Lineup at Nationals! 100+ degrees at the start.
I have found that in life no one is the same. Everyone is different. However people often find things that they have in common. These things in common are what bring people together.
For example cycling acts as glue that brings people from all walks of life together. I have met so many wonderful people that share a passion for biking. For example: Marc and Diane who gave me a bike, M who brings me smiles and Gavin who is always with me as a great friend and teammate, Maddie and Nicole who are there for me as racers and friends, and everyone else I have met who pushes me to do my best and believes in me. It warms my heart and gives me a reason to smile every day to know that all these people I have met, and know, believe in me. I feel as if I am the luckiest person in the whole world. I wish from the bottom of my heart that everyone will know that I am so very grateful for being able to have such wonderful amazing and kind people in my life. And I guess the one thing I can thank cycling the most for is all the friendships and opportunities it has given me.
I have now had my first cross practice of the year. A lot of people showed up to ride their skinny tire bikes on the grass track. I was happy to meet some new people, and see everyone out there practicing and enjoying life on the bike. I did some laps and tried some run ups. At the end of practice I was energized, so I decided to keep riding when I got home. I went all around town. I felt free. When I get on a bike there’s just a feeling I cannot explain.
I finished my ride at home to find some of the younger kids in my neighborhood riding around. I was so excited to see them enjoying riding their bikes on a beautiful night. One of them even had my bike that I had when I was 8. When I outgrew the bike, my dad and I decided to give it to a younger neighbor. We told them to just pass it on to another kid when they were done with it. Anyway, I took these kids on a ride. Leading the ride made me realize how much I want to spread the joy of biking, and to reach out to all people to get them pedaling.
Hopping cars at Bilenky Junkyard Cross.
Though I am sad to see the mountain bike season end I am so excited to start cross season. I had lots of ups- and one down- during mountain bike season. I am excited that I was able to make the podium. I won a couple of Alison Dunlap JR Race Series/AMBC gold medals and silver at States. I came close to making the podium in a u 40’s women’s race, but I went over the handle bars and ate some dirt.
The one thing I regret from this year is my first DNF ever. And of course that had to happen on the day of Nationals! It was over 100 degrees that day. But, I now look back and say that I am proud of myself for even trying. There were only 13 girls that raced that day. Only 13 girls in the whole nation actually tried, and I am proud to be one of those girls.
I’m also looking forward to next year where I will practice harder and try again. More important than all of this though is that I made a new friend this past season! I am grateful to have met her. In the end, I want to thank all the sponsors of Trestle Bridge Racing and all the people that make bike races possible. I’m excited for the upcoming races and practices for cross. And, I hope to make a difference in someone’s life with biking. Til next time, I’m over the barriers and through the woods. -Emily
My first mountain bike race ever. I think I was 6.
Before my race at the Nationals.
The Muddy Girl 