14 Bikes From the Desert Days Women's Freeride Gathering
 | Desert Days is a women’s open invitation to the desert between Sep 29 and Oct 7. The idea was to create an open and inviting space for women to experience the freedom of freeride. Both professionals and novices gathered for digging, riding, connecting and learning. |
Micayla Gatto | YT Tues Core 4
Micayla is running the Marzocchi Bomber 58 in retro white.
With a mudguard from Arrowsmith bike shop, based out of Nanaimo
Blake Hansen | Specialized Demo Mullet
Blake is running the RockShox Boxxer Ultimate, SuperDeluxe Ultimate, and XO1 7 Speed drivetrain.
With Tenet Components handlebars and Omen pedals finishing out the build.
Blake's custom paint job was done by Tyler Angelo Marchesano at Specialized.
Chelsea Kimball | Specialized Demo
Chelsea is running Butcher DH tires, Roval wheels, Reverse components in the cockpit and TRP drivetrain.
Kaia Jensen | Transition TR11
Kaia is stoked on the build she's put together for the desert. "It’s really cool to be on a bike that is so solid and confidence inspiring. I love how fun and comfortable the combo of TR11, OneUp components, Maxxis tires, and TRP brakes is. I've really been able to progress with this bike."
Britny Ferguson | Revel Rail
Britny is running TRP DH EVO brakes, Deity bars and stem, SRAM XO1 drivetrain, custom etched Race Face cranks, and custom Industry Nine laser etched hubs with her designs.
CJ Selig | Canyon Torque
CJ is running Reverse Components, Black One wheels and pedals, and Nico Vink's Signature handlebars and Shovel and Shred Saddle.
Jordy Scott | Hyper DH
Jordy is running the SR Suntour RUX 38 fork and the SR Suntour Vero shock. She runs the Kenda Hellcat tires in the front and rear.
Gemma Corbera | Cannondale Jekyll
Gemma's Jekyll is sporting some special pink Reverse components, SR Suntour suspension, some zebra AMS frame protection, Hope Tech brakes and hubs, and Michelin tires.
Nikki Holzman | Norco Aurum
Nikki's Aurum is from the Mt. Bachelor demo fleet, so it's gotten plenty of love already. When asked about set up, she said: "Ryan just pumped up my fork, Chelsea gave me a stiffer coil (450#), the tires had 30 psi 3 days ago, the brakes work pretty good, and the chain could use some lube."
Cami Nogueira | Propain Spindrift
Cami's Spindrift is sporting a dual-drown Bomber, OneUp contact points, Industry Nine wheels, and TRP brakes.
Sally Thornton-White | Transition Scout
Sally - " This bike is the absolute dream! It pedals like a beast and handles all types of descents. This is only the second mountain bike that I have ever owned and I love it so much I don't think that I will ever part with it."
Pascal Sapunar | Mondraker Superfoxy R
KaJay Rooke | Juliana Roubion
KaJay is a graphic designer and came complete with a custom mudguard.
Kat Sweet | Norco Aurum HSP
Kat is a downhill mountain biking coach and coaches Sweetlines downhill teams.
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Either do it, or don't, Hyper.
THAT THING IS SO SICK!
Did Gatto consciously get a plain YT? Can't wait to see what it looks like a few weeks from now.
But here we have a man doing women's freeride events, and being a 'top female' one at that.
Where is the outcry for that?
I understand that you’re confused at the world, I just hope one day you’re able to accept that you don’t have to understand everything to be a kind, caring human being.
" I just hope one day you’re able to UNDERSTAND that you don’t have to ACCEPT everything to be a kind, caring human being".
Blake is male, XY chromasome, not even debatable. He can dress and act like he wants, and I don't feel any need to be rude to him in person. But to take a spot in an exclusive group from a real woman is lousy.
Be a freak, but don't do this.
Also, as I noted, Blake was not a very successful freerider, UNTIL switching to the women's category. Seems like so many men claiming to be women to dominate in a sport they couldn't hack it in.
One of these things is not like the others! One of the things just doesn't belong!
Seems the opposite of supporting women to have him there posing.
It's insane this idea that someone can decide to be a different sex/gender. Here there is a man, born XY chromasome, not really debatable from a biology standpoint, but there he is riding in a women's event. How can you look at that and say it's good?
And certainly there are women who don't want their sports usurped by MEN but they aren't willing to speak out because of sponsors, social media etc. This is an idea of the moment, and not supported by history or science.