This month's instructor spotlight features Izette Swan, volunteer instructor in the Cascades to Sound Chapter! 

How & when did you start mountain biking?

I started riding a mountain bike way back when fully rigid bikes were the only ones available, Klein made their bikes in Chehalis and I was riding on Nantucket island - pancake flat. After a long day at work in a bicycle shop on the Island, a group of us would head off on our fully rigid bikes to tackle jeep roads with a few sandy hiking trails thrown in for fun with no mountains in sight. And, I loved it.

My bike got dusty for a few years, then became outdated and then in the early 2000 I got sucked into racing and riding bikes on the road. After a pretty bad crash in 2009 I decided to hit the trails once again, this time on a hardtail and riding mostly cross country trails where I would be the cause of any injury vs someone else.

I've since progressed to full suspension bikes and currently have 2 of them. It wasn't until about 3 years ago that I realized there is riding a mountain bike and there is knowing how to ride a mountain bike. 

What do you like about being an instructor with Evergreen?

This is my first year instructing for Evergreen. From the instructor training through teaching, it is apparent to me that this program is tops. As an instructor you are surrounded by like minded folks; people who are passionate about mountain biking, about learning and about teaching. The depth of knowledge and skill of fellow instructors is incredible.

What gets me jazzed about instructing is when you see a student's face light up with an aha moment; their body language on the bike changes from stiff and scared to relaxed and balanced. That is awesome!

Any advice you'd give to riders just starting out?

If you're new to mountain biking I strongly encourage you to take a class and then practice, practice, practice. Learning the foundational skills and then making them automatic from the get go will make progressing that much better.

I highly recommend the Progression Series that Evergreen offers. It's a fantastic way to start - 3 weeks in a row to learn, practice, review, practice, progress, practice. 

Learn more about our education program at: www.evergreenmtb.org/education

Check back on our website and apply to be an instructor with us for 2025: www.evergreenmtb.org/support-us/volunteer/become-an-instructor