KAREY LEE WATANABE, founder and head coach of Sweet Riders Canada/Japan, lived and raced in Japan for 23 years. She holds three Japanese DH Series Champion titles and has raced in World Cups, the Canadian National Series, and Norba events in various countries around the world. She moved back to her native country Canada in February of 2015 and currently resides in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta.

Since moving back to Canada Karey started competing in the BC Enduro series and finished 4th overall in 2015. She also raced in her first-ever Enduro World Series Race in Whistler, B.C. 2015, and came in 7th place in Amateur Woman. In 2016 she won her first BC Enduro Series right in her hometown of Crowsnest Pass. She also came in 5th in the first-ever Trans BC 6 Day Enduro. This 2018, she placed 2nd in Amateur Woman in the Canadian National B.C. Enduro series once again, in the Crownest Pass.

Karey currently holds a BICP Level 2 Coaching Certification and has worked for the Dirt Series as a Coach, as well as, coaching for the BICP/IMBA. She also has her official NCCP cycling community initiation and basic cycling skills certification, and a 50-hour wilderness first aid certificate and CPR. In 2016, she initiated the Youth Cycling Program in conjunction with the Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills/CNP Branch & The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta.  She continues to work on this endeavor watching it grow and expand every year.   This year, she added Sweet Riders Airbnb to the list of projects and will offer accommodation packages with her Sweet Riders Camps/Tours.  She also runs FAT BIKE instruction and tours throughout the winter and would love to ride with you in all seasons!