From Shovel to Stardom: Vero Sandler's Freeride Journey

Jennifer Miller · 2026-09-15

Few riders capture the spirit of modern freeriding quite like Vero Sandler. But here's the thing – her path to the top didn't start with big air or podium finishes. It began with something much simpler: a shovel in her hands. We got the chance to visit her home in Wales, and let me tell you, it's a story about more than just biking. It's about trail building, community, and why the best rides often start long before you even drop in. ### The Backyard Bike Park You pull up to this modest house in North Wales, surrounded by green hills and trees. But the real showstopper isn't the scenery. It's Vero's backyard. Imagine a full-blown bike park squeezed into a residential lot. We're talking massive jumps, berms carved to perfection, and even a shipping container that doubles as storage and a launch ramp. Some features here rival those in professional parks, with jumps potentially reaching over 10 feet high. The place feels alive, like mountain biking isn't just a hobby here – it's the very foundation of her life. On the evening we visited, the action was in full swing. Vero wasn't riding solo. Her partner Sam Hodgson was there, along with freeride stars like Kade Edwards and Kaos Seagrave. But it didn't feel like a star-studded event. It felt like a regular Tuesday night where friends gather to send it and have fun. That's the magic of Vero's world. ### Building More Than Trails Vero moves through this space with a calm, welcoming energy. She's always smiling, always checking in on everyone. It became clear fast that for her, it's not just about personal achievement. She wants everyone to ride, to have fun, to feel included. This atmosphere is what turns a collection of jumps into a community hub. - Everyone is welcome, from pros to beginners. - Everyone contributes – they dig, they build, they maintain. - The focus is on shared enjoyment, not competition. That's the secret sauce. For all the spectacular lines, her backyard doesn't feel exclusive. It feels like home. ### From Downhill Dreams to Freeride Reality Vero's story has some twists. As a teenager from New Zealand, her goal was straightforward: race the Downhill World Cup. She even dropped out of university to pursue it, spending years on the global circuit. But after the 2016 season, money was tight, and she couldn't afford the flight home. So, she stayed in Wales for the winter and found a job. What seemed like a practical decision changed everything. She stepped away from racing against the clock and discovered a new side of mountain biking. "Everything just fell into place without me really planning anything," she says. "Which is extremely lucky." She stopped drifting and started building – literally and figuratively. ### The Rider-Builder Philosophy During our visit, Vero shared a key insight. "Riding is for sure more fun," she admitted. "I build so that I can ride. It's all in the name of biking." But here's the kicker: almost everything that defines her riding style today can be traced back to those hours with a shovel. Building trails taught her about flow, about how features connect, and about the physics of movement. It gave her a deeper understanding of the terrain, which translates directly to confidence and creativity on the bike. She learned to read lines like a builder, not just a rider. ### Insights for Mountain Biking Events Professionals If you're organizing mountain biking events, there's a lot to learn from Vero's approach. First, community is everything. Events that foster a welcoming, inclusive environment tend to thrive. Second, the physical space matters. Well-designed trails and features can enhance the riding experience and encourage participation. Consider incorporating trail-building workshops or community dig days into your events. It builds ownership and engagement. And remember, great riding doesn't start at the gate – it starts with the ground beneath your tires. By investing in the build, you're investing in the sport's future. Vero Sandler's journey shows that sometimes, the most impactful careers are built from the ground up. By focusing on creation and community, she's not just riding trails – she's shaping the future of freeriding. For event pros, that's a lesson worth digging into.