You can find Makayla Brosius on her bike, whether at the Juan de Fuca BMX track in Colwood, at Langford’s Jordie Lunn Bike Park, or on elite level tracks around the world.
“I enjoy the process. The people, the places I get to go, it’s really good for my mental health, I love riding my bike,” she says.
And she doesn’t just love it, she’s really good at it too.
“This Saturday I leave to go to Brisbane, Australia, for the BMX World Championships and then a bit later in the year I go to Beijing, China, for the Pump Track World Championships,” says Makayla.
Pump track is like a time trial. The riders navigate the track individually and the best time wins.
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“Last year I qualified for the pump track championships and went to Switzerland,” says Makayla. “I was in the mix. For the first one I placed 20th out of 40-something people so I was happy with that, but I want to do better this year, obviously.”
“Last year, I was always really scared of pushing myself and I was scared of failure and I think last year I just wanted to try new things and get out of my comfort zone – and it’s working out so far,” she says.
Makayla’s success is having an impact locally as well.
“She’s amazing. She’s not only a reigning national champ, but she’s also a very key part of our club,” says Beth Hutton, who has known Makayla for years as her son attends the same riding club.
“She’s somebody that a lot of the girl riders in particular – but a lot of the young riders in general – look up to,” she says. “To see somebody from their home track accomplish so much in the sport, and still with so much to come, I have no doubt, it’s very encouraging for them to say, ‘Well if she can do it I can do it too.”
So what does it take to become a world-class rider?
“You have to have really good endurance, lots of strength. I train in the gym lots, strong legs, lots of practice, training, having fun,” says Makayla.
But it takes more than just physical strength, it takes mental fortitude as well.
“Honestly, I just try to stay as positive as I can. I visualize my races, and they can go as best as they can. Any time I doubt myself I think about how hard I’ve worked and that I deserve to be where I am,” says Makayla.
Beth says it’s an attitude she’s noticed as well.
“I think it’s her dedication more than anything. She’s always here and she always has a smile on her face. She rides to the best of her capabilities every single time she hits the track,” says Beth. “It’s an amazing thing for our riders to see.”