Why I Ride

Time flies!

I love my bike!

Hello again. It’s been long enough since I posted something (over a year) that I figured it was time for an update; it’s been a very busy year for me! The past 12+ months were filled with exciting races, new friends, amazing journeys, and new experiences.

My team has been very helpful in allowing me to have such a great year.  JB Mountain Bikes and Stoudt’s Brewing have helped me a lot with participating in a sport I love.  They have also helped me in achieving my dream of being an advocate for cycling and its amazing community. For example, this year we are planning on expanding our junior team! It will be great to see more kids coming together to do something I love and know I had a part in getting them addicted to riding their bikes. I want to also thank my teammates for supporting me and cheering me on during the mountain and cross seasons!! And lots of thanks go out to Dave Borden. Thanks for supporting and believing in me Dave!

Speaking of junior racers, I was so excited to meet a fantastic young lady this year named Abbey Ronca. This amazing junior came out to race this year and truly rocked it for someone at such a young age! It was so great to see her never give up! Among my competitors, the Krasley sisters were amazing, and pushed me every step of the way to do my best. We shared lots of laughs and suffered together in the mud and dirt.  I also want to congratulate my friend Hunter on winning a PA state title his first year of mountain biking!!

Emma and me. Happy to be done Greenbrier!

Another amazing thing happened this past cross season! One of my dear friends Emma Freymann took her place on top of the podium. Emma and I have always pushed each other; but, this year she took it to a whole new level. It was amazing to see my friend fight so hard, and it made my grueling races so much more enjoyable. We had a great groove out there together. We would take turns sharing the lead and work hard together to pass the older ladies in front of us. It was always such a rush whenever we would sprint to the finish too! We would work together every race, and it would always be a battle at the end.

This past season for mountain biking was really fun, and probably one of my best seasons. I managed to go undefeated in the MASS U19 Women.  Of course winning isn’t why I race. It was always a great feeling just to be able to say “I did it” when I finished. The feeling is indescribable. Just the realization that it was your hard work and determination that got you to the finish is enough to make me want to keep racing.

My little bro.

The biggest accomplishment for me was achieving a win at the 2014 Mountain Bike National Championship (Cat 3 15-18 Women) at Bear Creek in Pennsylvania. Winning a National Championship has always been a huge dream of mine. I was so nervous at the start of that race. I was up against some amazing skilled and fast women in my age group. All of them had phenomenal talent, and I had no clue what the outcome would be. Once the race was off I knew that it was all or nothing. I put everything I had into that one race. The whole way all I could think was “this is what I want!” I wanted to do my best and give it everything I had. I knew that I needed to get in the “I can do it” mindset.

It was a steep, rocky, technical, lung burning race to the top of the mountain. Then from there it was a combination of luck and skills to get down through all the huge rocks. The best memory was cresting the hill to the finish line and realizing that this was it. I gave it everything I had left, and pushed through the pain. Crossing the finish line in first place  was the happiest moment for me. I started to tear up, and all I could think was I did it and it’s something I will always have. I can remember seeing my little brother’s face and his huge smile after I finished and that’s when I truly realized what I had just done. I was so grateful for everything I had and everyone who was there for me. Like Cati Scheifele who had been a huge support for me, and took care of me.

Another thing I was so grateful for was my Niner EMD- which got me over the boulders with so much ease. I love that bike to death. It helped get me to my National Championship and I won’t even consider riding anything else.

Sadly, mountain bike season came to an end, but at least it ended with a lot of amazing achievements.

That brought me to the start off cyclocross season in September where I had a blast! One of my favorite races was Swash Buckler which took me through the PA  Renaissance Faire. I was pretty sick that day- could hardly breathe. But, it was so much fun, and the giant turkey legs were so yummy!!!

Something else yummy I discovered are Kind bars. I have become addicted. My favorite has to be the Dark chocolate nuts and sea salt. So. Good. And I love the awesome jewelry I got from the amazing Amy at Tube U Ware!!!

Charm City Flyover.

Another race that was great was Charm City. It had these huge fun flyovers that would give you tickles in your belly every time you went over them.

The Gran Prix Of Gloucester (MA) was another great race. Beautiful weather. Right on the ocean. I had to race against the “grown ups” both days. I was intimidated at first but managed a 15th out of about 75 women on Day 2- despite a last row call up! I was so happy with my ride that day!

One downside to my cyclocross season was we found out my mother had breast cancer for the second time. It seemed very bad this time round which affected me quite a lot. All through the season I would sometimes have to miss a race to go see her. It has been a very sad time for me and my family, but biking gave me an outlet. Being out on the course gave me time to clear my head, and I was able to just be free from everything.

Biking has always been something that gives me a reason to smile. When you’re on a bike everything changes you forget about everything, the world becomes yours. And in that moment it doesn’t matter what others think of you, or what people say you can and can’t do because when you’re riding down a rocky hill or pushing yourself up that mile long climb, you feel invincible.

Laura Van Gilder and me! Sly Fox Cross.

One HUGE plus to the season though was meeting one of my biggest heroes, Laura Van Gilder!!!! She is just as amazing off the bike as she is on it. Laura is a legend in the sport and so very loved by everyone in the community. I can’t think of a better role model. We not only share a love for things with two wheels, but we also love our 4 legged friends. Laura is a dog lover too! I hope to be as strong and as spectacular as her someday. She has one of the biggest hearts, and I hope to learn more from her in the days to come.

Overall this year has been a good one, and I hope this year will be even better. Also for anyone else out there thinking about biking and has some questions you can contact me at cxgirl99@hotmail.com. I would happy to help you get into this life changing sport.

With mountain bike season looming in the head lights, I want to wish everyone a great season!!! See you on the trails soon!

Until next time, I am over barriers and through the woods!

Emily

(NOTE: Here is some info on my mom’s charity ride to raise money for breast cancer research: http://www.theboobride.org/2015-ride/pa/ .  And here is her fund raising page for the 3 day walk: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR?px=7480222&fr_id=1934&pg=personal)

My father. There are no words….