- 10
Bialita
(Sep 11, 2013 at 10:07)
beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- 21
rayhowrad
(Sep 10, 2013 at 15:46)
Not bad.
- 36
WAKIdesigns
(Sep 10, 2013 at 12:31)
Captain Kirk is climbing a mountain, why is Captain Kirk climbing a mountain?
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