Team Velo Girls: The Riders

[ RIDER PROFILE COMING SOON ]

Age: 47
Residence: San Francisco, CA
Disciplines: Endurance Cycling (and running)

Why I ride:
I love the way cycling makes my body feel. That moment of achievement when you're on top of the hill that just 30 minutes ago looked impossible, is a rush I will never tire of. Ultimately, I love cycling because it gives me a place I can go where I have quiet time to think. Some of my most important and best decisions have been made on my bike.

Proudest moment on a bike:
Demanding that the paramedic not cut off my favorite bike shorts while they were treating me for a few broken bones and a concussion.

Favorite off-bike activity:
I love to hike and spend time with my husband and kids.

Proudest Moment off the Bike:
I am extraordinarily proud of my children every day, and watching them develop into smart, confident young women is extremely gratifying. With a childhood history of being uncoordinated, out-of-shape, and asthmatic, I have accomplished things that I never dreamed I would do. Like climbing Half-Dome when the poles were down, and meeting my future husband in a kickboxing class.

What's in my iPod (not when riding, of course):
600 podcasts from NPR, NY Times, and the BuzzCast.

My favorite season:
Anytime it is not raining.

A bit about me:
I've been living in San Francisco since the early 80s. I work for a small publishing firm as the senior operations manager. I spend a lot of time working with numbers, though ironically, I love words. My two daughters are 12 and 14. I took up cycling about four years ago -- there was a guy involved, but now I mainly ride with women. I got married in August. My husband does not ride a bike. And, yes, I've tried!

Goals for 2012 season:
As a ride leader with the endurance team, I see 2009 as an opportunity for me to pass on some of the support and coaching that I've received from so many great women cyclists.

Words to live by:
My two rules are: Does it make sense? Would I want my daughter to do that?

Age: 42
Residence: San Mateo, CA
Disciplines: Endurance Cycling

Why I ride:
I love seeing the world on a bike. ItÕs home for me. I can always go to it. I feel happiest when IÕm on a bike. I also love helping people to feel the same way.

Proudest moment on a bike:
When I finished the Triple Crown in 2005. The Triple Crown is 3 double centuries in one season.

Who's your favorite cyclist/cycling idol:
Anyone who has dared to use clipless pedals

Favorite place to ride:
Up Mt Tam on a clear day

Favorite cycling event:
Tierra Bella (my very first century)

Favorite off-bike activity:
Going to the movies. Reading. Playing with my dog. Hiking.

Proudest Moment off the Bike:
Doing things I never thought possible, which occurs quite often.

A bit about me:
I work hard (and smart!) and I would do anything for those I know are my true friends.

Goals for 2012 season:
Lead several series to help women who want to do a century. I'd like to complete 5 centuries myself.

Words to live by:
"Never, Never, Never Give Up" & "Conquer We Must, Conquer We Shall" -- Winston Churchill

Age: 44
Residence: San Francisco Bay Area (Berkeley/San Francisco)
Disciplines: Endurance

Why I ride:
I ride my bike because I like the way it makes me feel. I find it to be a great stress reliever, and enjoy the challenges it provides me, both physically and mentally. The more I accomplish on my bike, the more confidence I have in all other aspects of my life.

Proudest moment on a bike:
Rolling into Los Angeles on day 7 of my first AIDS/Lifecycle, having climbed every hill, conquered every challenge, and ridden every single mile - all 545 of them! I was so happy that I was actually in tears. I felt like I was on top of the world and that anything was possible.

Who's your favorite cyclist/cycling idol:
Lance Armstrong

Favorite place to ride:
The hills of Santa Clara County.

Favorite cycling event:
For charity events, the LIVESTRONG Challenge. For organized rides, Strawberry Fields Forever.

Favorite off-bike activity:
Spending time with my friends, traveling, playing with my cats

Proudest Moment off the Bike:
I don't know if I can narrow this down to one single thing, as this has changed for me over the years. The most recent thing was seeing my name in print for the first time as an author of a scientific publication.

A bit about me:
I'm an interesting combination of math nerd and girly girl. My favorite programming language is SAS, my favorite color is pink, and my manicure and pedicure are always flawless.

Goals for 2012 season:
Do lots of centuries, lots of climbing, and then the Death Ride

Words to live by:
The only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary.

[ RIDER PROFILE COMING SOON ]

Age: 60
Residence: Sausalito, CA
Disciplines: Endurance

Why I ride:
Because I want to. Because it makes me feel so great. Because I can eat all the ice cream I want.

Proudest moment on a bike:
Realizing that people who said they liked climbing were telling the truth - and that I was now one of them.

Who's your favorite cyclist/cycling idol:
All the Velo Girls who were willing to hang out at the back of the pack with me when I was learning.

Favorite place to ride:
Big Sur coast.

Favorite cycling event:
Ride FAR, a Massachusetts AIDS ride

Favorite off-bike activity:
Reading in a warm place.

Proudest Moment off the Bike:
Any time I am out with my grandchildren.

A bit about me:
I run my family's insurance business; I'm a grandmother (did you guess?); I love tap dancing (as long as no one can see me); I stop to look at birds (did 2 Christmas counts this year); I got on a road bike for the first time when I was 51 and have hardly been off it since.

Goals for 2012 season:
To start training for the Death Ride.

Words to live by:
"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." - E.B. White

Age: 41
Residence: San Jose, CA
Disciplines: Road, Mountain, Endurance

Why I ride:
To feel unencumbered, to release stress, to be connected to my community, to have FUN

Proudest moment on a bike:
Riding my bike, 35 weeks pregnant, getting a condescending "you can do it" comment from someone passing me, then seeing his face as he realized he was passing a hugely pregnant woman.

Who's your favorite cyclist/cycling idol:
Marla Streb...she just rocks

Favorite cycling event:
Tahoe Sierra Century Favorite off-bike activity:
Reading

Proudest Moment off the Bike:
Winning Teacher of the Year for the second time.

A bit about me:
I'm a former teacher turned stay-at-home mom and Trek Woman Who Rides who aspires to try new creative endeavors and spends too much time writing rants to politicians and newspaper editorials.

Goals for 2012 season:
Start climbing like I mean it, and learn how to use the mechanics of the bike to my advantage

Words to live by:
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. (from The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss)

Age: 44
Residence: San Jose, CA
Disciplines: Endurance

Why I ride:
To feel the wind and freedom.

Proudest moment on a bike:
Finishing 1st century while in my 5th month riding after taking on cycling; and finishing 2nd century the date after my 1st century

Who's your favorite cyclist/cycling idol:
All cross-country bike tour cyclists

Favorite place to ride:
From Grant Teton National Park to Yellowstones

Favorite cycling event:
All touring bike events

Favorite off-bike activity:
Pretty much everything outdoors and to exploring new adventures

Proudest Moment off the Bike:
14 days hiking and camping in Alaska when 8 days were pouring rain

A bit about me:
I came from Taiwan to Oklahoma for college, moved to San Jose for career, and found cycling for love. I enjoy consulting people for technical implementation in e-commerce and m-commerce and seeing great innovations in software engineering field is part of my daily life.

Goals for 2012 season:
Hill climbing and long distance cycling

Words to live by:
It's all good!

Age: 47
Residence: Redwood City, CA
Disciplines: road, cross-country mountain bike, cyclocross, coaching

Why I ride:
Cycling has transformed my life and I can't stop!

Proudest moment on a bike:
I'm proud of so many of my cycling accomplishments - it's really too difficult to choose just one moment. In the current season, I'm very proud of regaining fitness (and climbing weight) and completing my easiest Death Ride ever!

Favorite place to ride:
Anywhere with quiet roads and big hills. Markleeville is my happy place. Carmel Valley is one of my favorites, too.

Favorite off-bike activity:
I love playing with my awesome pup! I'm also an avid gardener and enjoy preparing healthy food. Besides cycling, YIN yoga has changed my life and I'm proud of my consistent practice.

Proudest Moment off the Bike:
I can't think of one thing that stands out more than the others. I try to live my life so that my parents would always be proud of me. I try to make an impact in all that I do. I try to be good and positive and help others.

My favorite season:
When I lived in NY it was spring because spring was alive and new and green and marked the end of dreaded winter. Here in CA I'd have to say it's summer. The sun energizes me.

A bit about me:
I have the best job in the world! I help men and women improve their self-esteem and their lives by helping them succeed at cycling.

Goals for 2012 season:
Return to a healthy weight. Continue to love the bike. Complete the Death Ride. Race single speed mountain bike. Prepare to race road again full-time in 2013.

Words to live by:
Wishing isn't doing.

Age: 47
Residence: San Jose, CA
Disciplines: Endurance

Why I ride:
Because it's the time I most often find that "lucky to be alive" feeling.

Proudest moment on a bike:
Getting up Pacific Grade (24% - ouch!). And it wasn't without a lot of encouragement of friends. And a cowbell.

Who's your favorite cyclist/cycling idol:
Fabian Cancellara

Favorite place to ride:
Anywhere where I feel like I'm a tunnel of redwoods or eucalyptus, or alongside the Pacific Ocean. Cycling across Italy wasn't bad either.

Favorite cycling event:
Death Ride - some of the most spectacular riding scenery ever.

Favorite off-bike activity:
Seeing San Francisco Ballet perform or doing just about anything with my daughter.

Proudest Moment off the Bike:
My MBA graduation at University of Chicago and anytime my daughter does something wonderful, most recently being accepted to college.

A bit about me:
Ballet dancer in a previous life. Girl geek and mom in current life. Still figuring out what I really want to be when I grow up. Oh...and getting back on a bike for the first time since college five or six years ago probably saved my life.

Goals for 2012 season:
Finish all five passes of the Death Ride (a year ahead of my original schedule).

Words to live by:
Work hard, play harder...and drink some good wine while you're at it.

Age: 33
Residence: Fremont, CA
Disciplines: Mountain Biking

Why I ride:
Don't remember how young I was when I started riding, but my bike has always given me freedom. Whether it's zipping by cars trapped in traffic, going to my friends' house by myself as a kid, cruising downtown at 2 am with confidence, or reaching off-road destinations my feet alone couldn't take me.

Proudest moment on a bike:
Anytime I conquer something I could'a swore was impossible. Fast downhills, long climbs, remembering to unclip my shoes before stopping at an intersection.

Who's your favorite cyclist/cycling idol:
Dave Mirra, Missy Giove

Favorite place to ride:
At my parents' ranch, with the dogs; avoiding mesquite and wild hogs.

Favorite cycling event:
I love watching Downhill, BMX, Trials... I love riding single track... no specific event.

Favorite off-bike activity:
Making stuff with my hands: metal sculpture, gardening, tinkering with my bike, building furniture. I also love going to sprint car races and hearing live music.

Proudest Moment off the Bike:
Conquering the impossible...

A bit about me:
Passions: biking, outdoors, art education, travel, Texas chili. Pets: 2 box turtles, ball python, bearded dragon, uromastyx lizard, and a great pyrenees. Peculiarity: someday I'd like to try taxidermy.

Goals for 2012 season:
Finish every race I start, getting faster and building technical skills along the way, and have fun so I'll wanna do it again and again.

Words to live by:
"Dirt is for racin' - asphalt is for gettin' ya there."

[ RIDER PROFILE COMING SOON ]

Age: 52
Residence: Piedmont, CA
Disciplines: Endurance

Why I ride:
The reasons have changed over the years. At first, I rode because I needed to keep up w/ my older sisters (I have 5 of them). Then I rode to get away from home - I lived way out in the country, and if I wanted to get anywhere - I rode my bike. Then cycling turned into a necessity - no car in college. I started to ride for the pleasure of the sport in my early 20s. I just loved getting out on the road and challenging myself going up hills, seeing how fast I could go down hill. When my kids were young, cycling was for exercise - my kids were in a Burley trailer or on a trail-a-bike. Now, cycling is hip-replacement prevention. I ride for the pleasure of it again, but also to keep healthy and strong.

Proudest moment on a bike:
Figuring out how to climb hills without dying, and counter steering

Who's your favorite cyclist/cycling idol:
Ron Yara (my brother in law). He rode the Leadville 100 last year.

Favorite place to ride:
Paradise Drive, Morgan Territory, Carmel, and just about anywhere in Vermont

Favorite off-bike activity:
Knitting, avid reader of most things, photography

Proudest Moment off the Bike:
I worked long and hard as part of a team to get a new drug (Herceptin) approved for women with metastatic breast cancer. That drug is still used today and it's an honor and pleasure to meet women who are still alive because of my efforts.

What's in my iPod:
You name it - I probably have it. My favorites: Bruce Springsteen, Dr. Didg, Travelling Wilbury's, Black Eyed Peas, Beethovan, Bach, Chicago, Warren Zevon, Flo'Rida, Michael Jackson, Adele

A bit about me:
My desk is always a mess, but I never lose anything. I need a "to-do" list to get things done. I love dogs, and now have a wonderful labradoodle named Rossi. My boys (ages 13 and 15) are the pride and joy of my life; but sometimes hard to live with because, well, they are boys. My husband is incredibly patient with me, especially when I'm gone all day on my bike. I love to sew and make unique quilts. My mom is my hero - she had 8 kids over 17 years, and managed to stay sane. She's now 87 years old and still living quite independently. I hope I have her genes.

Words to live by:
Well behaved women never make history

Age: 53
Residence: San Francisco, CA
Disciplines: road biking, endurance

Why I ride:
It's fun!

Proudest moment on a bike:
Finally learned how to descend not like a weenie

Who's your favorite cyclist/cycling idol:
Has to be my husband/bike mechanic. He keeps my bike in top shape and taught me to descend not like a weenie.

Favorite off-bike activity:
Cooking for my family.

Proudest Moment off the Bike:
Lost 35 lbs., thereby avoiding becoming an old lady and requiring a major overhaul of above favorite off-bike activity.

What's in my iPod (not when riding, of course):
To my dismay, lots of oldies. I think I need to update.

My favorite season:
Summer! No rain and lots of daylight!

A bit about me:
I am a securities lawyer and mom of two daughters, Rose and Grace, and lots of pets: two dogs, Conan and Chaz, two cats, Frankie and Jonnie (I did not choose those names) and numerous fish (They have names but I don't know what they are). I love to cook (and eat).

Goals for 2012 season:
Complete the Cinderella ride with my 13-year-old, complete AIDS/Life Cycle, complete Death Ride

Words to live by:
It's not worth doing something unless you were doing something that someone, somewhere, would much rather you weren't doing. (Sir) Terry Pratchett (English Writer, b. 1948)

Age: 38
Residence: San Jose, CA
Disciplines: XC MTB

Why I ride:
Going for a bicycle ride in nature is adventurous, beautiful and meditative. Some of the trails through the forest remind me of Little Red Riding Hood's walk to her grandma's house! I love to stop at the trail intersections and catch up with the latest news of my riding buddies. Meeting new friends there is fun, too!

Favorite off-bike activity:
Finding a new adventure for our family to go on. Maybe we'll be doing some geocaching soon or rollerskating.

My favorite Pandora station:
it used to be Lily Allen, but now I'm into Vampire Weekend.

My favorite season:
Autumn, it's warm and beautiful.

A bit about me:
I am married and have three awesome children. I have a degree in art and a minor in industrial management, and I'm hoping to start making art again soon. We also have chickens in our backyard.

Goals for 2012 season:
To have fun.

Age: 28
Residence: Redwood City, CA
Disciplines: Cross Country Mountain biking

Why I ride:
I just love being outside and riding lets me cover some miles while taking in beautiful vistas.

Proudest moment on a bike:
Getting 3rd at Sea Otter in 2010. Never in my life would I have ever believed I would have been competitive racing.

Favorite place to ride:
Skeggs and anywhere off Skyline!

Favorite off-bike activity:
Catching up with my wonderful friends who feel like they have to compete with the bike for my time.

Proudest Moment off the Bike:
Backpacking all 220 miles of the John Muir Trail in the summer of 2011. It was the most beautiful and rewarding summer vacation I could have asked for!

A bit about me:
I am a critical care nurse at Stanford. I can truly say I love my job and getting to know the diverse people that I cross paths with. I love just about anything that gets me outdoors hence what brought me to the California sunshine!

Goals for 2012 season:
Ride my bike as much as I can!!

Words to live by:
"It's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years." Abraham Lincoln

[ RIDER PROFILE COMING SOON ]