FOR THE OF IT
back from a Since stepping D.H. career, highly successful Carpenter we find Manon much as she loving bikes as on her own terms ever has, but
MBUK: What have you been up to since retiring from racing last year?
Manon: I’ve been taking a more relaxed approach to life, but I’ve been up to loads, doing lots that I might not have had the chance to while committed to a training schedule and race programme. I’ve been riding loads just for fun, studying for uni and working on a few projects involving bikes.
MBUK: Are you still enjoying riding mountain bikes?
M: When I pulled out of the races last year I felt I was having to force myself to go fast, and was worried I was going to feel scared on my bike forever. It took a weekend trip visiting a friend in Les Arcs to realise that I hadn’t fallen out of love with bikes – it was just that going as fast as possible to win races wasn’t for me any more. Since then, I’ve revisited lots of places at home to ride with friends for fun and it’s been great.
MBUK: What sort of riding have you been doing?
M: All sorts! There have been some bigger, natural trail loops from the house, DH uplift days, bike parks, dirt jumps and skate park. I love riding singletrack and I’ve also been loving getting comfortable playing around in the air. I always used to say I couldn’t do tricks, but it turns out that, if you try, some aren’t too difficult!
MBUK: What’s your connection with your sponsors Radon now that you’re not racing?
M: After I stepped down from racing they could see I was enjoying riding at home and still getting involved with different events, such as women’s weekends and filming. I really like the bikes, so was happy to continue with the brand and let them decide what they wanted to do! Now I’m a brand ambassador. I helped launch the new JAB with a video filmed in South Wales last year, and will be playing a similar role this year.
MBUK: Does any of your riding get you as fired up as downhill racing used to?
M: Yeah, for sure. Going fast down a trail is going fast down a trail, right?! Anything like singletrack in the woods or a muddy track at home puts a huge smile on my face. I guess the intensity of racing isn’t there but the rush and good feelings are, and getting airtime is hard to beat. I’ve been seeking out all the nicest jumps in the area and playing around on them, I guess it’s a way to progress that I haven’t tried before!
MBUK: What gets you motivated to ride now that you’re not racing?
M: Wanting to have a good day out, or revisiting any of the trails we have nearby. I’ve still not even scratched the surface with getting around all the different trails in my area, there are so many to choose from. One of my favourite days would be a ride out from the house, covering distance and linking up different trails on the way. Since putting flat pedals back on most of my bikes, I’ve also been spending time dreaming of tricks/moves I want to do on certain jumps!
MBUK: Tell us about your experience with the JAB
M: I first rode one when Radon came to film in South Wales and I felt confident from the first ride. It’s a really capable bike and will be the bike of choice for days out on the trails. Whether I’ve been riding rough sections or jumps, it’s taken them all comfortably, and feels really light and responsive, making it nippy up the hills and in tighter technical stuff. They’ve done well! MBUK: Do you ever think you’ll come back to downhill racing? M: I’d say no, to World Cups at least, or to pursuing something that involves full-time commitment in that way again. It could be fun to do some events in the future for fun, but at the moment I’m just going with the flow and seeing where doing what I want to do right now takes me.
MBUK: What do you think about the direction of downhill racing at the moment?
M: It’s changed massively since I started racing in 2010. In terms of World Cups, they’re becoming a lot more professional and exclusive for those racing it, and more of a show for those watching. It’s probably good for the sport as a whole, as it’s reaching so many more people now, but it has changed – or progressed. I think the scene on the whole is healthy, and if you want to get involved there are tons of great events to choose from!