
KIRSTEN VAN HORNE
Fresh on Board! Mountain biking has been her passion since she was 15 – whether it’s street, dirt parks, bike parks, or trails – she’s all in. We’re absolutely stoked to have her shredding with the EVOC team!

PROFILE
Year of Birth: 2001
EVOC ATHLETE since: 2024
At home in: Nelson British Columbia and Queenstown New Zealand
Discipline: Freeride mountain biking
Biggest achievements: 3rd at Natural Selection Tour Bike 2025, Completed an Everest challenge 8,900m in under 23 hours, multiple Whipoff podiums
Instagram: @Kirsten.vh
QUICK QUESTIONS:
5 PERSONAL ANSWERS
Completing my Everest challenge. After competing at Crankworx Rotorua Whip Off last year I flew back to Queenstown the next morning and within an hour of getting off the plane I started pedaling with the goal of climbing 8,900 meters in one go. I had been doing the occasional pedals but with work, and splitting my time between my three bikes I didn’t do hardly any training for this attempt. The first few laps I focused on keeping my mental game as strong as it could be but as I got more tired and the day faded to night it became a lot harder to constantly stay upbeat. With the support of my partner and a few friends I powered through and finished the challenge 22 hours and 50 minutes after I started. A very proud moment for me.
The thing that I find most captivating about freeriding and cycling in general is the opportunity to explore. Whether that be finding what you're capable of with progression and technical riding or being able to explore new places because of your bike.
I would love to ride in Alaska. The vast landscape and stunning scenery really peaks my interest, as well there is a lot of great riding in these northern communities.
I always have my EXPLORER PRO 26 backpack with me.It’s always got all of my essentials for going to the dirt jumps, quick overnight missions, or just going from place to place in Queenstown this backpack is honestly the perfect size! It’s got amazing features, one of my favourites are the hip pockets, they seem to go back forever. I have yet to be able to find the limit for how many granola bars I can store in there.
I would say to put effort into living a well rounded life. Don’t pigeonhole yourself into one thing, it’s exciting being a beginner at something and getting to learn new skills!
Your Top 3 EVOC products and why you love them!

EVOC EXPLORER PRO 26
The perfect size backpack for your everyday needs and for short overnight missions! The colour ( light blue) really adds to the clean look of the backpack along with all of the other well thought out features.

EVOC HYDRO PRO 6
For longer trail rides to all day trail runs, I’ve used this bag for it all. It’s such a game changer having a hydration pack and I
love that I can put the bladder in my other backpacks for the bigger missions!

EVOC KNEE PROTECTOR FLEX LITE
A new knee pad for me this year! I’ve put them through the ringer and I’ve been so impressed, they’re really comfy, stay where they’re supposed to be and best of all don’t
hold on to odours even after a long day pedaling!