Out of the Blue | Kristen Graham | Brought to You by Schrader’s
This week, we feature Kristen Graham from Seagrave, Ontario, in our ‘Out of the Blue’ WMX column brought to you by Schrader’s.
Name: Kristen Graham (Gordon)
Date of Birth: June 7th, 1988
Hometown: Seagrave, Ontario
Occupation: Educational Assistant
Race Number: 688
Bike: 2021 Honda CRF250R
Race Club: BRMX, OCMC, AMO
Classes: Ladies 12+, Ladies B, Vet Ladies
Who/what inspired you to get onto a dirt bike and how long have you been racing/riding?
My husband Mark Graham #787 was the person who inspired me to get onto a dirt bike many years ago.
He put me onto his first dirt bike that he got when he was a child. It was a Honda XR100 and I have been
hooked ever since. I went from riding trails to tracks on the Honda XR100, to then getting onto a Honda
CRF150RB and pulling up to my first gate drop 3 seasons ago. This year I moved up to a full-sized bike
which is a 2021 Honda CRF250R. This is my third season racing.
When not on a dirt bike how do you keep yourself busy? Are you involved in any other sports or
extracurricular activities?
When not on a dirt bike I keep myself busy by kayaking, boating, hiking, ATV-ing, mountain biking, riding
BMX, and snowmobiling in the winter.
As a racer, are there any obstacles you feel a female racer has to deal with that maybe a male racer does not?
I feel like Motocross for females has come a long way in the last 10-15 years. More female racers are
getting noticed and accepted more in a male-dominated sport which is amazing to see! Girls are showing
the boys that “YES, girls can ride too!!”
From your first ride to where you are now what is something you never thought you would be able to
overcome but have?
From my first ride to where I am now is truthfully like night and day! When I first rode onto a track on a
small bike I could not even get up a hill without getting scared and rolling backwards down the hill. I honestly never thought that I would EVER get onto a full-size bike let alone race a full-size bike. I never
thought that I would even have the confidence to pull up to my first gate drop, but now last week I pulled
my first holeshot at OCMC and that is a moment that I will never forget!
What is your favourite track and why?
My favourite track is the Burnt River MX track. It was the first track that I ever rode and raced on and I
feel most comfortable riding. It is one of my local tracks that I learn the most on because the terrain can
change at any given moment which makes me a better rider in the long run.
What event do you look forward to most every year? What’s one you don’t ever want to miss?
The Walton TransCan is the event that I look forward to the most every year. It is an event that I never
want to miss because it is a week full of fun with family and friends and watching the best riders give it
their all. This year will be my first year ever competing in the event!
Who has been your biggest inspiration/hero on and off the track?
My husband Mark has been one of my biggest inspirations because he got me into this sport and I would
not be where I am today without his love, support, and guidance. I watch this man roll up to the gate each
week against a bunch of my students who are less than half his age and he still gets some of the
holeshots and some of the wins which I find so inspiring showing people that no matter what age you are that you can still be an amazing role model to the younger generation in this sport.
My biggest female hero on and off of the track is Lindsey Bradley! This woman is a complete
POWERHOUSE! Not only does this girl race in the WMX Triple Crown Series, she also works as a Medic
at all of the events! She works for the Fire Department as well! How is that not inspiring?! She is one of
the most caring, big hearted, badass females that I have ever met in my life. During AMO practices she
takes time out of her own practices to have me follow her around, so that she can show me the best lines
for me to take in my races. I really appreciate everything she does for me as a teammate and a friend!
Do you have any pre-race rituals?
I always give people at the gate before their races knuckles and say “Good luck, have fun, and be
safe!”
What are your plans for this season? Any specific events you’re looking forward to?
My plans for this season are just trying my best in every race and to come off the track with a smile on my face. I am really looking forward to racing in the Vet Ladies Class at The Walton TransCan.
What are your biggest accomplishments to date?
My biggest accomplishment to date on a bike would be getting my first holeshot last week at OCMC and
being able to race on a 250.
What is the biggest lesson that racing has taught you so far?
The biggest lesson that racing has taught me so far is that it is just as big of a mental game as it is a
physical game. I have had to work really hard at not being so hard on myself in this sport.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years I hope to see myself around the kids’ tracks with future children. Also, I hope to still be racing
and cheering on my husband and the rest of The Somers Racing Team.
Are there any females out there who you feel have paved the way for other girls to be successful in
motocross or off road?
I believe that any female that kicks their leg over a bike is paving the way for the younger generations of
girls to be successful in motocross. Jolene Van Vugt has paved the way for females in Canada in Motocross and Freestyle Motocross. She is someone who I have looked up to for many years and had the opportunity to meet two years ago at The Walton TransCan. Vicki Golden has paved the way for females in Freestyle Motocross and Supercross.
What kind of track/dirt/terrain do you feel you excel at most and why?
I feel that I excel most on dirt tracks because I can get the most traction. No matter what the track terrain
is you will see me never giving up and finishing that race.
If you ever have children will you give them the option to race as well?
100% our future children will have the option to race as well.
If you could give 1 piece of advice to a female of any age who wants to start riding what would it be?
To just start!!! I started racing dirt bikes at the age of 34 so I am proof that it does not matter when you
start, it’s just that you start! The first time you kick your leg over that bike and twist the throttle you are
going to be hooked and want to learn more. Every ride is progression. Try not to be too hard on yourself
and just enjoy the ride! “Good luck, have fun, and be safe!”
What was your first fear when you started riding and how did you overcome it?
My first fear when I started riding was getting injured. It is still a fear that I have but I am learning to
overcome it by just enjoying every ride and trying my best to be a little faster each race. Injuries can
happen in any sport so you just have to push through the fear and focus on riding.
What was your first race number and how did you choose it?
My race number is 688. I chose it because it represents my birth date.
Who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank my parents, family, husband, friends, students, and The Somers Racing team.
I would also like to thank my sponsors:
Bob Somers, The Coach and Owner of Somers Racing
TKT Detailing Services
Fitzpatrick Electrical Contractor Inc.
The Second Wedge Brewing Co.
Ride Industries – Motocross Graphics
St. Onge Recreation
Alliance Electrical Supply Inc.
RJS Consulting Services Inc.
Moto-Life MX Training
Team Holeshot Motosports
Autumn Purdy at A. Purdy Pics
Full Factory MX
OGs
MD Distributions
I would not be the rider I am today without any of these people and I will forever be grateful for
everything that they do for me!
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