“I am so thrilled to join the Liv/giant program for 2013. As a woman, I want to ride the fun stuff but my needs are different from the guys; riding a bike that is designed for me from the bottom up by a group of smart, passionate and inspiring women is a dream come true. Liv/giant has many really cool things in the works and I am so excited to be able to work side by side to help create the best possible products for female riders everywhere. ” -Katie Holden
Not only does 2013 mean a new partnership for Katie, it also means a shift from racing to endeavors focused around trips, events and media. “I am incredibly excited about this,” exudes Katie, “it basically takes my strengths and everything that I am super passionate about and puts them together into a package that is who I am from the core. Travel has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, so being able to keep exploring the world with my bike, connecting with people and communities along the way is incredible. I am excited to share my adventures, and inspire women to try new things & push themselves to step outside their comfort zones.” Since Katie travels so often, she encourages you to reach out if you see she is in your area, “I love nothing more than riding with new people in new places,” says Katie, “I want hear from you.” Watch the Liv/giant USA Facebook page (www.facebook.com/livgiantusa) for upcoming rides and events.
“Liv/giant is stoked to have Katie join our program. The brand is dedicated to helping female cyclists reach their goals, and Katie’s personality and riding style will help to inspire women around the country and the world to fulfill their potential as riders. Katie’s product feedback will be invaluable as Liv/giant explores expanding its off-road reach in the future.” -Jackie Baker, Liv/giant Product Marketing Manager
Liv/giant is dedicated solely to female cyclists, and all product offerings are designed to fulfill the needs of women riders of all ability levels. Liv/giant utilizes a 3F philosophy to build each of its bikes: Fit, Form, Function. Fit is the first of the Fs, because it is THE most important. The biggest difference between Liv/giant bikes and anything else on the market is that they are 100% designed to fit women. From considering inseam and torso length to the differences in where women derive their pedaling power compared to men (we have assets), the bikes are built to fit women better. “When I go out for a ride, it is really important that my bike perform on the rough stuff as that is my favorite thing to ride. The Trance XW works because it pedals efficiently and it lets me ride whatever my heart desires…steeps, gnar, jumps, drops.” says Katie, “It is pretty awesome to be able to jump on my bikes right out of the box and get loose. The geometry is spot on and the Maestro suspension feels so good!”
About Liv/giant
Liv/giant is a cycling brand dedicated solely to female riders and inspiring them to lead happier, healthier, more adventurous lives through cycling. To learn more about Liv/giant, the brand’s bikes and gear, and Liv/giant retailers who carry those products, please visit Livgiant.com.
About Katie Holden
Affectionately known as Holden by her friends, Katie is a mountain bike athlete based out of Kirkland, WA. Her other sponsors for 2013 include SRAM/RockShox/Avid/Truvativ, Smith Optics, Camelbak, DT Swiss, The North Face, Vans, Leatt and Navitas Naturals. You can follow Katie’s adventures around the world via her website www.KatieHolden.com and Instagram/Twitter: @KatieHolden.
A few weeks back I went out to Orcas Island with some of my favorite girls and Paris, a boy and very talented photographer. ha. The NW is a hot bed of talented girls on bikes and Paris and I wanted to get a handful of those girls together for a photo trip, so that’s what we did…Jill Kintner, Katherine Short, Katrina Strand, Sarah Leishman and myself! It turned out to be a pretty awesome couple of days. We rented a cabin right on the beach, rode, shot photos and bonded! Fun time. Look for the article in the Spring issue of Freehub.
WOW. This is sooo cool. I am so stoked to be featured in the trailer for Female Wolfpack, a new website which features video of women’s action sports. I think Rachael Burks has a great thing going here…!
One cool thing that I did while in Vermont was coach the Little Bellas for a day. Little Bellas is an organization developed by the Davison sisters with the goal being ‘to help young women realize their potential through cycling’. They have weekend camps, week-long camps and month long camps…and let me say, the girls love it. They get dropped off every morning and get to spend the day out on the trails, doing yoga and hanging out with all of their friends. These girls are young but they learn fast and there are some real shredders. I had a great time helping the girls to make some small improvements to their riding which made some pretty noticeable differences. It was also so fun to answer a huge array of questions and sign some posters and sweet Camelbak schwag. LOVED THIS!!
I have said it once and I will say it again…World Cups are tough. Mentally, physically, emotionally. Monte Sainte Anne was no exception. Going into a World Cup feeling like you are not riding to your full potential makes it even worse in my opinion.
I think that I let this course get to me at the course walk. It is not like there was anything exceptionally difficult about this course, but the speed, oh the speed. From the the time you drop out of the gate, it is full on. The key being to stay off the brakes and hold on. Much easier said that done. On a technical course it is much easier to break the course into sections and find your flow and rhythm, each section building on the next. Here, you just had to hold on.
I wasn’t riding well from my first practice run onward and as a result my weekend ended with qualifying. Bummer.
(I got to go cheer Lea and the XC girls on for their race which was so fun!)
Friday was a HUGE day for for Lea Davison. And why was this day so important you might ask? USA Olympic Team selection. Mountain Biking is in the Olympics but it is only the Cross Country discipline, not downhill. A few years ago, going to the Olympics was a far fetched dream for Lea after she took a season off with major hip surgery. This was horrible at the time, but like many things in life, it proved to be a blessing in disguise. The time off gave her time to reflect on who she was and what she really wanted, it also gave her a much needed mental break from compteting. Fast forward to 2012 and Lea Davison was right up there in the mix for a spot on the USA Olympic Team. This day was the culmination of many years of hard work, determinations, tears of sadness, tears of joy….it was a journey that included many people her family, friends, Jojo, Coach, community, sponsors….sit back and enjoy one of the coolest moments I have ever witnessed!
(going to the Olympics has always been a lifelong dream for me, and it was so incredibly amazing to watch her dream come true in an afternoon….soooo incredible)
While I was in Ithaca I stopped by the Y to see where it all started for me. Before moving to NY, I lived in California where I was really into soccer, T-ball and swimming but it was in Ithaca that I joined the swim team and sports gave me a whole new drive. All I wanted to do was swim and that’s what I did!!
I am on my way out to Pennsylvania right now for the Dirt Fest. It is going to be an awesome weekend. Miss Rebecca Rusch ie. The Queen of Pain has scheduled a stop of her Gold Rusch tour here so we will be around all weekend doing demos, coaching and skills clinics. I would love to see all of your smiling faces so be there!
If you can’t make it but you know someone that might be interested, spread the word.
I just wanted to say thank you to my favorite woman in the world on Mother’s Day. My mom is such an inspiration- she has taught me to follow my dreams, live, love, let go, learn, laugh…the list goes on. She is one strong woman and I am happy to call her my mom!
I have been trying to hunt down an early bike photo, and today I found one with no one else but my mom by my side. This was my very first bike…I think I was 3 1/2? :)
Our ladies ride day finally happened yesterday and it was a total blast. We had a great group and it was a gorgeous day. We all parked at the bottom of Wilder Ranch and rode up through Wilder Ranch chatting and snacking on lots of Honey Stingers along the way. To end a rad ride we had Burgers and beer at Burger and everyone got some sweet stuff from Camelbak. Fun times. A huge shout out to Scotts Valley Cycle Sport for hosting the ride, getting more ladies on bikes and filling our hungry bellies. :)
What do I have to say about trying something new on your bike? I gave my 2 cents to all the lovely ladies at SRAM Ladies Lounge at Sea Otter. Selene over at Bicycling did a little write up about it here.
Soooo we attempted a Women’s Day in Santa Cruz back in March, but the skies decided to let loose for a week straight and we had to cancel. Specialized held a Women’s Day this past weekend…which ELLEN promoted, how cool is that? Well, I was racing this past weekend so I had to pass on that specific ride. BUT third times a charm right? MAY 12th @ 12pm we are doing a women’s ride at Wilder Ranch in Santa Cruz, CA and I would loveee to see you there. Everyone is welcome…all ages, skill levels, speed, experience! It is just going to be a fun ride for everyone! It will be a great opportunity to ride some fun trails and meet some fun new friends and get some fun schwag. :) It’s going to be FUN.
You can sign up by sending me an email at katie@katieholden.com with May 12th in the subject line.
I met Arleigh of Bike Shop Girl last year at the SRAM Ladies Lounge. I was inspired by her technical knowledge as she gave tech demos for all of the lovely ladies over the course of 3 days. I definitely learned a thing or two! After chatting with her a bit more I also found out that she has a great blog that she updates regularly with women related bike stuff. It is a great resource for all you ladies out there. Arleigh asked me to do a little interview for her Motivational Mondays…check it. :)
Hey all you ladies out there. March 18th is Women’s Ride Day and I will be hosting a women’s ride in Santa Cruz in conjunction with Specialized and Scotts Valley Cycle Sport. This ride is for women of all levels and experience…we just want to get a group of great ladies together and rip it up. :) Please share this with all of your friends. If you would like to sign up or you have any questions, please send me an email (click on link to your right) with ‘March 18th’ in the subject line. If you don’t have a bike or you would like to demo a Specialized Safire, I have 4 up for grabs (S, M, L)…this is the bike I ride and I am in love with it. See ya out there.
