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Bellaboo Babe crew chick Sarah interviews
the Australian bike-riding legend, Niki Gudex, on
her multi-faceted career as a hardcore mountain bike competitor, graphic
designer, artist and model.
Do you remember
your first bike ride?
My first mountain bike ride was a very memorable experience.
I was by myself, in Jindabyne, in the off-peak season. I broke
the pedal on my bike and was completely lost for a few hours.
It was a bit of an adventure and a great time. I was so relieved
to get back to civilization, water and food. The experience
was awesome.
Did you have
siblings or neighborhood kids that you would challenge on
jumps or races?
My brother has just recently taken up mountain biking, so
that is great. We ride together sometimes on trails when I
am home in Australia.
Where did it
all start for you with competing?
I really got started with competition as soon as I started
riding. I did not know anyone who rode mountain bikes, or
where any trails were. I didn't have a boyfriend or anyone
who was in the sport. I saw a mountain biking magazine that
had bike races in it. It seemed the most logical thing to
do – compete in a bike race. I thought what a great way
to ride the race track and meet other people who loved riding
too. I was really lucky because there were a lot of people
who were very encouraging and I felt very welcomed into the
sport.
How did you go
from competing in biking comps to modeling?
I was approached on and off about modeling when I was younger.
My height peaked at about age sixteen, which was cool as I
able to fulfill my passion for snowboarding, skateboarding
and tree climbing unhindered! Then as I got older I did do
a few jobs for some magazines. I think it was just by word
of mouth.
How did you respond
to being in FHM, Vogue, Black and White, Chick, Rolling Stone
and other magazines which labeled you as one of the sexiest
women in the world?
Initially it was quite amusing because I saw myself as more
of a tomboy than "one of the sexiest women in the world"!
Now I see it as a compliment that people can find athletic
figures appealing. I have worked really hard to get to where
I am, so it is also nice to have some recognition, particularly
for something that involves a large amount of commitment and
skills. I like to see women who are not afraid to try something
that they enjoy. Because I am passionate about what I do I
feel comfortable in photo shoots.
Your image is
obviously one of the many things you’ve got going for
you, aren’t you scared of having to turn up to a photo
shoot with bruises and scars from rough biking?
Riding is what I love. I feel like the modeling and mountain
biking balance each other. Modeling is about an image, whereas
mountain biking is about an experience. I love the raw and
earthy moments on my bike - I feel grounded. No one likes
to get hurt but all I can do is try to avoid it. Once I start
riding then I really live in the moment and that is why I
ride my bike. I get scars, sometimes they fade, sometimes
they don't, but I also see my scars as a record of who I am
and what I believe in. I believe in living in the moment as
much as possible and my bike helps me do that.
Judging by the
graphics on your website, you have quite an eye for design.
What level do you want to take that creativity to?
Thanks! I really enjoy creativity - in any form. I have always
been interested in design and photography. I went to university
and did a Bachelor of Creative Arts, specialising in graphic
design. I want to explore my creative side as much as I can.
I have a signature clothing line for cycling clothing with
Castelli, which is a great Italian cycling manufacturer. I
have also been designing my own custom graphics for my race
bikes with Scott. It is really great to be able to be involved
with my sponsors in a creative manner. I have also painted
some pieces for Oakley in the US and one of my paintings is
featured in their advertising.
What’s next
in the competitive realm of mountain biking for you?
Right now I am preparing to go overseas. I had an injury last
year so I have been recovering from that. My next event is
the Sea Otter Classic in California, then a few North American
events before I head to Canada, then Europe. I will definitely
be keeping busy and training hard. As an athlete I have learnt
the importance of listening to the body and responding to
that, so this year I will be more flexible with my racing
calendar than I have been in the past.
What do you want
most at this point in time for your career/life?
I want to keep building on the hard work that I have been
putting in. At the moment, the most important things to me
are to be healthy and happy. If I have that then anything
is possible.
Profile: Sarah at Bellaboo Babe.com
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