Mandi Mastin ISDE 2015

Hi everyone, my name is Mandi Mastin, and I will be representing the United States in a prestigous motorcycle race, the International Six Days Enduro. It's basically the Olympics or Tour de France for off-road motorcycle racers, and has been going on since 1913 (except during the world wars), making it one of the oldest races in history. As you could probably guess from the name, it lasts for six consecutive days, and is a test of endurance for both rider and machine, as we will be riding anywhere from160 -200 miles per day, through the gnarliest and most techinical trails that the host country can offer. You must finish on the same bike you started with, and deal with any mechanical issues with no outside assistance. (read more about the ISDE and it's history here )

This year, the event will be held in Slovakia, a beautiful and rugged location well-suited to the event.


As of now, there are 529 riders representing 32 different countries. There are four categories that racers fall into: Club Riders are the amateur competitiors, but don't let that fool you. Just qualifying for this event is tough. There is a Junior Trophy division for the younger pro racers who are under the age of 23. The World Trophy division consists of the greatest racers, the fastest and most skilled pros on the planet. Lastly, there is the Women's Trophy division, for the best female racers in the world. This is the category that my teammates (Rachel Gutish and Jamie Wells ) and I will be competing in from September 7th - 12th. There are eight women's teams entered this year: USA, Australia, France, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, and South Africa.

Last year, the US Women's Trophy team, consisting of myself and Rachel Gutish, as well as Sarah Baldwin, took home the last podium spot in ISDE 2014, held in Argentina. As a team, Rachel, Jamie and I aim to be on the podium again this year.

(Special test in Argentina - photo credit Michael Knight)
I am 34 years old, the veteran of our Women's team, respected by not only the Team USA riders, male and female, but many of the foreign riders as well. This will be my 14th time competing in the ISDE. I have competed in more of these events than any other woman, and more than many of the US men too. My first ISDE was France in 2001, where I competed on a club team, along with two other women. The first year they had a women's division was 2007, in Chile. My teammates were Nicole Bradford and Lacy Jones. That year we won the division, the first and only time that the US women's team has won.

In addition to this and a 3rd place for our team last year in Argentina, I have a handful of individual Bronze and Silver medals (based on how far behind the leader you finished) and some repectable finishes in the division standings. Here at home, I also have plenty of accomplishments, with over 20 national titles in the National Enduro and Grand National Cross Country series. I was one of the forerunners of women's motorcycle racing, and leave an impressive legacy - but I'm nowhere near finished! In additon to my career as a racer, I work full time, making an already difficult career even tougher.


Because the women are not considered quite as important as the male pro riders, a large part of the cost for competing in this event for the Women's Trophy riders falls on the rider. I have done many of these events, but my work is not yet finished. I've had my eye on a Gold medal for a long time, and I won't stop until I've finally earned one. I also think our team this year has a good shot of making the podium in Slovakia. So, I'm asking for your help. $500 is nowhere near the cost of getting myself, my support crew, and my motorcycle to Slovakia, but it's a start. Thank you! GO TEAM USA!!