FREERIDE: You do so much. What are you actually - a BMXer?
Caroline Buchanan: I love all facets of biking, but of course I've been riding BMX since I was five years old. But now I see myself as a freerider. My goal: I want women to compete in Crankworx slope styles. Women are already taking part in the Fest Series and the Audi Nines. The time is ripe!
You were the first woman to jump a front flip!
That's exactly why I love freeriding: Every day is a win. It's so different from racing. In freeriding, it's your personal progress that counts: holding the manual a little longer, taking your hand off the handlebars in the air or doing a flip. It's addictive!
How did the flip feel?
Incredibly good. I'd done it in the airbag many times before; I knew I could do it. And yet I had to really get over myself, be determined and pull off the trick. The feeling afterwards was pure gold!
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You were seriously injured, does that hinder such daring stunts?
If it had been a bike crash, it would certainly have slowed me down. But it was a car accident. That's why I can deal with it quite well in my head. Incidentally, the accident also had its good sides, because I was torn out of my career as a racing cyclist, finally got to think and managed to let go of the obsession of having to win Olympic gold. And I found out what I really wanted, namely: freeriding!
You can do so much, is there anything you can't do?
Yes, you're going to laugh now: I can't do manual. My husband Barry is always teasing me about it. And he's right, I urgently need to learn the manual. Dancing and singing aren't my strong points either.
Your consistent training is legendary. Do you build your own jumps to practise on?
I'm lucky that we live on a large estate here in Australia. My husband is also a bike pro. We build together and have everything from quaterpipes to fat motocross ramps. There's even a replica of a Crankworx slopestyle course here. When Barry had to take a break due to injury, I borrowed his airbag. I used it to practise my front flip and became a freestyle athlete, because as a racer I never took my hands off the handlebars.
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Do you have anything new planned?
Yes, of course. I'm currently working on the Flair. I'd like to be able to do it up to the Audi Nines. I've never seen a woman do a Flair on a mountain bike.
You market yourself very professionally. How much time do you spend on the bike, how much on the computer?
Before, when I was 16 to 25 years old, it was 70 per cent interviews, race reports, media work and so on. Now the ratio has reversed and I spend 70 per cent of my time on the bike. I have a very well-rehearsed support team.
How do you relax?
Others take a bubble bath or pour themselves a glass of red wine to calm down. I have to go biking, then I relax and I'm fine.
Your garage is full of bikes. Which one would it be if you were only allowed to ride one?
My Trek Remedy (160/150 mm), a mixture of trail bike and enduro. You can do so much with it.
