How Trail Building Turned Vero Sandler Into a Freeride Icon

Robert Wilson · 2026-09-15

### The Backyard That Became a Bike Park Most riders know Vero Sandler for her smooth style and fearless lines. But her story doesn't start on a podium. It starts with a shovel. We visited her home in North Wales to see how trail building shaped her into one of freeriding's most creative riders. Her house sits quietly in the green hills, surrounded by meadows and trees. But the real attraction is out back. Huge jumps and perfectly shaped berms rise up where a garden should be. It looks more like a full-blown bike park than a backyard. And that's exactly the point. For Vero, mountain biking isn't just a hobby—it's the foundation of everything. ### More Than Just a Place to Ride Even on a random evening, life centers around that backyard. It's hosted several Backyard Battles, and it's easy to see why. Immaculate jumps, a shipping container that doubles as a start drop—this place is special. Tonight, Vero isn't riding alone. Her partner Sam Hodgson is here, along with Kade Edwards and Kaos Seagrave. It doesn't feel like a staged event. It feels like friends dropping by for a session. Vero moves through it all with ease—warm, open, always smiling. She's not just focused on her own riding. She's watching out for everyone, making sure they're having fun. That's what makes this place work. It's not an exclusive training ground. It's a community hub. Everyone is welcome. Everyone digs. And that's what gives it energy. ### From World Cup Racer to Freerider Vero didn't plan to end up in Wales. As a teenager, she had one goal: race the Downhill World Cup. She was selected for the Junior World Championships, dropped out of university, and spent three years on the circuit. But after the 2016 season, she couldn't afford the flight home to New Zealand. So she stayed in Wales for the winter and got a job. That practical decision changed everything. She stopped racing against the clock and discovered a different side of mountain biking. > "Everything just fell into place without me really planning anything, which is extremely lucky." Our visit coincided with testing the new Santa Cruz Nomad. A bike named for constant movement, ridden by someone whose story is about staying put. Vero didn't drift from spot to spot. She stayed in Wales, built something, and that build became part of who she is. ### Why Building Comes First For Vero, riding always comes first. But almost everything that defines her riding today can be traced back to trail building. She built her first trails as a teenager, and that hands-on approach never left her. - **Building creates ownership.** When you shape a trail, you understand every inch of it. - **Community grows from shared work.** Everyone who digs together rides together. - **Creativity thrives in your own space.** Vero's backyard lets her experiment without pressure. "Riding is for sure more fun," she says. "I build so that I can ride. It's all in the name of biking." That attitude is why Vero Sandler stands out. She's not just a rider. She's a builder, a host, and a leader. And her story proves that sometimes the best lines aren't found—they're made.