To improve her timing, Masziyaton tries not to slip up at the same spot twice.

"If an obstacle is too difficult and is beyond my level, I'll give it a miss and go for the second best route or what is termed "the chicken run". That?s the beauty of the sport, you can go at your own pace to advance and improve," says Masziyaton.

"If you are a first-time downhiller, your heart will most likely be in your throat during the first few jumps. Get your head together and calm down," she advises, sharing a few riding tips.

"When descending through rocks, stand up and get off the saddle. Don't fight the bicycle and go easy on the brakes. A sudden stop can throw you over the handlebar."

Unlike football or tennis, says Masziyaton, there are few rules in downhill racing - "The only limit is our imagination," she says.

"What I do is to find the straightest path with the least bumps. Keep your speed up because slowing down will knock you off balance. And most importantly, look where you're going. Misjudge an angle, and you could somersault like a rag doll.

"?Downhilling is an expensive endeavour. Don't waste money on equipment until you know you will enjoy the sport. Hit several trails to experience the sport's thrills and spills, and find friends who share your passion," Masziyaton recommends.

"As your skills improve, you will want a better bike and a trickier course, and how far you take it is entirely up to you.

"Expect plenty of slipping, some bruises, and a decent chance at breaking a limb," Masziyaton cautions.

"I collided head-on into a lamp post once. Trust me, it was more embarrassing than painful. It helped that I have a high tolerance level for pain," she says.

"You will want to buy or borrow a helmet with full-face pr" she says.

"Make sure everything fits snuggly and doesn't restrict your movement. It won't guarantee you won't break your bones, but it does keep scratches and scraping to a minimum."

Being a rough-and-tumble sort of girl, Masziyaton sometimes obliges the requests of the boys on the racing circuit to be their "wing-woman".

"They'll zero in on a girl and send me to get her number," she says.

When she's not fiddling with two-wheelers, Masziyaton indulges in her favourite girly pursuit: shopping.

"You won't find dresses and skirts in my wardrobe, though! I live in jeans and T-shirts, and am starting to build a neat collection of sneakers."