THE BIG REVEAL!
CASEY GEMMA
Winning the popular vote by a landslide, Cornwall-based Casey has shown incredible courage and determination since she crashed while downhill riding and broke her spine
We've arranged to meet Casey at her home in Cornwall on a classic October day of mixed rain and sun. She opens the door with the classic smile we've seen so many times on Instagram, and her dog Roxy excitedly greets us like old friends. We haven't told Casey she's our first ever Rider of the Year, yet - she thinks we're meeting up with all the finalists. But we're here to get to know her and find out more about her journey to becoming one of the most inspirational people in mountain biking community - although her reach goes far beyond our sport.
Casey is warm and welcoming. and instantly makes us feel at ease. We've seen her around online a fair bit but never actually met her, so it's a pleasure to finally do so. The walls of her home are scattered with pictures of happy times, with Jay her partner featuring heavily. One picture that catches our eye is of Jay and Casey riding together, with Casey in the lead on her adaptive bike. She tells us it was her first race on the machine. In fact, it was the first adaptive downhill race in the country (to her knowledge) - at the very location where she had her accident.
Everything changes
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
GRIME TIME - EXPERT WORKSHOP ADVICE
WHEELY ANNOYING
TRAILCREW HAFOD TRAILS
We discover the delights of Wales's newest bike park, located deep in beautiful Carmarthenshire
BIKETEST ULTIMATE HIRE BIKES
We test three park-cum-DH rigs - the kind of bikes available in holiday spots like Morzine and Whistler, as well as uplift venues closer to home
SCOTT GAMBLER 910 - £4,399 A bike park-ready budget beater worth taking a chance on
This latest iteration of Scott's long-standing Gambler launched in 2019.
THE MANY FACES OF MOUNTAIN BIKING
WE HIT THE ARIZONA DESERT AS PART OF A HUGE FEMALE-LED GROUP RIDE THAT PUTS THE FOCUS ON FUN AND FRIENDSHIP
PARIS HERE WE COME!
With the 2024 Olympics in France fast coming around, we take a quick dive into the history of mountain biking at the Games, plus explain what to expect, how to watch and who to keep an eye on this year
TRANSITION SPUR XO AXS - £7,999 Can the smallest of revisions keep Transition's downcountry demon at the top of the pile?
Transition's Spur has set the benchmark for downcountry bikes since its release in 2020.
MARIN ALPINE TRAIL E2 BOSCH - £6,385 Big-battery, high-powered e-MTB for gravity fans at a (relatively) affordable price
The Alpine Trail E Bosch is Marin's first e-MTB to use a four-bar linkage suspension design and a non-Shimano motor.
PINARELLO DOGMA XC - £12,000 Designed by and for Elite racers, with a ride feel to match
STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX & ONTO THE TRAILS
MBUK SUPER BIKE - #128 MATT WALKER'S SARACEN MYST
The British national downhill champ has a new ride for the 2024 race season
