MEET KENDAL MAZZETTA
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RIDING DIRT BIKES, AND HOW'D YOU GET INTO IT?
About 7 years, on and off with injuries haha. I had a boyfriend throw me on a dirt bike years ago and I swear I never stopped thinking about it. I ended up getting my motorcycle license and bought a DR 200 to ride on and off road. Then I met a surprising amount of dirt riders in NYC and the rest is history. I don’t even own a street bike anymore and totally happy off-road.
CAN YOU TELL US 1 OR 2 FAVORITE RIDING MEMORIES, THE FIRST THAT COME TO MIND?
There’s so many!!! A riding trip with a crew from different parts of country. We met up in South Dakota, rode in Montana and made our way to Gold Creek lodge in Idaho. Colorado trip this Summer with my crew was down right amazing. First Becca Sheets clinic and Hangover Harescramble. It was my first race,19 degrees and covered in ice and snow. I met some of my closest riding buds there though. 24 hour race with T-bone and Earls Girls, Tough Like RORR . It was way more than just a race. And seriously every Over and Out ,100%
YOU'VE TRAVELED TO RIDE QUITE A BIT. WHAT PLACES HAVE YOU RIDDEN, AND WHICH ARE YOUR FAVORITES?
Tri state area of course CT, W Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas, Michigan UP, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, Utah, Minnesota, Colorado! I've never actually made this list... Kinda crazy and feeling pretty lucky. Favorites.... South Dakota , Black Hills is probably my favorite. There is just something about that place... Colorado, Arizona , Texas are up there also.
YOU'VE BEEN TO EVERY OAO EVENT SO FAR. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THEM?
I’ve met so many women over the last few years. Most of them through OAO. So, now for me it’s become a weekend that we can all get together and riiiiip! The terrain is challenging, and we push each other to try the hard lines, the hill climbs and increase speed all while having a blast! I love seeing other women getting into it and it’s such a perfect way to try it out. Rent a bike, take a lesson, and have unlimited support from everyone there. Where the F was OAO 7 years ago?!
I now can hit up a few women on any weekend and have someone to ride with, its rad. Not sure I ever thought that would happen...
LAST YEAR YOU ALSO GAVE YOUR FIRST HARD ENDURO EVENT A TRY AT TOUGH LIKE RORR WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?!
So fucking HARD but, so rewarding. It’s like that one hill climb that gives you a hard time. The one rock garden you dread. The line that has the giant root next to a tree you get stuck on every time. It was all of that just back to back with little to no breaks. It was being so hot you’re cold and so tired you are literally falling for no reason. That’s what it was like for me a C rider haha. Four of us women riders teamed up to help each get as far as we possibly could. I still have a hard time explaining the emotions at the end of that race and the bond I have with those women. (feel free to name them!) And I will be giving it another try this year, got a checkpoint with my name on it!
WHAT SKILLS OR TECHNIQUES ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
Well wheelies are always a work in progress. I worked a lot on my form and cornering this past year. And would really like to learn pivot turns and get some time in on an endurocross course. Then put it all together. So basically everything.
WHAT ADVENTURES DO YOU HAVE LINED UP FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR?
See how far my truck gets me, but I’m headed for Texas and Arizona in a few days! I can’t wait!
