Emma Guy & Tracy Brunger
EMMA and Tracy, who live in the Scottish Borders, were both professional mountain bikers when they met at a race in July 1996. They cycled past each other in the pit area and caught each other’s eye. Emma says, “It was like an electric shock so I think you could describe it as love at first sight!”
Later that year, they were both picked to compete in the World Mountain Bike Championships in Cairns, Australia, and ended up sharing the same apartment.
Emma recalls, “After the races there was the obligatory party to attend so I guess that was our first date.”
The couple’s shared passion for mountain biking brought about an immediate bond. Emma, a project co-ordinator for the Tweed Valley Tourism Improvement District, says, “Tracy was a cross-country racer and I raced downhill mountain biking, so I got faster and she got better technically. Our relationship brought benefits.”
As well as training and racing, mountain biking created the opportunity to work together. Emma and Tracy founded The Hub at Glentress Forest, near Peebles, the former heart of Scotland’s largest trail centre.
Emma says, “We have spent a lot of our relationship training, coaching and running The Hub together. It was intense but we have very different skills so we worked really well as a team. We also have the same values and outlook on life and I think that’s important.”
The couple, both 48, became civil partners in 2006, and also enjoy their own activities. While Tracy enjoys fishing, Emma grows food. “And Tracy enjoys eating what I grow,” says Emma. “We are also about to start building a house together. Tracy is a carpenter and will do most of the project while I’ll be offering lots of support and food.
“I guess that because we both enjoy the outdoors together then it is part of who we are and our relationship, but if I had to be locked up in a dark room then I’d want it to be with Tracy.”