CJ SELIG PREPARES FOR RED BULL RAMPAGE

Twelve of the world’s most fearless female riders are heading back to the desert for Red Bull Rampage—and CJ is one of them. After years of watching from the sidelines, digging lines for other riders, and dreaming about her own runs, she’s finally stepping into the spotlight herself—like stepping onto the same level as the riders she’s looked up to for years, and finally being able to express her own dedication on this legendary stage. With a custom dinosaur-themed HARO bike, adrenaline-pumping drops, and a few tricks up her sleeve, CJ is ready to prove that she’s not just part of the competition—she’s here to make her mark. 

What does it mean to you to compete at Red Bull Rampage?
It’s hard to put into words what competing at Red Bull Rampage means to me. This event has always felt as deep and ingrained as mountain biking itself. I’ve been at every Rampage since 2015, watching in person and knowing many of the riders—seeing their mental strength and passion has always made this event stand above all others. To now actually be a part of it feels surreal. I still can’t fully believe I get to express my own dedication on this stage. It’s honestly one of the coolest things that’s ever happened to me.

How do you prepare mentally and physically for such a demanding event?
Physically, it’s been a lot of time in the gym and investing in the right tools—trainers, memberships, and everything to be ready for such a demanding event. Mentally, I can’t say I’m fully prepared, but I’ve focused all year on what I want to bring to Rampage. Surrounding myself with the right team—my best friend Colin Varanyak handling media and my diggers who keep the energy high—will help me stay in the right mindset.

Do you have a specific goal or personal challenge for this year’s Rampage?
I do have specific goals for this year’s Rampage. One is to complete two runs. Last year, the weather and the site made it really tough for most women to get more than one, and mentally, it’s a huge challenge. The first run is such an adrenaline rush that by the bottom, a big part of you just wants to be done. Pushing myself to go back up and do it again is a big goal. On top of that, I’ve been working on a new flip variation I want to land in my second run. So my aim is not only to complete two runs, but to make the second one even bigger and better than the first.

Which part of the Rampage course excites you the most? The Drops, the steep lines or creative features?
If I had to pick, it’s definitely the drops. They’re so much fun and such a mental challenge. I love the steep lines, the creative features, and the jumps, of course—but drops like these, which are part of the landscape itself, are really unique to this event. I’m most excited to find the drops I’ve been imagining and bring them to life.



This year it’ll be the 2014/2015 side. Vaea, Cami, Hannah, etc already have their lines from formation 2019 and 2022, how do you feel about that? What’s your approach?
I love that we’re riding the 2014-2015 site this year. I have a long history with this venue— 2015 was my first time attending Rampage, and I’ve come back many times since, including in 2022 when I was digging for Chelsea during Formation. It’s one of my favorite sites, so I’m really hyped. My approach is to find the line that works best for me. Even though some spots will be popular, I’m focused on doing my own run—the one I’ve been imagining since I got my invitation.

How does it feel to have a custom designed Rampage bike from Haro?
Honestly, it feels surreal—like a dream come true. I never imagined I’d have a custom bike at all, let alone one built for Rampage. I’ve spent so much time thinking about what it might look like, and seeing it in person for the first time was such a special moment. It’s beyond anything I ever imagined



What was your inspiration to the design of your bike?
For me, the inspiration behind the design was really about creating something bright, personal, and fun—and that only came to life because of the collaboration with Haro. I had some ideas, but Nick at Haro really brought them together. The color scheme he came up with just blew me away on the first try; I was instantly in love with it. What made it even more special was tying the design to Virgin, Utah. I’m kind of a nerd, and I love the history of this place—the fossils, the desert, and all the unique stories hidden in the landscape. That’s why I went with dinosaurs as the theme. Honestly, I have zero regrets. It’s bold, it’s personal, and I absolutely love it.

Is there a specific detail or feature on the bike that holds a special meaning for you? My favorite detail has to be the crinoids on the top tube. They’re these ancient sea lilies that look like plants but are actually underwater animals still alive today. I’ve always thought they were the coolest, most alien-looking creatures—so having them on my bike makes it feel extra personal. Total nerd move, but I love it

In what ways does this bike differ from your regular setup? 
In terms of setup, there’s really no difference at all. I’ve been dialing in my regular bike to be exactly what I want to ride at Rampage since the end of last year. The Rampage bike obviously looks way brighter, but piece by piece it’s a replica of my regular setup—so I expect to feel right at home on it.

Thanks for your time — good luck out there!