Christine Ma
Co-Owner and Founder
Hi! I’m Christine and I’m originally from Ontario. While I didn’t discover mountain biking until my adult life, it has made me love and appreciate the dedication required to improve that much more.
After 10+ years of experience in the Outdoor Adventure industry around Canada and New Zealand, my skills, knowledge and passion for sharing the joy of biking have led me to create Ridetheory. Who knew that dogsled guiding or working ground crew for a heli-ski company could eventually lead me here?
Using my PMBIA Level 2 Mountain Bike Instructor certification and M.Sc in Kinesiology (Biomechanics), I enjoy helping all demographics improve their mountain bike skills – especially women. Having co-created one of the first women’s only programs in Nelson, NZ, I understand the mental and physical challenges that present themselves in a male dominated sport. Regardless of who you are, I encourage you to get out there and have fun on a bike!
Clayton Cardarelli
Co-Owner and Cranbrook/Kimberley Operations Manager
Clayton was born in North Idaho to a bike family. Some of his earliest memories are being packed around by his parents in a chariot (with lots of snacks, of course!), going up gravel passes and riding on ferries in the Kootenays. Growing up with those experiences, he learned how you can use bikes to explore.
At the age of 19, Clayton took a year off work and school to bike tour from Idaho to St. John’s, Newfoundland. All was well until his chain snapped outside of Highland Mountain Bike Park in New Hampshire. The folks at the shop laughed while working on his touring rig in the stands typically reserved for downhill bikes, and they showed him around the Bike Park. Ever since that day, Clayton traded out his touring gear to explore the gravity elements of riding, and of course, the endless access to amazing terrain that trail riding affords those who venture.
Clayton firmly believes in the magic of bikes to empower people of all ages and to provide a life of rich experiences. He’s stoked to share this passion as a coach, helping build confidence and ability to enjoy mountain biking as a life-long journey on some of his favourite trails in the world, here in the East Kootenays.
Alina Jackman
Fernie Operations Manager
Alina is a passionate mountain bike coach whose journey on two wheels began with a quest for freedom and happiness. Formerly she was an elite swimmer and lawyer who found much more joy in skiing and biking. Alina transitioned from a legal career to chase winters and pursue her intense passion for slope grooming, mountain operations, and ski instructing. Currently, Alina coaches for the Fernie Alpine Ski Team as the U10 Head Coach, cherishing her FAST Family and Athletes.
Discovering mountain biking after years of road cycling, Alina got a taste for mountain biking on technical trails and challenging climbs. A preference for techy trails, features and gravel defines Alina’s riding style. After returning to biking after years of back-to-back winters Alina is most often seen in the mountains either on skis or bikes.
Alina embraces coaching as an opportunity to give back, with a strength fostering confidence in all riders. Her experiences have instilled a desire for learning and helped make her empathetic to others as she strives to be the Coach she needed when growing up or when trying new things in an environment that is positive and without prejudice.
Every day on skis or bikes is the best day!
Aidan Jones
Fernie Coach and Guide
Aidan grew up on two wheels, following his parents as they raced cross-country mountain bikes in the Eastern United States. This led to his love of bikes, which saw him transition into racing BMX, downhill, and enduro to this day. Outside of racing, Aidan has worked in the bike industry in many roles which include being a bike mechanic, trail builder, guide, and Level 2 coach. Aidan loves to share his passion for bikes with others in any way he can. When not riding his bike or working in the bike industry Aidan owns a photography business that allows him to travel BC, capturing skiing, weddings and landscapes.
Will Edwards
Fernie Coach and Guide
Will is an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast with a passion for gravel riding, bike packing and mountain biking, pushing his limits and embracing the thrill of the sport, be it camping in the wilderness or racing downhill. With a background of over eight years in the bike industry, Will brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.
As a Level 2 PMBIA (Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association) coach and a Level 3 ski CSIA (Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance) coach, Will has honed his coaching skills and enjoys sharing his expertise with others. His experience in both biking and skiing demonstrates his commitment to the world of outdoor sports and his dedication to helping others improve their skills. He is currently working towards his level 3 PMBIA certification.
Previously employed at Giant Bicycles, Will gained valuable industry insights and developed a deep understanding of bike mechanics. Will was a road and gravel cycling guide in Europe both running his own bike packing business and working along side another company. He completed massive cycle tours from Munich to Rome, France end to end, Lands end to John o’ Groats and many more. Currently working as a bike mechanic at Straight Line Bicycles, he possess comprehensive knowledge of bike maintenance and repair, ensuring that every two-wheeled machine he touches operates at its best.
Passionate, experienced, and dedicated, Will is committed to fostering a love for cycling and helping others reach their full potential on two wheels. Whether it’s coaching riders, fine-tuning bikes, or embarking on thrilling biking adventures, he brings his enthusiasm and experience to every endeavour.
Tom Page
Fernie Coach and Guide
Tom is originally from the UK and has travelled and lived in different countries across the world before deciding to settle in the Kootenays. He has been on two wheels since he was a teenager and is passionate about all things MTB. He is most in his element on steep and technical terrain and finding new trails to ride. Tom is working towards his PMBIA Level 2 qualification and is always stoked to spread the joy of the sport and develop the community around it. If you see him out on the trails be sure to say hey, he’s always down to talk bikes!
Cammy Brown
Fernie Coach and Guide
Bio coming soon!
Val Turbak
Fernie Ride Leader and Mechanics Instructor
Val leads our Women’s Social Rides and co-teaches our bike maintenance classes. She has been riding in the Fernie area for over 7 years and proclaims it’s where she fell in love with the sport. She loves exploring the trails and sharing her passion for biking while building community.
Kelsey Slemko
Cranbrook/Kimberley Coach and Guide
Kelsey is originally from Canmore, Alberta, and recently moved to the Kootenays. Growing up Kelsey raced XC Mountain Biking for the Rundle Mountain Cycling Club and Team Alberta.
She has been a bike coach since 2015 and was a skating coach for 4 years before that.
In addition to coaching, Kelsey is an Engineer-In-Training with a local mechanical engineering firm. She loves to share the stoke for Mountain Biking, watching others improve as riders and overcome challenges. Kelsey loves riding technical steep trails but also loves a smooth ride on the flows. When not riding, Kelsey is out hiking with her pup or paddling on a lake!
Clayton Thibeault
Cranbrook/Kimberley Coach and Guide
Bio coming soon!
Testimonials
What People Are Saying
“Jena was great! Informed, positive, enthusiastic. She did such a great job of sharing her knowledge, providing lessons, and encouragement. She had great information and was great at helping everyone out.”
“I'm so incredibly glad to have taken a lesson with Ridetheory- Christine was fantastic at creating a safe, comfortable setting and tailored the class to move at my pace. I was admittedly pretty nervous while approaching some difficult skills, but I found her positive reinforcement, encouragement, and obvious enthusiasm for sharing the sport made the lesson so much fun. I would highly recommend Ridetheory to anyone who else who is interested in the sport but unsure how to begin!”
"As a somewhat new beginner, I was looking for instruction to help me gain confidence on the trails and the two private lessons allowed us to work at my pace. My instructor was great at finding ways to explain new techniques to me, then gave me practical ways to practice them. I highly recommend Ridetheory!"