11 Year Old Polina Mountain Bikes The Downieville Downhill
Polina barely knew how to ride a bike when she arrived in California at the end of May 2013. 2 months later she is riding one of the world's most famous mountain bike trails. Watch this brave kid survive a 15 mile advanced trail and 5,000 feet of descent through roots, rocks, and ruts in California's Northern Sierra Nevada mountains.
Sure, she isn't a pro in only two months and maybe 10 rides but this video shows that a kid can ride this trail. She did a solid intermediate ride. She had a blast and no blood or significant bruises. Very tired at the end of course.
For me the best part was the applause she received from MTB racers at the Pauley Creek bridge :-)
I shot this run and gun style. It would show a far more complex trail if we could shoot over several days. She rode some gnarly rocks that I never expected and wasn't prepared to shoot.
Her bike is a 26" 2013 Specialized Myka HT with a 15" frame and rim brakes :-) Yes, she is ready for an upgrade but she is heading home to Moscow and nothing much to bike there.