15 year old Cierra Smith has been riding bikes for 8 years and racing for 5. With five National titles already under her belt she is well on her way to becoming one of the top women DH racers in the US, and possibly the World. Besides the National titles she also placed first in her age group in pretty much every race she entered this past year, including the US Open and the Crankworx Air DH. This year she'll be racing as a 16 year old, so it will be interesting to watch how she does...
You race mountain bikes, how did it start? My grandpa used to race road bikes, then he and my dad got into mountain biking. My dad raced downhill and started taking me riding DH, and ever since my dad showed it to me I've been in love with the whole aspect of riding.
Why do you race? I race because it's fun and I love the competitive adrenaline rush I get from going fast and riding dangerous terrain.
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| 1st place US Open |
I was just introduced to DH first, but even now that I'm older I still enjoy DH more because XC is to boring for me. The only reason I ride XC now is because it's good training.
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| Crankworx Air DH |
Oh gosh, my scariest moment would have to be at Crankworx this year in my race run for the Air DH. I was going down the long straight downhill section and was pedaling and one of my pedals caught a rock, which sent me flying forward. My stomach was resting on my handlebars and I rode like that for what seemed like forever, but luckily I was able to ride it out and keep going. All I could think in my head was, “Oh gosh, all your hard work being thrown away." It was bad.
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| Happy after her win in the Air DH at Crankworx |
It’s a toss up between Northstar at Tahoe and Whistler.
What influences you in racing, who do you look up to? The young girls that I meet and that look up to me really influence me because I'm showing them that a girl can do anything, such as be good and do well at a mostly male dominated sport. I personally really look up to Rachel Atherton and Kathy Pruitt, because they both started racing young and became successful just as one day I hope I become.
Are you inspired by any pro women DH racers, which ones? Melissa Buhl, Rachel Atherton, Kathy Pruitt, Leigh Donovan and Katie Holden.
You're a girl, how does it feel in a sport that's predominantly male? It's kind of intimidating sometimes, but I love it because I stick out like a sore thumb because I'm a girl who can ride and I like to challenge the boys.
Do you participate in any other sports? Cross training? I play Volleyball, but mostly just all types of biking, Dirt Jumping, XC, FR etc...I’m going to start riding moto as soon as possible, I have done it before and love it.
Some More Personal Stuff… Girly or Tomboy? Girly, but my tomboy side makes appearances often.
Dresses or Jeans? Definitely jeans.
Favorite riding clothes? Riding pants and a sweatshirt.
Tea or Coffee? Gross, neither. Hot Chocolate!
Makeup? Yes, I love wearing it.
Pink or Black? Pink.
In 5 years…? Hopefully traveling the world doing what I love most…riding my bike.
Cierra Smith is proudly sponsored by:
Specialized bikes
Allride Academy
Deity
SRAM – Truvativ, Rockshox, Avid
MRP
Arestic
Smith Optics
OG’s Bicycle
Black Rock Bicycles
Team Hacksaw
Fox Racing
a little dyslexic there
