Anna Barensfeld

What was your first experience with a bike?

I vaguely recall wearing a huge white styrofoam egg on my head while riding in a child seat behind my Dad on his green 3-speed. My mom tells me it was the very first Bell helmet for kids. Thanks, Mom. I got the message–I always wear my helmet!

If you weren’t a pro cyclist, what might your job be?

When I’m not racing, I go to business school, so when the racing party’s over, my job will be to boss myself around. And bring some cool things to the cycling market! That’s the plan.
 
When you aren’t racing your bike, how do you spend your free time?

Although I never thought I’d say it, I’ve been doing a lot of hot yoga these days! I also enjoy cooking, and I can spend an amazing amount of time shopping for food. It’s one of my favorite things to do! I search for new tasty foods, read all the labels, and just take my time. It’s relaxing!

How do you stay fit in the off-season?

Ice hockey and indoor rock climbing, and a teensy bit of CX!
 
Where is somewhere in the world you raced that really stands out?

I think I am lucky to be able to travel across the entire U.S. to race. Recently I have been thinking a lot about that! It’s easy to get jaded and forget that each location is unique and interesting in its own right, especially as the season wears on and races start to blend together.

That said, the lava fields on Mackenzie Pass at Cascades will probably get me every time.

What was your biggest moment on the bike?

I see this in the future. I’m just getting warmed up!

Annie Ewart

What was your first experience with a bike?
My red tricycle onto which I attached a tiny wagon where I stuffed my 1 year old sister-we roamed the patio!
If you weren’t a pro cyclist, what might your job be?
This is a tough one! I just graduated from high school, and am enrolled to start Uni next September, in Sciences, so at some point maybe a Sports Doctor, but I am open to other options.

When you aren’t racing your bike, how do you spend your free time?
I love to spend time with my family and friends. I have also been doing some volunteer work.

How do you stay fit in the off-season?
Running, swimming, yoga, hiking

Where is somewhere in the world you raced that really stands out?
Copenhagen, I was there for junior worlds this past September.

What was your biggest moment on the bike?
Winning both the Time Trial and Road Race at Junior National Championships 2011, and 7th in the Time Trial at the World Championships 2011.

Carmen Small

What was your first experience with a bike?
I crashed enough in my career to forget my first time on the bike…

If you weren’t a pro cyclist, what might your job be?
A math teacher, a owner of a bed and breakfast, a mother, and many more things!

When you aren’t racing your bike, how do you spend your free time?
I like to spend time with my husband, Ben. He needs a lot of attention because he is very needy, he was the middle child so that explains a lot.

How do you stay fit in the off-season?
I like to nordic ski, run, hike, really anything out doors.

Where is somewhere in the world you raced that really stands out?
Italy, cappuccinos are outstanding!

What was your biggest moment on the bike?
Getting to ride my bike with my father after he overcame cancer, double bypass surgery, and a artificial hip! Tough man!

Courteney Lowe

What was your first experience with a bike?
Riding my dads 30 year old bike with the gears on the down tube and the tyres flat because they were too old to pump up. Somehow that made me want to cycle more?

If you weren’t a pro cyclist, what might your job be?
Either a Cross-Country runner or cupcake baker… Or I would run my parents restaurant.

When you aren’t racing your bike, how do you spend your free time?
Training to race my bike, swimming, baking, beach and spending time with friends and family.

How do you stay fit in the off-season?
Havn’t really had an off-season before, but if I did I would be swimming and running.. and probly still biking.

Where is somewhere in the world you raced that really stands out?
Doing a World Cup race in ChongMing Island (half hour drive from Shanghai). It was clean and the culture was really awesome. Also the race organisers and people watching were so enthusiastic bringing out 10 foot dragon puppets and supporting us the length of the race.

What was your biggest moment on the bike?
Racing the 2010 World Champs in Geelong, Australia. Such an amazing experience riding alongside the best cyclists in the world.

Denise Ramsden

What was your first experience with a bike?
Learning to ride my bike around the streets of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories decked out in my yellow bug jacket to avoid getting eaten alive by all the mosquitoes.

If you weren’t a pro cyclist, what might your job be?
Finishing the last year of my degree, and then hopefully using it… maybe genetic counselling.

When you aren’t racing your bike, how do you spend your free time?
Cooking, eating, reading, going to school, sleeping, losing arm wrestling contests to my boyfriend

How do you stay fit in the off-season?
Attempting to run, running back and forth between classes, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and epic hikes

Where is somewhere in the world you raced that really stands out?
South Africa was a really interesting experience. Everything was so beautiful, but culturally is was so different then anything I’d seen before.

What was your biggest moment on the bike?
Probably racing Fleche Wallone for the first time.. The fans on the Mur de Huy were insane – even if they were largely there for the men they still did a good job of cheering us. It was a good introduction to European racing.

Emma Grant

What was your first experience with a bike?
My parents made me learn without stabilisers on the farm tracks, I had to learn pretty quickly to save my skin!

If you weren’t a pro cyclist, what might your job be?
I would probably still be at University but doing a full time degree and eventually study Sports Medicine.

When you aren’t racing your bike, how do you spend your free time?
Cooking and trying to have some sort of a social life!

How do you stay fit in the off-season?
I train pretty hard during the off season on the bike and in the gym. I like to jet off to warmer climes to train as I am a bit of a softy in the cold!

Where is somewhere in the world you raced that really stands out?
I love racing in New Zealand! Amazing weather and scenery, the beach is great for recovery too!

What was your biggest moment on the bike?
Winning in Belgium last season, we got so lost getting to the race and made it onto the start line in the nick of time so I was pumped with adrenaline!

Jade Wilcoxson

What was your first experience with a bike?
My first memorable experience on a bike is my big brother trying to give me lessons on how to jump my bike. We started on a miniature dirt jump in a field by our house. I started small with just a little bit of air and slowly built my confidence up. Then I told him to watch me as I went full throttle for what I pictured being the most impressive jump ever landed by a girl. I think I caught some decent air (probably 6 inches in reality), I crossed up the bars in mid-air (unintentionally), which had not been covered in my previous instruction. I panicked and the big show ended in a heep of dust and terribly injured pride. I cried all the way home. I never asked for lessons again….until I wanted to learn how to ride a wheelie.

If you weren’t a pro cyclist, what might your job be?
I’m a physical therapist, I specialize in geriatrics.

When you aren’t racing your bike, how do you spend your free time?
Usually I’m tackling some home DIY project that is way over my head. I have big ideas for my home renovations, but for some reason I am always surprised at how much time, money and skills it takes to complete the job. I never remember the lessons I’ve learned until it’s too late to turn back!

How do you stay fit in the off-season?
I run with friends, lift weights in the gym or ride my cross or mountain bike. Occasionally I’ll go snow shoeing or cross-country skiing.

Where is somewhere in the world you raced that really stands out?
I’ve only raced in the US so far. Racing with the Nature Valley Pro Team this year at the Nature Valley Grand Prix was an awesome experience. That was my first taste of the “pro” experience.  It’s hard to go back to wrenching on your own bikes once you’ve had full team support.

What was your biggest moment on the bike?
My first big stage race of 2011 was the Sea Otter Classic. I won the circuit race and ended up 2nd on GC. Standing on a podium next to Kristin Armstrong for the first time was unbelievable. Going into the race, I was just hoping not to get dropped. That was the first time I thought I might actually be good enough to race with the pros and pursue a pro contract. That experience kicked off an incredible season and gave me a huge confidence boost for the rest of the season.

Janel Holcomb

What was your first experience with a bike?
It probably involved a tricycle. But the thing that got me into cycling in my 20s was Team in Training.

If you weren’t a pro cyclist, what might your job be?
High school math/chemistry teacher.

When you aren’t racing your bike, how do you spend your free time?
Coach riders, train, spend time with husband & friends, cook, eat, sleep.

How do you stay fit in the off-season?
I ride my bike!

Where is somewhere in the world you raced that really stands out?
Thuringen region of Germany (East/Central). Gorgeous country-side, rolling hills, and fun roads for racing.

What was your biggest moment on the bike?
It’s hard to say! Probably all of 2011.

Joelle Numainville

What was your first experience with a bike?
I did montain bike as my first experience with a bike, it was a lot of fun

If you weren’t a pro cyclist, what might your job be?
I will be working in finance

When you aren’t racing your bike, how do you spend your free time?
I’m a student at school, I’m studying a lot

How do you stay fit in the off-season?
I run

Where is somewhere in the world you raced that really stands out?
Switzerland

What was your biggest moment on the bike?
Winning Panamericain Championship in Mexico 2009

Kristin Sanders

What was your first experience with a bike?  
My first bike was a pink Huffy and I got it when I was 5 years old.  I immediately loved it.  Then, I won a Schwinn 10-speed at the mall when I was 11.  One summer while I college, I saved and bought a nice mountain bike, which I mostly rode to and from class.  Campus police often chased me because I did not want to put a sticker on the beautifully painted frame, but they never caught me!  I got my first racing bike, a baby blue LeMond, about 12 years ago.  The rest is history!

If you weren’t a pro cyclist, what might your job be?
An advertising executive…which i will officially be in about 8 months!

When you aren’t racing your bike, how do you spend your free time?
Shopping, either on line or in stores, and spending time with my friends and family are among my favorite things to do.  If it’s Sunday between February and November and I’m not racing, you can find me on the couch watching NASCAR (the #24 Dupont Chevrolet).

How do you stay fit in the off-season?
I live where it’s warm, in sunny South Florida, so i can ride all year.  Generally, i take the month of October off my bike and I may swim or go to the beach.  Otherwise, i ride my bike!

Where is somewhere in the world you raced that really stands out?
Huy, Belgium.  I loved the race and the town.  

What was your biggest moment on the bike?
Winning the Wilmington Grand Prix in 2011, solo, on my 40th birthday!

Leah Kirchmann

What was your first experience with a bike?
Speeding around the neighbourhood on my sweet hot pink bike, always wearing a dress.
 
If you weren’t a pro cyclist, what might your job be?
I might be working and doing research in public health.

When you aren’t racing your bike, how do you spend your free time?
Taking classes, experimenting with cooking and baking, hanging out with friends.

How do you stay fit in the off-season?
 Lots of mountain biking, x-c skiing, weights, running and yoga.
 
Where is somewhere in the world you raced that really stands out?
One of my first international race destinations was Cape Town, South Africa for Junior Road Worlds in 2008. This trip really stood out for me because it was my first introduction to international road racing and world travel.

What was your biggest moment on the bike?
Winning the Tour of Elk Grove last year. I was 7th after the prologue, the only way to take the overall would be to win the following two stages to get the maximum time bonuses. It was intense, but the team pulled it off and I took the overall!

Lex Albrecht