After spending a Saturday morning learning the basics of BMX from Tommy Zula and Cody Kelley, I was again reminded that bicycles are amazing. What came to my mind wasn't something that hasn't been said before. It's something that continues to be especially relevant for me as an athlete and ambassador of the sport.
Bicycles have a special power to cross the lines between age, gender and skill level. There I was, learning about BMX racing with a group of enthusiasts, ranging in age between 5 and 50! Yes, I was old enough to be most of the participant's mother, but out there on the bike we were all the same. We were there to ride, learn and have fun on our BIKES!
I have had this epiphany before. When I go to the Park City Dirt Jumps I am usually the oldest one there, but the smiles that I see are happily ageless. The same thing happened when I attended a skills clinic by Gene Hamilton (BetterRide). Professional XC racers and weekend warriors seamlessly blend together to learn. There are no egos and no categories. We are bike riders.
Utah is home to some amazingly talented cyclists. The current female Masters 40-44 National and World Champion for road, calls Utah home. Anne Perry has stars and stripes and rainbows on the sleeves of her jersey. Bicycles not only cross the lines between age and gender, but also across disciplines. She and I have ridden the dirt in Moab and climbed the canyon roads of the Wasatch Front together.
My point is that bikes bring us together, regardless of age, gender, or discipline. So, get out and ride! Make some new friends. Try something new. And maybe, like me, you'll be impressed to share what you love with others and help get more people out on two wheels.
Huge thanks to LW Coaching and my 2013 sponsors for helping me dream big and be involved in such an amazing sport! Jamis Bikes, Stan's NoTubes, Julbo, Lazer Helmets, Gaerne Cycling USA, ESI Grips, Kuat Racks, Elete Electrolytes, Mountain Velo, Backcountry Research (Awesome Straps)
Bicycles have a special power to cross the lines between age, gender and skill level. There I was, learning about BMX racing with a group of enthusiasts, ranging in age between 5 and 50! Yes, I was old enough to be most of the participant's mother, but out there on the bike we were all the same. We were there to ride, learn and have fun on our BIKES!
I have had this epiphany before. When I go to the Park City Dirt Jumps I am usually the oldest one there, but the smiles that I see are happily ageless. The same thing happened when I attended a skills clinic by Gene Hamilton (BetterRide). Professional XC racers and weekend warriors seamlessly blend together to learn. There are no egos and no categories. We are bike riders.
Utah is home to some amazingly talented cyclists. The current female Masters 40-44 National and World Champion for road, calls Utah home. Anne Perry has stars and stripes and rainbows on the sleeves of her jersey. Bicycles not only cross the lines between age and gender, but also across disciplines. She and I have ridden the dirt in Moab and climbed the canyon roads of the Wasatch Front together.
My point is that bikes bring us together, regardless of age, gender, or discipline. So, get out and ride! Make some new friends. Try something new. And maybe, like me, you'll be impressed to share what you love with others and help get more people out on two wheels.
Huge thanks to LW Coaching and my 2013 sponsors for helping me dream big and be involved in such an amazing sport! Jamis Bikes, Stan's NoTubes, Julbo, Lazer Helmets, Gaerne Cycling USA, ESI Grips, Kuat Racks, Elete Electrolytes, Mountain Velo, Backcountry Research (Awesome Straps)