Carley Young: The first weekend into the year January 6th I hosted a Ride Like A Girl Women’s coaching event at The Wheel Mill. The event was a huge success with having about 160 women in attendance learning the skills they need to reach their riding goals. This event was a success because of the support of The Wheel Mill in Pittsburgh, PA and the 5 coaches who taught the event Nina Buitrago, Cory Coffey, Hillary Marques, Karen Brooks, and Kathy Kruse.
How many weekends/days were you away from home and at a BMX jam/contest or on tour?
Carley Young: This year I attended 13 events with 6 of them being women’s events. I attended 13 races with 1 of them being the World Championships where I placed 5th in 30-40 Women’s Cruiser and 7th in 25 and over Women. I also taught 4 week long summer camps this year including Ohio Dreams, Woodward PA and 2 at local bmx tracks.
What was the best event you went to this year that gets your vote?
Carley Young: I would have to say the Grand Nationals this past Thanksgiving. With riders coming from all over the United States I was there to defend my National titles in my age group. Even though I came up short on one goal I rode my heart out, had a lot of fun and the riders I mentor did awesome at the event. It is more than an event because it is about bringing your bmx family together at the end of the year and celebrate each other’s success. Very thankful to attend this event yearly.
What contest placing were you stoked on this year?
Carley Young: The World Championship this year did not plan out the way I had hoped because of a crash just a month prior to the race and destroying my shoulder I was thankful to make both of my main events. Representing the USA is an honor on that level. With over 1,000 riders competing I was thankful to bring home some titles.
What trick/move were you happy to pull for the first time this year?
Carley Young: I’m feeling really confident throwing t-bogs again after a bad crash I had back a few years ago. Most of my trick riding gets done in the winter after the race season calms down. This winter I’m looking to throw some backflips on wood and would love to get turndowns dialed. Maybe even throw on some pegs.
What BMX move stands out the most to you that somebody did this year?
Carley Young: Sisterhood or Shred really hit home for me. I really enjoyed the way Meg Valliant put together the documentary about women on bikes.
Who had the best looking bike in 2017?
Carley Young: I would have to say Alise Post. With coming back from the Olympics with a Silver medal she did an excellent job marketing that into her bike.
Who had the best video/video-part that stuck out to you?
Carley Young: The Halahan’s, Nina Buitrago and Dani Lightningbolt in the new props DVD. Awesome to see my favorite riders shredding it up.
What was your worst injury in 2017?
Carley Young: This was my biggest injury year. I crashed in practice at a race in January getting a bone bruise on my shin and massive calf bruise. Took a week off to rest before my next coaching event and I looped out fracturing my shin on the same spot I crashed before. 4 weeks off my leg killed the mojo for the year heading into the World Championships. Then 2 days before my home National here in Pittsburgh I came up short on a manual that threw me in the asphalt berm straight onto my shoulder knocking the wind right out of me. I had a gnarley contusion on my hip that took weeks to go away and my shoulder was a mess. I did as much at home psychical therapy to get myself back on the bike but sleeping was my worst enemy.
Worst thing that happened while you’re on the road?
Carley Young: The worst thing actually happened the day before I left for the World Championships. I got into a minor fender bender earlier this year having to replace my hood and front bumper and didn’t notice my radiator had a crack in it. The day before I had to leave for the biggest race of the year my car was out of commission. I called and ordered a radiator only to have UPS hold it for no reason when I or
dered it to be next day delivery. This would make it impossible for me to leave on time. Thankfully my good friends let me borrow their Van so I could get to the race on time.
How many flat tires did you have the past 12 months?
Carley Young: I am pretty thankful to have good luck with tires even. I drive about 50k miles a year and I take great care of my car to ensure mishaps like this don’t happen.
Best meal you had?
Carley Young: I recently just traveled to Lithuania and they have this cold Beet soup that is to die for!
Best party you visited in 2017?
Carley Young: BMX after parties are always a blast, it’s hard to pick just one. It’s always fun to place bets on who will get the most drunk and have to be carried out.
Raddest person you got to hang out with this year?
Carley Young: At the Gravity Soul dual slalom event this year I had the pleasure of racing the legend MTB Missy Giove. It was awesome hearing her stories of her racing days and love her perspectives of racing.
Best thing you saw in 2017?
Carley Young: I loved seeing how many girls showed up and competed at the Fise Final and UCI Urban Worlds. The talent that the girls are stepping up at these events is awesome to see. The amount of females coming together to compete in events shows other females riding at local parks that there is a future for them in bmx.
Plans for 2018?
Carley Young: I am looking forward to riding more trails next season. I’m going to make some changes to my bike and work on the fundamentals of my riding. Going to build some trails in my front yard and start pushing myself to jump some bigger lines. Long term goal would be the follow my boyfriend thru the biggest lines at Hazelwood
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.