Rachael Walker
Rachael Walker has raced enduro since the discipline began in 2012. She now rides mountain, gravel and road, and works as a bikepacker and community organizer out of the Surrey Hills. Named BikeBiz Woman of the Year in 2019.
About
- Location: Surrey Hills, UK
- Bike, or favourite ride: Juliana Roubion - I’ve ridden a variation of this bike for nearly 9 years now. Love it
- Preferred riding disciplines: Mountain bike, in every form, along with gravel, along with road
- Other sponsors: SRAM, Rockshox, Juliana, Komoot, Smith, CrankBrothers
Notable achievements
Six questions
Why 7mesh?
I found 7mesh a few years ago after a good friend recommended the bib shorts. I have a few horror stories about saddlesores, including a little self surgery when up in the Artic and no doctors were in sight! I just couldn’t seem to find shorts which wouldn’t make my lady parts angry until I tried the 7mesh ones. The shape and quality of the pad was instantly noticeable and the seamless design was a winner for me. I’m super fortunate and grateful to be going into my third year with the 7mesh crew now, but I found the brand before being supported as a result of its superior quality.
Plans or goals for the future?
More multi-day big mountain epics. Hut to hut trips are my favourite and I have quite a few more I want to tick off…
Favourite place to ride?
USA!! I’ve been fortunate to travel to the States for riding a few times. I’m always blown away by the sheer positivity of the other riders and the passion they have for the trails. I’ve taken a few mountain biking trips to the Arizona/Nevada region in the midst of the UK winter (so maybe I see things with rose tinted glasses), but the Sedona red dirt….nothing beats it!
One thing you always carry on every trip?
Northwoods windshield jacket - it weighs nothing and I am 100% in the camp of hot one minute and cold the next, jacket on, jacket off on repeat. You never regret taking a windproof jacket with you.
Favourite ride snack?
Ride snack…. Hmmm if in the Surrey Hills, it’s gotta be a Peaslake Village Store Cheesestraw, they’re infamous. Elsewhere, I’m a big fan of an emergency snickers. When hunger panic sets in, a snickers always hits the spot.
Best weather to ride in?
I love a good type 2 kinda ride, a bit of grim weather and challenging conditions. You never forget those rides and there’s always an added sense of achievement at the end!