We're super excited to be partnering with Oregon shredder and all around bad ass Kate Meyer. We caught up with Kate to ask her a few questions about bikes, her day job and Wu-Tang.
Use 3 words to describe yourself…
Passionate, authentic, independent
What’s led you on the path to where you are today with MTB?
I've lived a pretty active and adventurous life, thanks to my family. At a young age I was ripping around on snowmobiles, dirt bikes, and jet skis (haha, it was the 80s after all) and I got an early taste for adrenaline.
I grew up 15 minutes from Brundage Mountain in McCall, Idaho and fell in love with snowboarding. Snowboarding gave me freedom, an outlet for creativity, and got me hooked on the thrill of progression. That all translated over to mountain biking when I started riding at age 23. I just rode for fun for a long time and then started racing 3 years ago.
When did you start mountain biking? Do you remember your first ride?
I started mountain biking in 2004 in Ashland, Oregon, where I was going to college. I totally remember my first ride. I had just started seeing a guy who was super good at biking and we shuttled up to Four Corners with my $300 hardtail and no gloves or pads. He gave me absolutely no instruction and just told me to follow him. I remember going over the bars pretty hard and shredding my hands, but I was completely stoked on mountain biking and haven't stopped since.
What are some of your bike goals?
My goals for 2019 are to get some top three finishes in NW Cup DH races, to learn some new tricks (suicide and tuck no-handers, tables, one foot tables, toboggan, better whips), and to do some fun photo shoots and film projects.
Has biking helped you in other areas of your life?
Biking has taught me to how to recognize my abilities and my limits and how to take calculated risks to push those limits. This mental processing has helped me in my professional life as a fisheries biologist, where I have been pushing boundaries with large scale, innovative river restoration.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not on the bike?
If I’m not biking, I’m either snowboarding, fly fishing, or working. I absolutely love my job as a fisheries biologist for the US Forest Service. I specialize in river restoration, where we use heavy equipment and helicopters to reconstruct rivers and add lots of large wood. It’s very rewarding to see fish all over your project area right after implementation.
How do you balance racing and your professional life?
It’s really hard to find time to train, travel, and race in the summer, especially when I’m implementing a restoration project. It makes for a very chaotic, exhausting summer.
What’s your absolute favorite thing about biking?
Definitely jumping!
And what’s your least favorite?
Pedaling uphill
What are you listening to right now?
Wu-Tang fo lyfe
Anything unique about your bike set up?
I have this really sick dropper post and gorgeous loam lever by PNW Components. Ever heard of it? I also run CushCore foam inserts that allow me to run lower tire pressure and still rail berms. They also protect your rims, prevent flats, and help you ride more efficiently - they’re pretty dope.
Ok now for lightening round...
If you had to pick one Tech or Flow? Fast, flowy tech
26, 27.5 or 29? 27.5
Favorite trail to ride? Rattlesnake to Big Wood at Mt. Bachelor Bike Park
Clips or Flats? FLATS!
Coffee, Tea or Water? Agua
Burritos or Burgers? Definitely burritos
Follow Kate on Instagram at @kate_or_di