How long have you been in cycling?
13 years.
How did you get into cycling?
I began riding a bike to raise awareness and fund for pediatric oncology. Raising money for children’s cancer camps through the Tour for Kids cycling events. After riding in a few charity events, I was hooked and wanted to explore a more competitive side of the sport. I started training more intentionally and began racing in 2014. Cycling became a way of life and I soon enjoyed travelling on two wheels, exploring many iconic areas by bike. I pushed my racing and training, testing my physical and mental limits and I enjoyed all the lessons I learned along the way. Facing fears and embracing challenges, cycling has shaped the person I am today. I was lucky to race for 6 years on the road, track and even a CX race, before the COVID pandemic shifted my trajectory. I still have a Bicycle Way of Life and get to share that joy daily in my position with the NCIM.
What is your favorite discipline?
Road Cycling.
Who is your favorite cyclist?
I have a lot of respect for so many professional cyclists, it’s hard to pick just one. Elisa Longo Borghini is definitely someone I love to watch. Retired pro Annemiek van Vleuten was a favourite too, she had so much grit and work ethic.
What has been your favorite event in 2024?
I know this is supposed to be a local event but I don’t think anything can top Stage 15 of the Tour de France on the Plateau de Beille. Cheering on Canadian Pro and Ottawa Native Derek Gee up the mountain and watching Mark Cavendish just beat the broom wagon in his final TdF is nothing short of spectacular.
What is something you want to see in the future of cycling?
I would like to see a larger cultural shift in North America to embody a Bicycle Way of Life. We’ve gotten really good at catering to the far edges of the spectrum but I think we can do so much more to improve the middle ground of cycling. Looking to other cycling focused countries such as Amsterdam, Belgium and Spain and learning how to normalize cycling as a sport but also as a hobby, mode of transportation and general way of life. When cities are built with bike lanes as naturally as they are built with sidewalks, then we’ll be onto something.