QUEENS CATCH UP: LAUREN WELLS
This third installment of the popular Queens Catch Up stars non-other than Lauren Wells. This fairly new dirt bike rider from the ‘09 took a tentative 2-years of observation before attending her first coaching day on a borrowed bike. But since then it has been nothing but wheelies, jumps and powerslides. Find out how Lauren’s story began and where it’s headed in this week’s Queens Catch Up.
Name: Lauren Wells
Location: Auckland
Bike: KTM 250 CX-F
Been riding for: 2 Years
How did you get into riding dirt bikes and who encouraged you?
After tagging along with my husband Scott to different rides as a spectator to see what the fuss was about, I could see that it looked like a lot of fun. I met amazingly friendly people and Scott arranged for me to hire a Honda CRF150 and have my first lesson with Tony from Endless Dirt biking at the Sandpit. I loved it so much that for my second ride I wanted to hire the Honda CRF230.
Scott has been behind me from the start and I mean that literally since he has been riding behind me in case I needed advise on obstacles. Helping pick up the Honda if I couldn’t do it on my own or if I was pinned underneath the bike (lucky this has only happened twice). He would remind me to stand up as much as possible and he would do this by beeping his horn a few times every time I sat down. The only way he would stop beeping would be for me to stand up again. He has since disconnected the horn but sometimes I miss that horn when I find myself sitting down at times when I know I should be standing. He would also challenge me to do tracks that I didn't think I could do. Sarah Sutherland and Hayley have both been amazing the whole way through in support - riding buddies that offer helpful advice from their points of view of my riding, or from all their personal riding experience.
Crouching tiger, hidden drop off.
What was your first bike and why?
Honda CRF230 since I could easily reach the ground and the electric start, plus it wasn’t too expensive if I broke it from crashing!
What was the first thing you learned when you started riding?
The first thing Tony made sure that I knew was to always keep at least two fingers ready to pull the clutch in and he showed me where the rear brake was. Then he kept getting me to use both at the same time so I know from the start that I could easily get the bike to stop quickly no matter what is going on. After 15mins on the Kids track putting it all into practise he took me on some easy tracks and had me up standing on the pegs so I could learn from the start the best way to ride in the sand.
What was the first thing you wish you knew/someone had told you when you started riding?
That your clutch and revs are your best friend in the wet.
Standing up on the pegs ready for a Tokoroa bush loop.
What do you still struggle with when out on the trail?
Downhills, since my mind always makes me believe that they look so scary. So I go so slow to then find that (most of the time) as I get near the bottom, I realise it wasn’t scary at all. Also speed - I seem to always get to a certain speed that feels fast enough (I guess maybe safe), and if I do make myself go any faster then I chicken out or don’t stay there long. Then I go back to what feels fast enough. But I know that I need to work past both of these to become a better rider.
Lauren with Aussie legend Jemma Wilson and looking pretty stoked with securing her prize-wine for the weekend.
What is the best tip/trick/piece of advice you have had over your riding career?
I biggest thing I try to remember all the time is to look up/look to where you want to go. For me this is most important on a downhill as it helps me to block out how steep it is so I can just get to the bottom without crashing. This also includes looking past/don’t focus on anything you see you don’t want to hit, because most of the time if I look at it I am going into it (rut or puddle) or hit it (tree, bank, fence post just to name a few).
“Look up and look to where you want to go. Don’t focus on anything you see that you don’t want to hit, because most of the time if I look at it I am going to hit it”
Why are you riding the bike you are on right now, and what do you like most about it?
Since May this year, I now have the KTM 250 XC-F , mainly since it is a full-frame bike but has been lowered a bit to make sure I can still touch the ground. It is also lighter than the CRF230 and then of course, it has an electric start.
What would be the one thing you could change about your current bike?
I don’t want to change anything, I just need to get used to how much and when I need to use the clutch to control the get-up and go (acceleration) of this bike. A few times now I have done some huge whiskey throttles to find myself screaming trying to hold on to the bike and get it back under control without falling off.
When its not serious face its smiley face.
Where/who do you get your inspiration/advice/tips/ tricks from right now?
On the Facebook page Kiwi Chicks on Dirt Bikes, keeping in touch with ladies that I have met at Thundercross Valley Bike Park and from The Queens of Dirt putting on Rise of the Queens.
Your bike doesn't start - who do you call?
My Husband Scott, since we normally go to most rides together, otherwise there is normally someone nearby that is more than happy to lend a hand. Plus the sweep riders at all events are amazing.
What kind of riding do you enjoy doing the most?
I like going to lots of different places with trails so I can experience a mixture of different ground conditions/terrain like Sand Pit, Thundercross Valley Bike Park, MX Central, though I haven’t yet done the MX track there. Pirini Motorbike Park for both trails and I have done their MX track and loved it. Epic Events Berm Buster and Aria Trail Bike Ride just to name a few.
What is one piece of advice that you would give other girls thinking about getting into dirt bikes?
I will give two! Firstly, trust and believe in yourself because you can do it. Secondly, pay a bit extra when it comes to buying your helmet and boots and try a lot of different brands on for size before you buy, because it needs to be right, right from the start.
Another great day out on the bikes with hubby Scott.
First time on a bike and it hasn’t stopped since.