Sports Garage Ambassador Madison Pitts is something of a Front Range legend. No matter the weather or time of year, you can find her zipping down the local singletrack, cutting laps at the pump track, or literally defying gravity at a bike park, with not one but two wheels squarely in the air.
Between all this riding, she somehow found time to answer our questions. (Although to be fair, she probably just dictated the answers into her phone while driving to the trailhead.) Find them, below!
You’re a SG ambassador, and sponsored by Pivot Cycles (among several other brands in the industry). What has been your favorite bike in the past five years, and why?
Oh wow, this is a tough question! I am fortunate enough to have access to a variety of bikes and my favorite type of riding (DH, Dual Slalom, Dirt Jump, Trail) really depends on the day. If I had to pick one, I think I would pick the Shadowcat! Not only is it a beautiful bike, it is so much fun, LIGHT, and agile!
We see you at Trestle so often, you may as well be paying rent on the chair! And we know you can hit the expert-rated Banana Peel Pro Line—something most recreational mountain bikers would only dream of tackling. How would you recommend people work up to such advanced features?
I will start off by saying that the Peel has an extremely intimidating appearance but it is built well. Well-built features, mental preparation, and bike handling skills are all key to getting through pro lines like Banana Peel. The pro lines typically include technical jumps and drops, so I would recommend putting in the time at your local bike park. Valmont Bike Park is a great place to go for these basic skills.
Start small. Yes, even if you consider yourself an expert rider, I recommend taking it back a notch and starting on the small lines. When you are fine tuning your jumping skills, do not rely on speed. Instead, work on using your body and bike to clear the jump.
Don’t be scared to ask your favorite rider for some tips and don’t forget to work on the features with off camber lips/landings and difficult run ups! Build your confidence, and when you truly feel you are ready to hit the pro lines…do it. It is amazing how quickly the feelings of intimidation turn to empowerment to conquer more features.
We’re headed into the off season, which makes us wonder: How do you stay bike fit, year round?
This is one of my most difficult challenges that I often find myself struggling to juggle. When I do things, I try to do them 100 percent, to the point where I teeter on the line of burning myself out (typical of someone with ADD). On the other hand, if I take a step back to give myself a break (or life comes up), it affects my mental health drastically.
So, to answer the question, I am a member of CrossFit South Denver. Staying fit is sooo critical to our sport—it helps protect us when we take those tumbles. Not only do I find the programming helps me stay bike fit, but it also gives me another place of community with like-minded individuals. The way I juggle doing both is to prioritize the gym after work (Monday–Thursday) and we typically ride bikes all weekend.
If our readers could make one investment, whether of their time or money, to improve their time on two wheels, what would you recommend?
Take care of your body and your bike! Nobody enjoys hearing squeaky knees or a crunchy chain! 🙂 So get your bike serviced on a routine basis. Sports Garage guys and gals will have your back!
How has mountain biking changed the way you look at the world?
I have ridden bikes since the age of six; I have spent 28 years riding bikes and traveling the United States (as well as South Korea, Brazil, and Canada). I am incredibly fortunate to experience the diversity this country has to offer. From riding bikes at a local bike park in Chicago to BLM lands in Utah, each trip offers a unique experience with my closest friends. This is something not everyone gets to experience and it makes me appreciate the opportunities that I have been given in life.
What’s next for Madison Pitts?
This summer has been so busy that I think it’s time for a little bit of rest! I will be competing in a CrossFit competition in Broomfield at the end of November and then taking a trip back home to Florida to visit family. Winter is quickly approaching so I will likely start riding more dirt jumps and pump tracks when that snow starts to fall.
Get More of Madison
Follow along with Madison on Instagram, and if you see her at the local trail, say hi and don’t hurt yourself trying to keep up.
