Emma 'Peas' Peasland

Name:

Emma / Peas (I’ll answer to both)

Age:

36 (I’ve been riding forever, but properly for about 16 years)

What's your favourite trail, ride or event? (or all three!):

Favourite Trail – The track from Winstone Lee Tor to Cutthroat Bridge (but only in the summer). When you get it right, and preferably with a tailwind, the flow is unmatched by other trails in the Peak.

Favourite Ride – This year has to be the South Lakes 100 on the #jennride charity event.

Favourite Event – For the past couple of years the Dirty Reiver has been brilliant. Something different, challenging, remote and beautiful.

What's your favourite bike of all time?

Bikes I’ve lusted after: Titus Motolite with the Ti/Carbon Exogrid frame or the Cotic Soda (on one of my first visits to 18 Bikes). Bikes I’ve actually ridden: Santa Cruz Tall Boy. Bikes I’ve owned: See below, I’m very happy with this bunch right now.

What's your current bike?

Road: Genesis Datum / CX: Kinesis Pro 6 / MTB: Merida Big Nine Carbon

What's the best innovation in bikes or bike related stuff in the past 10 years?

Dropper posts for seamless and less-faffy rides. Bikepacking luggage for lightweight adventures.

Why do you ride?

Like many people, bikes were first a ticket to freedom and independence. Later they became a ticket to freedom and fun. I’ve loved riding off road since I was child and used to race a little TT around the woods with my brothers. I started riding MTB properly in 2001, started racing in about 2004 and haven’t stopped since. Rides and races have just got longer over that time and it’s the longer events that have always attracted me. Partly, because I don’t like the searing pain of short, hard races and partly because I like seeing what I can do. Having ticked off numerous 12’s and one 24-hour solo race, right now I’m interested in self-supported events / routes like the Peak 200, Capital Trail or #jennride.

You can find Emma on Twitter @Peas_E  and Instagram @Peas_E