The Heiress of Send

^{Photo by Majik Cyril}

As riding families go, the Athertons are probably one of the family names that ring around the world. With Dan, Gee, and THE Rachel Atherton, their bike park, and their bike brand, the Atherton name is as solid gold in riding as can be.

Now we’re not comparing in any way but the similarities are there with the family riding pedigree (her uncle is the Elite National Champ JR Barba and her dad won the Masters), Hanah is a National Champion herself. She took P1 in the U16 Women’s Category in the same National Championships in Danao, Cebu last November. She’s part of Team WCNB, Wangyo Cyclery Nica Brie, which is owned and supported by Dr. Cary Remotigue.

GROWING UP A WINNER

Gwen Hanah Barba is twelve years old and a CHAMPION. Let’s get that out of the way first. At that young age, she’s already an accomplished athlete and is obviously just getting started. As mentioned above, she won the Nationals in the under-16, women’s category last November and well, she’s already back in training and looking ahead. You can’t teach that championship desire, that mettle, that’s in her blood.

Growing up surrounded by winners, she couldn’t help it. It’s not that she felt any pressure to compete at a high level, she told us that it “just comes naturally,” and that it’s something that “she really loves doing.” Hanah started riding at a very young age, not surprising, given the family she’s a part of. What stands out though is the joy you see in her eyes while on a bike, or even just talking about it. “It’s the best,” she says.

RIDE “LIKE A GIRL”

“My friends like it,” Hanah tells us, in few words but very articulate thoughts, “I sometimes invite them and most times, they join. I love it when they do.” We wondered too, if as a 12-year-old girl, things would be different in the dynamics within her community and she tells us that “No, not really. I’m just a normal kid riding a bike…”. From where she’s from, things are pretty status quo.

Well that’s something that we KINDA agree with…if every 12-year-old could send gaps and drops like she can– while winning National Championships. “It’s just really fun for me,” she tell us, “and this is ‘playing’ for me.” Something we can really get behind, because racing bikes downhill is dangerous and super competitive; but at its very core, it should be fun more than anything else. And we just love that that’s what it is for her: FUN.

Hanah tells us that she’s excited for the future because she knows that riding bikes is definitely going to be a huge part of it. Training, racing, all while making sure her studies are never compromised, she’s ready for it all. In our eyes, and I’m sure in many of you reading this, that’s what keeps her a CHAMPION.

Coached by her dad, Wendell Barba, she learned everything from jumps to body position from him, also how to ride different trails, including technical terrain, rocky trails, slippery trails, the works. Her Uncle JR (Barba) would also give Hanah tips when they’d ride together.

“It’s fun to ride with my dad and sisters,” Hanah tells us, “challenging too because I try to keep up with my dad,” She says that she enjoys having her sisters follow and learn from her, “you learn by following others.” Check out her bike:

Frame: Specialized Demo 8, aluminum, external cable routing
Size: extra small (xs)
Wheel size: 26″
Color: Black/grey
Travel: 200 mm

Rear shock: Fox Van RC (rebound and compression adjustments)
300 lbs coil spring

Fork: X-fusion RV1 HLR dual crown, coil, for 26/27.5 wheels, rebound and high/low speed compression adjustments, 200 mm travel

Cockpit: Specialized Demo aluminum handlebars 680 mm wide (including grips), 31.8 mm
Specialized direct mount stem
Nukeproof Neutron lock-on grips (purple)

Brakes: Avid Elixer 7 Trail, hydraulic 4-piston disc
Rotors: 200 mm front/180 mm rear

Drivetrain: SRAM X7 10-speed shifter, SRAM X9 short cage 10-speed rear derailleur, 10-speed casette 11-25, 10-speed chain

Pedals: DMR Vault Brendog Edition flat pedals, black

Tires: 26 x 2.3 Butcher Control rear, 26 x 2.5 Butcher DH front both with inner tubes

Cranks and chainring: SRAM Descendant cranks, 36T chainring with bashguard
Gamut chainguide

Wheels: Specialized Roval DH 26″ aluminum rims, 32 holes
Specialized hubs

Specialized saddle, seatpost and seat collar

Others: KRSCT fork mud guard