Women Involved Series: Carley Young
Meet Carley Young, BMX racer, coach, and the woman behind Ride Like A Girl! She is extremely passionate about getting more females involved with two wheels.
You can find more on Carley with these links:
Ride Like A Girl:
Videos posted on Carley’s YouTube page!
What do you feel
deters women from getting involved BMX or any other technically challenging
style of riding?
Women are sometimes fearful but don't want come off as weak. This sport looks dangerous but once you give it a try it is not that bad. I understand the importance in explaining fears and how to overcome them. Riding in a park of females is the best way to grow as we learn from those we surround ourselves with. I have taught at many women's events and it is great to fix little things like posture and body position. Doing so increases the riders’ ability to be comfortable on their bike.
Women are sometimes fearful but don't want come off as weak. This sport looks dangerous but once you give it a try it is not that bad. I understand the importance in explaining fears and how to overcome them. Riding in a park of females is the best way to grow as we learn from those we surround ourselves with. I have taught at many women's events and it is great to fix little things like posture and body position. Doing so increases the riders’ ability to be comfortable on their bike.
What inspired you to
coach?
Ever since I was a little girl I always dreamed to being a teacher. In high school I taught preschool and learned how to teach effectively. I started coaching when I was 13 when a group of girls at my home track asked me for advice. My dad helped me put together a girls’ day at the track where I got to be the coach. I felt like such a pro when I had that clinic and it sparked something special for me. I turned pro when I was 16 and coaching became more of a job for me to help me get to the races. Here I am at 30, still coaching kids and motivating the younger generation to be the best and take their riding to the next level!
Ever since I was a little girl I always dreamed to being a teacher. In high school I taught preschool and learned how to teach effectively. I started coaching when I was 13 when a group of girls at my home track asked me for advice. My dad helped me put together a girls’ day at the track where I got to be the coach. I felt like such a pro when I had that clinic and it sparked something special for me. I turned pro when I was 16 and coaching became more of a job for me to help me get to the races. Here I am at 30, still coaching kids and motivating the younger generation to be the best and take their riding to the next level!
What has been of
greatest moments for you since you started coaching?
I have coached a kid by the name if Charlie Biggs since he was 6 years, he is 11 now. We have worked so hard to get him where he is now! He literally can ride on the track, I’ll do something and he is already doing it. He rides with his heart and gives it his all. He knows where he needs to be and what he needs to do to be the best. I can watch him ride and tell you what he is about to do next. It’s such a great feeling when you watch them do everything you taught them and they bring home a 1st place trophy. People think they are my kid I scream for them and care so much about their performance but I am just their coach :)
I have coached a kid by the name if Charlie Biggs since he was 6 years, he is 11 now. We have worked so hard to get him where he is now! He literally can ride on the track, I’ll do something and he is already doing it. He rides with his heart and gives it his all. He knows where he needs to be and what he needs to do to be the best. I can watch him ride and tell you what he is about to do next. It’s such a great feeling when you watch them do everything you taught them and they bring home a 1st place trophy. People think they are my kid I scream for them and care so much about their performance but I am just their coach :)
What would be the
most common challenge for coaching someone in BMX?My biggest challenge in coaching is parents. When I an approached by a parent to work with a rider I try to feel out the situation and parent\rider relationship I am going to deal with. Parents are sometimes my biggest obstacle because they will tell the rider exactly the opposite of what I taught them- to do or change things I fixed in a rider. The rider respects me and what I taught them but sometimes they have to listen to their parents over what the coach says to stay out of trouble. This draws a negative energy between me and the rider because I watch them do something and when I go to talk with them, they get upset and don't know what to do. Sometimes I need to walk away and understand this rider cannot be coached, but sometimes I am able to reason with the parents and tell them they need to trust me. Parents just need to be the rider’s biggest fan and keep the support going during the races all the coaching and training needs to be done prior to the event not Friday in practice.
What do you feel
could happen to make changes and/or encourage more women to ride? (in general)
Have more women's events and get into schools and let more girls know about the sport. Once people try BMX they normally stay and invite others to try. It’s a fun and affordable sport that you can do on your own schedule. The more you put into it the more you get out. You have to buy a 1 year membership and that gives you access to over 300 tracks in the USA. You can ride at any one of those tracks for a reasonable fee to practice and about $10 to race. There is a national schedule we follow throughout the year that allows riders to compete for a National Age Group plate that is given to riders in each age group.
Have more women's events and get into schools and let more girls know about the sport. Once people try BMX they normally stay and invite others to try. It’s a fun and affordable sport that you can do on your own schedule. The more you put into it the more you get out. You have to buy a 1 year membership and that gives you access to over 300 tracks in the USA. You can ride at any one of those tracks for a reasonable fee to practice and about $10 to race. There is a national schedule we follow throughout the year that allows riders to compete for a National Age Group plate that is given to riders in each age group.
What do you feel
could happen to inspire more women to be involved with various styles of
riding? (BMX, MTB)
I have started Ride Like A Girl to inspire more women to ride, get into schools, go more women's events with moms and sisters to come try the sport with my coaching. I want to get into MTB more and inspire more girls to be better technical riders. Introducing myself and riding at new locations and inviting others to join me. Making my time available to others so they can come learn from me to better their skills.
I have started Ride Like A Girl to inspire more women to ride, get into schools, go more women's events with moms and sisters to come try the sport with my coaching. I want to get into MTB more and inspire more girls to be better technical riders. Introducing myself and riding at new locations and inviting others to join me. Making my time available to others so they can come learn from me to better their skills.
Why is the Sisterhood of Shred so
important for women riders?
When I first started riding I was called a tom boy because I rode bikes and I dressed like a boy but from the sports I played. I was also accused of only riding to try and pick up boys I know times have changed but what people didn't understand when I was younger was I always did things for me. I love being apart of a sport that makes me feel so awesome. What the girls are doing with the Sisterhood of Shred is explaining each girl’s story of why they ride and why being a woman in the sport is so important. I want make a difference and teach other riders, especially girls, the skills they need to ride at their best.
When I first started riding I was called a tom boy because I rode bikes and I dressed like a boy but from the sports I played. I was also accused of only riding to try and pick up boys I know times have changed but what people didn't understand when I was younger was I always did things for me. I love being apart of a sport that makes me feel so awesome. What the girls are doing with the Sisterhood of Shred is explaining each girl’s story of why they ride and why being a woman in the sport is so important. I want make a difference and teach other riders, especially girls, the skills they need to ride at their best.
What inspires you to
encourage women to ride?
Some women lack confidence and when you do something intimidating like ride a MTB down a rock garden, climb a tall hill on a road bike, or jump a big double on a BMX bike it proves you can do something that scared you. It can change your whole outlook on life! Strong women are needed in this world. Companies need them and we need them. Giving girls and women confidence to go out and do big things because of things they have accomplished in their riding makes me feel like I am making a difference.
Some women lack confidence and when you do something intimidating like ride a MTB down a rock garden, climb a tall hill on a road bike, or jump a big double on a BMX bike it proves you can do something that scared you. It can change your whole outlook on life! Strong women are needed in this world. Companies need them and we need them. Giving girls and women confidence to go out and do big things because of things they have accomplished in their riding makes me feel like I am making a difference.
Tell us a random fact
about yourself!
I made a mission statement when I was very young and it reads "Unlike anyone you have ever met." I stand by that quote and to be loved by all and to make a difference in this world. I want to ride my bike until my body no longer allows me to and always keep it in my life to keep me happy and healthy
I made a mission statement when I was very young and it reads "Unlike anyone you have ever met." I stand by that quote and to be loved by all and to make a difference in this world. I want to ride my bike until my body no longer allows me to and always keep it in my life to keep me happy and healthy
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