Where I grew up, as a kid, the “normal” things to do for me were things like girl scouts (I always wanted to be a boy scout because they did way cooler things than girl scouts), soccer, football (for boys), and team sports. My bike wasn’t something I rode for exercise. In fact, my dad told me I couldn’t ride my bike if I didn’t wear my helmet and I hated my helmet…so I never rode. Stubborn! Now I wouldn’t dream of riding without one.
Cycling isn’t a traditional sport that kids think of doing growing up. Fortunately, several states are adopting high school cycling leagues. Usually, a junior racer gets involved with cycling because of someone they know. I often wonder what my life would have been like if I had any idea that cycling was a sport in high school.
One of my friends , Lauryn Andre, is a junior racer. I wonder if she gets annoyed being called a junior like how Indiana Jones get mad when his dad calls him “junior?” I spent some time catching up with Lauryn who is a sophomore in high school, and a 16 year old junior racer who lives in Longmont, Colorado. We talked about things like what it’s like to do a non-traditional high school sport, the time commitment, the racing mentality, and support structure. Let’s face it, the type of pain you experience on a bike is completely different than something like tennis or volleyball. It was clear after a very short period of time that she has head screwed on right with a lot of great goals both on and off the bike!
So let’s see what Lauryn had to say –
How do you balance training with school?
I try to get my ride in first before homework. I do this because I know how long my ride will be and I rarely know exactly how long my hw will take me. Also, it’s easier to plan hw around a ride than it is to plan a ride around hw.
When did you learn to ride a bike?
I actually learned how to ride a bike when I was 9 years old, but I learned how to ride a road bike when I was 13 years old as well as a track bike.
When did you start cycling regularly?
I started cycling regularly when I was in 8th grade although it was only 3-4 days a week. In 9th grade (age 14-15) is when it started to become more regular: 5-7 days a week.
Describe your first bike race and how you felt.
My first bike race was Deer Trail Road Race and I was very nervous at the beinning and felt slow most of the time. Because I didn’t have anything to base it off of, I kinda just rode at a slighly uncomfortable pace. It as a very hard race. It was all the hills and a pertty strong head wind in one direction. During the race I felt like I was doing an okay job considering the conditions and at the end of the race, I felt like it was one of the hardest things that I would ever do in life. After I found out my time, I was very excited becasue my time was faster than one of my teammates time who was in an older age group and had been riding and racing for a whole year longer than me.
Have you played any other sports competitively?
Yes. I was on a cheerleading team in 3rd and sort of in 4th grade. I was in basketball in 6th and 7th grade along with track and field, and I did volleyball from 6th-9th grade.
Do you like cycling more than those sports and why?
Yes, because although they are fun and give you a workout, I have gained more self confidence, self power, and strength in cycling. Also you get to meet a lot of new poeple that you may be able to relate on a deeper level with.
What made you want to ride bikes?
I was going to the Colorado Velodrome to watch my Dad ride and then met Cari Higgens and joined her team. Coach Gordy and his wife Rita gave me an awesome deal on a track bike and Carmon Small got me on a cross bike and I am now loving cross.
What other hobbies do you have?
Jumping on the trampoline in the backyard, hanging out with my frineds.
What do your friends think of your bike racing?
My friends think that it is cool that I ride and race. I am the only person/friend that they know who races bikes, so at first they were a little lost but now some of them are even coming to support me at my races.
What is your personal motto? What keeps you going when the going gets tough?
“Believe in yourself.” It can’t be as hard as it seems and I know I won’t die during the prcoess, and I know that if I quit it will only make it worse.
What made you choose the cycling discipline?
Because it sounded fun and when I first tried track I automatically fell in love and decided that I wanted to go and buy a bike and try it out.
What is your nyumber 1 goal for the year? for 5 years?
This year: placing well in cross nationals. 5 years: get through some o fmy college with cycling scholarships
Do you have a coach?
Yes, I have a coach for Black Sheep Jr cycling and my Dad, Dr Pat is also my coach.
What kind of bike do you have?
road= Blue Track =Bioneni Cross=Jamis
What is your dream bike?
a pretty bike that is super light and fast that is given to me as sponsorship
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a veterinarian
What is your greatest accomplishment in cycling so far?
Gaining more self confidence and self power in cycling and in general life
Do you think being a bike racer gives you self confidence? More so than if you’d have if you didn’t race?
Yes, I would say it does because since I started racing, I am not as shy, I am standing up for myself more, I am getting more aggressive in racing and in life.
Do you feel you have a different diet compared to your friends?
Yes, I would say that I had a little bit different of a deit compared to my friends. I tend to eat a healthier, balanced diet and some of my friends eat whatever is there, healthy or not. Some of my friends are drikning soda early in the day, and others just don’t have the desire to eat a well balanced meal
Favorite race last year?
Alpha Cross #2 was my favorite because I worked super hard, got second, and got to spray sparkling cider everywhere.
Do you ever worry that you are missing out on other things in high school because of bike racing?
Yes, I do miss some of the HS acitivites but I’m not to worried about it because I am still having fun with cycling and I still get to hang out with my friends and go to games.
As far as sponsorship and extra help, do you feel that in Colorado, there are good junior programs?
Yes, I believe that there are many junior programs in Colorado. Black Sheep Jr Cycling is a great team and has some good sponsors. There are very many other jr programs that give great support and coaching to their team. Ann Trombley has a great cyclocross team for juniors and is always willing to help junior and/or any person that needs help at a race. She gives great advice and support.
Who have been your role models growing up?
– When I was little I wanted to be just like July Andrews in the Sound of Music because I wanted to be a singer.
-Cari Higgins was my first cycling role model because she was a fast successful woman who rode track and got me on my first team.
-My Dad, Patrick because he is open, honest, and truthful and is a little out of the norm of average people.
Look for Lauryn at the road races this spring!
Know any young people that might like cycling? Don’t keep this great sport a secret! Colorado also has a really great high school cycling league. Click here for more info.
