Thunderstruck - an Event Recap

“What the fuck am I doing?”

I thought this to myself as I booked the plane tickets to Boston to a freeride event called "Thunderstruck by KJ" and again as the plane took off. I saw the event last year on Instagram and it looked like so much fun, but at the same time, incredibly intimidating. The jump line looked massive. I willed myself to put the fear I had in a box as I tried to sleep on the red eye over.

I’ve tried for many years to balance pursuing a career as both a mountain bike athlete and creator. Each complementing the other in some senses but still taking a back seat when 100 percent focus is required. When things get hard in mountain biking, hiding behind my camera has been a cop out. This year, I wanted to change that and instead of shooting freeride events, I wanted to participate in them, Thunderstruck being the first. 

Thunderstruck started as a daydream by KaJay Rooke, an east coast rider and graphic designer. KayJay has been making her own path by integrating her affinity for sports and biking with her creative career. While dealing with her first major injury, she noted the need for a space to show the great riding in the North East while simultaneously elevating women and fostering community. “I was really excited to make an immersive experience for everyone who attends.” And so, Thunderstruck took flight. 

I arrived at Berkshire East Mountain Resort and it immediately had my attention. The energy was relaxed and light. Everything was easy - parking and getting a pass. But what really had me in a vice grip was the trails. Prior to sessioning the Fort Hill Pro Line where the event would take place, myself and a few of the other ladies made sure to ride every trail we could. Built by Gravity Logic, the trails were INCREDIBLE. Corners that held you, jumps that sent you up, and variety that would be envied by bike parks twice as large. I quickly found the double black jump trail, Hawleywood to be a favourite with A-Line sized hits but steeper lips.

Despite Hawleywood being a great warm up for Fort Hill, one of the largest public jump lines in the USA, it didn’t quell my nerves. Breathing exercises and energy from the other girls as well as support by local riders helped me get over the first jump. The event participants spanned generations, the youngest rider being 13 and the oldest rider being 56. We all came together, were scared together, and persevered together to push ourselves further. It was truly an environment for progression.

I set a goal that if I only made it that far, that would exceed what I thought was possible. One by one I ticked off more, completing and sessioning a total of 8/13 features. Some of the ladies made the entirety of the line, hitting the final two massive moto jumps and even tricking them. The crowd was equally supportive, asking for high fives, cheering and lending words of encouragement as we were shuttled back up to do the line again. 

I left Thunderstruck feeling on top of the world. If I could work through features that size, what else could I do? My mental and physical progression were both made possible by Thunderstruck. KayJay would love to see Thunderstruck become an event that is attainable and aspirational while also being scouted by larger events looking for up and coming talent. 

Next year, I’d like to get all 13.