Out of the Blue | Rachel Sheney | Brought to You by Schrader’s

Out of the Blue | Rachel Sheney | Brought to You by Schrader’s

By Jensen Amyotte

Name: Rachel Sheney

Date of Birth: March 9, 2006

Hometown: Odessa, ON 

Occupation: Racehorse handler & future paramedic student (starting Fall 2025) 

Race Number: 977

Bike: KTM 250XC

Classes: Women’s Pro

Who inspired you to get onto a dirt bike and how long have you been racing/riding? 

Thanks to my dad, I started riding dirt bikes in 2022. At first it was mostly for fun, but it wasn’t long until I wanted to start racing. I’ve been lucky to have lots of support around me, that’s made a huge difference. There’s always room to grow though and I’m very excited to see how far I can go in this sport.

When not on a dirt bike how do you keep yourself busy? Are you involved in any other sports or extracurricular activities?

When I’m not on a bike, working with horses is a big part of my routine. Horses have been a big part of my life since I was a kid, long before I ever got into dirt bikes. I also enjoy being outdoors and going on camping trips with my friends/family. I think it’s also important to stay fit, especially with such a physically demanding sport. Outside of that, I’m currently working toward getting my firefighting certifications.

As a racer, are there any obstacles you feel a female racer has to deal with that maybe a male racer does not?

For myself, I find size and strength can be a challenge for me. Sometimes it can be tough to reach the ground, especially in steep/ rocky terrain. Picking up the bike isn’t always easy as well especially when you’re tired.

What event do you look forward to most every year? What’s one you don’t ever want to miss?

My all-time favourite event is the National Corduroy Enduro. It’s a really challenging race with nearly 300km of riding over two days. It’s the best feeling when you complete the whole thing. Besides the racing, there is so much to do like demo rides, looking at vintage bikes, and spending time with friends.

What are your plans for this upcoming season? 

This season will be my second year racing the Off-Road Ontario series in the pro class, and I’m excited to see where I land in the championship! I’m also looking forward to some FMSQ races and I might throw in a few Motocross races into the mix.

What are your biggest accomplishments to date?

Coming back from a major dirt biking injury in October 2023 has to be my proudest moment. I broke my pelvis, requiring prompt surgery, and a plate and some screws. It was a tough 2 months of no walking, and then trying to rebuild my strength once I could. I’m very grateful to be back riding stronger than ever.

What kind of track/dirt/terrain do you feel you excel at most and why?

I excel mostly at single track as it’s what I ride the most and feel the most confident on. It feels great to make it through a section that you were convinced you’d never get through! That said, I do enjoy riding motocross. I like the speed and its gives a much different feeling than single track does. I think it’s important to be well-rounded and ready to ride whatever kind of terrain that comes your way!

If you could give 1 piece of advice to a female of any age who wants to start riding what would it be?

Don’t be afraid to start! The women’s riding community is growing fast, there’s so much support and encouragement out there. You’re going to meet so many great people along the way too.

Do you see yourself ever competing in the Canadian WMX Triple Crown series? Or have you competed in the WMX Triple Crown Series? What are your thoughts on the series?

I think it’s an awesome series with some serious competition for women. I’ve always wanted to race a full motocross series, so I definitely could see myself racing it someday.

Who would you like to thank? 

A big thank you to my family, and my dad for always supporting my racing. As well as my sponsors, Wheelsport and Leatt, for their continued support. I would also like to thank Jim Kolman for everything he’s done to help me.