Cassidy Bickford

For this member highlight, we got to dive into the story behind Cassidy Bickford.

Where were you born / living now? Born and raised in CO!

What do you do for a living? My current day job is motocross coaching, and I also work part time at Aztec Raceway in the Springs.

What do you like to do outside of moto? My main interests besides riding are rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking— really anything that challenges the mind/body or has to do with nature I’m into! I also love learning about holistic health and physics, and am certified in foundational herbalism.

What role has moto played in your life?
Motocross has been my entire life! My mom and dad both raced and they got me a PW 50 when I was 4, when I turned 7 I asked my dad if I could race and have pretty much grown up at the track! My dad has worked out at aztec making the track perfect for the majority of my life so most of my days were spent at the track even if I wasn’t riding. I got my professional WMX license when I was 16, and in 2015 I started what was supposed to be my first full season as a WMX pro. I raced at Freestone with a DNF due to mechanical issues. The next round was Hangtown, and I unfortunately tore my ACL in practice. While I was recovering from knee surgery, I started noticing some health issues that would completely change my future and perspective on life.....

I started dealing with severe panic attacks almost daily, malnutrition, major hormonal imbalances, extreme fatigue and went from 145 lbs to 95 lbs, I was only well enough to leave the house once or twice each month. After a couple years seeing many doctors with my health rapidly deteriorating, I was diagnosed with a connective tissue disease and Addison’s disease. At this point I was 22 and weighed about 100 pounds, not exactly ideal for athletic performance. I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to be able to ride again, but I at least wanted to be strong enough to support myself, so I fought for my quality of life and a future that would be fulfilling.

I worked closely with a naturopathic doctor and started to rebuild my health. It took years of ups and downs, but I am finally getting my life back! I was able to get back on the bike at the beginning of this year and also got certified as a USMCA dirt bike coach and am still working hard to get back to where I was with my speed and health. To be where I’m at now after having my racing career taken from me, feeling like I would never be able to ride again being so unsure of my future is a dream come true and has taught me to appreciate everything life has to offer.

When I was younger the two things I wanted to be were a teacher or a dirt bike rider and I truly believe everything I’ve gone through has put me exactly where I needed to be to fulfill my purpose in this life. I’m still working through health issues and have “flare ups”, but I’m able to do what fills me from head to toe with love for life again and it gives me a reason to keep fighting. I am eternally grateful to this sport and the moto community for everything it has given me and for shaping the person I am. For now I get to share what motocross has taught me both in and off the bike, but I’m heavily considering going out for one more year of serious racing and going to Lorettas again in the women’s class.

If you could master one skill on a dirt bike what would it be?
- Precision! I love to chase the elusive “perfect lap” — all about that flow!

What could be contributed to grow women’s motocross?
Confidence and community! Giving beginner/novice or brand new riders the confidence to go to the track and take up space or someone to go with if they can’t do it themselves. I think organizations like GRT that are actively trying to give women a place to just ride and focus on themselves helps a lot with that! I’ve had so many girls tell me how much they appreciate the opportunity to work on their technique and speed without having to worry about aggressive riders flying by them or making them feel like they’re in the way. Women also tend to want to ride with other women, so the community that GRT has brought together is so awesome and I know that in itself helps give girls confidence when they find someone to practice with.

If you could spend the day with one famous rider who would it be, and why?
- This one is tough, but I’m gonna have to go with Ryan Hughes! I took one of his classes many years ago and really vibed with him on all topics we talked about, and of course would love to pick his brain about riding technique!