NATASHA BRADLEY
Natasha ‘Tash’ Bradley is one of the world’s fastest four-cross racers and has two World Championships silver medals to prove it (2018 and ’19). When she’s not competing in the Senior Men’s category back home in the UK, she channels her boundless energy into running MTB Devon, where she puts her first-class degree in sports coaching to good use. This year, Tash is broadening her palette to include enduro and DH racing – watch this space to see where that takes her. If you see her out on the trails, she’s always ready with a smile and an infectious laugh, and is more than willing to chat and get fired up to session some jumps or technical DH trails.
Who is Tash Bradley?
A 23-year-old mountain bike racer from the South West.
What do you do?
I run a coaching company, MTB Devon (www.mtbdevon.com), where I teach BMX and MTB skills. I’m also a Bikeability instructor, so I take kids out on the roads and teach them how to ride safely.
Where do you call home?
Torquay, Devon.
What was your first bike?
A Diamondback BMX my dad got from the recycling centre.
What’s your current go-to bike?
My Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon Elite.
What gets you excited to ride?
Watching old MTB movies and bike videos on YouTube.
Favourite rider to watch?
Craig Evans [50to01].
Favourite bike film?
A Slice of British Pie.
Best trail you’ve ridden this year?
I haven’t been that far from home recently due to breaking my collarbone, so it’s got to be Rock n Rolla at Gawton Gravity Hub.
Scariest thing you’ve done on a bike?
At the Megavalanche Alpe d’Huez mass-start race, I rode down a blackgraded ski run on a bike. It was nuts!
Worst crash you’ve had?
When I crashed out of a Mach 10 onto my face and smashed it up –
I had a bloody nose, wobbly teeth and a numb cheek for a couple of months, and that was in a full-face helmet!
Biggest ride of your life?
Definitely the Mega.
Clips or flats?
Flats (at the moment).
650b or 29in?
Horses for courses. Although, all my bikes are 650b or smaller.
Bike park flow or natural gnar?
A bit of both!
How far can you wheelie?
How long is a piece of string?
What would be your desert island luxury?
Rum ’n’ Coke.
What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
Start mountain biking now!
What would you be doing if you weren’t making a living from mountain biking?
Travelling and working abroad.