Beyond the Ride: Cricket Butler

Author's Note:

Beyond the Ride is our love letter to the people who make mountain biking better. The series is meant to highlight the mechanics, builders, rippers, advocates, storytellers, coaches, land managers, and event organizers who make our sport the best version of itself.

Know someone you think deserves a feature? Nominate them here !

Cricket Butler has been making a difference in mountain biking for decades and I'd be curious to know just how many people out there have Cricket as a major supporting character in their own mountain biking stories. My guess is it's in the thousands, which is exactly why she's earned her feature here at Beyond the Ride.

Name, age, current place of residence?

Cricket Butler, 56, Kalispell, Montana

What do you do? (Specifically related to mountain biking)

I am currently rocking the retirement scene and bikepacking whenever and where ever I can. But in my most recent former life, I was the founder of the Whitefish Bike Retreat (WBR) in Whitefish, Montana. It was the best job I have ever had in my life!

I started the WBR back in 2013 after I purchased the property seven months prior. I really had no grand plan what I was going to create on the twenty acre property... I just knew I wanted to build a place to help cyclists.

The property was located adjacent to a developing mountain bike trail, the Whitefish Trail, that would eventually be over one hundred miles of sweet, flowy single track around Whitefish and surrounding lands. I got a permit to have the trails I built on the property connect directly to the new Whitefish Trail network, and that was how eight years of building the WBR, step by step, began.

We ended up with a lodge, campground, cabin, store, trails, pump track, bike packing gear and bike rentals, kids camps, clinics, guiding services, shuttles, fat biking and winter trail system development… and so much more. There were no investors, just me and my two sons to start, and friends and guests helping here and there. Eventually I was able to hire a full staff, but not in those early days.

My experiences in long distance bikepacking and ultra endurance mountain bike racing help shape the WBR into a unique and one of a kind place. I started the WBR before bikepacking was even a popular part of the cycling industry, and I truly enjoyed introducing people to bikepacking and getting them out on routes experiencing all amazing things about the sport.

What’s been the bike-related highlight of your year?

The year is still early, but I would say being able to get out and finish riding the Western Wildlands Route . The route stretches from Canada to Mexico, like the Great Divide Route, but further West.

I had ridden the Canadian Border down to the Darby Montana sections when I owned the WBR, so I could help shuttle bikepackers out to the route and provide riders with information about it, but since I was still working full time, I never could get away for long trips. Then, last year, I did the Mexican border to Arizona border with a good friend, so I just needed to complete the middle 1,200 miles or so. I had a total knee replacement back in January, and this ride was my "rehab bikepacking adventure."

Also, riding a long route solo takes me back to my roots, and it was refreshing to be on a newer route, going through small communities where locals were just baffled to see a lone female riding across those remote lands.

If you could leave any impact on mountain biking, what would you like to be remembered for?

I will probably be remembered for not wanting to get my photo taken... but I would like to think I helped people find a passion for bikepacking and getting others to believe in themselves!. The best part of my job was teaching and consulting and seeing the moment when a new skill was learned and confidence was built. I always believe anything is possible for anyone - you just have to try!

What, outside of mountain biking, makes you excited?

Fishing, fishing, fishing! Once I retired, and my mind settled from all the years of owning and running a business, I picked up fly fishing and, just like the bike taking me to amazing places, the fly rod has allowed me to explore lands a bit differently.

I also just love exploring other modes of traveling across the world and have been using a dirt bike for exploring dirt road long distance routes. I just finished riding my bicycle on the Western Wildlands Routes and instead of flying home, decided I would buy a small UTV and drive all dirt roads home. Taking the time to slowly reintegrate back into real life after bikepacking for a month was the perfect way to end a ride - I know how crazy that sounds, but the UTV has proven to be a surprise for me and I have enjoyed everything about finding my way home in this manner.

What are your goals for the next year? (They can be anything from race results, to injury recovery, to just trying to ride your bike more)

I am very excited about becoming part of the Bikepacking Roots team as a new board member. After retiring, I took time for myself, family and friends. Now, I want to start giving back to all things bikepacking again. I have seen a lot of change in the biking industry and in bikepacking specifically. Being a part of helping to develop the future of bikepacking - from building diversity to route development with integrity and awareness - is exactly what I want to do now. It still excites me to get new riders into bikepacking and to show them that moving across our world on a bike is a great way to restore your faith in humanity and experience the lands we pass through.

What’s the most exciting trend in mountain biking you’re seeing right now (and how can we help it)?

I love seeing all the bikepacking routes being created, from long distance to shorter community routes; access is becoming so easy. Bikepacking-specific equipment has also grown exponentially and is widely available. I guess I would like to see more bikepacking stories highlighted. Bikepacking changed the direction of my life and I know it has done the same for many others. Those stories are inspiring and would be great to have them shared!

What’s the worst trend you’re seeing right now (and how would you fix it)?

I have two things that bother me personally:

First is the advancement of all the technology associated with bicycles these days. From all the electronics incorporated into the mechanicals to GPS devices. These items just keep getting more and more complicated, offering options you just don’t use, and the costs just keep increasing. My rule is to keep everything as simple as possible; less things to break when you are out in the middle of nowhere. The industry keeps pushing that you need these things, though, and I see this a lot in new cyclists struggling to decipher through all the gear information out there on the web... and then buying things they really don’t need or understand how to use, thinking they had to have them.

Second, the direct to consumer bike sales! I am all about supporting the local shops, and as a former small business owner, this one is close to my heart. Sometimes it just is not all about the money and saving a few bucks, but showing support to your local mechanics and shop owners that stay in business to service cities and towns and smaller communities. Buy bikes from them!

(I know I am old school and just plain old with my thinking of the worst trends, but you asked!)

What’s your trail of choice right now (and why)?

I have never had a favorite trail or route. I just like exploring new terrain and any new bikepacking routes always get me pondering and excited to go ride! The more remote the better for me!

What other question do you wish we’d asked?

Perhaps when did I start cycling? Because I started later in life and people always think I have been riding all my life for me to do what I do. That is not the case: I was an avid thru hiker before I found mountain biking. And it was my love for thru hiking and mountain hiking that got me so addicted to bikepacking! I just started riding and bikepacking not knowing a single thing about what I was doing. I made a ton of mistakes, and those mistakes help build my knowledge and confidence on the bicycle. So I guess I want others to understand: make mistakes laugh at them, learn and grow from them. You will become a more efficient bikepacker with every mile!

Any sponsors, friends, or family you’d like to thank?

So, so many. I would not be where I am today without my sons, Marshall and Grayson, and my close friends - y’all know who you are. And of course, all my guests that came through the WBR. Too many people to mention, really, but simply put: everyone I have met has impacted my life in some way that has all contributed to the path my life has taken and to the creation of the WBR.

Oh and of course Lego, the BEST WBR dog ever! He was always by my side when I was building the WBR, and now he is twelve and also enjoying retirement!

Related: Beyond the Ride: Emmerson Wilken