Meet Amy Regan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Regan.

Amy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today
My goal is to help others enjoy the thrill of mountain biking while experiencing the beauty of the desert Southwest. 

Mountain biking can help us get the most out of ourselves and our surroundings. There’s nothing quite like pedaling down a scenic trail under your own power. And I love that all ages and most fitness levels can enjoy this sport!

My amazing journey on two wheels all began back around the year of 1986 when my three children wanted to ride their bikes on a trail in the woods. I had a road bicycle, but two days later I had my first mountain bike! I was instantly hooked and it was something I could enjoy with my kids. Within that first year, I signed up for my first mountain bike race and was launched me into a new career path and the ability to help others experience adventures and reach goals that they never thought possible!

My career study WAS is in Exercise Science/Kinesthesiology and Emergency Medicine. I was working as a weekend ski patroller and daytime in a Wellness and Physical Therapy Clinic as a technician, developing rehab and general exercise programs. These jobs allowed for a flexible schedule to be there when the kids got home from school and to train for racing. I did most of that by commuting to work, 12 miles away over many hills and some days, with temps in the single digits. I entered endurance events, eventually establishing the first women’s 24 Hour MTB World Record in 1994, which still stands today at 283 miles in 24 hours. My kids were old enough to attend races and help at the aid stations and without my family’s support, I could never have accomplished these things!

I began leading local mountain bike rides and teaching skills lessons, helping others to develop the physical ability, and more importantly, build confidence. There’s nothing sweeter than watching someone’s fear turn to joy when they get on a bike and feel confidence growing with every pedal stroke! I established a company named SOAR Ltd, in business until 2005 when I moved to Arizona.

I moved to Arizona in 2005 so that I could have a longer season of guiding and coaching mountain biking. I started AZ Mountain Biking in December of 2009, offering skills clinics, private training and guided rides. Now, I have guided thousands of rides and taught hundreds of skills clinics and private lessons. I have a fleet of rental mountain bikes and three guides and two instructors that work with me. I am so fortunate to have these great folks on my “team”, who share the same passion for helping others in the sport of mountain biking!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Things have gone pretty smoothly, though my least fondness is of the actual business end of things, setting up an accounting system, setting fees, etc.

Please tell us about your work.
AZ Mountain Biking provides guided tours, rentals and skills lessons for all ages and all levels of people and families. We have trails here in Arizona that are fun and incredibly scenic, showing our guests some of the most beautiful deserts anywhere in the world! I am proud of being able to build this business all on my own and have a dedicated and wonderful team of guides and instructors that work with me.

We customize every tour or lesson to fit our clients and students. People like to say, “It must be great to get paid to ride your bike.” That could not be further from the truth. My job as a guide is to make sure my clients and students are safe and having fun. It is not my ride – it is theirs. I am there to make sure they have an adventure that is 100% right for them, and to give them an experience that they will love!

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had it to do over? I might not try to wear all the hats. The saying, “Just because you can do something doesn’t necessarily mean you should.” On the other hand, I enjoy the variety of a day on the trail and then a day in the office, planning new adventures for my guests!

Contact Info:

• Website: azmtnbiking.com
• Phone: 602-448-9567
• Email: azmtnbiking@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azmtnbiking/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/azmountainbiking/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/azmtnbiking
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/azmtnbikingskillsclinics.amyregan

Image Credit:
azmtnbiking.com/amyregan

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