Amy Morrison | Serious Fun | E7

Turning professional after only her first Enduro race, Amy Morrison is one of America’s top mountain bike talents,  winning the U.S. Elite Enduro National Championship three times. Although she didn’t discover the mountain bike until adulthood, Amy grew up waterski racing and jumping internationally (and barefoot!), as well as competing at the national level in swimming and diving, and holding a state track and field record as a pole vaulter before competing at the varsity level at Clemson University. Her combination of athleticism, determination and not being afraid to crash is what helped her climb the ranks so fast in mountain biking. That and knowing how to balance the seriousness of training with the joy of simply having fun on bikes. Fresh off a 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place at the Sea Otter Classic in the Pro Enduro, Downhill and Dual Slalom (and days after speaking with us she won the TDS Enduro), Amy sat down with us in her Carson City home to talk trails, mountain bikes, skiing, mentorship and balancing her racing career with being a teacher at Dayton High School while starting the mountain bike club to get more kids on bikes.

2:40 – Introducing Amy Morrison recorded at her home in Carson City, Nevada

3:30 – Bike mechanics – Ace wrench Mark Wallace and the Start Haus Truckee crew

6:30 – The relationship between a bike mechanic and a bike racer

9:00 – Amy and her recent ebike to ski adventure in Ash Canyon above Carson City

12:20 – Amy’s background growing up in Michigan waterskiing, show skiing, barefoot skiing, swimming, diving, volleyball and as a varsity track athlete and pole vaulter.

20:00 – How Amy found cycling and her Mount Evans, Colorado adventure.

24:20 – Amy’s transition from road cycling to mountain biking in 2013.

25:50 – Checking on the loaf of bread Amy is baking.

27:00 – Amy’s first full suspension mountain bike from Brian Durling and Rich Maile from Mike’s Bikes – Santa Cruz Bronson.

28:00 – Amy’s first big mountain bike ride in Auburn and Foresthill with her friends Nicole and Sarah that completely wore her out.

29:30 – The moment Amy realized she was good at descending – sending the stairstep descent on Hole in the Ground trail.

31:00 – Getting into Enduro racing and meeting Ron and Casey Sanchez of the TDS Enduro.

34:00 – Going from her first race ever to professional Enduro racer in one race. The secret – not being afraid to crash and learning how to crash without getting seriously hurt.

36:00 – Mountain biking as a lifelong sport and its welcoming community.

38:30 – Female support vs male support in mountain bike racing sponsorship.

42:00 – Getting into teaching and balancing it with being a professional bike racer.

47:00 – Starting a mountain bike club at Dayton High School and coaching kids.

1:04:40 – Racing for Team USA at the Trophy of Nations in Finale Ligure, Italy.

1:09:00 – Amy’s 2023 season so far – taking a “Leave of Absence” as a teacher for the summer to race – fun shenanigans with teammate Marco Osborne and new sponsor Transition Bikes.

1:17:40 – Amy taking three podium finishes at Sea Otter Classic. 1st in Enduro, 2nd in DH and 3rd in Dual Slalom. Amy wins the SENDY Send of the Week award.

1:22:00 – How is it living in Carson City, Nevada?

1:27:00 – Amy’s favorite local trail – Mr. Toads Wild Ride – Saxon Creek

1:31:30 – Follow Amy on Instagram @amymo_11

1:33:00 – Riding in Marquette, Michigan, Copper Harbor the Upper Peninsula and “Yoopers”