It’s been two full years since my retirement and I’m loving every minute of it. I’m amazed at how busy I find myself, even more so than when I was racing. After eighteen years of competing I decided to pass on the $150 USA Cycling license renewal and finally spend more time sleeping in my own bed than in some marginal hotel full of millions of unknown microscopic creatures. I thought it would be hard not to race. But it’s actually been an easy transition. I was ready to be done with intervals, heart rate monitors, motor pacing, riding in cold yucky weather, sitting on a plane every week, and most importantly I was ready to spend some quality time with my husband and family. Now I ride to stay in shape and to keep from getting dropped on the weekend group rides.
My non-racing career is keeping me extremely busy. I am now coaching full time, working with both road and mountain bikers. It’s a lot of fun and I enjoy the challenge of being on the “other side”. I am also continuing my work with the Luna Women’s MTB Team, running race clinics and working with the Luna Chix Ambassador program. And my newest job is becoming the media contact for the Luna Team. I will be responsible for team communications, press, and public relations. I have never written a press release so this will be a new adventure. I hope I can make my teammates look as good on paper as they are on their bikes.
Somewhere in the middle of all of this I find time to ride with my husband, play with our Border collie Jiggs, make a few telemark turns in the powder, and visit my family in Denver. It’s a great life and I feel very lucky!