Tammy Donahugh has been a strong force in the mountain bike scene for almost half her life. Over the past 18 years she has raced pro downhill, competed in slopestyle and dirt jump competitions, she’s traveled the continent in search of new and innovative mountain bike parks and currently she’s sharing her love of the sport by coaching mountain bike skills clinics to women of all ages.
When Tammy’s not out throwing down on her own dirt jumps or at the local skate park in her new hometown of Colorado Springs, CO you can find her out improving trails somewhere in North America working as a Trail Specialist for the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA.com).
At the age of 21, Tammy and a talented group of young shredders formed a tightly knit family of riders, balancing gravity, urban, and dirt disciplines. They performed demos at events, helped to build trails for festivals like the Sea Otter Classic, and eventually formed the F.O.C.U.S Tour, sponsored by Adidas Eyewear and toured North America from Santa Cruz to Whistler. Tammy was the only girl in the group, and obviously earned a lot of attention.
In recent years Tammy hasn’t slowed down for a moment. She has an unbelievable level of commitment to making sure other riders have every advantage to enjoy life and life on bikes as much as she has. Tammy helped to create & finalize the first and only mountain bike certification program recognized internationally, and is amongst the first certified IMIC coaches worldwide. She spends much of her year traveling across the USA to train young riders, in particular young women, on what it takes to bring their riding to the next level. She has coached and competed at Women’s Weekend (Ray’s Indoor Cleveland), See Jane Jump Festival (Mt. Washington, B.C.), Ranch Style (Grand Junction, CO), Demon Dirt Jam (Alpine, UT), Crankworx CO (Winterpark, CO), Dirt Series (Boulder, CO & Park City UT), BMA Ladies Skills Clinic (Lyons, CO), and was even invited to coach with Camp of Champions in Whistler BC, (although a nasty broken leg kept her from this). At weekend competitions Tammy has been known to teach a ladies clinic all day Friday, win the Women’s Dual Slalom on Saturday, and compete in the men’s Slopestyle Sunday!
In 2010 Tammy was also a featured rider in Awesomeland – “Women of Dirt”, Premiered world wide in 35+ locations (www.womenofdirt.com). And in 2012 started Dixie Trix – an immensly popular women’s event hosted during Ranchstyle in Grand Junction, CO featuring skills clinics and a slopestyle competition on a course built specifically for the ladies (mark your calendars for the 2013 version on August 25-26).
Obviously Tammy is making some seriously RAD things happen! She was gracious enough to sit down with us to answer a few questions about her RAD self – read on to learn more and be inspired!
Any nicknames?
T-bone / Tamboggan / T.D. Hugh / Tambo
Where are you from?
 Santa Cruz, CA
What is your day-job these days?
IMBA Trail Solutions – Trail Specialist. In 2013 I will be changing roles to manage IMBA’s new MTB Skills Certification Program
When did you start riding?
When I was 16 years old
What is your riding Style these days?
Having FUN
Current Bike(s)?
SuperCo Charger , Verde BMXÂ , Giant Reign , Morewood Kalula
Who are your current Sponsors?
Native Eyewear, SuperCo, Deity, IXS, Kate’s Real Food, Schwalbe and Profile Racing
Any racing Highlights?
1st place Crankworx CO Slalom 2009
4th place Jeep King of the Mountain Slalom 2008. Haven’t really raced since 2009
Favorite race course?
Velocity course – Mammoth Mountain (the good ‘ol days)
How long have you been coaching for?
5 or 6 years
Any coaching highlights?
Well, I learned the hard lesson of making sure to keep myself safe at all times (especially while spotting) a few years back. I was keeping the student from going OTB but her front wheel ended up snapping my fibula. Granted I had a small fracture already and shouldn’t have been out there so I learned TWO lessons that day! And yes, I do consider this a highlight because I was able to get a positive vibe going again and continue the clinic the rest of the way down the trail.
What made you want to start your own women specific competitions?
The time was right and I wanted to help create a field of skilled female riders for the future of our sport. I always wanted a competitive field in the past and had dreamed of a full class of us girls at a slopestyle event. Over the years that dream seemed to fade so I figured I should use my knowledge and experience towards something that could help create that for the next generation. Damn I feel old!Â
How did you find out you were nominated for the Action Sports Hall of Fame/how did it make you feel?
I reluctantly joined Twitter last year and have been trying to stay active but am failing somewhat. I jump on there to check messages or whatever and noticed a tweet announcing my nomination. I thought it was some kind of spam until I searched around a bit. Once I scrolled through the nominees list and saw my name in there alongside so many legends and heroes I was blown away. Who ever nominated me is still at large….
How awesome was it to participate in Women of Dirt? Can you see another all lady cast video happening?
Being part of a film like Women of Dirt and having the opportunity to see it on big screens all over the US with friends, family, and the other featured girls was one of the most awesome experiences in my life thus far. Premieres were held all over the world and I still can’t believe how many people it reached and inspired. I think another all women’s film is a must. We need to keep the stoke alive and continue showing and sharing what girls are achieving worldwide and how they’re pushing the freeride movment forward.
Describe your best biking day?
A quick warm up in the skate park to get the pumping muscles activated, then a dirt jumping session in the woods with a slight downhill to make it effortless followed by a short but sweet trail ride that ends with a margarita on the beach, or on a deck with a view.
What discipline do you want to try?
Moto. I think I’ve tried all of the bicycle disciplines I care to.  I’m purchasing a YZ125 this week actually.
What has biking taught you?
Wow, that’s a big one. So many things that I wouldn’t know where to start. It’s no doubt made me who I am today and I can confidently say that I have no regrets. I guess a good one to spotlight right now given the “movement†that I feel has begun for female riders is the lesson of disregard or more simply put, to ignore. Everyone deals with it differently, but I think I’ve straight up ignored the fact that this sport was supposed to be for the boys.   I say “was†because I think things are changing and will continue to change rather quickly for us females. Biking has taught me to pursue what I want no matter what family, friends, co-workers, or society urges otherwise. Our time on this earth is short, so do what you can to balance work and play and never compromise.Â
Biggest hurdle overcome when riding?
Coming to terms with the fact that I am not made for competition as well as paying off my credit card debt from those years that I raced the national circuit.Â
Fav place to ride and why?
British Columbia. Not only do I love their dirt and forests, but it’s where I learned most, if not all of my skills.
Fav people to ride with?
My hubbie, Lisa Myklak, Cory Coffee, Nina B., Shaums March, Pete Stace-Smith, Hootie
Headphones or no headphones when you ride?
Always headphones for me while dirt jumping or at the skate park. Not really on trail rides or while downhilling.
Other sports and activities?
Snowboarding, Yoga, playing with my pup
iPhone, Blackberry, or Android?
That’s a long story, but I just got the Droid Razr HD
Cats or Dogs?
Doggies!!
Clipped in or Flats?
100% Flats
Shuttle or Climb?
Shuttle all the way
Thanks for taking the time to let us get to know you better Tammy, we can’t wait for Dixie Trix 2013 coming August 25-26, 2013!
The Muddbunnies encourage and welcome female riders of all experience and skill levels to join them in getting down and dirty. Come on, ride like a girl!
