From Remote Islands to Mountain Bike Stardom: Robin Goomes’ Unconventional Journey
Robin Goomes, a native of the remote Chatham islands, has risen to prominence in the world of freeride mountain biking, becoming the first woman to land a backflip in competition.Her unique upbringing on the isolated islands, located approximately 800km off the coast of New Zealand, shaped her into the fearless athlete she is today.
An Island Childhood Forged in Nature and Resourcefulness
growing up on the Chatham Islands, Goomes spent her childhood assisting her mother, a Department of Conservation ranger, with various tasks such as pest control, caring for burrowing birds, and planting trees. This hands-on experience instilled in her a sense of resourcefulness and resilience.
“I was a mum’s girl for sure,” Goomes says. “I always looked up to her, but she was different from your average mum. She was very hands-on, and taught me how to weld and how to shoot.”
She even earned money as a child by hunting possums and selling their fur, using the income to purchase her first dirt bike at the age of 10.
Adapting to City Life After Island Freedom
The Chatham Islands, with a population of approximately 600 residents spread across small farms and settlements, offered Goomes a sense of freedom and community. “Everyone was family,” she recalls. “You could do anything you wanted. It was free.”
However, moving to christchurch for high school presented a important adjustment. “It was a big change, going from the middle of nowhere to city life,” Goomes explains.”I had so much less freedom. On the Chathams I learned to drive when I was 11 and would borrow my mum’s car to set up possum traps. On the mainland I couldn’t even ride a dirt bike up the street.”
From Antarctica to the Extreme: Robin Goomes’ Unconventional Path to Mountain Biking Stardom
Robin Goomes, a name now synonymous with daring feats in freeride mountain biking, took an unconventional route to the top. From working as a machine operator in the army, including a stint in Antarctica, to dominating BMX and finally finding her calling on the mountain bike, Goomes’ story is one of unexpected turns and relentless pursuit of passion.
Early Days: BMX Beginnings and a Life of Adventure
Growing up near a BMX track, Goomes transitioned from motorcycles to BMX, quickly proving her talent by winning the New Zealand Nationals despite starting later then her peers. After high school, Goomes’ adventurous spirit led her to the army, where she worked as a machine operator and experienced an unforgettable summer assignment at Scott Base in Antarctica. She recalls skiing, exploring historic huts, and riding fat bikes across the icy landscape.
Finding Her True Calling: Mountain Biking and Enduro Success
Upon returning from Antarctica, Goomes discovered mountain biking. Drawn to the sport’s blend of BMX and motorcycling elements, she immersed herself in learning the technical skills required. Her rapid progress culminated in an unexpected victory at a local enduro race shortly after starting the sport.
Rapid Ascent to Freeride Fame
Goomes quickly progressed from racing enduros to freeride, where her background in BMX and motorbikes gave her a head start. Soon she was competing in events like the prestigious Red Bull Rampage, a testament to her skill and bravery. now a prominent figure in the freeride scene, Goomes continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible on a mountain bike.
Robin Goomes: From Army to Freeride Trailblazer
Robin Goomes,a former member of the army,has rapidly ascended to the top ranks of women’s freeride mountain biking,a discipline that blends downhill,dirt jumping,and BMX. Goomes’ career has been marked by groundbreaking achievements, including being the first woman to land a backflip in a competition at Crankworx Innsbruck and being invited to the first ever women’s Rampage in Utah.
Breaking Barriers: Goomes’ Rise in Freeride
Goomes transitioned to full-time riding in 2021, perfectly timed with the burgeoning popularity of women’s freeride. This discipline judges riders on their tricks, style, and composure while navigating challenging terrain, rather than focusing solely on speed.
Her pivotal moment occurred at Crankworx Innsbruck, austria, where she stunned the crowd with a historic backflip. This achievement opened doors to major events like Audi Nines,where she further solidified her reputation and was named rider of the week.
Darkfest and Rampage: Conquering New Frontiers
Goomes was also among the first women to participate in Darkfest,a demanding six-day event in south Africa renowned for its massive jumps. This cemented her position as a trailblazer in the sport.
In October 2024, Goomes was among the eight women invited to the inaugural Women’s Rampage in Virgin, Utah.This event, traditionally exclusive to men since its inception in 2001, marked a watershed moment for women in mountain biking. “There is nothing like it,” Goomes said,describing the unique challenge of building her own line down the steep sandstone cliffs of Gooseberry Mesa with a dedicated team.
The Rampage Experience: Creativity and Problem-Solving
Rampage requires riders and their support teams to design and construct a personalized descent, encouraging creativity and problem-solving. Athletes must determine the optimal speed for each jump without the benefit of observing others’ attempts beforehand, adding to the event’s intensity.
goomes Shatters Barriers, Wins red Bull Rampage
In a landmark achievement, Hannah Goomes conquered the formidable Red bull Rampage, widely regarded as the toughest freeride mountain biking competition globally. Her victory not only secured a significant portion of the $100,000 prize pool but also unofficially cemented women’s place at the highest echelons of the sport.
Facing high winds and a challenging course
Goomes faced down steep, rocky terrain amid high wind forecasts. The conditions forced her to wait for hours atop the sandstone mesa, hoping for a break in the weather before attempting her run.
Overcoming near-disaster during practice
During a practice run, Goomes misjudged a major jump, nearly resulting in a serious accident.”I fucked up every feature, casing the big jump and nearly died,” she said, highlighting the extreme risks involved.
A winning run fueled by focus and determination
Despite the earlier setback, Goomes delivered a stunning first competition run, skillfully navigating the treacherous slopes and executing two backflips and a 40-foot drop. Goomes explained she achieved a unique mental state where risks seemed insignificant,leading to her groundbreaking performance.
rampage win represents career’s ethos
Goomes described the event as representing her entire career as there was much ambiguity. She had put in the work, although she did not expect the win.
Embracing the Moment
“I’m just trying to do everything I’ve set out to do and really accept what happens in the moment,” Goomes stated, reflecting on her historic achievement.
What motivated Robin Goomes to transition from BMX and other sports to focus on freeride mountain biking?
Robin Goomes: Q&A on a Freeride Trailblazer
Dive deeper into the astonishing journey of Robin Goomes, from her unconventional upbringing to her groundbreaking achievements in freeride mountain biking. This Q&A section provides additional details to complement the main article.
Q: Where is Robin Goomes from?
A: Robin Goomes hails from the remote Chatham Islands,a group of islands located approximately 800km east of New Zealand.
Q: What was Robin Goomes’ upbringing like?
A: Goomes had a unique upbringing on the Chatham Islands, where she spent her childhood assisting her mother (a Department of Conservation ranger) with tasks like pest control and planting trees. She also learned practical skills like welding and even earned money by hunting possums.
Q: What sports did Robin Goomes participate in before mountain biking?
A: Before becoming a freeride mountain biking star,Goomes participated in BMX. She also worked as a machine operator in the army, including a stint in Antarctica, where she enjoyed skiing and riding fat bikes.
Q: What are some of Robin Goomes’ major achievements?
A: Goomes is the first woman to land a backflip in a competition at Crankworx Innsbruck. She was also among the first women to participate in Darkfest and was invited to the first-ever women’s red Bull Rampage. She recently won the Red Bull Rampage competition.
Q: What is Red Bull Rampage?
A: Red Bull Rampage is considered the toughest freeride mountain biking competition globally. Riders design and build their own lines down steep, rocky terrain and are judged on their tricks, style, and overall performance.
Q: What challenges did robin goomes face at Red Bull Rampage?
A: Goomes faced high winds and a challenging course. She also had a near-accident during a practice run. Despite these setbacks, she delivered a winning run.
Q: What is the importance of Robin Goomes’ Red Bull Rampage win?
A: It is indeed a landmark achievement that secured a notable portion of the $100,000 prize pool and cemented women’s place at the highest echelons of the sport.
Q: How has Goomes’ background influenced her success?
A: Her upbringing on the Chatham Islands instilled resourcefulness and resilience. Her background in BMX and motorbikes gave her a head start in mountain biking.
Robin Goomes’ story is a testament to determination, skill, and a fearless spirit. Her journey continues to inspire, so stay tuned for more groundbreaking feats from this incredible athlete!
