Medicine Hat off-road motorcycle rider representing Canada in Spain in October

“It means a lot because this is something I’ve wanted to do since I started racing which was in 2016,” Schmale said.

“I’ve always had the goal and drive to to get to six days, and given the chance before and then having that opportunity taken away, just because of new surgeries or recovery,” she added.

“It’s finally my time, happening and it does feel really great.”

Schmale will only get to ride her competition bike for a few more days as it gets shipped in a crate over to Spain this week to make sure it’s there for the competition.

She said the event is like an annual Olympics for dirt bike racing. There will be three men and three women representing from a number of countries around the world in the trophy category.

Each of the first five days will include six tests, with long distance travel on the motorbike between.

“You have a lot of fast pace grass track. Lots of cornering, some techie sections. But it’s definitely corner speed ground speed and some you know a lot of moto background a lot of motor riders do really well at it,” Schmale said.

“But it’s definitely more absolute speed versus like your hard typical enduro, which you’d find out in the Rockies and stuff like that,” she added.

Schmale said the six days of racing is quite intense.

“You’re on your bike for eight or plus hours a day. You’ve got your five days of off-road and special test training and then your sixth day is a motocross race test,” Schmale said.

“It’s a lot of kilometers, a lot of hours on a bike and a lot of fatigued muscles at the end of the week, that’s for sure,” she added.

“The off-road courses they have everything flagged on on both sides and it’s really easier to see when your corners are coming up.”

Schmale said she is fortunate they have been able to build an Enduro series in Alberta.

“Enduro racing to specifically train for these types of events, and we want to alleviate the most things from from going wrong and all you have to focus on is just how fast can you do something versus, like is this my corner coming up,” Schmale said.

“It’s nice to have a format of racing here in Alberta that you just have to focus on going fast hitting your marks and instead of you know wondering where you are how you get lost or anything like that.”

Courtney Schmale who is representing Canada at the International Six Day Enduro in Spain spoke to CHAT TV on Monday. Kevin Kyle/CHAT News

There has been a noticable increase in female riders over the past few years, according to Schamle.

“A lot more women getting into the off-road industry, and you see some amazing talents coming out of Canada,” Schmale said.

“It’s crazy, now with with having more accessible training for that. But it’s definitely growing every year, our women’s classes are growing here or every year our pro classes are growing. Yeah, it’s it’s pretty overwhelming and exciting to see.”

Schmale said they will continue to fundraise to help cover the cost of the trip to the event.

“There’s a lot of things that are involved in being prepared for the the race itself,” Schmale said.

“We have the support from Southland Power Sports with our motorcycles and KTM Canada of getting the bikes there as well,” she added.

“My boyfriend Jared [Stock]…has been a huge help in getting all that organized as he’s raced seven, six days before in his career, so having all of his tools and knowledge to help me out along the way has been a lot easier and less stressful.”

Stock also from Medicine Hat will be travelling with Schmale to Spain and will be an alternate for the Men’s Trophy Team at the event.

Anyone looking to help support Schamle on her trip to Spain can contact her through her social media account.

The International Six Day Enduro runs Oct. 14-19.

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat off-road motorcycle rider representing Canada in Spain in October

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