Cam Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 There has been a noticable rise in the standard of riding in the feminine class over the last few years, and there are some exciting young women athletes competing internationally. Many we don't really know a lot about as there is very little media from them, or they have such a hectic competition and training/work/study schedule that they kind of fly under the radar. I recently spent some time with Gemma Abant when she came to Australia for a holiday. As a follower of the sport and part time bike trial coach, it was a fantastic opportunity to spend time with an athlete that has put in years of dedication to the sport they love. Gemma has reaped the rewards of those efforts and remained humble and approachable. I had the privilege of riding with her and getting to know the person as she shared some of her riding history with me. I also watched her training, and could see the pleasure she got from doing what she loves the most.... riding trials. I was in Saalfelden (Austria 2012) to see her clinch her tenth world title under quite trying circumstance. I watched her closely during the competition and it is impossible to have anything but respect for the concentration, strength of character and sheer determination it took for her to win that world championship, I can't imagine what it's taken to win ten! This shy, diminuative young woman has an inner strength that stunned me, and like so many of the great competitors in sport, she is never truely satisfied with her achievements. Morg and I grabbed a camera and took some random footage of Gem when she was training on our back yard junk pile. It is quite different to the obstacles she normally rides and in the beginning a few moves gave her some trouble, but the professional rider came out straight away and the change in her was obvious. The concentration was turned up a to 10 and her determination to 11! I learned over a few weeks that it didn't matter what she applied herself to, Gemma immersed herself into it 100% - work, riding.... even dinner! We gave the footage to Gemma and she put together a video to remember her time here in Brisbane. I hope you enjoy watching her play. Camhttps://vimeo.com/62805570 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valk Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 She's so impressive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo-Scott Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 A lot of control and balance on the bike. More so than most riders i know anyway. Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimpanzyyyy Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 She's so impressive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss-Higgy Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 To be fair though, if i hadden't have found videos from other females, like gemma, nadine and a few others. I would never have picked up a trials bike so big up for just having stuck it out! Good little video too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harmertrials Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 (edited) To be fair though, if i hadden't have found videos from other females, like gemma, nadine and a few others. I would never have picked up a trials bike so big up for just having stuck it out! Good little video too I think you should get into the comp scene Lucy. Can imagine you going a long way. Edited April 1, 2013 by harmertrials Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss-Higgy Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 (edited) I think you should get into the comp scene Lucy. Can imagine you going a long way. Meh, its too competitive for me i just ride to have fun. Plus the fact theres very few active females in the UK comp scene, and we have our own category. That means that your only ever going against one maybe two people in a competition. But saying that i might have a bash at the Blackpool round this year as its rude to have it on my doorstep and not compete! And me actually getting through any section without 5 and outing, because ive decided to try it brakeless or something stupid would be in your imagination, because it wont happen trust me... Edit: someone just bought to my attention that the Blackpool round isn't on so i guess i won't be entering anything but GetCreative, if that happens.. Edited April 1, 2013 by Miss-Higgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.