InFocus - CJ Selig
CJ Selig joined the Haro MTB squad earlier in 2024 and has been going in all season. CJ was one of the first riders to put in saddle time on the new Daley full-suspension MTB and her input and R&D efforts were integral to the launch of our all new range. You can check CJ in action in our "Hang Time in Big Bear" edit (below) as well as on her Insta channel @cj.selig CJ's always on the move, but we got her to slow down long enough to answer a few questions for us...
Congrats on participating as a digger at the first women’s Rampage event. How was the experience for you? And how do you feel being part of a growing women's sport?
Rampage is an extra special event for me. I went to the first one in 2015 and haven’t missed one since. The reason I love that event is the element of “do it yourself”. Riders and diggers make it happen for themselves, it’s so pure! It meant the world to participate. All the guts and none of the glory, being a digger. No one interviews you, you don’t get your photo anywhere, but you make the event happen. Saying you're part of the first women's event is one of the coolest experiences. I was one of two women diggers outside of the riders themselves.
Did you have any highlights from the experience?
The camaraderie was a big part of it! It was super-hot this year. On paper it was miserable, but having a team with a uniting purpose kept it fun and exciting. It was so memorable; we did it!
You’re in deep with the MTB lifestyle, from the culture to the industry. What is it about the sport that made you fall in love?
When I first discovered mountain biking, I was at a crossroads in my life. I happened to get a job at a bike shop and by chance, got to go MTB riding. I had a background in sports, but it was so different from anything I’ve done. I was bad at it and everything about it was new. There was so much to learn: The destinations, the bikes and components, then the cool athletes and community behind it. Mountain biking is not a highly established sport. It grows every day and there are so many aspects. I found a home there quick! I am happy to stay.
After having traveled significantly to ride, what places do you enjoy riding most? Is it something about the atmosphere that brings out the best in you? Or the people, the vibes, the spot?
What’s cool is you can go after any one of those aspects. There are places where the riding is the destination, like Whistler, but I’ve also been to Thailand for a random enduro race. When I was there, it was all about the food and culture! I’ve had adventures with my best friends and travels where I’ve met new ones. You can dip your toes into so many aspects, that’s what’s so rad about it.
What sparked your curiosity outside of ripping big jumps and roasting trails? I know you have a deep knowledge of ancient history.
One of the things I’m not too good at, but love, is guitar. I have one in the van and play it badly every now and then. Ha ha. And yes, ancient history is one I cannot get enough of. I like going to explore old sites and museums. I would say I’ve been interested my whole life. As I grow up, I get deeper and deeper into it. Right now, I’m super interested in pre-history. To me it’s fascinating, like, what were these early humans thinking and doing!?
Having worked in the outdoor industry, what else besides bikes drives your interest and hobbies? What music drives your passions?
Well, I am into adventurous sports but not adventurous music. Ha ha. For me, again, history plays more into my passion for music. Most the music I like is from the 70s or earlier. I love the connection. Music brings these people and their lives and emotions alive. I’m really into songs that have meaning in their lyrics. The Clash is one of my favorite bands because they sang about so much more than just another love song. They were a representation of what was going on. Music is a way to connect rather than disconnect.
CJ and Colin Varanyak going in for our Hang Time in Big Bear edit.
CJ rides the Haro Daley 1.
