Introduction

When I asked my family for a bicycle for my 65th birthday in January 2007, I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be training to race and win. My thoughts at the time were to visit some close, in miles, friends and ride to Wal-Mart with my bike. By April of that year, the basket came off my Surly Cross-Check, and a couple of weeks later the fenders. Clip on shoes followed and after landing on my back 6 or 7 times at the stop, I conquered the technique of getting loose from my bike. A gold medal was mine at Cyclocross Nationals in 2007. But, stiffer competition in 2008 left me in second. I am now training to compete at National Senior Games in San Francisco in August, National Masters in Louisville in June and Cyclocross Nationals in Oregon next December. My daughter, Sydney Brown, has been the most influential person in my decision to compete.(Google Sydney Brown to see her accomplishments with her bikes) Her drive and energy is a constant inspiration to me. Currently I am in training to become a Spin Class instructor at 5 Willows in Lincoln, NE. I am at the gym, 5 Willows, 5-6 mornings a week, working out on the spin bikes and doing some strength training. One of the most rewarding aspects of riding my bike is the thrill of going fast. In the past I came close to losing my license for getting so many speeding tickets in my car. I have yet to get a speeding ticket while on my bike.