In 2006, I started riding a bike to work. I also started riding it for fun that summer, making new friends and riding around town. While I went on a few longer charity rides in 2008, it was 2009 that solidified my identity as a wee bit bike-obsessed. I went on the 7-day Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska, entered the newly founded Lincoln Hustle alleycat races, and hopped into my first cyclocross race on a dare that fall.
The bike liberated me from the mundane routine of office work, and much as it did for early feminist pioneers, it helped me establish my identity as an independent woman.
After moving to Philadelphia in 2014, I joined forces with Michelle Lee to direct Women Bike PHL Devo, a six-week intensive coaching and mentoring road racing development program for beginner women. I also became a founding member of Team Laser Cats, a cycling team and community organization for women/non-binary/trans riders that combines racing with community building and advocacy. Since 2016, I have been a mentor lead with Little Bellas, a national organization providing mentorship to girls aged 7-13 through mountain biking.
Read Slow Burn: Musings on a long cyclocross season, wherein I reflect on my 2017 racing season, as I try to make sense of my place as an elite-level amateur racers lining up in the professional field.
I was the proud co-founder of Sheclismo, an all-women’s organization headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. I also served as Vice President of BicycLincoln, the League of American Bicyclists member organization and local advocacy board in the city of Lincoln from 2012-2014. I have testified in front of city and state government on behalf of cyclists–especially women and children–in advocating for better, safer infrastructure for people traveling by bicycle.
Curious about my race results?
http://nocoastfilms.com/cycling-advocacy/cycling-resume/
Media Coverage
Regular guest commentator on the Media Pit on Cyclocross Radio, analysis of World Cup/World Championship/Olympic Mountain Bike Racing:
On this episode we’ll chat about developing women as racers, permission to compete, women wrenching, pickles, and making our own damn media.
http://the-joyride-podcast.com/2016/06/25/joyride013/
http://www.prettydamnedfast.com/blog/tlc
http://littlebellas.com/mentor/elisabeth-reinkordt/
http://bikeleague.org/content/moms-daughters-join-challenge-together
http://bicyclecoalition.org/190485-2/#sthash.DFky880G.dpbs
https://cyclingtips.com/2015/04/fit-for-the-fight/
https://cyclingtips.com/2015/05/women-bike-phl-devo-what-i-know/
https://theradavist.com/2017/11/2017-philly-bike-expo-pedalino-cnc-fillet-cross-bike-jarrod-bunk/