HH:
Before you became a stuntwoman, you
already conquered the world of
professional motorcycling,
dubbed the unofficial women’s world trials
champion. What exactly is this sport, and
why do you think women who ride for
recreation should give it a try?
Debbie: Trials
riding is the “gymnastics” of motorcycling
because it’s all about skill and control.
In Trials you ride over nature’s
obstacles - rocks, hills, water, grass –
any terrain that presents a challenge.
With Trials riding you gain a complete
understanding of the machine as a whole:
from bike controls to fine control, that
is, the ability to maneuver over
unforeseen situations. It really offers a
perfect foundation to learn how to ride a
motorcycle. The bike is smaller, usually
weighing no more than 180 lbs. and unlike
street riding, your feet make contact with
the ground a lot. And what’s good about
Trials competition is you don’t have to
race anyone, you set your own personal
pace and goal, which makes it that much
more rewarding. If you learn how to ride
Trials, there’s no doubt you will be a
better, more confident street rider.
HH:
From all the amazing motorcycle stunts
like the killer highway scene doubling for
Carrie-Anne Moss in the Matrix Reloaded
and the edgy trick riding performed in
Torque,
to some of your vintage days doubling as
Linda Carter when Wonder Woman took to her
bike - - you’ve performed just about every
stunt imaginable on two wheels. It seems
no matter what decade, you keep setting
the bar higher. Have you ever mentored any
other female (or male) stunt riders who
strive to achieve your skill level?
Debbie:
I’ve spent my lifetime building
motorcycle skills that were necessary to
perform these stunts. I’ve always
advised others who are interested in
motorcycle stunts to first and foremost
have a firm grasp on bike control. Once
that’s achieved then be ready to commit to
countless hours of practice. Motorcycle
stunts are among the most difficult and
dangerous in the industry – it’s all about
calculated risks, so experience is vital.
HH:
Your
family is filled with “stunt junkies”
starting with your famous dad, Dave and
your sister, Donna, who also has a long
list of TV and movie stunt credits to her
name. Your husband Lane Leavitt is a
stunt pioneer who is also a former world
motorcycle champ and your son Daniel is a
rising star in the junior stunt world. Has
your daughter caught the adrenaline bug?
Perhaps motorcycling?
Debbie:
When Rebecca was six she
actually competed and won in a girls-class
dirt bike race. Now that she’s older,
she is into many of the things preteen
girls are into, but she still enjoys
hopping on the back and taking family
rides together – usually to our
neighborhood coffee shop; we ride over a
mountain to get there so it’s always an
adventure.
I’ve always supported all of my children
in whatever direction their talents lie.
Daniel is the one who inherited my
“wheelie gene,” the term my dad uses which
describes all of our ability to pop (and
sustain) a motorcycle wheelie. He taught
me when I was 12.
HH: You stunt, you race motorcycles, and
you can also wrench your own machines?
Debbie:
I worked alongside my dad in the garage
growing up and rode his Honda 80. For
Christmas one year he gave me a shift
lever that accompanied a box of parts.
Over the next four-to-five months I
learned how to put it all together –
changing throttle cables, spark plug
wrenches, bridging gaps and changing the
oil. Because of that childhood experience,
I’ve been able to mechanic and make
fine-tuning adjustments to my own bikes on
the set.
HH: Approaching the mid-century mark in
life, but yet you prove no signs of
slowing down. How do you keep your body
(and mind) fit? With a special diet and
exercise? Magic?
Debbie:
I attribute that energy to always having
an active lifestyle. Even now with the
challenges of body and mind “changes” that
come with age, I keep my workout routine
diverse:
Taekwondo,
swimming, ice hockey, trials riding and of
course raising my children, which keeps my
life balanced and very busy!
HH:
In 2007 you won your 5th World
Stunt Award, and you are the current
American Top Ranked Rider in the FIM
Women’s World Championship. What’s left
for Debbie Evans?
Debbie:
I still enjoy stunt work, so as long as I
keep getting the offers and can perform…
I just recently drove a Viper doubling for
Angelina Jolie in the upcoming movie
“Wanted” and also completed a scene for
the TV series “Sara Conner Chronicles”
where I had to ride horizontal to the
pavement and then strategically lay down
the 1987 Yamaha 1100 street bike – we had
to sprinkle sand on the road to get the
right timing and effect. It was intense.
I would like to help motivate and inspire
others so I think possibly speaking
opportunities may be in my future.
