WHO DAT? GEORGIA ASTLE
Georgia Astle
Happy girl!! Summer is coming! Photographer: Trevor Burke
Hometown: Whistler BC
Current home: Still here in Whistler :)
Sponsors: Devinci, Shimano, Raceface for components and clothing and Smith for eyewear.
Years riding: First years mountain biking when I was 10/11 at WORCA camps. But didn’t get into it until high school, started racing enduro and downhill at 16 years .
Favourite trail/spot:
I spend a lot of time on my downhill bike training and lapping in the bike park. But spring trail riding in Pemberton is insane, mind blowing!! Shhhh…
No handers at dusk!! Photo by Freddie Pole
So, growing up in Whistler, BC. Canada, a true local, eh!! That doesn’t happen often, what’s it like growing up here? Fun and adventure eight days a week, or tough because everyone wants to party and you’re over it?
When I discovered the summer side, (aka the mecca of mountain biking I was born into but didn’t know about) summers went from spending time away from Whistler with my family, to being a full on park rat.
I’m laughing when I say this, but I’m already burnt out from the party scene. At the ripe age of 21. In the winters, I put my head down to focus on training, snowboarding, and working full time to save up money. Rarely drinking in the winter. I leave the fun times for summer when everywhere you go in town there are friendly faces, coming from all over the world to ride.
In Deep at Crankworx Garbanzo DH Photographer: Fraser Britton
The age old question, which came first? The bike or the skis?
Skis were slapped on from before I could walk. Then a brief period of telemarking, thanks to my retro ski bum parents. Then onto a board, then came the bike.
So you’ve done a few World Cups representing Canada, which race was your favourite and why?
Mont-Sainte-Anne was my first World Cup, I was still a junior and that track was mental. Intimidating to say the least. But I did really well for my first World Cup. You can’t beat the Canadian fans with blaring chainsaws!!
Every girls dream, the top step!! Photo by Fraser Britton
I noticed in your World Cup results that in 2015 through the speed trap at Mont Sainte Anne, your speed was an average of 43kms, compared to an average of 61kms in 2016. Is there anything you attribute to this massive increase in speed?
The speed trap was actually moved to a different spot for 2016, but I did improve a lot in that year too. Coming to a track your second time with more experience helps a ton with confidence.
Interviewer’s note ( whoops and I thought I was being all stealthy with that question, doh!!)
What’s your biggest takeaway from racing at a world class level, that you use in your everyday? Could be anything from a quote, warm-up routine, to the favourite after ride meal.
Managing nerves! And travel too. I travelled Europe alone when I was 18 with a bike and a backpack. Good life lessons taken from that trip.
Kite Boarding, yup, she does that too!! Photographer: Trevor Burke
Funniest thing you’ve every seen on your bike travels, and where was it?
On that same trip through Europe, anyone that saw me struggling in the Paris and Barcelona train stations, would have had a good laugh. Without elevators, I had to run multiple levels of stairs leaving bags behind and sprinting back down levels of stairs to grab my bike. There were some pretty sketchy spots as well.
You’re going away for a year and only allowed to take 5 things, not including clothes, food, or shelter, what will you take?
My cell phone just to have downloaded maps, books & podcasts with me
My trail bike (+helmet and shoes)
Aeropress coffee maker
Bar of chocolate for those emergency chocolate situations. Also for non-emergency chocolate situations.
My huge multi use water bottle I lug around. I try my best to avoid single use plastic when I can.
Canadian DH at Crankworx Photographer: Kevin Gelinas
What are your plans for 2019, are you racing? Any shoutouts?
Shout out to Devinci for taking me in to the family this year. I’m really excited to have Canadian based support behind me.
This year I would really like to expand my comfort zone. Build confidence to hit bigger lines and get better at other disciplines. For example this women’s dirt jump series! I am a racer stuck on clips. Would love to get better at dirt jumping and on the pump track.
Interviewers note (aww shucks, thanks Georgia!! Yes, everyone, the new women’s dirt jump series in Whistler!! Check it out here!!)
Thanks for rocking out with us! Follow Georgia on Instagram.
Yes! Let’s go for a bike ride guys & gals!
Puppy Love, Nash Potato and his momma!! Photo by Trevor Burke
Want more ‘Who Dat?’ Check out our previous article on Whitney Poulin here. https://www.wfmbike.com/journal/2019/1/17/who-dat-whitney-poulin