FRANKA MARTIN
Spreading my passion & love of bicycles around the world (with some yoga teaching along the way). Owner of Soul Trails, culturally immersive bike adventures. Co-owner of the 3 day NZ Enduro race. My passion involves uplifting women, children & men in Africa through initiatives like World Bicycle Relief & Velosolutions pump for peace projects. Grateful for this journey my bike has taken me on. Enjoy the ride!
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Although I initially concentrated mainly on gravity racing (DH then Enduro) over the years, I’m also a sucker for punishment and love a bit of Type 2 fun. I raced the 8 Day marathon XC stage race race The Cape Epic 4 times and then for my 40th birthday, only a week after hand surgery, I tackled the 3000km self supported Tour Aotearoa bike packing race, traversing the length of New Zealand. It's safe to say I have a tendency to dive head first into personal challenges before thinking them through properly. So far its worked out pretty good.
I’ve more recently shifted the focus of my efforts away from myself and racing, instead I'm stoked to now share and promote mountain biking and adventure with other women (and men) as well as disadvantaged communities with my charity work and challenges one pedal stroke at a time.
Racing history and accomplishments
Riding and racing bikes since 2000 (DH, 4X then Enduro)
Raced DH World Cups and Norba Nationals from 2002-2009
Multiple SA DH National Champ
Represented South Africa at 5 DH World Championship
4 x Cape Epic Marathon XC Stage race - Raising money for World Bicycle Relief
Multiple wins and podiums at the biggest international Enduro and All Mountain events (7 x Mega Avalanche,4x Mt of Hell, 2x Andes Pacifico, 7 x Trans Provence, Super Enduro series, French Enduro Series, Urge Invitational) Highlights are some of the big wins and sharing podiums with legends Tracey Moseley and Anne Caroline Chausson. (2007-2017)
4 years of EWS with regular top ten finishes. (2013-2016)
Tour Aotearoa 3000 km self supported bike packing event - Raising Money for World Bicycle Relief
Current Focus
Owner Operator of Soul Trails, International MTB & Yoga multi day immersive trips.
Owner Operator of NZ Enduro New Zealand's raddest and wildest adventure enduro stage race.
Charity advocate and fundraiser and ambassador for World Bicycle Relief, Pump for Peace, Trailfund.org and Molini flood relief.
Feature editorial writer with regular columns for various international MTB publications and year books.
Certified PMBR MTB coach & backcountry guide.
Certified YTT 500 hour Yoga instructor.
Designer & doodler. Saddle and graphic designs for SDG, Frame protector kits for Dyed Bro, Clothing for Crankbrothers & Wheels for Life & all NZ Enduro race & Soul Trails design and websites.
15+ years of broad spectrum experience in the bike industry: from retail sales floor, internal customer service, product testing, product launches, content producer, event planning, race organiser, professional racer & brand ambassador.
On the board of advisors for MTB Hall of Fame.
Brand Ambassador for Juliana Bicycles, Sram, Rockshox, SDG, Crank Brothers, Industry nine, Dharco
Did I mention I love to ride my bike?
FUN FACT: I immigrated to the USA to pursue and degree and career in Fashion, I got the degree, but fell in love with riding and racing bikes along the way and never did end up working in fashion, now I wonder if I'm continually searching for new sweet single track or really just on the eternal hunt for the perfect coffee or aperitif ;)
RIDING DISCIPLINE: Cross Country, Trail, Enduro, Gravity, E-MTB, Gravel
LOCATION: Nelson, New Zealand; Molini, Italy & Cape Town, South Africa
Website - Facebook - Instagram
