About Me

photo: Paul Christopher

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and moved to Madison, WI in 2002.  While attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I studied French, Interior Design and ultimately majored in Art (BFA).  While focusing on metalsmithing, I ventured into glassworking, textile design, mixed media installations, printmaking and painting as well.

In addition to art, distance running was a lifelong passion of mine.  I had aspirations of competing in cross country and track in college, but an auto-immune sickness near the end of high school derailed those plans. Though I stopped racing seriously, I ran a lot of half and full marathons for fun in addition to a lot of yoga, rock climbing and a little paddling.  To mix things up I started cross training on the bike.  Cycling really peaked my interest; without a clear life direction at the end of my student career, I began working at a bike shop to learn as much about it as possible.

The shop boys taught me how to ride a road bike; I ditched my car and learned the freedom that comes with commuting year-round by bicycle.  I rode a bike nearly every day but never, ever expected to race one.  In 2008, I won a free entry for the WORS series, managed to put together a passable bike from my co-workers’ spare parts and rode it once, a week before my first race in Sport.  I picked up riding off -road fairly quickly and raced myself into shape…from my first ride I was hooked!

I was lucky to begin my racing career in Wisconsin and the midwest; while often overlooked on the domestic scene, it is a hotbed of talent and offers some of the largest and most organized events in the country.  In my second season I qualified for a Pro upgrade and in 2010 I began my first year of racing at the UCI level in mountain bike and cyclocross, in addition to holding two jobs and some more school…

To find new inspiration, focus and adventure, my boyfriend Dave and I relocated to Asheville, North Carolina in the middle of the 2010 season.  I realized I could only go so far without structured training and began working with my coach Gordy Paulson and Speed Cycling (based in Madison, WI).  Within a year I was lucky enough to represent the 2011 US National Team at the Mont-Sainte-Anne and Windham Mountain Bike World Cups.

My goals for 2012 include trying my hand at road racing and gaining more international experience at the World Cup level in both mountain bike and cyclocross.  I also aim to share my love of cycling with others; I lead regular local mountain bike rides, volunteer with youth cycling groups and occasionally work with camps and clinics.

Thanks for reading!