Harriet Burbidge-Smith on filming for Red Bull the Sound of Speed.

Questions by Lisa Mason/WFMBike

Photos by Red Bull Media

Harriet Burbidge-Smith is a name you hear bandied about in all areas of mountain biking these days. Climbing the ranks and creating a space for herself in the newly exploding women's mountain bike freeride and freestyle scene, she created her own event for young girls in Australia! She competes in many disciplines from dual slalom & pump track, to freeride & slopestyle events, often in the top step!! We weren't surprised when we heard Harriet was chosen for the next 'The Sound of Speed' video by Red Bull. She sets goals and achieves them. Like her recent goal to flip in a competition run, she just checked that off at Highline FMB Slopestyle a couple of weeks ago.

Harriet is blazing trails for herself and the next generation of female athletes! We caught up with Harriet recently to ask her about filming her the Sound of Speed with Red Bull.

-What is Tasmania like for riding? Lots of flow trails, tech, steep, loose, jumps, dry, wet?

The Tasmania trails are some of the best in Australia! It also reminds me a lot of NZ riding, the dirt is very similar. Maydena Bike Park in particular has some of the funnest tech and flow trails I’ve ever ridden, some really steep rock tech which was really fun to play around on. My video is pretty freeride/flow and we used some popular jump trails and a few features I was really keen on.

-When you heard that you were in the Sound of Speed, what did you do? jump up and down, get nervous, immediately start planning?
Yeah, lots of ideas came up in my mind over the last 4-6 months! Locations, style, etc. I was stoked to use Maydena and have the project in Australia.

-Did you get to pick the trail to ride for the Sound of Speed?

I spent a week in Maydena prior, for Downhill Nationals, but spent a lot for that time looking for trails and features that I liked! I also joined the film guys on a few laps to find shots that would work! I wanted to be a part of the process as much as possible, for sure.

-How many laps did you do in prep, before you started filming?

I think before the filming started I did about 15 shuttle laps, trying out different trails!

-Hardest thing about recording the Sound of Speed?
Keeping up energy! The days were long, and after 6 hours on the third day of shooting I was just trying to keep my energy up, you know! I wanted the riding to still be my absolute best.

-Are you not allowed to make any noise, no laughs, grunts, or accidental expletives, lol?

Hahaha nah they’re pretty chill! I also trust the guys editing to not do me like that.

-How much camera work have you done like this before? I assume there was big equipment around, or was it drones?

I’ve worked a bit with some amazing filmers and photographers! But it was a pretty big production on this one! A few really expensive cameras and an amazing crew.

-Favourite thing about filming?

It was a great way of dialling in tricks, given I had to get it perfect sometimes 6 or 7 times.

-What's it like being part of the Red Bull family? It looks like a pretty great and supportive space for athletes.

Its a dream come true! Anyone who knows me can tell you it’s been a dream since I first started riding. They are an amazing team that I am excited for a future with!

-Being visible in this mostly male industry has been pivotal in helping the evolution of women's freeride/slopestyle. You’ve been making women's biking even more visible for women/girls in Australia and around the world. Are you stoked on how your Trek Momentum camp went? Will you keep the momentum (LOL, I couldn’t resist!) going?

The Trek Momentum camp was amazing! I was so stoked with how it went! I was lucky to have such an incredible team behind me that made it all possible. The girls showed up with open minds and an amazing mindset, it was so cool to see. I hope to build the concept to bigger and better things in 2023 and beyond.

-Favourite Red Bull video right now, besides this one?
Loved the new Brook MacDonald project! Little things in there that were just really creative and different.

-Any upcoming plans or projects in the works?

Lots of ideas! Just have to see what happens.

-Shoutouts?
The team that helped and supported me at Trek Momentum, and the amazing crew on the Sound of Speed project!