MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Fall 2018

62 ML BLUE FALL 2018 ML: Are you working for IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association)? What is that position there? CB: So I was just very recently brought on as the newest (and only female) Board of Directors member for IMBA Canada. This summer has been more about catching up as to what IMBA’s goals and plans are going forward. So stay tuned for more on that. ML: What is it about bikes that has you riding them every day? CB: Ah-ha. So while the illusion may seem like I’m riding my bike all the time, it’s not nearly that often that I get to ride for me . When I’m not instructing, I like to ride for the exercise and the meditative-like experience it gives me, or the social aspect that group mountain bike rides bring. Of course, when I’m feeling energetic I like to challenge and push my skill level so then I can broader and better my range of skills to offer my students. ML: What is your mission on a bike these days? CB: F-U-N, and finding ways to make it more fun, not only for myself but for my students too. ML: Seems like Minii Adventures is keeping you busy. CB: My goal with Minii Adventures is to provide positive and educational mountain bike experiences for people looking to gain the skills or confidence they need to have more fun on their mountain bike. In short, I am a professional mountain bike instructor in both cross country and downhill disciplines, and organize, run and lead everything from private skills instructions, to day-long clinics and skills camps of all levels, and monthly ladies’ rides. I also found myself working with a few of the local mountain bike clubs including the Durham Mountain Bike Association and the Ottawa Mountain Bike Association. I’m a big advocate for women in mountain biking, but most of the events I run are co-ed. ML: Erika Langman told me to ask you about cupcakes. CB: Oh yes, cupcakes. It actually just started at the beginning of this season. A friend and I were out riding, and ended up riding way longer than planned and to the point of extreme hunger. We got back to the vehicles and the only food we found to consume was a six-pack of cupcakes my friend randomly had. We immediately devoured them. It kind of became of a bit of a ritual that every ride we did we had some type of cupcake afterwards. When I am running a Minii Adventures event, one of the questions I ask the participants when introducing themselves is what their favourite post-ride treat is. Mine is cupcakes. I remember at the first event I ran this summer I asked this, but did not have cupcakes post-ride for the participants. Someone actually put in the post-event survey that they were mad there were no cupcakes. So now, all my events conclude with a mini cupcake each. Batty leads the charge, Blue Mountain.