Carrie joined the NWTA board in 2024.
You can reach Carrie at [email protected].
How and when did you first get involved with NWTA?
I went to my first NWTA work party in 2018 at Sandy Ridge. It was a big Fat Tire Farm/NWTA dig where we worked on Johnny Royale and some of the trails near the parking area. I met some wonderful women trail builders that day and it inspired me to volunteer at more digs.
What made you decide to join the NWTA board?
I was already super involved with dig days at Rocky Point and with NW Trail Sisters. Some folks encouraged me to apply in 2022, but I was too scared, haha. I guess I got braver in 2023 🙂 Plus I got more excited about trail building and all the great people I’ve gotten to know through volunteering.
What part of NWTA’s mission resonates with you; what are your plans to help move this forward?
To build, maintain, and ride sustainable trails. I believe in off-road cycling; especially since riding on paved roads seems sketchier in recent years. Gravel and singletrack to the rescue! I want to be part of expanding off-road cycling from Sandy Ridge to Rocky Point… and beyond. I am not joining the board because I have an agenda. NWTA has a lot of programs and plans in the works already and I’m offering my time to help move existing plans forward, help lighten the load, and offer my perspective as an avid cyclist. My plans to help move the mission forward have already happened—build more trails as much as possible during winter and join the board!
When did you first start mountain biking and what was your first bike?
I started mountain biking in 2013. I borrowed a full suspension Juliana from a friend for a road trip through Montana and Wyoming. It made me appreciate having home trails free of rattlesnakes and grizzly bears! After that trip and riding a bit at Phil’s in Bend and Rocky Point when it was just “Scappoose,” I decided to get my own mountain bike—an aluminum, 27.5, Giant Tempt hardtail. Heavy as hell and only 100m of travel, but the right bike to learn on.
What do you love about mountain biking?
Riding with friends—especially my boyfriend, Doug, who has been mountain biking steadily since the 90s. Meeting other mountain bikers, exploring, progressing, watching other people ride/race, eating food and drinking beers afterward, watching women’s mountain biking/racing evolve. Riding after digging. The sound of brakes howling in the forest. The feeling of dirt and rocks and sticks crunching under my tires. That smooth landing after a jump or drop. Cleaning a gnarly root section. Getting to know new places through mountain biking. I could go on.
Favorite place to ride?
Rocky Point. There’s a ton of value in riding one place a lot and knowing the trails; and I love seeing familiar faces when I’m there. A big loop of Bob’s, Twisted Knickers/Sisters, and Fanny’s is my jam. Runners up: Fear and Loaming, Cold Creek, Tiger Mountain.
What do you do during the day that pays the bills?
I work from home for a creative marketing agency as a senior content manager. I review PDFs, PowerPoints, and copy decks all day. I’m a professional error-finder 🙂
What song or type of music do you listen to to get pumped up for a ride or for a dig day?
Depends on the weather. If it’s gray, it’s 90s grunge or psych doom stuff like Wizzerd and Wand. If it’s sunny, it’s ridiculous “future boogie” like Cannons. When I’m feeling it, it’s 80s pop hits (Huey Lewis, Tiffany, Janet Jackson).
Tell us something not mountain bike related about yourself.
I’m a seamstress! I make canvas bags: @lowland_crafts