Ashley
To say biking came as naturally as walking would be a gross exaggeration. I was maybe eight when my Grandmother gave into my relentless nagging to learn how to ride a bike. The issue being, no one in my family knew how to. A fact I refused to stop me. So we walked to the top of the grassy hill next to our house and she said to me "Don't let anyone else shape your future but you. do what others can't" I was unsure what she meant by that till I was shoved speeding down the slop to (as I'm sure you've guessed) a crash and a thud.
The light bulb in my head went off once I got it. I sat up that day and kept trying till I figured it out. To this day I remember to live life that way. Shaping every path I walk on and in every decision I make. And even if I fail I get right back up again. I make a point to go out and do the things others can't.
It wasn't till a few years ago I found I could join my view on life and bikes into something. On a random encounter with an old friend I was showed the world that was allycat bike racing. I loved it from the moment I saw it. I thought 'I can do this! I know my city! I know my bike!" Riding in the city streets of Denver was a daily event for me. Putting in 30 miles a day was the norm. The issue was, there were almost no ladies into racing. Well that was a fact I refused to stop me.
I jumped right into the scene and started peddling my little feet off. My first race was one in the middle of the night. I was excited to finish it and even more excited to learn I had placed 3rd in my class on my first attempt. More woman have entered into the scene and till this day I'm still placing in almost every race I've done. Be it a 20 mile sprint down the longest road in America or a 30 mile messenger race in the snow and rain.
I ride because I enjoy doing what many people won't or can't. And I ride because I have found a family in the people that do and can.
The light bulb in my head went off once I got it. I sat up that day and kept trying till I figured it out. To this day I remember to live life that way. Shaping every path I walk on and in every decision I make. And even if I fail I get right back up again. I make a point to go out and do the things others can't.
It wasn't till a few years ago I found I could join my view on life and bikes into something. On a random encounter with an old friend I was showed the world that was allycat bike racing. I loved it from the moment I saw it. I thought 'I can do this! I know my city! I know my bike!" Riding in the city streets of Denver was a daily event for me. Putting in 30 miles a day was the norm. The issue was, there were almost no ladies into racing. Well that was a fact I refused to stop me.
I jumped right into the scene and started peddling my little feet off. My first race was one in the middle of the night. I was excited to finish it and even more excited to learn I had placed 3rd in my class on my first attempt. More woman have entered into the scene and till this day I'm still placing in almost every race I've done. Be it a 20 mile sprint down the longest road in America or a 30 mile messenger race in the snow and rain.
I ride because I enjoy doing what many people won't or can't. And I ride because I have found a family in the people that do and can.