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Home/Podcast Episodes/Episode 81: Emma Maaranen on Professional MTB Racing, the 80% Rule, and Trail Maintenance

Episode 81: Emma Maaranen on Professional MTB Racing, the 80% Rule, and Trail Maintenance

On this episode: mountain bike racing, the 80% rule, and trail maintenance. We’re chatting with professional mountain bike athlete, cycling coach and trail advocate Emma Maaranen.

We talk with her about how she entered the world of professional racing, why she ended up started a new women’s mountain bike racing team, the chaos of a race start, the most important training day of the week, and much more.

In this Episode

  • Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) – getting a UCI pro license gets you into more races
  • Bowen Sports Performance – where Emma coaches
  • Moab Rocks – a 3-day stage race where Emma realized she had been over-training
  • Sisters Stampede – see the photo gallery 😉
  • TransRockies Race Series – next up for Emma in 2023
  • COTA – the Central Oregon Trail Alliance (where Emma pays “rent” on her “office”)

Connect with Emma Maaranen

  • You can find her on Instagram @emmamaaranen and on YouTube also @emmamaaranen

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Our Co-hosts

  • Jason Fitzpatrick – IG: @themuirproject
  • Saveria Tilden – IG: @adventuruswomen  web: AdventurUsWomen.com
  • Jeff Hester – IG: @thesocalhiker  web: SoCalHiker.net

Theme song by Opus Orange. Courtesy of Emoto Music. 

The Almost There Adventure Podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.


Bonus Material

Racing the Dual Slalom course at Sea Otter in 2022. I turn Sea Otter into a stage race and race everything from the Enduro onto the gravel race.
Taking the W at OR state Champs in XCC in 2022. First race back after my hand fracture. I was so stoked to be back and feeling feisty.
Finishing Moab Rocks with my KS Kenda Women’s Elite Team teammate Darragh Hildreth in 2021.
Stage 5 of BCBR (BC Bike Race) in 2021. I literally ran into a bear that day.
Racing the US Cup Missoula 2021. One of the steepest UCI courses in North America.
Local glory! Giant belt buckle for defending my Sisters Stampede title in 2022.

Written by:
Jeff Hester
Published on:
March 15, 2023
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Categories: Podcast EpisodesTags: #WomenCrushWednesday, mountain biking

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The Almost There Adventure podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.

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