Southwest Singletrack: Member Profile with Jessie Kay

The summer of 2020 has not been filled with in-person connection to all our friends and neighbors. While we’d rather be gathering for group rides and pint nights, we still can’t do so safely, so we thought we’d catch up with some members digitally for now. Jessie Kay is a SWMMBA member, Bozeman Youth Cycling Coach, and skills instructor extraordinaire. She was gracious enough to give us a few moments of her time and share her thoughts on southwest Montana’s mountain-biking community.

SWMMBA: Are you a SWMMBA member? If yes, why is membership important to you?
Jessie Kay: I am a SWMMBA member! As a college student at MSU, I remember getting involved in trail projects led by The Dirt Concern. It was exciting to watch and participate in the evolution and growth of SWMMBA—I think SWMMBA is a true testament to the power of our collective actions. 

SWMMBA: What is your favorite aspect of the southwest Montana cycling community? What direction would you like to see the community go in? More bike parks? More education? Youth development?
Jessie Kay: I love that the southwest Montana bike community celebrates all flavors of bicycling. I regularly joke that as a rider, I’m a Jane of all trades, master of none—and I think that’s just the Montana way! We are lucky to have so many different types of trails and roads available to us. 

Moving forward, I’d love to see SWMMBA and Bozeman’s bike community deliberately diversify. I’m taking time to listen and learn from the BIPOC and LBGTQ+ communities, but I know I still have so much more work to do. In general, I think the mountain-bike community is a microcosm of the white heteronormative patriarchy and an interesting lens to analyze inequity. I’ve been reflecting on the obvious and not-so-obvious privileges we have as mountain bikers, the pressures to assimilate, the unspoken assumptions we have about biking, and what it means to progress in the sport. I don’t have any immediate solutions, but I do know that diversifying our sport will take a lot of collective action, much more than just providing bicycles to those who don’t have access.

In the short-term, I’m trying to make sure I use inclusive language and move away from the hyped-up, “huck it,” enduro-y culture of mountain biking. I celebrate those who identify with that side of the sport (I still enjoy it and love a good Brandon Semenuk edit!), but I don’t think that meets most people’s needs to enter and grow in the sport.

SWMMBA: What’s your favorite thing about teaching/instructing/coaching?
Jessie Kay: I think we can all admit that there is a lot of ego in mountain biking. I get caught up in it too; I constantly experience imposter syndrome and feel like I don’t go big enough, I’m not fast enough, or I don’t have enough experience to be a skills instructor. I have to remind myself that coaching isn’t about me. It’s about creating an emotionally and physically safe environment for students to learn more about themselves and their bikes. 

I’ve been more open with my students about the vulnerability and fear I experience on and off my bike, and it’s amazing to see how people respond. That is without a doubt my favorite part about my job as a coach.

SWMMBA: What is your favorite SW MT trail?
Jessie Kay: My favorite section of trail locally is Fox Creek—either heading down to South Cottonwood, or the top section of History Rock. But I’m also a big fan of starting from home and creating new loops in the Bridgers or Gallatin foothills. 

SWMMBA: You give back through your coaching. Why is it important for mountain bikers to volunteer/mentor/coach/give back?
Jessie Kay: I worked various jobs in sustainability and conservation after college, but I always struggled with feeling that my impact on the world was abstract. With coaching, I’m always immediately aware of my impact on the students I’m working with. Although at times I struggle with the exclusivity of mountain biking and the other sports I coach, I’m passionate about using outdoor adventure as a tool for human growth. Now more than ever, we need a mentally and physically resilient generation of kids and teens. 

SWMMBA: Favorite après refreshment?
Jessie Kay: Oh man... this one is tough! I am chronically dehydrated and always forget to drink water, so I usually chug Scratch sports drink after a ride. I am also a big fan of Mexican beer in the summer, especially Modelo!